Foreign Companies Expand R&D Footprint in the Netherlands in 2025

Invest in Holland results show foreign businesses choose the Netherlands for its strong innovation ecosystems and collaborative R&D environment

Foreign businesses continued to expand their innovation footprint in the Netherlands in 2025, with research and development (R&D) becoming the largest category of investment projects supported by the Invest in Holland network.

In total, 180 foreign companies established or expanded operations in the Netherlands last year. Of these, 53 projects (30%) were primarily focused on R&D, marking the first time research and development has been the leading investment category. The figures underline the Netherlands’ strong appeal to companies seeking a collaborative, innovation-driven environment to develop and scale new technologies.

A collaborative innovation environment that accelerates growth

International companies choose the Netherlands for its close-knit innovation ecosystems, strong knowledge institutions and close cooperation between industry, academia and government. This collaborative model enables faster co-creation, shorter innovation cycles and quicker commercialization of research.

For companies looking to expand their European R&D footprint, the Netherlands offers access to highly skilled talent, advanced research facilities, and seamless connections to global markets. The 2025 results reflect how businesses leverage these strengths to grow within Dutch innovation ecosystems.

The Invest in Holland network focuses on attracting companies that strengthen and complement these ecosystems. By aligning with strategic sectors and long-term economic priorities, the network ensures that investments contribute to sustainable growth, while providing companies with the right environment to innovate and scale.

Strong ecosystems attract high-impact investments

Presenting the annual results to Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans emphasized the importance of innovative investments in a competitive global landscape: “Especially in a challenging international investment climate, it is an important achievement that foreign companies choose the Netherlands because of our strong ecosystems and innovative strength. The growth in the share of investments in research and development and other knowledge-intensive activities shows that our efforts to attract projects with innovative activities are paying off.”

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aukje de Vries added: “Foreign companies are indispensable for a strong economy in the Netherlands. By working together in a focused way, across our overseas network, in The Hague and with Dutch regions through the Invest in Holland network, we ensure that investments land in the right place.”

Investments that reinforce Dutch ecosystems

Several high-impact projects illustrate how foreign companies both benefit from and strengthen Dutch innovation ecosystems. Examples include:

• AstraZeneca expanded its pharmaceutical production facility in Nijmegen, reinforcing the Netherlands’ life sciences & health cluster.
• Dai Nippon Printing opened its first R&D hub outside Japan at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, advancing semiconductor technologies.
• CoeusAI established its global headquarters in Rotterdam, developing AI-driven solutions to accelerate the energy transition.

These projects demonstrate how international companies integrate into the Netherlands’ collaborative innovation landscape and contribute to cutting-edge sectors such as Life Sciences & Health, semiconductors and IT & tech.

Looking ahead: building on high-value innovation

In 2026 and beyond, the Invest in Holland network will continue to focus on companies that can grow within, and contribute to, the Netherlands’ innovation ecosystems. With strong public-private collaboration, world-class knowledge institutions and a highly skilled workforce, the Netherlands offers international companies a forward-looking base for long-term innovation and European growth.

Full report can be found here (in Dutch only)