Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Cities raise tourist tax: 'Just a few extra euros won't deter people'
European cities, including Amsterdam, are increasing tourist taxes in an effort to manage overcrowding and generate revenue. Despite Amsterdam having the highest tax rate in Europe, the additional cos...
Vijlbrief retracts remark, will scale back state pension plan
Minister of Social Affairs Hans Vijlbrief announced he will weaken the coalition's proposal to accelerate the increase of the state pension age, retracting an earlier denial. Vijlbrief admitted follow...
European Commission implements Mercosur deal without parliamentary consent
The European Commission is implementing the Mercosur trade treaty without the consent of the European Parliament. This move signals the Commission's urgency to establish trade ties with the South Amer...
Parties push for alternative state pension plan after Vijlbrief statement
Dutch political parties SGP and Groep Markuszower are urging the cabinet to revise plans that would accelerate the increase of the state pension age starting in 2033. Supported by the governing partie...
Zelensky invites Slovak PM Fico to Kyiv for energy talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Kyiv to discuss their ongoing dispute regarding energy supplies. The invitation follows a phone call between the...
Chaos over US import tariffs, but limited impact on the Netherlands
New US import tariffs are expected to have a generally favorable impact on the Netherlands, with some exports potentially becoming cheaper. However, certain sectors like beer brewing and horse trading...
Cutting Schiphol in half would benefit the economy, Delft study finds
A study by research firm CE Delft suggests that the Dutch economy could benefit if Schiphol Airport were reduced to half its current size. The report, commissioned by the Social Council Schiphol and r...
Public Prosecution Service appeals Stint case
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) has filed an appeal against the court's verdict regarding the fatal Stint accident in Oss. The prosecution stated it disagrees with the court's reasoning and ...
Economic concerns leave wine glasses half-empty in Germany
Wine consumption in Germany decreased significantly over the past year. This decline is attributed to consumers being more frugal as a result of the country's faltering economy.
Arthur noticed strong reactions to scents: now he ensures businesses have the right fragrance
Arthur Stuivenberg, an entrepreneur based in Baarn, helps businesses and institutions improve their first impressions by implementing specific scents in their facilities. He asserts that 75% of the em...
Sluisplein apartments emerge from scaffolding: A completely new look for Old IJmuiden
The 95 new apartments at Sluisplein in IJmuiden are nearing completion as the scaffolding has been removed, significantly altering the local landscape. Buyers are expected to receive their keys in Aug...
Fewer counterfeit euro banknotes in circulation: decline continues
The number of counterfeit euro banknotes intercepted in the Netherlands decreased by 26% in 2025, with 17,900 forgeries found compared to 24,100 in 2024. The 50 euro note remains the most frequently c...
Chaos over Box 3: what is the current status of wealth tax?
The Dutch government is facing significant uncertainty regarding 'Box 3' wealth tax legislation due to conflicting decisions between the House of Representatives and the new cabinet. This political in...
Dutch prison service DJI hit by data breach
The Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI) has confirmed a data leak involving the personal information of its staff members. According to a spokesperson, the breach exposed employee email addresse...
Number of young people on welfare still growing faster than older people
The number of young people receiving welfare benefits in the Netherlands is growing faster than the rate for older individuals, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Local municipalities report t...
'Unacceptable': after DigiD, Dutch Tax Authority also wants to put VAT software in US hands
The Dutch Tax Authority is considering outsourcing the management of the national VAT system to an American IT company, raising concerns about national sovereignty. Experts warn that this move could a...
Odido hackers leak another million lines of customer data online
The hacker group ShinyHunters has released an additional one million lines of customer data stolen from the Dutch telecom provider Odido. This marks the second consecutive day of leaks, a tactic inten...
Put simply, the state pension row is about 2.7 billion: these are the alternatives for Jetten
Prime Minister Rob Jetten is considering alternatives to raising the state pension age while still needing to secure 2.7 billion euros for the national budget. Although several options for cutting cos...
Writers demand Meta stop using their work for AI
Representatives of Dutch writers, translators, and journalists have formally demanded that Meta stop using their copyrighted works to train artificial intelligence models. The group calls for an immed...
The Housing Crisis Sightseeing Tour takes you past 'expensive yuppie flats and exploited rentals'
Protesters in Amsterdam will hold a "Wooncrisis City Sightseeing Tour" this Sunday to highlight the city's ongoing housing shortage and rising living costs. The event marks five years since the first ...
More 18-year-olds in Haarlem bought a car in 2025 than in 2010
In 2025, more 18-year-olds in Haarlem purchased cars compared to 2010, with all transactions involving second-hand vehicles. Data from RDC indicates that Peugeot was the most popular brand among these...
Transition pays off, pensions to rise significantly
Retirees switching to the new pension system are seeing an average increase of 14 percent in their payouts, with some increases reaching up to 20 percent. However, these higher incomes may lead to a r...
Netflix pulls out of fight for Warner Bros. Discovery
Netflix has withdrawn from the acquisition bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery after deciding not to match a superior offer from competitor Paramount Skydance. This move marks the end of the streaming ...
Majority back state pension motion that unions say doesn't go far enough
A majority of the Dutch House of Representatives has passed a motion to soften proposed increases to the state pension (AOW) age. While supported by coalition parties and some opposition, trade unions...
Parliament wants to offset losses in revised Box 3
The Dutch House of Representatives has passed a motion to allow the offsetting of investment losses from previous years within the new Box 3 tax system. Supported by a majority including the VVD, Chri...
Three takeaways from the new cabinet's first debate
Prime Minister Rob Jetten's minority cabinet must re-evaluate several policy areas following its first debate with the House of Representatives. Adjustments are required for plans concerning state pen...
Scapino is back on Lange Nieuw: 'There were many leaks; downstairs was completely underwater'
The Scapino store on Lange Nieuwstraat in IJmuiden has reopened following a two-month closure for renovations and repairs. Branch manager Bonito van Joolingen noted that the building required signific...
Czech Republic distances itself from NATO agreement on higher defense budget
The new Czech government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, is distancing itself from NATO defense spending targets by implementing budget cuts. Babiš stated that the country is currently not on t...
Italian woman who broke her ankle while working from home receives compensation
An Italian woman has been awarded compensation after breaking her ankle while working from home. Although the insurance company initially denied the claim because the accident occurred at her residenc...
Could a new crisis loom, as a top US banker warns? ‘The odds are rising’
A top US banker has warned that the current market optimism could lead to a financial crisis similar to the 2008 crash. Dutch economists are evaluating these risks to determine if the Netherlands shou...