Netherlands

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will arrive in the Netherlands early for an unusual pre-visit stay at Het Oude Loo Castle ahead of their official state visit starting Wednesday. During their private time, the imperial couple will participate in a photo opportunity and join King Willem-Alexander to watch a football match between their two nations.

Following the tropical heat of the weekend, the KNMI has issued a yellow alert for renewed extreme weather conditions in North Brabant.

A yellow weather warning is in place across several eastern and southern provinces this Friday afternoon and evening, with heavy thunderstorms expected to hit Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Gelderland, North Brabant, and Limburg. Coming into effect at 4.00 pm, the alert from the KNMI warns of severe downpours, potential hail, and sudden wind gusts reaching up to approximately 45 mph (75 km/h). The meteorological institute expects the adverse conditions to clear by around 10.00 pm, though localised flooding could cause minor disruptions to travel and outdoor activities during the peak hours of the storm.

Demand for cheaper second-hand electric cars is increasing sharply in Europe. This is the result of the sharp price increases at the pump caused by the war in the Middle East. Nevertheless, battery life tempers the used-car demand.

Germany will introduce a tax on sugary beverages in 2028 to fight obesity and fund healthcare initiatives. The decision follows a significant political shift and mirrors similar financial measures being planned in the Netherlands.

Dutch business investment fell by 2.6 per cent in December 2025, marking a third consecutive monthly decline driven largely by a slump in the aviation and road transport sectors. Despite reduced spending on lorries and vans, growth was recorded in passenger cars, buildings, and defence equipment. Looking ahead, the CBS "investment radar" suggests a less unfavourable climate for early 2026, bolstered by rising industrial capacity and stronger goods exports.

KLM is recruiting temporary staff and deploying new digital tools to tackle a surge in customer claims following a chaotic start to 2026. Severe winter weather at Schiphol Airport led to hundreds of cancelled flights in January and February, costing parent company Air France-KLM an estimated €90 million.

Germany’s leadership has joined a growing international movement to curb children's access to social media due to developmental concerns. This shift could provide the necessary momentum for the Netherlands and the wider EU to establish a firm, enforceable minimum age for digital platforms.