Netherlands Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in netherlands, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Overview

The Netherlands is a high-performing U.S. science and tech (S&T) partner, with global leadership and ambitions in semiconductors, quantum, AI, photonics, and biotechnology. The 2024 National Technology Strategy (NTS) seeks to enhance Dutch technological sovereignty by 2035 and has outlined ten priority tech domains:

  • Optical systems and integrated photonics
  • Quantum technologies
  • Process technology, including process intensification
  • Biomolecular and cell technologies
  • Imaging technologies
  • Mechatronics and optomechatronics
  • Artificial intelligence and data science
  • Energy materials
  • Semiconductor technologies
  • Cybersecurity technologies
     

In 2024, Dutch startups raised €3.1 billion in venture capital (VC), constituting the fourth largest VC market in Europe— a 47% increase over 2023. Nebius (AI - $700 million), Picnic (online supermarket - $338 million), and Nearfield Instruments ($147 million) accounted roughly for one third of all VC funding in 2024. Additionally, Deeptech accounted for 35% ($1.25 billion) of total VC that same year.

Leading Sub-sectors

The Netherlands is a leader in critical and emerging technologies, especially semiconductors and photonics, AI, quantum technology, and biotechnology. In terms of tech competitiveness, the Netherlands ranks 8th worldwide, outperforming both the U.S. (18th) and most European countries. The Netherlands’ tech competitiveness is bolstered by its strong knowledge base, digital infrastructure, and high-quality STEM talent pipeline.

Semiconductors and Photonics

The Netherlands is a key partner in the U.S. semiconductor “protect” policy and plays a growing role in advancing collaboration through the U.S.-Netherlands Semiconductor-Promote Dialogue. In March 2025, the Netherlands joined eight European countries to form a “semicon coalition” aimed at boosting advanced chip manufacturing in Europe and reducing reliance on Taiwan.

The Dutch semiconductor industry, built over 40 years through strong industry-academia collaboration, comprises over 300 companies. The Brainport Eindhoven region is its hub, generating over $36B annually. While dominated by the “Big 5” (ASML, ASM, NXP, Nexperia, Besi), smaller firms make up 41% of revenue and 59% of employment, with 62% earning under €10M annually.

The Netherlands leads globally in niche technologies, notably ASML’s EUV lithography. Its excellence in semiconductors matches national strengths in water management, agriculture, and trade.
The sector supports around 60,000 jobs, with 2024 exports of semiconductor manufacturing machinery reaching $25B. With current annual turnover at $34B, the industry is projected to grow 8.61% from 2024 to 2029, driven by AI, 5G, and high-performance chip demand.

The Netherlands leads in Equipment (85% of the workforce), Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs) (5%), and Photonics (2%). It imposed semiconductor export restrictions to China in June 2023, which were further expanded in January 2025. The U.S. and the Netherlands continue to consult on export controls.

AI

The Dutch government sees AI as a crucial 21st-century opportunity, positioning the Netherlands as a European AI innovation hub. The Dutch are early tech adopters, and AI is widely used across sectors including agrifood, health, life sciences, and chemicals. The Netherlands acts as a living lab for AI applications, with spillover benefits across industries.

In 2019, the government launched the Strategic Action Plan for AI, focusing on economic and societal opportunities, advancing R&D and talent, and setting ethical guidelines. The Ministry of Economic Affairs aims to invest over €300 million in AI R&D and a large-scale AI facility. Meetings with AMD and Nvidia took place in January 2025, though no formal agreement has been reached.

The Netherlands is among the top 10 most digitalized countries globally and seeks to lead in AI. Its AI market is projected to reach $2.38 billion in 2025, growing at 26.21% annually. Companies like ASML, NXP, and ASM provide essential semiconductor tech for AI, reinforcing the Netherlands’ value as a U.S. partner. The Dutch government is keen to collaborate on joint AI initiatives, including industrial data sharing, trust networks, and ensuring AI aligns with democratic values.

Quantum

As of 2024, the Netherlands has invested nearly $1.13 billion in the quantum tech market since 2016, with an annual growth rate of approximately 20% to 30%. The Netherlands is advancing its national strategy for quantum technologies through the Quantum Delta NL program, an initiative designed to foster innovation in quantum technologies and enhance international collaboration. It aims to build a collaborative ecosystem by bringing together scientific institutions, students, businesses, and professionals.

In 2018, the EU introduced the Quantum Technologies Flagship (QTF) initiative. This long-term research and innovation program is designed to support hundreds of quantum researchers over a period of ten years. The QTF funds projects in four key areas: quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum communication, and quantum sensing and metrology. In 2023, the United States and the Netherlands signed a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) to promote cooperation in quantum computing, quantum networking, and quantum sensing. The leader of a top quantum institute in the Netherlands also expanded her network of U.S. contacts on a 2023 exchange program focusing on S&T entrepreneurship funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). In September 2024, Science Envoy Dr. Pri Narang engaged Dutch government officials, research institutes, scientists, companies, and entrepreneurs to advance U.S.-Dutch cooperation in quantum and photonics.

Biotechnologies

The Dutch Life Sciences & Health sector is globally recognized for its innovation, collaboration, and advanced infrastructure. With over 3,000 life sciences companies—including 400+ biopharmaceutical firms, numerous MedTech enterprises, the European Medicines Agency, and the European Patent Office—it is one of the world’s most concentrated and advanced clusters.

