Anyone booking tickets to depart from a Dutch airport will have to fork over an extra 7,45 euros from January 1, 2021, as a result of the new passenger tax that has been introduced by the Dutch government. 

New passenger tax from January 2021

The government had been discussing introducing a new tax for a while, and it was unclear whether their discussions would lead to anything. However, it was announced this month that a so-called “air passenger tax” would take effect on January 1, 2021. 

State Secretary for Finance, Hans Vijlbrief, had said earlier in the year that, while the government was planning to introduce an aviation tax, he was unsure when it would be implemented because the aviation sector was already struggling to stay afloat throughout the ongoing coronavirus crisis. He feared the introduction of a new tax would further deter members of the public from flying. 

The tax has been introduced as part of the international climate goals, and to level the playing field between flying and other types of transportation. Currently, air travel remains un-taxed while all a passenger opting to travel via car, bus, or train will have to pay tax. The government’s new measure is expected to generate 200 million euros per year. 

Aviation taxes in Europe

The rate of 7,45 per passenger is a fixed amount - whether you fly from Amsterdam to London or Amsterdam to Shanghai, you will pay the same tax rate. It is, however, expected to rise in the future as it is adjusted for inflation. Passengers flying on transfer flights will be taxed once for the entirety of the journey. For now, the tax will not apply to cargo flights. 

A number of countries across Europe already have an air passenger tax, including the UK, Italy, France, and Germany. Initially, the Netherlands had hoped an EU-wide tax would be introduced, but the European Commission is only expected to come up with an initial proposal for said tax in the second quarter of 2021.