Netherlands

Data from the central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), show that foreign direct investment into the Netherlands rebounded to €72 billion in the first half of 2026, mainly from the United States and Germany. This follows several years in which more than €1.3 trillion was withdrawn. DNB says outward investment also rose, which suggests much of the inflow passes through Dutch holding structures to other countries, so the headline figure overstates new operating investment in the Netherlands.

De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) · 2026-09-30

A temporary national sanctions decree restricting trade in goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories took effect on 22 September 2026. The Netherlands acted on its own after comparable EU measures failed to win enough support. The rule also covers goods only partly produced in settlements, which are identified using the EU postal-code list, so importers, distributors and intermediaries need to review supplier origin documentation and internal controls.

Lexology · 2026-09-22

The 2027 tax plan package went to parliament on Budget Day. Because the cabinet lacks a majority, its measures can still change during the parliamentary process. Firms should not treat the proposed 2027 corporate, payroll or environmental tax changes as final until the package passes.

EPPA · 2026-09-18

Statistics Netherlands' (CBS) flash estimate put annual inflation at 3.4% in September, up from 3.3% in August and well above the 2.4% recorded in January 2026. Services inflation rose to about 3.9%, so entrants should plan for continued pressure on wages, rents and service costs.

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) · 2026-10-02

On Budget Day (Prinsjesdag), 15 September, Finance Minister Heinen presented the 2027 budget (Miljoenennota) and tax plan (Belastingplan). They project a 2027 deficit of 2.9% of GDP, falling to 2.2% by 2030, and government debt rising from 45.6% of GDP in 2026 to 48.9% in 2030. Public finances stay within EU limits, but there is little fiscal room, and the cabinet says it will direct spending towards investment and household purchasing power rather than broad business relief.

Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands) · 2026-09-15

The 2027 budget sets out how roughly €20 billion for nitrogen, agriculture and nature measures will be spread over the years to 2035, with a dedicated fund starting in 2027. Nitrogen-emission permitting has held back construction and industrial expansion, so how this money is spent will affect project permitting for entrants in those sectors.

Duurzaam Nieuws · 2026-09-16

The D66–VVD–CDA minority cabinet under Prime Minister Rob Jetten, in office since February 2026, now needs opposition support to pass its 2027 budget. Analysts expect the months after Budget Day to be contested. This brings no immediate operational risk, but tax and regulatory details for 2027 may change and are likely to be settled late.

EPPA · 2026-09-18

No significant security, labour or infrastructure developments were identified in this section for the reporting period.

Aperture editorial note · 2026-10-10