Amsterdam Times

Dutch Family-Owned Restaurants and Cafes Face Growing Succession Pressures

Hospitality groups say rising energy costs, labour shortages and regulatory burdens are making it harder for family-run restaurants and cafes across the Netherlands to find new owners willing to take over their businesses.

Almere Introduces Vacancy Tax on Homes Left Empty for Extended Periods

The Dutch municipality of Almere will levy a new tax on homes that remain vacant for at least a year as local authorities seek to return more unused housing to the market.

Dutch Court Convicts Two Men Over Violence Linked to Engelen Asylum Centre Protests

A court in Den Bosch convicted two men over an assault connected to protests against a planned asylum facility for unaccompanied minors in Engelen.

Dutch Parliament Debates Hospital Access to Abortions Between 22 and 24 Weeks

The Netherlands is debating the provision of abortions between 22 and 24 weeks in specialised hospitals, with the issue drawing renewed political scrutiny over existing medical and legal safeguards.

Drenthe Adds €20 Million to Voluntary Livestock Farm Closure Programme

The Dutch province of Drenthe has increased funding for voluntary livestock farm closures as part of wider efforts to reduce nitrogen emissions and ease pressure on protected natural areas.

More Than 40,000 Join Amsterdam Climate March Calling for Faster Fossil Fuel Phase-Out

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in Amsterdam ahead of the national budget presentation, calling on the Dutch government to reduce support for fossil fuels and accelerate the shift toward renewable energy.

Dutch Universities Deepen Industry Partnerships to Ease Engineering Talent Shortage

Technical universities are expanding cooperation with companies including ASML, NXP and Philips as shortages of skilled engineers constrain growth in the Netherlands’ high-tech manufacturing sector.

Dutch Technology Industry Pushes Back Against Strict Implementation of EU AI Rules

Technology executives and startup founders in the Netherlands are urging policymakers to avoid implementing European artificial intelligence rules in ways they say could weaken investment and innovation in Amsterdam and Eindhoven.

Port of Rotterdam Advances Smart Hydrogen Hub for Industry and Shipping

The Port of Rotterdam and regional partners are developing a hydrogen demonstration hub combining electrolyser technology, battery storage and renewable electricity to support lower-carbon maritime and industrial operations.

Dutch Mortgage Lending Rises 5% as First-Time Buyers Rely More on Public Support

Mortgage issuance in the Netherlands increased 5% in the first half of the year to more than €84 billion, while municipal starter loans surged as younger buyers struggled with high property prices and limited housing supply.

Dutch Regulators Warn of Rising Leverage Behind European Equity Rally

Financial authorities and market analysts in the Netherlands are warning that increased use of borrowed money could amplify market losses if interest-rate expectations or global economic conditions deteriorate.

Terneuzen Remains Under Study for New Dutch Nuclear Power Plant

The Dutch government is continuing to assess Terneuzen in Zeeland as a potential site for new nuclear generation as policymakers consider how atomic power could complement offshore wind and support energy-intensive industry.

European Gas Prices Swing Sharply on Amsterdam Market Amid Supply Concerns

Natural gas futures on the benchmark Dutch TTF market fell more than 7% to around €73 per megawatt-hour during volatile trading as uncertainty over global energy supplies continued to affect European markets.

Rotterdam Port Works Through Container Backlogs After Worker Strikes

Container terminals at the Port of Rotterdam are clearing operational backlogs following industrial action that delayed truck handling and forced shipping companies to adjust cargo schedules.

Netherlands Shifts Infrastructure Spending Toward Aging Roads, Bridges and Railways

The Dutch government is redirecting billions of euros from some new projects toward renovation and maintenance as aging transport infrastructure puts increasing pressure on national logistics networks.

Dutch Safety Board Warns Children Face Unsafe Conditions in Emergency Asylum Shelters

The Dutch Safety Board says children in emergency asylum accommodation are being exposed to persistently unsafe living conditions and has called for urgent improvements to the country’s reception system.

Google Fined €403 Million Over Processing of European Users’ Location Data

European privacy enforcement has resulted in a €403 million penalty against Google over its handling of location information, adding to regulatory pressure on major technology platforms operating across the EU.

Netherlands Secures €120 Million for European AI and Cloud Infrastructure Project

The Dutch government has secured €120 million to participate in a European programme developing next-generation artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure intended to strengthen the region’s digital capabilities.

ASML Expansion Gains Momentum as Semiconductor Shares Rally in Amsterdam

ASML shares rose alongside renewed investor demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure as the Dutch chip-equipment company moves ahead with a major new campus in Eindhoven.

ASML and Intel Reach One-Million-Wafer Milestone in Advanced Lithography

ASML and Intel Foundry say they have processed more than one million semiconductor wafers using advanced lithography systems, marking further progress in next-generation chip manufacturing.

Netherlands Allocates €6 Billion for Energy Security and Decarbonisation

The Dutch government will provide €6 billion in 2027 for household and business energy-transition programmes, including renewable power, industrial emissions reduction and other measures aimed at strengthening energy security.

Amsterdam Begins Largest Electricity Grid Expansion in City’s History

TenneT and Liander have started building the Nieuwe Hemweg electricity station, a major expansion intended to ease grid congestion and support housing, electrification and further economic growth in Amsterdam.

