Netherlands

OKX has launched spot margin trading for its Dutch and Belgian users, enabling them to use up to 10x leverage and short cryptocurrencies, a feature long absent from most local apps.

The Dutch government has reversed a planned increase in the notional return rate for Box 3 investments in 2026 following political criticism. Instead, the financial burden will be shifted to homeowners with nearly paid-off mortgages by accelerating the phase-out of a key tax benefit.

The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has set new maximum tariffs for district heating in 2026, shifting costs from variable rates to higher fixed fees. While average households may see a minor saving, low-consumption users could face significant price increases.

A new collective labor agreement for Dutch secondary education teachers will see salaries rise by 5.8% over the next two years. The deal aims to address the teacher shortage and high workload, with details on new salary scales and reduced teaching hours.

A new ING survey shows that Dutch savings buffers are growing, with many now having over €10,000 set aside. However, a significant portion of the population still has less than €500, and concerns about financial security remain high.

The Dutch national debt is on the rise again, reaching nearly half a trillion euros. This breaks down to over €27,000 per person and raises concerns about financial stability, prompting some to consider alternatives like Bitcoin.

The new A24 toll road in the Netherlands is proving costly for drivers, where a simple oversight in payment can quickly lead to a €35 fine, raising concerns that the system penalizes those less comfortable with digital payments.

A new study reveals that pharmacy assistants have the most stressful job in the Netherlands. Despite a recent significant pay raise, the profession grapples with high work pressure, staff shortages, and aggression from patients.

The number of million-euro mortgages in the Netherlands has doubled since 2023, with 3,700 applications this year. High-earning first-time buyers and existing homeowners drive the trend, while homes priced over €1 million have surged by 243% in five years.

Starting in 2026, millions of Dutch citizens will transition to a new pension system with individual pots. Twenty major funds are moving first, transferring around €500 billion, but face significant administrative and market-related challenges in December.