Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Advisory body SER calls for eight weeks of paid leave for informal caregivers
The Dutch advisory body SER is calling for the government to provide eight weeks of paid leave to help informal caregivers balance their jobs with their caregiving responsibilities. This recommendatio...
350-euro washing machines, fresh durian and maybe a Rolex: Chinese giant aims to conquer the Dutch market
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is planning to expand its presence in the Dutch market, posing a significant threat to local retailers like Bol.com and Coolblue. Retail expert John Lin predicts the co...
Larger European power grid good for prices but creates dependency
Expanding the European power grid would lower electricity prices for the Netherlands but increase its dependency on other member states, according to a study by the CPB. The report notes that without ...
Tech billionaires (and Dick Schoof) discuss the future of AI at Indian summit
Leaders from major technology companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, are gathering in India to discuss the future and impact of artificial intelligence. Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Dick...
KLM concerned about costs but parent company reports record profit
KLM CEO Marjan Rintel has called for improved cost management following a challenging 2025, despite the airline starting and ending the year strongly. In contrast, parent company Air France-KLM report...
Dutch investors fared well in otherwise turbulent year
In 2025, the investment value of Dutch households increased by 7.8 percent, according to data from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). Despite experiencing a volatile and tense financial year, the central ba...
Few people ill in January for the time of year
Employee absenteeism in January was lower than in previous years, but rates are now rising due to the start of a flu epidemic. The celebration of Carnival is expected to further contribute to this inc...
New cabinet cuts benefits: how the plans hit the long-term sick
The new Dutch cabinet’s proposed budget cuts will reduce benefits for fully incapacitated employees by up to 270 euros per month. Additional austerity measures could potentially increase these losse...
Dozens of flights at Schiphol cancelled as a precaution due to winter weather
Airlines have preemptively cancelled approximately 100 flights at Schiphol Airport due to expected winter weather conditions. These cancellations primarily affect European destinations and were made a...
Billions in profits for Dutch banks, yet checking account fees are rising: why is that?
Major Dutch banks ING, Rabobank, and ABN Amro reported record annual profits last year, drawing public criticism as service fees for checking accounts continue to rise while savings interest remains l...
Meta to equip smart glasses with facial recognition: 'Doomsday scenario for privacy'
A leaked memo indicates that Meta plans to equip its smart camera glasses with facial recognition technology to allow users to identify individuals in public. Privacy advocates have condemned the pote...
Vodafone sells stake in VodafoneZiggo, Ziggo to list in Amsterdam in 2027
British telecom company Vodafone has agreed to sell its 50% stake in the Dutch joint venture VodafoneZiggo to its partner Liberty Global for €1 billion in cash. VodafoneZiggo will be integrated into...
Aegon insurance brand to disappear from the Netherlands in coming months after takeover
The insurance brand Aegon will completely disappear from the Dutch market over the coming months following its acquisition by insurer ASR. All remaining mortgage and pension products will be rebranded...
Box 3 tax continues to spark anger, now landlords bear the brunt: ‘It remains a monstrosity’
Real estate investors in the Netherlands are taking legal action against the government over the Box 3 asset tax system, following previous successful challenges by savers in the Supreme Court. The in...
Massive Odido data breach also hits customers who left years ago: 'They'll end up on the dark web'
A significant data breach at Dutch telecom provider Odido has affected current and former customers, including individuals who left the company up to ten years ago. Affected victims expressed anger an...
Jetten completes cabinet team after Van Berkel’s departure
Upcoming Prime Minister Rob Jetten has finalized his cabinet team by appointing Utrecht alderman Eelco Eerenberg as the new State Secretary of Finance. Eerenberg replaces Nathalie van Berkel and is th...
You’d think all Cubans hate Trump, but after 60 years of dictatorship, the oil boycott seems like a unique opportunity
Many Cubans support Donald Trump’s oil boycotts, viewing them as a potential catalyst for change after 60 years of dictatorship. Rather than blaming U.S. sanctions, citizens express deep frustration...
Shein under investigation in Europe over illegal products and ‘addictive’ design: ‘Aggressive marketing model’
The European Union has launched an investigation into the Chinese retailer Shein over the sale of illegal items, including reports of child sex dolls being listed on the platform. The probe also exami...
American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson dies at 84
American civil rights activist and minister Jesse Jackson has passed away at the age of 84, according to his family. He was widely recognized for his lifelong commitment to fighting for equal rights f...
Tax bills are on the way
Tax assessments are being issued once again, with updated information regarding changes for the current year. The provided details explain what has changed and outline the various methods available fo...
Not Laren, but this municipality is now the most expensive in the Netherlands
Blaricum has replaced Laren as the most expensive municipality for homebuyers in the Netherlands, with average house prices exceeding €1.1 million. According to data from the CBS and Kadaster, Bloem...
Hundreds of Odido customers switch after massive data breach: ‘What happened there is no small matter’
Hundreds of Odido internet customers have switched to competitors following a major data leak at the telecommunications company. According to the comparison platform Internetten.nl, the number of cust...
D66 member Nathalie van Berkel not to become state secretary due to CV inaccuracies
D66 Member of Parliament Nathalie van Berkel has withdrawn as the nominee for State Secretary of Finance due to inaccuracies regarding her educational background. She stepped down after it was reveale...
Welding robot becomes new colleague at regional shipyards: ‘Skilled workers for difficult jobs’
Neptune Marine in Hardinxveld-Giessendam is introducing advanced welding robots to address a critical shortage of skilled labor in the Dutch shipbuilding industry. These smart machines are designed to...
Pauline was back on the street after three weeks: 'I supposedly didn't pass onboarding'
Pauline, a 56-year-old employee, was dismissed from her new job after only three weeks despite initially passing the application process and assignments with high marks. Her employer claimed she faile...
Cabinet plan consequences: Unemployed to receive up to 900 euros less per month
Calculations by labor unions FNV and CNV indicate that unemployed individuals in the Netherlands could receive up to 900 euros per month less under the new cabinet's proposed plans. This significant r...
Ministers see no need for 15 percent pay rise: 'I definitely earn enough'
Ministers in the outgoing Schoof cabinet have rejected a proposal to increase their salaries by 15 percent, stating that their current compensation is already sufficient. Although an advisory report s...
Suddenly, ‘no-frills’ discounter Aldi has the wind in its sails: how is that possible?
Aldi is experiencing a significant business recovery after several years of financial setbacks and declining performance. The discount supermarket's turnaround is largely attributed to its consistent ...
Schiphol expects more travelers, pre-pandemic numbers in sight
Schiphol Airport expects passenger numbers to continue growing this year, nearing levels seen before the pandemic. The airport projects that between 68 million and 72 million travelers will pass throu...
Advice to new cabinet: Raise politicians' pay by up to 18 percent
A new advisory report recommends increasing the salaries of Dutch politicians by up to 18 percent over the next three years. Under the proposal, ministers would receive a 15 percent raise, while alder...