News items Ministry of Financehttps://www.government.nl/News items of Ministry of Finance on Government.nlen-GBAny form of re-use of the content of this feed is permittedMon, 09 Mar 2026 02:15:07 GMT5News itemshttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2026/02/03/the-dutch-state-sells-part-of-tennet-germany-to-the-german-stateThe Dutch state is selling 25.1% of its shares in TenneT Germany to the investment bank KfW, acting on behalf of the German state. The German state will thus acquire a minority stake in the company. The Dutch state and German state, TenneT, and the 3 private investors who acquired stakes in TenneT Germany earlier last year, have reached an agreement on this.Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:49:00 GMTd4191c9c-c562-4aad-a572-e9154b1dce79https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2025/09/24/private-investors-invest-funds-into-tennet-germanyAPG (acting on behalf of pension fund ABP), the Norwegian sovereign investment fund Norges Bank Investment Management and the Singaporean sovereign investment fund GIC are to invest a total of € 9.5 billion in TenneT Germany. The 3 parties will eventually acquire approximately 46% of the shares. This provides a structural solution for TenneT Germany's equity need, Minister Heinen (Finance) announced in a letter to the House of Representatives and the Senate. The letter also states that the German government is interested in acquiring a minority stake in TenneT Germany. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT31e0ce57-cea8-40e9-be0e-4c51ae456b5ehttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2025/09/16/budget-day-2025-a-solid-basis-for-future-choicesPurchasing power will increase among all income groups in 2026. People in the Netherlands will on average have more to spend and poverty will continue to decrease next year. In addition, the government will leave its successor a fully funded budget, providing a solid basis for future choices. These matters are set out in the Budget Memorandum which the Minister of Finance, Eelco Heinen, presented to the House of Representatives today, along with the 2026 Tax Plan.Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:40:00 GMTe954921d-2c52-479a-82d2-4dd10f448af2https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2025/05/21/finance-minister-heinen-sound-figures-should-be-viewed-with-caution-given-international-situationAccountability Day and 2024 Central Government Annual Financial Report The Netherlands’ public finances are strong. Despite a slight contraction in the first quarter, the Dutch economy grew by 1.0% in 2024. Growth was stronger than expected, which had a positive impact on public finances. The budget deficit for 2024 was 0.9% of gross domestic product (GDP). These conclusions can be found in the Central Government Annual Financial Report for 2024, the year in which the Schoof government took office at the beginning of the summer.Wed, 21 May 2025 10:04:00 GMT81e666fb-cc64-47fa-a077-c11d069a9daehttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2025/04/17/structural-solutions-for-financing-tennetThe government is going to issue a guarantee to TenneT Nederland. This will enable the high-voltage grid operator to continue investing in the Dutch electricity network through attractive loans. Two options are being considered for the financing of the German branch of TenneT: a private share issue or an initial public offering. This will provide structural solutions for the financing needs of TenneT Netherlands and Germany, as ministers Heinen (Finance) and Hermans (Climate and Green Growth) write in a letter to the Parliament. All financial aspects have been incorporated into the Spring Budget.Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:35:00 GMT6ca9f465-46e6-4374-b0a9-fafe8bfc9dc9https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/09/17/new-solution-for-tennets-capital-requirementsTenneT is making the electricity grid fit for the future. Major investments will be required in the coming years to strengthen and expand the grid. This is necessary to meet growing demand for electricity, including from households and companies that want a new or higher power connection. TenneT needs capital to make these investments in the Netherlands and Germany.Tue, 17 Sep 2024 14:09:00 GMT8ddd4f05-3896-49a5-8bc7-5f73dbe9ca43https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/09/17/2025-tax-plan-more-balanced-income-distribution-and-healthy-public-financesToday Folkert Idsinga, State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration, presented the 2025 Tax Plan to the House of Representatives. The package contains a range of measures to contribute to healthy public finances, improved purchasing power and a stronger business climate. It also includes a number of steps aimed at improving the tax system.Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:15:00 GMT753ce4fc-3c08-481c-8e15-12ee39510460https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/09/17/budget-day-2024-more-purchasing-power-and-a-return-to-fiscal-disciplineNext year most people will be financially better off. It will pay more to work due to cuts in income tax, and measures on purchasing power will prevent a rise in poverty. The government will also invest heavily in our security, and the budget will absorb the recent financial setbacks concerning tax on income from savings and investments (‘box 3’) and the extra money paid under the scheme to provide redress to parents affected by the serious failings in the childcare benefit system. The budgetary frameworks and fiscal rules for this government’s term in office have been put in place. This represents a return to fiscal discipline by the government. These matters and more are addressed in the Budget Memorandum and the 2025 Tax Plan which the Minister of Finance, Eelco Heinen, and the State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration, Folkert Idsinga presented today – also on behalf of the State Secretary for Benefits and Customs, Nora Achahbar – to the House of Representatives.Tue, 17 Sep 2024 12:04:00 GMT232711d9-9356-4eed-b0e6-b6f6f7149d6ehttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/05/15/2023-a-better-financial-outcome-despite-turbulent-economic-timesWith the world in flux, 2023 was an economically turbulent year. Inflation was high, interest rates rose and the Netherlands saw virtually no economic growth. The war in Ukraine sent energy prices soaring. The Dutch government took a range of extra measures to prevent a rise in poverty, such as setting a cap on the price of energy and raising the minimum wage by 10%. Despite the decline in economic growth, unemployment remained low. A sharp rise in wages helped ensure that purchasing power improved for many households in the second half of the year. The Netherlands’ EMU balance ended the year at -0.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) and the national debt at 46.5%.Wed, 15 May 2024 06:55:00 GMTc37c6422-e7b4-42a6-8772-489b5d5c9f79https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/03/28/the-netherlands-to-invest-%E2%82%AC2.5-billion-to-strengthen-business-climate-for-chip-industry-in-brainport-eindhovenFound in objects from telephones to solar panels and medical equipment, microchips play a crucial role in everyday life. Dutch businesses and knowledge institutions lead the way in the global chip industry. But in the Brainport Eindhoven region they’re coming up against limits in terms of personnel, space and energy. The Dutch central and regional governments have made agreements aimed at addressing these problems. This should safeguard the Netherlands’ position as an attractive business environment for the semiconductor industry and its suppliers. This industry is important for the Netherlands' earning capacity, and it provides jobs and contributes to our country's security and autonomyThu, 28 Mar 2024 14:59:00 GMTf0bdbb33-d576-4eaf-a4a0-fe5bb9f2f58chttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/03/12/netherlands-and-bangladesh-sign-new-tax-treaty-in-dhakaDutch State Secretary for Tax Affairs Van Rij and Minister Abdul Hassan Mahmood Ali of Bangladesh put their signatures to a new bilateral tax treaty in Dhaka on 12 March. The aim of the treaty is to avoid double taxation and further Dutch and Bangladeshi economic interests.Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:28:00 GMT43f0a33d-876a-4f16-a47b-f2054a99e1d5https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/01/17/cocaine-seizures-by-customs-see-sharp-rise-in-2023In 2023, Dutch Customs seized almost 60,000 kg of cocaine. This is a sharp increase compared to 2022, when more than 51,000 kg of cocaine was seized. The largest seizures were in the ports of Rotterdam and Vlissingen. At airports, more than twice as much cocaine was seized by Customs.Wed, 17 Jan 2024 08:30:00 GMTd7e26112-188a-42bc-8498-5585ea88fa7ehttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2023/09/19/additional-%E2%82%AC2-billion-to-fight-povertyThe government will make an additional €2 billion a year available on a structural basis to support vulnerable households. This measure will prevent a rise in the number of people living in poverty and reduce the number of children growing up in poverty. Most of this expenditure will be funded from redistribution, with people on higher incomes paying slightly more tax. Although movement in the level of the national debt will be limited for the time being, the increase in the budget deficit requires attention. The budget deficit is expected to be 2.9% in 2024.Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:39:00 GMTb872570c-e2ee-469e-9233-fbf026223deehttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2023/09/19/2024-tax-plan-essential-steps-for-society-and-for-the-tax-systemToday Marnix van Rij (State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration) presented the 2024 Tax Plan to the House of Representatives. The package contains essential measures for society and the tax system. These include measures to support purchasing power and fight poverty, to improve and simplify the tax system and to achieve climate goals. The extra expenditure will partly be funded using windfalls in 2024, but also by means of other measures to maintain the level of tax revenue.Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:27:00 GMT393c3432-6746-474e-8c2c-3f0a2af4cd2ahttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2022/12/23/netherlands-support-ukraine-2023-newsIn 2023 the Netherlands will make €2.5 billion available to support Ukraine. The government expects that this amount will be necessary to provide military aid, support essential repair and reconstruction activities and contribute financially to efforts to combat impunity. The Dutch Cabinet approved the proposal by ministers Liesje Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation), Wopke Hoekstra (Foreign Affairs), Kajsa Ollongren (Defence) and Sigrid Kaag (Finance). The precise allocation of the contribution will depend on the needs of the Ukrainian people, and therefore how the war unfolds in the coming period.Fri, 23 Dec 2022 09:45:00 GMT7727ce8f-3746-460f-bbe9-3f4a7f2f2e90https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2022/03/21/measures-to-cushion-impact-of-rising-energy-prices-and-inflationThe government is introducing new supplementary measures to cushion the impact of rising energy prices and persistent inflation on low- and middle-income earners. Inflation may rise substantially this year, possibly reaching 5.2%. This is due mainly to higher energy prices. Purchasing power is expected to fall by 2.7% on average. The government is therefore raising the one-off energy allowance (energietoeslag) for people on incomes around the level of social assistance benefit to € 800. It is also lowering the rate of value-added tax (VAT) on energy from 21% to 9%, and the excise duty on petrol and diesel will be cut by 21%. Finally, the government is bringing forward spending of € 150 million, originally earmarked for 2026, to help low-income households take energy-saving measures. These measures were announced in a letter to the House of Representatives from Karien van Gennip (Minister of Social Affairs and Employment), Sigrid Kaag (Minister of Finance), Carola Schouten (Minister for Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions), Micky Adriaansens (Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy), Rob Jetten (Minister for Climate and Energy Policy), and Marnix van Rij (State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration).Mon, 21 Mar 2022 18:35:00 GMTc101084b-a70b-473e-b5c9-1737268e6e63https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2021/11/22/high-number-of-shell-companies-detrimental-to-the-netherlands-says-committeeShell companies contribute little to the Dutch economy, impose a disproportionate cost on developing countries in terms of lost tax revenue, and damage the Netherlands’ reputation. These are the principal conclusions reached by the Committee on Conduit Companies chaired by Bernard Ter Haar, which presented its final report today.Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:50:00 GMT85fb66bc-808b-4107-bada-c72584338f4bhttps://www.government.nl/latest/news/2014/10/29/tax-and-customs-administration-to-share-financial-information-with-other-countries-automaticallyFinance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem signed a declaration today with 50 other countries, committing the signatories to exchange tax-information automatically.Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:37:00 GMTbb2d3888-1158-43d2-b934-7ee9f82e5df2https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2013/12/18/mr-weekers-concludes-agreement-with-us-to-tackle-tax-evasion-and-undeclared-savingsMr Weekers, the State Secretary of Finance, has concluded an agreement with the United States today making possible an automatic exchange of data between the tax authorities of both countries. This agreement implementing the U.S. Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) underscores the co-operation of the Netherlands and the United States  to tackle tax evasion and undeclared savings.  The agreement diminishes, for example, the administrative burden for Dutch financial institutions and guarantees legal protection for their clients. From September 2015, the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration will automatically exchange data with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the tax administration of the United States). The Tax and Customs Administration will also receive data of Dutch tax payers from the US.Wed, 18 Dec 2013 10:28:00 GMT14173b16-d1e2-468c-b239-fd0ab0c26602https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2013/11/01/state-and-ing-agree-on-sale-of-alt-a-portfolioJeroen Dijsselbloem, Minister of Finance, and ING have agreed on the unwinding of the Illiquid Assets Back-Up Facility (IABF). This facility involves a portfolio of US Alt-A mortgage-backed securities. The termination of the IABF is in line with the government vision of unwinding government interventions in the financial sector and ending the related risks for the State as quickly as possible. The termination of the IABF means that the end of State support for ING is in sight, as Minister Dijsselbloem has written in a letter to the House of Representatives.Fri, 01 Nov 2013 16:06:00 GMT2e8c84a8-edfc-44a5-b022-71804e9aa83b