Amsterdam Times

Amsterdam Bans Electric Fat Bikes in Vondelpark Over Safety Concerns

Amsterdam introduced a ban on heavy electric fat bikes in Vondelpark following growing concerns about pedestrian safety and conflicts with traditional cyclists, with officials warning that similar restrictions could be extended to other ...

Netherlands and Japan Deepen Defence Cooperation During Tokyo Meeting

Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius and her Japanese counterpart agreed to expand defence technology cooperation and explore mutual logistics support arrangements during talks in Tokyo.

Dutch Armed Forces Conduct First Prisoner-of-War Camp Exercise in More Than Three Decades

The Netherlands staged extensive military drills to practise the rapid deployment and operation of a prisoner-of-war camp, reflecting renewed attention to conventional defence preparedness and NATO readiness.

Dutch Court Acquits Humanitarian Worker in High-Profile Hamas Financing Case

A Dutch court cleared Amin Abu Rashid of accusations that he channelled financial support to Hamas through charities in Gaza, concluding a closely watched case that intensified debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Netherla...

Trust in Dutch News Media Declines as Younger Audiences Turn to Social Platforms

The Dutch Media Authority reported a sharp decline in public engagement with news, with only 45 percent of people expressing strong interest in news coverage as younger audiences increasingly rely on algorithm-driven social media platforms.

Netherlands Abolishes Permanent Asylum Residence Permits Under New Immigration Rules

The Dutch government introduced new regulations ending permanent asylum residence permits and replacing them with renewable three-year permits while accelerating procedures for applicants from designated safe countries.

Port of Rotterdam Launches Major Food Hub Expansion to Strengthen European Supply Chains

The Port of Rotterdam will develop a 94-acre food logistics hub with extensive cold storage facilities and a new quay, reinforcing its role as Europe's principal gateway for chilled and frozen agricultural imports from South America.

Dutch Inflation Climbs to 3.5% as Housing and Transport Costs Rise

Official figures showed annual inflation in the Netherlands accelerated to 3.5 percent in May, the highest level in more than a year, as rising airfares and housing-related costs continued to weigh on household purchasing power.

ASML Reaffirms Long-Term Revenue Targets Despite Technology Sector Volatility

Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML maintained its projection of annual revenue reaching between €44 billion and €60 billion by the end of the decade, supported by sustained global demand for advanced chipmaking systems driven by ar...

Adyen Agrees to Acquire US Fintech Orb for $335 Million to Expand Enterprise Billing Services

Amsterdam-based payments company Adyen signed an all-cash deal to acquire billing infrastructure platform Orb, strengthening its enterprise offering and expanding its competitive position in the North American financial technology market.

Dutch and Armenian Foreign Ministers Discuss European Integration and Regional Connectivity

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met in Luxembourg to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss regional trade links and democratic reforms in the South Caucasus.

MVRDV Completes Major Sustainable Housing Project in Eindhoven

Dutch architecture firm MVRDV has completed the 237-home Nieuw Bergen development, a mixed-tenure complex designed to support urban densification while preserving Eindhoven's low-rise character.

Dutch Meat Industry Proposes Labour Reforms to Avoid Ban on Agency Workers

The meat processing sector has submitted an emergency action plan to address the exploitation of migrant workers after the government threatened to prohibit the industry's use of temporary agency labour.

Amsterdam Explosion Injures Seven and Renews Concerns Over Organised Crime

More than 400 residents were evacuated and seven people were injured after an explosion damaged an apartment complex and nearby gym in Amsterdam's Osdorp district, prompting arrests and intensifying debate over organised crime.

Redcare Pharmacy Raises Full-Year Outlook on Strong E-Commerce Growth

The company reported robust growth across European markets and increased its 2026 guidance, highlighting the importance of Dutch logistics infrastructure in supporting cross-border digital healthcare services.

Aalberts Returns to AEX Index Following Strong Performance and Restructuring Efforts

Industrial technology company Aalberts will rejoin the AEX blue-chip index after Euronext's latest review, reflecting its improved financial performance and raising its profile among international investors.

Dutch Immigration Service Ends Extended Asylum Processing Delays After Court Rulings

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service has abolished temporary extensions to asylum decision deadlines following rulings by the European Court of Justice and the Council of State, increasing pressure to process thousands of pending c...

Schiphol Airport Disruptions Cause Hundreds of Delays and Flight Cancellations

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport recorded more than 250 delayed flights and 20 cancellations as air traffic constraints and regional strikes disrupted operations and affected thousands of travellers.

ING Launches Artificial Intelligence Services and Subscription Banking Model

ING unveiled a new subscription-based banking model and introduced advanced artificial intelligence tools to speed up mortgage approvals, reflecting the Dutch banking sector's push to modernise customer services.

Port of Rotterdam and Maersk Study Future of Nuclear-Powered Commercial Shipping

The Port of Rotterdam, Maersk and Lloyd's Register have published a joint study on the regulatory and safety requirements for nuclear-powered cargo vessels, placing the Netherlands at the centre of discussions on long-term maritime decar...

NXP Semiconductors Climbs on Expectations of Recovery in Industrial and Automotive Demand

Shares in Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors rose to near one-year highs as investors bet that easing Middle East tensions and lower energy prices could support global manufacturing activity and semiconductor demand.