Dutch Cabinet Reverses Major Social Security Cuts in 2027 Budget

The Dutch government has scrapped or postponed significant planned welfare reductions as it seeks broader parliamentary support and to protect household purchasing power amid higher living costs.

King Willem-Alexander Calls for End to Dutch Nitrogen Deadlock

The Netherlands must resolve its long-running nitrogen emissions dispute to restart permitting for housing, businesses and infrastructure while restoring nature, King Willem-Alexander said in the government’s annual Speech from the Throne.

Netherlands Raises Defence Spending to Rebuild Military Capabilities

The Dutch government is increasing structural defence spending to modernise its armed forces, replenish ammunition stocks and deepen military cooperation with European allies as NATO members expand security investment.

Dutch Government Commits €3.8 Billion to New Innovation Institutions for AI and Deep Tech

The Netherlands will allocate €3.3 billion to a National Investment Institution and €500 million to a disruptive innovation agency as it seeks to strengthen domestic artificial intelligence, semiconductor and deep-tech capabilities.

Dutch Military Continues Training Support for Ukrainian Forces

Dutch personnel are continuing to train Ukrainian troops through European and international programs, including specialist instruction in Germany, as the Netherlands extends its military support for Ukraine.

University of Groningen Launches Dedicated Frisian Language Degree

The University of Groningen has introduced a specialized degree in Frisian language and literature aimed at supporting the preservation and study of the northern Netherlands’ distinct linguistic heritage.

Dutch Municipalities Launch Fireworks Amnesty Ahead of New Restrictions

Municipalities are allowing residents to surrender fireworks anonymously without fines ahead of tighter national restrictions intended to reduce injuries, disorder and environmental damage.

Amsterdam Faces Setback in Push for Tighter Short-Term Rental Controls

Amsterdam’s efforts to further restrict tourist rentals face regulatory complications even as the city maintains permit requirements and tighter annual night limits in heavily visited neighborhoods.

American Express Opens First Continental European Centurion Lounge at Schiphol

American Express has opened a 6,000-square-foot Centurion Lounge in Schiphol’s non-Schengen area, giving the company its first full-scale lounge on continental Europe.

Dutch Railways Adds Trains and Carriages as Commuter Demand Rebounds

National railway operator NS is deploying additional capacity as office workers and university students return after summer, while updating compensation arrangements for passengers affected by local transit disruptions.

Power Bank Fire on KLM Flight Renews Focus on Lithium Battery Safety

A lithium-ion power bank belonging to a former KLM chief executive caught fire aboard a passenger flight, adding to aviation-industry concerns over personal battery devices carried in aircraft cabins.

Dutch Literacy Performance Falls Further Behind European Peers

New education assessments show Dutch pupils continuing to lose ground in reading comprehension and literacy compared with European peers, increasing pressure for changes to language teaching and curricula.

Dutch Authorities Intervene in Case of Sperm Donor Linked to at Least 121 Children

Authorities and legal advocates have moved to halt a sperm donor believed to have fathered at least 121 children, renewing calls for stronger national oversight and donor registration.

Four Dutch Patients With Severe Long Covid Received Euthanasia Last Year

Four people suffering from severe and untreatable Long Covid made use of the Netherlands’ legal euthanasia framework last year, drawing attention to the medical consequences of the chronic post-viral condition.

Fourth Domestic West Nile Virus Case Reported in Netherlands

Dutch public health authorities have confirmed a fourth domestically acquired West Nile virus infection this year, adding to concerns over mosquito-borne disease risks as environmental conditions change.

Dutch Muslim Groups Establish National Hotline to Record Mosque Attacks

Muslim organizations in the Netherlands have created a centralized reporting service to document vandalism and threats against mosques and improve information available to authorities and affected communities.

Journalists Threatened and Attacked During Far-Right Unrest in The Hague

Three journalists were threatened during the violent demonstration in The Hague, while other media workers reported intimidation and physical confrontations while covering the unrest.

Riot Police Disperse Violent Far-Right Demonstration in The Hague

Dutch riot police broke up a far-right protest in The Hague after demonstrators attacked officers and threw fireworks and other objects, with 24 suspects arrested and subsequently released pending further proceedings.

Former ASML Chief Peter Wennink Becomes Chairman of Euclyd

Former ASML chief executive Peter Wennink has joined AI semiconductor startup Euclyd as chairman as the Eindhoven company prepares to commercialize its energy-efficient computing technology.

Dutch Innovation Box Threshold Set to Rise From €25,000 to €100,000

The government has proposed increasing the maximum flat-rate benefit under the Innovation Box regime to €100,000, making the research and innovation tax incentive more accessible to smaller businesses.

Netherlands Expands Kansrijke Start Funding for Vulnerable Families

The government is increasing investment in the Kansrijke Start program, with funding set to rise to a structural €62 million annually to support vulnerable families and improve early childhood health.

Dutch Municipalities Receive Expanded Funding for Emergency and Social Resilience

The national government is increasing support for municipalities to strengthen local resilience and preparedness while managing responsibilities spanning housing, security and social services.