Business

Dutch coalition plans to link the state pension age directly to life expectancy are expected to drive up occupational incapacity claims among older workers. While the move is intended to save billions of euros by 2060, experts warn that many people over 60 may struggle to stay in the workforce.

ASML expansion plans include a location at the Brainport Industries Campus.

The European Commission is looking into allegations that Google has been keeping its advertising prices artificially high. This new probe follows a string of multi-billion euro fines against the company for abusing its dominant position in the digital market.

The Dutch House of Representatives has passed a major reform to the wealth tax system, with actual asset growth set to be taxed from 2028. The move follows years of legal challenges against the previous method of taxing assumed profits. However, further changes are already being requested to ensure that investors only pay tax when they sell their assets.

A major cyber attack on Dutch telecom provider Odido has exposed the personal details of 6.2 million account holders. The company has secured its systems and is advising customers to remain alert for potential phishing attempts and fraudulent calls using the stolen information.

The direct rail link between Eindhoven and Düsseldorf has been delayed by at least four years due to infrastructure issues at Venlo station and a shortage of specialised trains. State Secretary Thierry Aartsen has called the delay a major setback for the Brainport region, as the vital economic connection is now not expected to be fully operational until 2030.

Philips has posted a 2025 profit of 897 million euros, driven by strong growth in the US and its personal health sector. CEO Roy Jakobs credited AI-led innovation for the turnaround, but the company’s new 1.5 billion euro savings plan indicates that further internal reorganisations are expected through 2028.

Former ASML CEO Peter Wennink warns that the current wave of job cuts at major Dutch companies is a sign of deeper changes to come. He suggests that rapid advances in AI and rising costs in essential sectors will force a total rethink of how the national workforce is used.