The Netherlands’ position as a global semiconductor powerhouse continues to strengthen in 2026, with ASML’s High-NA EUV lithography machines driving an unprecedented expansion across the Eindhoven region. The Veldhoven-based company has announced plans to add over 20,000 new positions across its Dutch operations by 2028, transforming the Brainport region into one of Europe’s most dynamic technology employment hubs.
ASML’s latest generation of extreme ultraviolet lithography systems — capable of printing features at resolutions previously thought impossible — has become essential for chipmakers racing to produce 2-nanometer and smaller process nodes. Taiwan’s TSMC, South Korea’s Samsung, and Intel have all placed substantial orders, with delivery timelines stretching into 2028. Each High-NA EUV machine costs approximately €350 million and requires months of specialized installation.
The Dutch government has responded with “Project Beethoven,” a €2.5 billion infrastructure and education package designed to support the semiconductor ecosystem around Eindhoven. The investment includes expanded public transport connections, thousands of new housing units, and a significant expansion of the Eindhoven University of Technology’s chip engineering programs. “We are not just building machines — we are building the future of European technology sovereignty,” said Economic Affairs Minister Dirk Beljaarts during a recent site visit.
The talent pipeline remains the critical bottleneck. ASML and its suppliers — including ASM International, Besi, and hundreds of specialized component manufacturers — are competing fiercely for engineers. The company has expanded its international recruitment to over 60 countries, offering relocation packages that include housing assistance and Dutch language training. The impact is visible across Eindhoven: international schools are at capacity, English has become the default language in many tech offices, and the city’s Strijp-S district has transformed from a former Philips industrial complex into a bustling innovation district.
Local economic analysts project the semiconductor cluster will contribute over €100 billion annually to the Dutch economy by 2030. However, challenges remain — export controls on advanced chip equipment to China, geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains, and the ongoing need to balance growth with quality of life in the already dense Randstad-adjacent region. For now, ASML’s expansion represents the Netherlands’ strongest bet in the global technology race, cementing its role as a small country with outsized influence on the digital infrastructure powering the world.
