Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Dog rescued, but privacy at stake? Controversy over Ring cameras in US: ‘Dystopian’
Amazon is facing criticism in the United States over a Ring doorbell feature that allows users to locate lost pets using their neighbors' camera footage. While the tool is intended to help animal owne...
No-frills formation: suddenly there’s a 27 billion gap and Bontenbal strikes up that Willeke Alberti song
Informateur Rianne Letschert facilitated the formation of a minority government between the D66, VVD, and CDA parties despite a sudden €27 billion budget deficit. The process required multiple inter...

Alderman postpones final decision on cruise ships: Bridges come first
Amsterdam Alderman Hester van Buren has postponed a final decision on banning sea cruises from the city, prioritizing the construction of bridges over the IJ over the current location of the Passenger...
Grand’Italia, which brought Italian cuisine to the Netherlands, could soon be in French hands
The pasta sauce brand Grand’Italia may soon be acquired by the French company Pimente Investissement, a subsidiary of the investor CVC. Current owner GBfoods Europe confirmed it is in advanced negot...

A coffee with Chris de Ploeg (De Vonk): 'Amsterdam is becoming unaffordable for more and more people'
Chris de Ploeg, the lead candidate for the political party De Vonk, outlined his party's platform for the Amsterdam municipal elections, focusing on making the city more affordable for low-income resi...
Power grid in three provinces reaching capacity, connection freeze looms
Grid operator TenneT announced on Thursday that the high-voltage power grid in the Dutch provinces of Utrecht, Gelderland, and Flevoland has reached its capacity limits. Consequently, the operator war...
No more raspberries and blueberries at Albert Heijn: ‘Extreme weather will hit all of Europe’
Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn is experiencing a shortage of fresh raspberries and blueberries due to extreme weather conditions in Spain and Morocco. The retailer has placed signs in stores inf...
Spotify soaring despite disgruntled bands quitting: ‘You only make an impact if Taylor Swift leaves’
Spotify reached record-breaking audience numbers last year despite several bands leaving the platform in protest of the company's policies. The streaming service's growth continued even as it faced cr...
Heineken in a bind: beer prices rise but consumers refuse to pay more
Heineken is facing a crisis as rising beer prices meet strong resistance from both supermarkets and consumers, particularly in the European market. The brewer is struggling with declining performance ...

Officials: Ending sea cruises could jeopardize funding for bridge over the IJ
Amsterdam officials have warned that banning sea cruises by 2035 and canceling a new terminal could jeopardize state funding for major projects, including bridges over the IJ and new housing developme...
Ton developed an alarm system after his great-uncle spent 36 hours on the floor following a fall
Ton van Hekezen from Bunnik developed a new alarm system after his great-uncle spent 36 hours injured in a bathroom following a fall. The device is designed to prevent long delays in discovery and aim...

HaarlemPas helps with pet costs
Starting January 19, 2026, the municipality of Haarlem will provide financial assistance for pet care to low-income residents holding a HaarlemPas. The pilot program offers up to €200 annually for g...
Shorter and more frequent ski holidays are the trend: 'It's incredible how many Dutch people are coming again'
Dutch winter sports enthusiasts are increasingly opting for shorter and more frequent ski trips to cope with rising vacation costs. Instead of canceling their plans, many travelers are choosing budget...

Zuidas Market started as a trial among the office towers: "Now 300 to 400 people visit during lunch"
The Zuidas Market in Amsterdam has evolved from a 2021 trial into a permanent weekly fixture at George Gershwinplein, securing a five-year permit in 2023. Every Thursday, the market attracts hundreds ...
Book now or is it cheaper to wait a bit longer?
Many travelers book their summer vacations in January to take advantage of widespread early booking discounts. This article examines whether January is truly the most cost-effective time to secure a h...

Should the civil service be swept clean or is bureaucratic bloat exaggerated?
Amsterdam is planning to reorganize its civil service following criticism over "administrative obesity" and concerns that its 22,000-person workforce, the largest in the Netherlands, is inefficient an...

Basic health insurance might be enough: check if supplemental coverage is really needed
The basic health insurance package is often comprehensive enough for individuals with minimal medical needs, offering extensive coverage that may make supplemental plans unnecessary. Consumers are enc...

Many nightlife businesses worried about the future: Fishing in the same pond
A survey of 26 Amsterdam nightlife businesses reveals that nearly half of entrepreneurs fear for their survival due to declining visitor numbers and falling revenues. This downturn is attributed to ri...

NXT Museum files for bankruptcy due to COVID debts and ongoing industry pressure
Amsterdam's NXT Museum has filed for bankruptcy, citing significant debts from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing financial pressure on the cultural sector. The museum plans to remain open until Decemb...
Visiting the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or Yellowstone? It will cost you an extra $100
Starting next year, foreign tourists visiting the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or Yosemite National Parks in the United States will be required to pay a $100 surcharge. This significant price increase w...

Growing criticism of GVB, yet it is always granted the right to operate here: why?
Despite mounting criticism over service disruptions, safety incidents, and mismanagement, Amsterdam’s public transport provider GVB was recently granted a new 11-year exclusive operating contract. W...
Claudia didn't know she applied for British travel document ETA on the wrong site: ‘I thought: wow, that’s a lot of money’
Dutch travelers are being misled by commercial websites charging up to 200 euros for a British Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which officially costs less than 19 euros. These third-party platf...

NU+ | How to become and stay financially independent in a relationship
Experts warn that higher salaries for women do not automatically ensure financial independence within a relationship, highlighting a persistent gap in economic self-sufficiency. The article explores t...

Homebuyers increasingly skipping structural inspections: 'Don't buy if in doubt'
Due to high pressure in the housing market, an increasing number of homebuyers are choosing to skip structural inspections to secure properties. However, experts warn that this practice can lead to si...

NU+ | Reorganization or mass layoffs at your company: how to survive?
Major companies such as Nestlé, ING, and NPO have announced significant layoffs and reorganizations, with some positions being replaced by artificial intelligence. The article explores effective stra...

NU+ | Sustainable flying or organic coffee: how reliable are such claims?
The Dutch consumer organization Consumentenbond recently reprimanded travel company Corendon for making vague sustainability claims regarding its flights. This incident highlights ongoing concerns abo...

NU+ | Power outages will be more frequent this winter: what should you do?
Dutch grid operator Enexis has warned that power outages are more likely to occur this winter, advising residents to prepare by keeping flashlights easily accessible. The utility provider is offering ...

NU+ | What is your Pokémon card, Barbie or action figure worth now?
Vintage toys such as Pokémon cards, Barbies, and G.I. Joe action figures are currently reaching values of hundreds of euros due to high demand driven by nostalgia. Dealer Andy Chen notes that the mar...
The Amsterdam housing market explained in 9 graphics
The Amsterdam housing market has seen average home prices more than double since 2015, rising from €292,000 to over €600,000. High demand has resulted in over 80% of properties being sold above th...

More than 11,000 Amsterdammers without a permanent home, including 1,500 children
A comprehensive new census has identified 11,065 homeless people in the Amsterdam-Amstelland region, including 1,446 children. The data reveals that only 12% live on the street, while the majority are...