Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Majority of large online stores inaccessible to customers with disabilities
A study by the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) reveals that 61 percent of the largest webshops in the Netherlands are not digitally accessible. This lack of accessibility prevents customers wi...
Michiel’s spending is almost clinically efficient, but I see no sign of enjoyment anywhere
Michiel, a 44-year-old man, reflects on his extremely frugal spending habits, which he describes as almost clinically efficient. He admits to struggling to remember the last time he spent money on som...
Behind BridgeFund’s friendly facade lies a risky credit model: ‘Incomprehensible that they have a quality mark’
Dutch credit provider BridgeFund is facing scrutiny over its business model, which operates outside of traditional financial supervision despite its approachable marketing. Critics question the solidi...
Development bank FMO: food prices rising sharply due to higher gas prices, and that's not all
FMO CEO Michael Jongeneel reports that rising gas prices and the conflict in the Middle East are driving up food prices and impacting the bank's financed partners more than previous trade wars. Howeve...
Is driving electric really cheaper with current gas prices? Here’s the deal
High fuel prices driven by geopolitical unrest in the Middle East have led to a significant increase in consumer interest in electric vehicles. Recent calculations suggest that driving an electric car...
Petrol and diesel cars increasingly less popular, electric vehicle sales also decline
New petrol and diesel car sales across the European Union saw a significant decline in February compared to the previous year. While electric vehicles are generally gaining popularity, sales in the Ne...
Reader question: Discount on full crates of beer but not individual bottles. Is that allowed?
This article addresses a consumer question regarding whether retailers are permitted to offer discounts on full crates of beer while excluding individual bottles from the same promotion. It clarifies ...
Microsoft executive opposes mandatory Windows account: ‘I hate it’
A high-ranking technical executive at Microsoft has publicly criticized the company's requirement for users to link a Microsoft account to Windows. His comments align with long-standing privacy concer...
Switch 2 sells worse than expected, Nintendo cuts production
Nintendo is reducing Switch 2 production by one-third following disappointing sales figures in the United States. This decrease marks a significant shift from last year, when the company had to increa...
DHL Express employees on strike again
DHL Express employees in the North-Netherlands are conducting a day-long strike on Tuesday organized by unions FNV and CNV. This action represents the fourth strike in a short period resulting from an...
Doors of homes for sale remain closed on Open House Day
The author's daughters are planning to purchase a home together because they cannot afford to buy property individually in the current market. This highlights the growing trend of collaborative home b...
Everyone in the region can get tax return help at this Alkmaar service desk: ‘Some find it nerve-wracking to hit send’
Starting March 1st, support centers across the Netherlands are offering assistance to citizens struggling with their annual tax returns. These services specifically help individuals navigate complex f...
Record new construction for housing associations, but still 10,000 homes a year short
Dutch housing corporations built a record 21,500 new homes last year, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Despite this achievement, the sector still falls 10,000 units short of the...
Major renovation of Woonopmaat flats too expensive, housing association looks to Diepenbrock in Heemskerk
Housing association Woonopmaat has canceled plans to renovate three apartment blocks near Heliomare after determining the project was too complex and financially unfeasible. The organization is now sh...
Housing corporations to build record number of new homes in 2025
Housing associations in the Netherlands added a record 21,500 new rental homes in 2025, an increase of 2,000 compared to the previous year. This marks the highest number of completions since data coll...
One in three new homes in Haarlem was from a housing association last year
In Haarlem, housing corporations accounted for 70 of the 240 new homes completed last year. These figures, released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), show that nearly one-third of the city's new housin...
Harteheem in Heemkerk to be redeveloped. New construction to start in 2028: ‘Major step toward a more sustainable and greener Harteheem’
The Hartekamp Groep has announced plans to redevelop the Harteheem care facility in Heemskerk to improve safety, sustainability, and overall modernization. The project aims to replace outdated buildin...
Fraud report filed against home battery sellers: ‘It’s always the same people’
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has filed a fraud report against home battery sellers who use deceptive tactics to lock consumers into contracts costing up to €20,000. Victims ar...
Thousands lose youth disability benefits after five years of work
Thousands of individuals receiving Wajong disability benefits will lose their eligibility after five years of employment if their income exceeds a specific threshold. This policy change is expected to...
Older workers spared while younger ones take on more: ‘Pressure will continue to rise’
As the state pension age rises in the Netherlands, more older employees are opting to reduce their working hours leading up to retirement. Employers express concern that this trend will create an unfa...
Australia and EU sign major free trade agreement after years of negotiations
Australia and the European Union signed a comprehensive free trade agreement in Canberra on Tuesday following years of negotiations. The deal aims to strengthen economic ties and facilitate trade betw...
Large part of Dutch fishing fleet stays in port due to high fuel prices
A significant portion of the Dutch fishing fleet is remaining in port this week due to soaring fuel prices. The trade association VisNed described the decision to stay ashore as a highly exceptional m...
Stock markets end higher despite Iranian denial of talks
European stock markets closed higher on Monday following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a five-day pause in attacks on Iranian energy facilities to facilitate talks. Market gains were lat...
Are we in the worst energy crisis ever? ‘US is an unpredictable factor’
The head of the International Energy Agency warns that the current energy crisis is as severe as three previous major crises combined. Expert Aad Correljé from TU Delft emphasizes that while the situ...
Business owners hit hard by devastating fire: "Everything I have built is gone"
A devastating fire at the Nieuwe Hemweg in Amsterdam's Westpoort area has destroyed multiple business premises, primarily affecting small entrepreneurs in the food sector. Many business owners lost th...
Ministry of Finance shuts down computer systems after cyberattack
The Dutch Ministry of Finance discovered a digital intrusion in several of its primary computer systems last week. Access to these systems was blocked on Monday as a security measure, preventing some ...
Coach companies fear losing customers due to higher fuel costs
Dutch touring car companies are concerned about losing customers as they attempt to pass on rising fuel costs to their clients. This particularly impacts businesses providing transport for school trip...
Iranian parliament speaker calls talks with US fake news
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has dismissed reports of negotiations with the United States to end the war as "fake news." He claimed that President Donald Trump's assertions are in...
Farewell, encryption: Meta will soon be able to see your private Instagram messages
Starting in May, Meta will discontinue the option for encrypted private messaging on Instagram. This change means the company will be able to access and monitor users' personal communications on the p...
Schiphol ruling has no immediate impact on number of flights
The maximum number of flights at Schiphol Airport will remain unchanged for now following a ruling by the Council of State that scrapped certain regulations. The Human Environment and Transport Inspec...