Adyen Agrees to Acquire U.S. Billing Platform Orb for $335 Million

Amsterdam-based payments group Adyen will buy San Francisco startup Orb to combine usage-based billing with real-time payments, strengthening its enterprise offerings and reinforcing the Netherlands' position as a global fintech hub.

Dutch Government Expands Foreign Investment Screening to Protect Strategic Technologies

The Netherlands will require stricter reviews of foreign acquisitions involving artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology and advanced materials from January 2027, bringing national rules into line with broader European Unio...

Dutch Central Bank Cuts Economic Growth Forecast Amid Inflation and Energy Price Pressures

De Nederlandsche Bank lowered its 2026 growth forecast to 0.8 percent and warned that higher energy costs, geopolitical tensions, electricity grid congestion and labour shortages could further weaken consumer spending and business activity.

ASML Raises 2026 Revenue Forecast as Artificial Intelligence Investment Drives Semiconductor Demand

ASML increased its 2026 revenue guidance to between €36 billion and €40 billion, citing surging demand for its extreme ultraviolet lithography systems as global spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure accelerates.

Adyen Rolls Out Artificial Intelligence Fraud Detection Across Merchant Network

The Amsterdam-based payments company has introduced a machine-learning platform to enhance transaction security and reinforce its position in the European financial technology sector.

Dutch Rail Operator Tests Semi-Autonomous High-Speed Train on Amsterdam-Brussels Route

Nederlandse Spoorwegen has successfully trialed advanced signaling technology intended to improve passenger capacity and strengthen cross-border rail integration within Europe.

Amsterdam Approves High-Density Housing Development Near Historic Canal District

City authorities have narrowly backed plans for new multi-story residential projects near the historic center to ease pressure on middle-income housing despite opposition from conservation advocates.

Vebego Deploys Autonomous Electric Vehicles Across the Randstad Delivery Network

The logistics provider has introduced 200 autonomous electric transport vehicles to support last-mile deliveries and comply with zero-emission regulations in major Dutch cities.

Netherlands Pushes for European Rules on Recycling Critical Raw Materials

Dutch officials have proposed mandatory European recycling targets for materials used in electric vehicle batteries and wind turbines in an effort to reduce dependence on imported mineral processing.

Prosus Expands European Investments to Reduce Dependence on Asian Technology Holdings

The Dutch investment group is deploying more than €2 billion into European e-commerce, food delivery and education technology companies as it diversifies away from historical exposure to Asian internet assets.

Dutch Water Authorities Warn of Billions in Additional Spending Needs for Flood Defenses

Water boards say the Netherlands must substantially increase investment in dikes, river management and pumping infrastructure to address rising sea levels and growing inland flood risks.

Heineken Accelerates Shift Toward Low-Alcohol and Premium Products

The brewer is increasing investment in zero-alcohol and premium beverage portfolios as traditional beer consumption weakens in key Western markets.

Rabobank Warns High Interest Rates Are Increasing Risks in Commercial Real Estate

The Dutch lender says elevated borrowing costs and changes in workplace demand are placing refinancing pressure on property markets and could expose financial institutions to asset value declines.

Dutch Government Introduces Emergency Housing Legislation to Speed Construction

New legislation seeks to bypass lengthy planning and environmental procedures to accelerate the construction of 100,000 affordable homes annually and address the country's persistent housing shortage.

Port of Rotterdam Begins Carbon Storage Operations Beneath North Sea Gas Fields

Government-backed subsidies have enabled the Porthos project to proceed with plans to permanently store millions of tonnes of industrial carbon dioxide beneath depleted offshore gas reservoirs.

Booking.com Faces New European Union Inquiry Over Pricing Practices

European regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into whether changes to Booking.com's merchant terms and pricing systems comply with competition rules under the Digital Markets Act.

NXP Semiconductors Launches New Artificial Intelligence Chip for Automotive Applications

The Dutch technology company has introduced an energy-efficient processor for localized AI workloads, aiming to strengthen its position in the European electric vehicle and autonomous driving markets.

Amsterdam Advances Ban on Cruise Ships to Reduce Pollution and Overtourism

The city has accelerated plans to remove ocean-going cruise ships from its central passenger terminal by late 2026, prioritizing air quality and tourism management over associated economic benefits.

Dutch Municipalities Seek €2 Billion More in Annual Funding for Local Services and Infrastructure

Local governments say rising costs for healthcare, youth services and climate adaptation projects require significantly greater support from The Hague to maintain public services and expand urban infrastructure.

Netherlands Forecasts Moderate Economic Growth Despite Persistent Inflation

The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis has raised its growth outlook to 1.3%, citing resilient consumer spending and strong technology exports even as wage-driven inflation remains elevated.

Shell Cancels Rotterdam Biofuel Project and Redirects Investment to Gas and Offshore Wind

The energy company has abandoned plans for a sustainable aviation fuel facility at its Pernis refinery, citing unfavorable European regulations and shifting capital toward liquefied natural gas trading and offshore wind operations.

Dutch Pension Funds Shift Another €4 Billion from Fossil Fuels into Renewable Energy Projects

Major pension funds ABP and PFZW are increasing investments in offshore wind projects and the national electricity grid as they accelerate the reallocation of capital away from traditional energy assets.