NATO & Defense

Prinsjesdag 2026: Defence budget nears €29 billion as Netherlands accelerates military build-up

The Dutch defence leadership pictured from left to right: Secretary-General Maarten Schurink, Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz, Minister for Arms Procurement and Personnel Derk Boswijk, and the Vice Chief of Defence Staff. / photo: MinDef

The Dutch defence budget will rise to a record €28.9 billion in 2027, reflecting a dramatic expansion of the armed forces driven by NATO targets, the war in Ukraine and growing concerns about European security. Yet behind the surge in spending, the military continues to struggle with one of its biggest challenges: finding enough people to fill its ranks.

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Prinsjesdag 2026: Netherlands to hold annual Kingdom summit with Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten

The Dutch government wants to turn a long-discussed Kingdom conference into a permanent fixture, bringing together the Netherlands, Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten every year. But while ministers are presenting the initiative as a new chapter in Kingdom cooperation, key questions about the format, agenda and political role of

The Netherlands keeps South Sudan embassy and Antwerp consulate open, but five diplomatic posts will still close

The Dutch government has reversed plans to close its embassy in South Sudan and its consulate-general in Antwerp, marking a significant retreat from earlier cuts to the diplomatic network. Yet the reprieve comes with a catch: five other diplomatic posts will still shut their doors as The Hague reshapes

Prinsjesdag 2026: King's Speech urges compromise, but left and right tell Jetten to choose

The first Prinsjesdag of Prime Minister Rob Jetten's minority government was marked by repeated appeals for compromise and cooperation. But as King Willem-Alexander delivered the longest King's Speech in more than two decades, opposition leaders from both the left and the right responded with the

Speculation in The Hague over sabotage targeting Dutch railways and highways on Prinsjesdag

A coordinated wave of suspected sabotage has disrupted railway traffic across large parts of the Netherlands on Prinsjesdag, prompting an investigation involving police, prosecutors and intelligence services. While officials are urging caution until the facts are established, the scale and timing of the incidents are already fuelling speculation in The

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Prinsjesdag 2026: Netherlands to hold annual Kingdom summit with Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten

The Netherlands keeps South Sudan embassy and Antwerp consulate open, but five diplomatic posts will still close

Prinsjesdag 2026: King's Speech urges compromise, but left and right tell Jetten to choose

Speculation in The Hague over sabotage targeting Dutch railways and highways on Prinsjesdag