Bye Felicia: Shell is leaving the Netherlands and moving to the UK

You know that sigh of relief you experience when that one controversial family member finally excuses themselves from the Christmas dinner table? Well, the Netherlands can finally say dag to one controversial relative.

The Dutch oil and gas company, Shell, will be excusing itself from the Netherlands indefinitely. In fact, it’s found itself some new family in the UK.

Shell becomes British

As part of a process to simplify its structure, Shell will be packing up shop at its head office in The Hague and move across the water to the UK.

It seems the company will forego its Dutch heritage altogether, as the move will make Shell a fully British company — on paper at least.

READ MORE | OPINION: why the Shell verdict was much more than just a court case win

According to the company’s press release, Shell will continue to be present in the Netherlands (bit ominous, but okay) however, board and management meetings will now be held across the pond.

Will you be sad to see Shell go? Or helping them pack their boxes? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: ricochet69/Depositphotos

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
Before becoming the Senior Editor of DutchReview, Sarah was a fresh-faced international looking to learn more about the Netherlands. Since moving here in 2017, Sarah has added a BA in English and Philosophy (Hons.), an MA in Literature (Hons.), and over three years of writing experience at DutchReview to her skillset. When Sarah isn't acting as a safety threat to herself and others (cycling), you can find her trying to sound witty while writing about some of the stickier topics such as mortgages and Dutch law.

13 COMMENTS

  1. Great move. They will return once the e car bubble bursts and the Dutch government and residents realize that subsided “alternative” methods of transportation are an illusion.

    • You go ahead an pay 40% inheritance tax and 40% BPM on a new car that is not electric! Be my guest!
      I love my son more than I love the Dutch government or the Dutch royals. He will inherit my fortune, not them!

    • You are not a criminal if you avoid insane taxes (40% inheritance tax, around 40% BPM tax for new cars). If you pay these taxes, something is wrong with you!

  2. 🙄🙄Very Weird.
    I only hope, it won’t affect lifestyle of local people in any dicection.
    Not working for Shell, but Shell has strong speech in industry.

  3. Same feeling when you bully one day in day out, and finally that bullied one is leaving to another town. Big sigh, he is gone. Who sill we pivk now to bully. (And later the bullied person that moved won an important prize; and you were the loser you slways were but tried to hide).

  4. The Netherlands is shooting on its feet. First Unilever, then shell, then constraints on farmers, then on gas consumption shutting down greenhouses. And there is one of the biggest real estate bubble on the planet, which will eventually pop leaving huge financial problems behind. The story of Black Peter that conveys a racist message is the stupidest cherry on the top.

  5. I’ll leave too in a couple of years if the current taxation system is maintained (40% inheritance tax, 40% BPM for new cars in addition to the BTW). If I would leave in Germany, I could buy a decent new car for me and my family, in the Netherlands I have the choice of an electric car that explodes like a bomb in case of a decent crash) or a second hand car that hopefully does not break down too often. Do you think I’m stupid to stay in this conditions when I can move to Germany? Also what does Netherlands offer better than Germany for living standards? Just try to get now a family doctor on the Netherlands! I know many expats as me that had already moved out of the Netherlands and some will move by the end of the year.

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