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Foreign investors put €72bn into the Netherlands in the first half of 2026, with new investment exceeding withdrawals after years of outflows.
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Foreign companies and investors made €72bn in direct investments in the Netherlands in the first half of 2026, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) reported. New inward investment exceeded withdrawals, a change after years of capital flowing out. The money came chiefly from the United States, with Germany also a source. [1]
Direct investment from the Netherlands into other countries rose too. DNB says this suggests a large share of the incoming capital is being channelled onwards. Direct investment means taking a stake of more than 10% in a company in another country. [1]
Between 2018 and 2025, more than €1.3tn in foreign investment capital left the Netherlands as earlier inward investments were withdrawn. DNB says the decline appears linked to changes in legislation, including tax rules, that reduced multinationals’ incentives to route money through complex Dutch corporate structures. [1]
Investors from the US and Luxembourg withdrew more than €1tn combined since 2018, yet the two countries still held a combined €990bn direct-investment position. DNB says much of the capital moving through Dutch corporate entities adds no net value to the domestic economy. [1]
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