Economy

Dutch business owners are increasingly concerned as a growing number of individuals are being granted debt forgiveness, leaving entrepreneurs to bear the financial burden. VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland, prominent Dutch employers’ organizations, have warned the Dutch parliament that this trend threatens to become the new norm.

According to a recent survey conducted by RTL Nieuwspanel and RTL Z, one in ten Dutch entrepreneurs are struggling with significant debt, often stemming from the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 3 percent of these businesses are at risk of collapse due to their debt levels, causing considerable stress and shame among business owners, with some resorting to substance abuse to cope.

The concerns raised by VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland center on the five percent rule, a legal provision stipulating that debtors must contribute at least 5 percent of their income towards debt repayment. Amendments to this rule, enacted in July 2024, allow for exceptions in extraordinary circumstances. The organizations argue that these exceptions are being granted too frequently, with data from the NVVK, the Dutch association for debt assistance, indicating that one in three personal debts are now being fully discharged.

The NVVK disputes the claim that the figure is as high as one in three, suggesting a more nuanced reality. Though, the core issue remains: entrepreneurs are feeling increasingly vulnerable as the expectation of debt repayment diminishes for individuals. This situation is particularly acute for smaller businesses, with 2.4 million companies, including a large number of self-employed individuals, operating in the Netherlands, according to the CBS (Statistics Netherlands). This means hundreds of thousands of businesses are potentially affected by this trend.

While acknowledging that debt is an inherent part of doing business, entrepreneurs are expressing frustration over what they perceive as an unfair system. A significant portion of those with acute financial problems—43 percent—report that their coronavirus-related debts constitute the largest portion of their overall debt. Many feel “left in the cold” by the government, according to RTL Z reporting.

The KVK (Netherlands Chamber of Commerce) reports that approximately half a million entrepreneurs are unable to develop a living from their businesses, though two-thirds of these as well have alternative income sources or support from a partner. The debate over debt forgiveness continues, with the NVVK expressing surprise at the criticism from business organizations.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence is facing questions after State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman suggested the F-35 fighter jet’s software could be circumvented, allowing for independent modifications. Tuinman made the remarks during a February 15th broadcast on BNR Nieuwsradio, stating that the aircraft could be “jailbroken” like an iPhone, potentially enabling the installation of third-party software updates without U.S. Approval.

The comments sparked immediate reaction, with concerns raised about the implications for the Netherlands’ relationship with the United States and the security of the F-35 platform. According to reporting from BNR, Tuinman’s statement came in response to questions about the Netherlands’ reliance on the U.S. For software updates and maintenance, particularly given increasing geopolitical tensions.

Defence expert Ko Colijn, speaking to NU.nl on February 18th, highlighted the F-35’s dependence on American technology as a critical vulnerability. Colijn noted that all flight data, maintenance information, and targeting data flows through a secure U.S. Database, effectively integrating the Royal Netherlands Air Force into a U.S.-controlled ecosystem. He pointed out that Israel is the only known nation to have achieved a degree of autonomy through the development of its own software.

Tuinman’s suggestion that the F-35 could be “jailbroken” – a term referring to the process of removing software restrictions on mobile devices – has been met with skepticism. The Aviationist reported that the claim’s veracity is unverifiable from an outside perspective. The F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin have not yet publicly responded to Tuinman’s remarks, as of February 25, 2026.

The Netherlands currently operates 47 F-35A Lightning II aircraft, with 39 stationed at Leeuwarden and Volkel airbases, and an additional eight undergoing training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. The country has ordered a total of 57 F-35s, increasing its initial commitment of 33 aircraft. The rising costs and complexity of the F-35 program have previously drawn criticism from the Dutch General Accounting Office, which warned of the financial strain on other branches of the armed forces, as reported by NU.nl.

The potential for modifying the F-35 software without U.S. Approval is particularly relevant given the aircraft’s nuclear role at Volkel airbase. The base is intended to house U.S. Nuclear weapons, but in a conflict, airbases would be prime targets, potentially jeopardizing the survival of aircrews.

Demissionary State Secretary Tuinman’s comments followed a February 14th podcast appearance where he alluded to the possibility of bypassing U.S. Software controls to accelerate the integration of European weapons systems onto the F-35, as reported by De Telegraaf. The remarks have been described as “a very strange statement” by Dick Berlijn on NPO Radio 1.