Over €300 million committed to strengthen Dutch MedTech

The Netherlands is stepping up its ambition to become Europe’s leading medical technology (MedTech) ecosystem by 2035. On 26 October, the Dutch government announced a new policy agenda, backed by more than €300 million in public and private investment, to accelerate medical innovation, strengthen collaboration across the sector and improve patient care.

The funding comprises €102.5 million from the Dutch government, €150 million in private financing announced by Invest-NL and institutional investors, and a further €50 million investment previously announced by Philips. The initiative aims to strengthen the Netherlands’ international competitive position while supporting a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system.

Accelerating innovation in healthcare

Two initiatives are central to the agenda. The first focuses on advancing image-guided therapies using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, with applications in areas including cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer. The second focuses on developing the hospital of the future, with technologies that can help organise care at home or remotely, improve efficiency and reduce pressure on healthcare professionals.

Alongside these initiatives, the agenda identifies six priorities for strengthening the MedTech sector: collaboration between regional ecosystems, data and AI infrastructure, implementation of technology in healthcare, market access and approval, financing, and talent and entrepreneurship.

Strengthening collaboration across the MedTech ecosystem

Developing innovative medical technologies is only part of the challenge. Ensuring that proven innovations reach healthcare practice requires collaboration between healthcare providers, research institutions, technical universities, start-ups, established companies and investors. The national agenda therefore aims to improve cooperation between regional ecosystems and address barriers to implementation, financing and market access.

Rotterdam has an important role to play in this ambition. Erasmus MC and other hospitals in the region provide a strong clinical foundation for medical innovation, complemented by the expertise of local research institutions and Life Sciences & Health companies. Bringing these strengths together can help accelerate the development and clinical application of medical technologies, supporting both better patient care and Rotterdam’s Vaart maken ambitions to strengthen Life Sciences & Health as a key economic sector.

The Kamerbrief is available here: Read the policy agenda MedTech 2035 (PDF).

Date: October 27, 2026
Source: Government of the Netherlands