Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Cabinet allocates millions to break housing market deadlock and accommodate landlords
The Dutch government is allocating 156 million euros to resolve housing project delays caused by a shortage of municipal staff. Furthermore, 90 million euros will be invested to streamline and acceler...
Oil prices rise after new closure of Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices rose on Monday morning following Iran's decision to re-close the Strait of Hormuz. This follows a brief period on Friday when the blockade was lifted, which had temporarily caused energy pr...
Travel allowance won't increase everywhere after government intervention: ‘It’s just costs’
The Dutch cabinet plans to increase the tax-free travel allowance from 23 to 25 cents per kilometer. However, many employers are expected to maintain current rates rather than raising actual reimburse...
Pension too low, fraud victim? Consumers increasingly complain to ombudsman thanks to AI
The Dutch financial complaints institute, Kifid, reported a significant increase in consumer complaints over the past year. Director Eveline Ruinaar noted that consumers are finding the organization m...
Tobacco tax revenue falls as more people buy abroad
The Dutch government's revenue from tobacco excise tax fell by 15% to 2.6 billion euros in 2025. According to CBS data, the decline is driven by a decrease in smoking and an increase in consumers purc...
Well-known Dutch café closes after 60 years as family business finds no successor: ‘It’s time’
After 60 years, the family-owned Café Zaal Ton Oomen in Gelderland is closing its doors as no successor was found for owner Ton. Known for its traditional atmosphere, the historic Dutch pub will be d...
Oil crisis plan activated for the first time, but most won't notice
The Dutch government has activated the first phase of the National Crisis Plan for Oil to prepare for potential shortages stemming from unrest in the Middle East. While the plan officially begins on M...
Higher flight tax unthinkable for aviation industry due to fuel crisis: ‘Increase is indefensible’
Mass claim looming against Odido: ‘Millions of Dutch people must receive compensation’
Privacy foundation CUIC is launching a mass claim against telecom provider Odido following a cyberattack that compromised the personal data of 6.2 million Dutch citizens. The foundation accuses Odido ...
Container falls from crane onto ship in Port of Rotterdam
A container potentially containing hazardous materials fell from a crane onto a ship in the Port of Rotterdam's Maasvlakte area. Emergency services are currently on-site, and a crisis team has been co...
Marleen (42) thought a breast implant would make her more confident, but it turned out to be a mistake
Marleen, 42, reflects on her decision to get breast implants years ago, which she now considers a major financial and personal mistake. Despite initially hoping the procedure would increase her self-c...
Don’t be too defensive if your child starts investing, says teacher Paula Smith: ‘Try starting a conversation out of curiosity’
Paula Smith, a researcher at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, advises parents to approach their children's interest in investing with curiosity rather than judgment. She emphasizes the import...
Part-timers will not solve labor market shortage by working more
The Dutch government's efforts to address labor market shortages by encouraging part-time employees to work more hours are proving ineffective. Labor market experts state that these measures are havin...
The Greenhouse | Let politicians think of their great-great-grandchildren for once
Climate reporter Jeroen Kraan highlights a recommendation from the Dutch Council of State suggesting that politicians should consider future generations when drafting new legislation. The column advoc...
Police helicopter flying over city for hours supports high-value transport
A police helicopter was deployed in Amsterdam on Sunday morning to provide security for a high-value transport traveling across several districts. Residents reported the activity starting around 6:30 ...
How a distant war makes it difficult for homebuyers in the Netherlands
The conflict involving Iran is causing mortgage interest rates to rise and average house prices to fall in the Netherlands. Economic experts explain that geopolitical instability impacts the Dutch hou...
Austrian authorities warn of rat poison in baby food jars
Austrian authorities have issued a warning after rat poison was discovered in at least one jar of HiPP brand baby food. Similar contaminated products have also been seized in the Czech Republic and Sl...
Why the cabinet thinks unions will reach a state pension deal soon after all
The Dutch minority cabinet is seeking a quick agreement with trade unions regarding the state pension (AOW) to ensure its own political survival. While the government's policies have revitalized the u...
15-minute train ride in US more than 11 times more expensive during World Cup
Train tickets for a 15-minute round trip between New York and New Jersey will cost approximately $150 during the upcoming World Cup. This fare represents a nearly twelvefold increase over the standard...
Pope Leo denounces exploitation of Africa for raw materials
Pope Leo strongly condemned the exploitation of African nations for their natural resources during his visit to oil-rich Angola. He stated that the continent is a victim of despots and tyrants who fai...
Americans in hours-long queues at Schiphol due to glitch: ‘Terrible!’
A technical malfunction in digital self-service kiosks at Schiphol Airport caused significant delays for non-European travelers on Saturday morning. Passengers, including many Americans, faced hours-l...
Trump: Iran cannot blackmail us by closing the Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump stated that Iran cannot blackmail the United States by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. He also noted that the two countries are still engaged in discussions despite t...
ANWB warns: emergency systems in millions of cars will soon stop working
The ANWB warns that emergency systems in approximately 2 million cars will stop functioning when the 2G mobile network is deactivated by the end of next year. This technical issue could lead to these ...
Amsterdam: possible easing of rent rules poorly thought out
Amsterdam housing alderman Zita Pels has criticized potential national government plans to relax rent regulations, calling the move ill-conceived. Pels warns that easing these rules would allow rental...
Cabinet activates national oil crisis plan
The Dutch government has activated Phase 1 of the National Oil Crisis Plan as a precautionary measure due to rising tensions in the Middle East. While there are currently no acute fuel shortages or re...
Families pay a fortune for theme park entry and parking, but affordable options are nearby
Dutch theme parks are preparing for a busy May holiday, but high entry and parking costs at major attractions can lead to families spending hundreds of euros. Smaller, more affordable parks like Sproo...
Karlijn had an impressive CV, but her living room looked ‘very minimalist and cold’
Remote job interviews via platforms like Zoom have introduced candidates' private lives into the hiring process, leading some employers to judge applicants based on their home surroundings. Career coa...
Father of the inspiration for Super Mario turns out to be named Luigi: 'Pure coincidence'
Research has revealed that the father of Mario Segale, the namesake for Nintendo's Mario, was actually named Luigi. This discovery suggests that the naming of Mario's brother in the video game series ...
'Super-complainers' file 25,000 reports about Schiphol, most complaints about notorious ‘Jumbo Jet’
A small group of 102 "frequent complainers" accounted for nearly half of the 386,730 noise complaints regarding Schiphol Airport last year. The Boeing 747-400, or "Jumbo Jet," was the specific aircraf...
How former top entrepreneur Hennie van der Most gambled and risks losing everything
Former self-made Dutch entrepreneur Hennie van der Most is facing financial ruin following the failure of his Rotterdam amusement park project, Rivoli. Known for successful ventures like Speelstad Ora...