Driving will become more expensive again next year. The Dutch House of Representatives has approved a proposal from the Christian Union (ChristenUnie) to increase excise duties on fuels, meaning gasoline drivers will have to dig deeper into their pockets. The plan rolls back part of a previously promised discount and will push the price per liter up by several cents starting January 1st. The measure is intended to counteract cuts to public transport, which has sparked heated debate.
What Does This Mean for Drivers? #
Depending on driving habits, car type, and fuel consumption, the cost increase ranges from a few tens of euros per year to as much as €80 extra for drivers who travel many kilometers or have a less fuel-efficient car.
The calculations are based on the current average liter price of €1.938, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), which will be increased by the extra 5.5 cents in 2026.
Someone who drives about 5,000 kilometers per year will pay slightly more for gasoline due to the higher excise duties. With a fuel consumption of 1 in 10, annual costs rise from €969 to €996.50, an increase of just over €27. For a more fuel-efficient car with a consumption of 1 in 15, the annual bill increases by about €18. With a consumption of 1 in 20, the increase comes to approximately €14 per year.
Compare this to drivers who travel around 15,000 kilometers annually. Their costs will rise further in 2026. With a consumption of 1 in 10, the annual bill goes from €2,907 to €2,989.50, an increase of over €82. Those who get 1 in 15 will see costs rise by more than €54. And with an efficient consumption of 1 in 20, annual costs go from €1,453.50 to €1,495.13, which amounts to about €42 more.
Christian Union Finds Majority Support #
The caretaker cabinet had previously committed during Prince’s Day (the annual budget announcement) to extending the excise tax discount: a discount of about 21 cents per liter of gasoline and 15 cents on diesel. With the new proposal, this is being partially reversed. Through the increase, €448 million of that discount will disappear next year, meaning gasoline will become 5.5 cents more expensive anyway. Diesel will rise by 3.5 cents per liter, and LPG will increase by 1.5 cents. The idea behind it is to send more money to public transport, especially in regions where accessibility is under pressure.
The Christian Union received just enough support from parties such as the CDA, D66, and 50PLUS, supplemented by the left-wing factions. This secured a narrow majority. OV-NL, the interest group for public transport companies, reacted enthusiastically and called it “fantastic news,” because it believes further deterioration of public transport can now be prevented. The CNV union sees it completely differently and argues that “millions of workers who depend on the car are being duped.”