Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Heinen has enough ways out of the box 3 swamp, but they all hurt
Finance Minister Eelco Heinen faces a difficult challenge in navigating the ongoing controversy surrounding box 3 taxation. He must find a solution while balancing political pressure from his own part...
Homebuyers get less square footage for the same money with new construction
The number of new-build homes for sale in the Netherlands has reached its highest level in nearly eleven years, yet buyers are receiving less living space for the same price due to shrinkflation. Expe...
Everyone wants to spare small savers, but who should pick up the tab?
The Dutch government must revise its Box 3 tax proposals after parliament rejected plans to lower wealth tax thresholds for savers and investors. Lawmakers are currently debating alternative revenue s...
Global trade growing faster than expected despite Iran war
The WTO has raised its global trade growth forecast to 3.9 percent for this year, citing resilient supply chains and significant investments in AI despite the ongoing war in Iran. While goods trade re...
KLM to cancel flights due to high number of aircraft requiring repairs
KLM will cancel flights from late October through early March to manage fleet availability issues caused by unexpected maintenance and repair delays. The airline aims to increase its reserve of interc...
End to intake freeze at Levvel, youths with severe issues can once again be admitted in Amsterdam
Care organization Levvel has ended its intake freeze for Amsterdam youth following successful negotiations to secure more beds for those in need of severe residential care. While access has been resto...
Politicians in Southeast oppose higher tourist tax: "This is annexed territory"
Politicians in Amsterdam Zuidoost sought an exemption from the city's planned tourist tax hike, arguing that their district does not face the same tourism-related issues as the city center. The propos...
Politicians in Southeast oppose higher tourist tax: "This is annexed territory"
Local politicians in Amsterdam Zuidoost have unsuccessfully requested an exemption from the city's planned increase in tourist tax, arguing that their district does not face the same tourism-related i...
Restaurant bills to rise further next year
The FoodService Institute Netherlands expects restaurant prices to rise by 4.5 percent next year, driven by inflation and economic uncertainty. Although total revenue in the hospitality sector is stil...
IKEA enters second-hand market with its own platform for used furniture
IKEA will launch a dedicated second-hand marketplace in the Netherlands by mid-2027 to allow IKEA Family members to buy and sell used home products. The platform aims to extend product lifespans and s...
Public Prosecution Service was poorly protected against cyberattacks for years
An investigation has concluded that the Dutch Public Prosecution Service failed to adequately protect its ICT systems for years, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks. A security flaw in Citrix soft...
Uniqlo owner closes in on H&M and eyes Zara's throne
Fast Retailing, owner of Uniqlo, is aiming to surpass Inditex as the world's largest clothing retailer after reporting strong annual revenues. The company is actively expanding its European footprint,...
AI is changing the workplace but will not lead to mass unemployment
Recent research from the AWVN indicates that 95 percent of employers are now using AI, primarily to increase efficiency rather than to reduce their workforce. While experts anticipate that some job fu...
Is the hazelnut a way out of the nitrogen crisis? ‘These little trees need just as much love as my cows’
Dairy farmer Jan van der Veen is transitioning his agricultural production from milk to hazelnuts to address nitrogen emission concerns. He reports that his new hazelnut operation successfully produce...
Arrival of East Bridge delayed again, municipality still short at least 170 million euros
The construction of the Oostbrug in Amsterdam faces further delays as the project currently faces a funding shortfall of at least 170 million euros. Technical complexities and rising costs have led to...
Just Eat Takeaway orders rise for first time in 4.5 years
Just Eat Takeaway has recorded its first rise in order volume in over four years following strategic investments by parent company Prosus. The firm reports growth in its user base and plans to continu...
Using electricity at night can save money: ACM wants power rates to depend on the time of day
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is proposing time-based electricity transport tariffs to reduce peak grid pressure. By encouraging consumers to use electricity during off-peak hour...
Small households could save 200 euros by using time-of-use electricity tariffs
The Dutch regulatory authority ACM will introduce variable electricity transport tariffs in 2029 to manage peak grid demand. Small households could save up to 200 euros per year by shifting usage to o...
Dutch online stores take on scammers and fake webshops
The number of victims of fake webshops in the Netherlands has risen to 1.2 million, prompting industry group Thuiswinkel.org to launch a new monitoring system to detect and block fraudulent sites. Whi...
More rabbits needed to unlock nitrogen gridlock in Rotterdam port
Authorities are initiating a massive ecological restoration project in dunes around the Port of Rotterdam to combat a long-standing nitrogen permit deadlock. By improving habitat conditions and suppor...
House prices exceed half a million, but buyers have more choice again
Dutch house prices reached an average of 503,000 euros in the third quarter, a slight increase amid a 24 percent rise in available housing supply. Despite more properties being on the market, sales re...
Sharp rise in homes for sale, but concerns over ‘mismatch’ and ‘shrinkflation’ in new construction
The Dutch housing market has seen a substantial increase in both existing and new-build home listings, offering buyers more negotiation room and choice. However, sales for new construction projects ar...
Amsterdam housing market cools down, but homes still frequently sell above asking price – especially in West and North
The Amsterdam housing market is cooling as buyers exercise more caution, leading to a decrease in the frequency and extent of overbidding. While 77 percent of homes still sell above the asking price, ...
Homes stay on the market longer: "Buyers are acting more cautiously"
Homes in Amsterdam are spending more time on the market as buyers become increasingly selective due to higher mortgage rates and shifting economic conditions. Although the supply of available properti...
Essent expands services with fast charging for electric cars
Essent is becoming a major provider of public fast-charging for electric vehicles in the Netherlands by rebranding 79 locations and 370 charging points. The expansion, achieved through a collaboration...
Oil prices rise after multiple tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz
At least twelve attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz between late September and early October have caused shipping traffic to plummet to a two-month low. The resulting supply chain disruptions h...
Bridge over the IJ delayed - and Amsterdam is still 170 million euros short
The Oostbrug project in Amsterdam is facing new delays and a financing shortfall of nearly 170 million euros. Rising construction costs and tensions with the national government over cruise ship polic...
Consumers spend more on durable goods such as cars and home furnishings
Dutch households increased their spending on food and services in August, though consumption of other goods like fuel experienced a slight dip. However, economic sentiment shifted in September as both...
Construction group BAM acquires contractor A.Hak
Construction firm BAM has announced the acquisition of A.Hak for over 500 million euros to expand its energy and water infrastructure capabilities. The deal is expected to be finalized by the first qu...
BAM acquires underground infrastructure construction company A.Hak
Construction company BAM has acquired A.Hak, a specialist in underground infrastructure, in a deal valued at over 500 million euros. This acquisition allows BAM to broaden its service offerings and te...