As a longstanding leader in medicine development, the Netherlands excels in biopharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, cell therapy, infectious diseases, and vaccine production. Its advanced digital ecosystem, combined with extensive patient cohorts and biobanks, enables data-driven breakthroughs in diagnostics, analytics, and personalized healthcare. With facilities that support the entire therapeutic development pipeline—from early-stage research to industrial-scale production—the Netherlands functions as a one-stop shop for life sciences innovation.

The Netherlands’ strong track record in intellectual property further highlights its innovative strength. As host to the European Patent Office with a staff of 3,000, the Netherlands boasts high patent activity: ranking fourth globally in MedTech patent applications, sixth in biotechnology, and eighth in pharmaceuticals. It is also the global leader in the production of medical isotopes and a pioneer in forward-looking solutions such as eHealth and personalized medicine.
With a strategic location, political stability, a robust economy, and a multilingual, highly skilled workforce, the Netherlands is a prime gateway to Europe. Its top-tier education system continuously produces strong human capital, attracting both global corporations and fast-growing biotech startups.

Opportunities 

In order to capitalize on promoting interests of the United States in the Netherlands, the following industries present promising opportunities for U.S. investment:

  • Rare Earth and Critical Minerals
  • Renewable Energy Generation and Storage Solutions
  • Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies
  • Semiconductors & Photonics
  • Quantum Technologies 
  • Biomolecular and Cell Technologies

Semiconductor & Photonics

The Netherlands leads the European integrated photonics industry. The country has developed an end-to-end value chain, is home to the largest concentration of photonic chip small and medium-sized enterprises and is Europe’s largest public investor and largest mobilizer of private investment in photonic chip technology. The Netherlands aims at generating 4,000 full-time jobs and over $1.13 billion in revenue by 2026. The Photon Delta organization provides investment and guidance for the Dutch ecosystem and has an office in San Francisco, reflecting its ambition for increased partnership and collaboration with the U.S. ecosystem. The semiconductor & photonics industry is expected to be an interesting opportunity for American investors, as the Netherlands seeks further digital expansion and still relies on the United States on advanced semiconductor capabilities.

Biomolecular and Cell Technologies: The biomolecular and cell technology sector has been identified as a priority sector by the Dutch government. In April 2025, the Dutch government laid out its national ambition in the Cabinet Vision on Biotechnology, which seeks to transform the Netherlands into the global frontrunner in the research, development and application of biotechnology. Backed by the Netherlands’ longstanding expertise in biotechnology, the strategy aims at harnessing biotechnology for achieving progress in public health, the circular economy, and food security. Through the National Growth Fund, $1.47 billion will be invested in biotech through 2040, including support for biomolecular and cell technologies. The Dutch biotech industry generates $7.93 billion annually and contributes over $56 billion in exports. Despite this funding, long-term investment remains insufficient, creating opportunities for U.S. investors to engage in a strong, fast-growing sector supported by skilled talent and advanced R&D infrastructure.

Quantum Technologies

Both the Netherlands and the United States are key players in the quantum tech industry. The potential for quantum technologies is high in the Netherlands, with potential spill over to other technological areas. It is expected that the Dutch quantum technology market will exceed $1 trillion by 2035, having a world-class quantum ecosystem to foster economic activity and talent. While the Netherlands has a strong ecosystem, it is still struggling to attract quantum investors who are cautious due to the uncertainty of quantum technology’s trajectory. In February 2023, the United States and the Netherlands signed a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) to promote cooperation in quantum computing, quantum networking, and quantum sensing. The Netherlands relies on imports for certain specialized components and materials for the quantum tech industry.

Renewable Energy Generation and Storage Solutions

The Netherlands is committed to achieving sustainability goals under the Dutch Climate Law (2019) and the European Climate Law (2023), investing heavily in renewables. In 2023, 54.9% of Dutch government spending supported climate action, far exceeding the EU’s 37% target under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The Netherlands aims for a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035, carbon neutrality by 2050, and a 55% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 (from 1990 levels). A 2020 U.S.-Netherlands joint statement recognized energy security as national security and committed to collaborating on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies under the IPHE. U.S. companies have strong potential to export hydrogen technologies, equipment, and expertise—especially for green hydrogen production.

Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies

The U.S. government’s push to revitalize U.S. leadership in advanced nuclear technology aligns with the Netherlands’ plans to expand nuclear power capacity. The plans include constructing new large reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). In April 2025, a U.S. Nuclear Energy Institute trade mission promoted technological and economic cooperation on nuclear energy with U.S. firms. The delegation included Westinghouse, one of two contenders for the realization of new large nuclear reactors in the Netherlands, and the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which can provide financing for U.S. nuclear energy exporters. The Netherlands’ nuclear energy ambitions create an opportunity for the U.S. firms to export nuclear technology and strengthen energy leadership

Rare Earth and Critical Minerals

The Netherlands relies on imports for rare earth and critical minerals but remains a major exporter. A majority of rare earth and critical minerals imports are re-exported, mainly within the EU, while the rest is processed domestically. The Dutch government aims to strengthen alliances and position Rotterdam as a key EU hub for refining and stockpiling critical minerals through the 2022 National Raw Materials Strategy. U.S. firms can be a vital partner by exporting critical materials like lithium and silicon.

Resources 

Contact 

Diederik Moreu, Head of Section                                    
U.S. Commercial Service – The Netherlands 
Diederik.Moreu@trade.gov| +31 70 310 2418

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