Brexit prompts 98 companies' move to Netherlands

Continuing uncertainty about the United Kingdom's position in the European Union after the Brexit so far prompted 98 companies to move to the Netherlands. Another 325 companies are still considering a Dutch office, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs' foreign investment agency NFIA announced on Monday.

With regards to the Brexit, the Netherlands is particularity attractive to companies active in finance, IT, media and advertising, and health and life sciences, according to the NFIA. Many of the companies who already moved or committed to move to the Netherlands, did so because of, for example, banking licenses and broadcasting rights they need to remain active in the EU. The NFIA mentioned Bloomberg, AMBest, Discovery, and Japanese bank Norinchukin as examples.

Businesses outside the UK are also showing interest in the Netherlands due to the Brexit, according to the NFIA. Companies from North America, Asia and Australia are looking to settle in the Netherlands in order to retain their access to the EU. The Netherlands is an attractive option due to its strong logistics facilities, digital infrastructure, and English-speaking population, the NFIA said.

The growing uncertainty in the UK and the "increasingly clearer possibility" of a no-deal Brexit is causing major economic unrest for international companies, NFIA commissioner Jeroen Nijland said. "Our experience shows that when a Brexit deal gets further out of sight, and the chance of a no deal increases, more companies contact us", Nijland said. "Brexit remains bad news for the Netherlands, but with Brexit more companies are going to choose our country in the coming years."