News

Eindhoven has opened a new "bicycle bank" to provide 500 refurbished bikes a year to residents on low incomes. The project combines sustainable transport with social welfare by offering affordable mobility and mechanical training placements for volunteers.

The Dutch government is fast-tracking a bill for mandatory disability insurance for the self-employed, despite heavy criticism from the Council of State and the CPB. Under the new proposal, self-employed workers without private cover will pay a monthly premium of up to €171, but will only receive payouts after a two-year waiting period. While experts warn that this long gap leaves many workers vulnerable, Minister Thierry Aartsen defended the plan as a necessary "basic social safety net" that balances poverty prevention with affordable costs. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, even as concerns remain over whether tax and insurance agencies can handle the massive administrative burden.

A group of six EU nations, led by the Netherlands, Germany, and France, has urged the European Commission to fast-track the introduction of a digital euro to bolster the bloc's global competitiveness. In a joint letter, the finance ministers argued that a digital currency is essential for a "sovereign and resilient" payments landscape that reduces dependence on non-EU systems. Beyond the digital euro, the proposals call for a more integrated capital market, unified EU-level supervision of major stock exchanges, and improved funding for start-ups. These recommendations are intended to set the agenda for next Thursday’s EU summit, where leaders will discuss how to strengthen Europe's economic independence and long-term growth potential.

Researchers at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam have solved a long-standing mystery by discovering why certain bird flu strains become more lethal than others. Their study reveals that a specific enzyme can get "stuck" while the virus is replicating, causing genetic "mistakes" that lead to more dangerous mutations. This breakthrough could help scientists understand how other high-risk viruses, such as Ebola, evolve and spread. The discovery comes at a critical time for the poultry industry, as a mandatory housing order remains in place following the culling of over 2 million chickens at dozens of infected farms.

Eindhoven is changing at high speed. It has transformed into the engine of the Brainport region, one of Europe’s most innovative tech hubs. The...

The war in Iran is acting as a major brake on the Dutch economy, with Rabobank warning that growth will slow across every sector as energy and transport costs climb. Manufacturing, construction, and transport are expected to be hit hardest, potentially seeing growth stall or even shrink if oil prices reach $150 per barrel. While the healthcare sector remains resilient due to an ageing population, a shift toward more cautious consumer spending is likely to hurt retailers and the hospitality industry, as geopolitical uncertainty forces both businesses and households to tighten their belts.

In this Wednesday's local elections, there are more council seats to be filled than four years ago, with 102 seats being added across dozens of expanding municipalities. While the number of seats is legally tied to population size—ranging from 9 in small towns to 45 in large cities—most councils are growing, though Eemsdelta will see its count drop from 29 to 27. These changes mean that a total of 8,552 seats are up for grabs next week, representing a significant shift in local representation across the country.

Eindhoven’s international community will have the chance to question local politicians at a dedicated English-language debate this evening. The event at city hall aims to help voters navigate key issues like housing and integration ahead of the upcoming elections.