Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
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...
Electric cars are driving further into Europe, but watch out for hidden costs in France
Dutch electric vehicle drivers are increasingly traveling further across Europe, but the ANWB warns that hidden costs like blocking fees remain a problem in countries such as France. Drivers are advis...
Limburg homes lifted on 'trays' to prevent flood damage
To combat recurring flooding from the Maas river, homes in the Limburg village of Well are being elevated by over 1.5 meters to protect them from future rising water levels. This innovative engineerin...
Nature quality in poor state, yet WWF remains hopeful: ‘Over 450 otters in the Netherlands’
A new WWF report reveals a 73 percent decline in average global wildlife populations since 1970, though some species like tigers are showing significant recovery. Locally in the Netherlands, conservat...
Kasper Dolberg's departure is a sporting and especially financial blow
Ajax forward Kasper Dolberg has suffered a torn cruciate ligament, ending his second period with the club. This injury represents a major financial and sporting setback for the Amsterdam team, which h...
Vinted packages arrive late or at different locations when delivery system is full
Vinted is experiencing capacity issues within its VintedGo locker network, leading to shipment delays and the rerouting of packages to alternative pickup locations. To address the problem, the company...
NAM pays out large sums to Shell and ExxonMobil shareholders despite agreements
The NAM has distributed 1.43 billion euros to shareholders Shell and ExxonMobil, causing its solvency to fall below the 25 percent threshold agreed upon with the government. This financial buffer is e...
Oil stocks to be released faster, with diesel prioritized for the market
The IEA is accelerating the release of strategic oil reserves, prioritizing diesel to stabilize markets amid rising global energy prices. Member states have already released 325 million barrels to mit...
Demand for affordable and sustainable funerals grows: 'Just put me in a cardboard box'
The funeral industry in the Netherlands is preparing for a shift in consumer demand toward more affordable and environmentally friendly burial options. As part of this transition, the sector is explor...
Municipality blunders with parking revenue: earmarked funds possibly misspent
The Amsterdam municipal government failed to officially repeal a 2020 ordinance that legally earmarks parking revenue for specific traffic and transport purposes. This administrative error means that ...
Municipality blunders with parking revenue: earmarked funds possibly misspent
The city of Amsterdam mistakenly failed to revoke a 2020 ordinance that mandates parking revenue be spent exclusively on traffic and infrastructure. Because the formal repeal was never processed, conc...
Shell profits from nearly doubled oil refining margins
Shell is experiencing record profit margins as the price gap between crude oil and refined fuels has reached unprecedented levels due to global supply shortages. While high shipping costs and logistic...
Private rental market out of reach for average earners due to high income requirements: 'Hopeless'
Many Dutch households are currently priced out of the private rental market due to high average rents and strict income requirements imposed by landlords. With rental costs often exceeding 1,900 euros...
Arrival of extra wind turbine at Holendrecht junction uncertain: "Landowner refuses to cooperate"
Plans to install an additional wind turbine at the Holendrecht interchange in Amsterdam have stalled due to a lack of cooperation from the landowner. The municipality is currently investigating altern...
Brussels introduces temporary toll discounts for clean buses and trucks
The European Union has introduced a plan to provide temporary toll discounts of up to 100 percent for low- and zero-emission buses and trucks to promote greener transport. This measure aims to ease th...
Jaguar presents new electric car in higher price range
Jaguar has introduced the Type 01, an ultra-powerful electric luxury sedan capable of reaching 96 kilometers per hour in 3.2 seconds with a 720-kilometer range. Set to launch in early 2027 for approxi...
Is Rob Jetten counting his chickens before they hatch? The polder agreement could still fail
The Dutch government is engaging in negotiations with unions, but significant risks remain regarding the potential failure of these discussions. Concerns have emerged that the proposed plans could ina...
First skirmishes between cabinet and polder: 'Diligence versus speed'
The Dutch cabinet is negotiating with unions and employers to reach a social agreement, balancing the need for urgent budget decisions with the demand for careful policymaking. Key areas of focus incl...
IMF: Public debt, energy demand and energy prices threaten global economy
The IMF has warned that the global economy faces significant threats from rising national debt, increasing energy demand driven by AI, and high energy prices. These economic pressures are creating gro...
Absence due to mental health issues worsens labor market shortages
Absenteeism due to mental health issues rose by 7.1 percent between 2024 and 2025, even as overall sick leave declined. These long-term absences, particularly prevalent among women, are expected to wo...
Student loan interest rates to rise for a quarter million former students next year
Around 250,000 former students will face higher interest rates on their loans next year as their five-year fixed-rate periods end. Those under the pre-2015 system will see rates rise to 3.28 percent, ...
Cabinet to negotiate with social partners, union strikes suspended
The Dutch government and social partners have agreed to start formal negotiations on social security reform in the coming weeks, leading to a suspension of planned labor union actions. This developmen...
Labor productivity in the private sector rises again after two years of decline
Labor productivity in the Dutch private sector increased by 2.5 percent last year, ending a two-year downward trend. This growth was driven by a rise in added value and a decrease in total hours worke...
Netherlands breaks even after banking crisis: ABN Amro rescue yields another 3.5 billion for treasury
The Dutch government is nearing a break-even point on its 2008 rescue of ABN Amro following the sale of a new 10.2 percent stake for an estimated 3.5 billion euros. This latest move leaves the state w...
VNO-NCW chief warns unions and cabinet: 'We are heading down the Belgian path this way'
VNO-NCW chairman Coen van Oostrom has warned the Dutch government and labor unions that the current economic model is unsustainable and risks leading the country toward a decline similar to Belgium. H...
Cabinet plans to require homeowners to install hybrid heat pumps starting in 2029
Beginning in 2029, homeowners in the Netherlands must install hybrid heat pumps instead of gas-fired boilers when replacing their heating systems. The government plans to exempt apartments and monumen...
State to halve ABN Amro stake to 10.5 percent
The Dutch government plans to reduce its stake in ABN Amro from 20.7 percent to 10.5 percent through a new trading plan. This step continues the state's gradual exit from the bank, which was nationali...
Raids on Japanese brewers over price-fixing, including Grolsch parent company
Japanese antitrust authorities have raided four major breweries, including Asahi Breweries, over allegations of illegal price-fixing. The companies are suspected of coordinating price increases for th...
Rental prices are rising faster than home prices
Private sector rental prices increased by 4.4 percent annually, rising faster than inflation and the price of owner-occupied homes. Data suggests the market is shrinking as landlords sell their proper...
High rents drive away candidates: private sector homes stay online longer
Rental interest in the Netherlands has dropped significantly as rising prices and decreasing housing supply make finding a home more difficult. Landlords are increasingly selling their properties due ...