Amsterdam Times

Norovirus Outbreak in Rhodes Sickens Dutch Tourists

Hundreds of travelers, including Dutch tourists, became seriously ill during a norovirus outbreak on the Greek island of Rhodes, raising concerns about sanitation during the extended tourism season.

AI Adoption Could Significantly Lift Benelux Economic Growth, Industry Report Says

A regional industry report said widespread adoption of generative artificial intelligence could substantially increase economic growth in the Netherlands and Belgium over the next decade if regulatory barriers are addressed.

Dutch Labor Shortages Could Limit Long-Term Economic Growth, Planning Bureau Warns

The Centraal Planbureau warned that persistent worker shortages in healthcare, engineering and education could constrain the Netherlands' long-term growth unless labor supply or productivity increases.

Dutch Government Pushes for EU-Wide Minimum Age for Social Media

The Netherlands is seeking a binding European Union minimum age for social media access, arguing that common rules would provide stronger protections for minors across the bloc.

Council of State Orders Dutch Tax Authority to Search All Fraud Registries for Affected Citizens

The Netherlands' Council of State ruled that the tax authority must fully investigate whether individuals were wrongly included on internal fraud lists, expanding scrutiny of past government profiling practices.

Dutch Finance Ministry Withdraws Proposed Tax Increase on Small Investors

Finance Minister Eelco Heinen dropped a measure expected to raise €500 million from savers and retail investors after opposition in the lower house of parliament.

Dutch Cabinet Shelves Planned Social Security Cuts

The governing coalition withdrew proposed reductions in social security spending following political opposition, leaving existing welfare expenditure levels in place.

Dutch Government Pauses Plans for Steeper Schiphol Flight Restrictions

The Dutch cabinet put proposed reductions in annual flight movements at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on hold amid concerns about the economic impact on the country's main aviation hub.

KLM Warns Major Cost Cuts and Operational Changes Are Needed to Remain Competitive

KLM's leadership warned employees and stakeholders that the airline faces significant restructuring and cost reductions as aviation taxes and fuel expenses increase pressure on its operations.

Dutch Housing Shortage Reaches 410,000 Homes as Investors Pull Back

The Netherlands' housing shortage has grown to 410,000 homes as institutional investors retreat from residential development amid rent controls and rising construction costs.

Netherlands Launches International AI Strategy Focused on Technology Access and Governance

The Dutch government unveiled an international artificial intelligence strategy aimed at securing access to computing infrastructure and strengthening the Netherlands' role in global AI governance.

Samsung and ASML Expand Partnership on Next-Generation Chip Manufacturing

Samsung Electronics and ASML signed an expanded agreement to jointly develop next-generation semiconductor production techniques as chipmakers invest in more advanced fabrication technology.

Intel and ASML Expand Partnership on High-NA EUV Chipmaking Technology

Intel and ASML broadened their engineering collaboration to accelerate commercialization of High-NA extreme ultraviolet lithography for advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

ASML Begins Construction of Major New Eindhoven Campus

ASML broke ground on a large new corporate and research campus in Eindhoven, reinforcing the semiconductor equipment maker's long-term expansion in the Netherlands' Brainport technology region.

Dutch Government Drops Unrealized Gains Tax Plan in Favor of Capital Gains Levy

The Dutch government abandoned plans to tax unrealized asset gains and instead intends to introduce a broader capital gains tax by 2028 covering about 90% of financial instruments.

ASML Chief Warns Tighter China Export Controls Could Disrupt Global Chip Supply Chains

ASML's chief executive warned that further restrictions on semiconductor equipment exports to China could fragment global supply chains and weaken the long-term competitiveness of Europe's chip industry.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten Defends International Criminal Court at UN General Assembly

Prime Minister Rob Jetten used his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to defend the International Criminal Court while managing political pressures at home in the Netherlands. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="...

Dutch Regulators Fine Medical and Pharmaceutical Groups Over Slimming Drug Advertising

Regulators in the Netherlands issued financial penalties against several medical and pharmaceutical entities for illegally advertising restricted weight-loss drugs after an investigation prompted by a competitor complaint. :chatgpt-conte...

University of Amsterdam Bans Laptops and Phones in Selected Lecture Halls

The University of Amsterdam has prohibited laptops and mobile phones in designated lecture halls as part of an effort to reduce digital distraction and improve student concentration. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="27"}

Amsterdam Seeks Government Funding to Save Crack Cocaine Treatment Study

Amsterdam’s municipal government urged the national health minister to fund a specialised crack cocaine treatment study that local officials say is important to managing addiction and related public safety problems. :chatgpt-content-refe...

Dutch University Funding Talks Risk Collapse Amid Welfare Dispute

Negotiations between the government and education unions are at risk of breaking down, prompting warnings that universities could face substantial funding cuts if a broader fiscal agreement is not reached. :chatgpt-content-reference{inde...

Around 20,000 Children in Dutch Asylum Shelters Face Healthcare Gaps

Human rights organisations warned that about 20,000 children in Dutch asylum accommodation could face gaps in guaranteed youth healthcare between October 2026 and June 2027 because of funding shortages and unresolved policy disputes. :ch...

Netherlands Faces Scrutiny Over Handling of María Corina Machado Refuge Request

The Dutch government faced criticism after reports that official procedures prevented Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado from seeking transit or refuge involving Dutch territories. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="23"}

Dutch Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Remove Abortion From Criminal Code

Volt and allied left-wing lawmakers introduced legislation that would remove abortion from the Netherlands’ criminal code and treat it exclusively as a medical procedure. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="22"}

Dutch Police Arrest Five After Security Alerts at Major Railway Stations

Police arrested five people after suspicious luggage was left unattended at several major Dutch railway stations, triggering temporary evacuations and heightened security measures. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="21"}

Dutch Railway Union Threatens Disruption Over Violence Against Train Staff

The union representing NS employees demanded stronger government action after an increase in assaults on train conductors, warning of possible transport disruptions if security measures are not strengthened. :chatgpt-content-reference{in...

Dutch Agriculture Expands Precision Farming to Meet Nitrogen Targets

Dutch agricultural producers are increasing investment in greenhouse automation and precision farming technologies as they seek to maintain export competitiveness while meeting national nitrogen-emission requirements. :chatgpt-content-re...

Amsterdam Prepares to Host 15,000 Participants for World AI Week

Amsterdam is preparing for World AI Week, which is expected to bring together more than 15,000 executives, policymakers and researchers for discussions on artificial intelligence regulation, investment and innovation. :chatgpt-content-re...

Dutch Government Moves to Open Property Foundation Risk Reports to Buyers

The Netherlands plans to end secrecy around structural foundation reports so homebuyers can better assess risks from deteriorating wooden piles and groundwater-related damage. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="17"}

Netherlands Bans Automatic Rent Deductions From Migrant Workers’ Pay

The Dutch government will prohibit employers from automatically deducting housing costs from foreign workers’ salaries in a move aimed at reducing financial exploitation and poor accommodation standards. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=...

Dutch Housing Market Cools as Price Growth Slows to 3.3%

Annual house price growth in the Netherlands slowed to 3.3% while transaction volumes declined, with higher interest rates continuing to weigh on buyers’ borrowing capacity. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="15"}

Netherlands Seeks European Contributions to Dutch Gas Storage Costs

Climate and Green Growth Minister Stientje van Veldhoven said private companies and neighbouring countries should help fund the filling of Dutch gas storage facilities, arguing that the Netherlands should not carry the cost of wider Euro...