Petrol Prices to Rise Next Year as MPs Move Money to Buses

Petrol prices in the Netherlands will rise on 1 January 2026 after MPs voted to increase fuel excise duties. The decision comes because part of the money previously meant to keep fuel taxes low will now be used to support the country’s public-transport system.

The tax increase means:

These changes follow several years in which the government kept fuel taxes temporarily low to help drivers during periods of high energy costs. That tax cut cost the state about €1.7 billion and was originally meant to be phased out.

A proposal by ChristenUnie, supported by several other parties, shifts €448 million from the fuel-tax budget to public transport. According to CU MP Pieter Grinwis, this money is needed to prevent more bus lines from being cut, especially in rural areas where many communities rely on a single bus route.

Transport companies have warned that some routes are no longer financially viable without extra support. MPs supporting the plan argue that without intervention, people in smaller towns and villages could lose essential connections to work, school or healthcare.

Although some parties objected at first, a majority eventually backed the plan, allowing it to pass in the lower house.

The higher excise duty will make fuel more expensive, but the exact effect will depend on global oil prices in the coming months. At the moment, petrol prices in the Netherlands are around €2 per litre, though this varies by location and supplier.

If oil prices remain stable, the tax increase will be clearly noticeable at the pump. If global prices fall, the increase may be less visible. MPs acknowledged that the change is “not pleasant” for drivers, but argued that it is a manageable rise and necessary to avoid deep cuts to the public transport network.

Bus companies across the country have been dealing with rising costs, driver shortages and lower passenger numbers on some routes. Many regional services, particularly in rural areas, have already been reduced in recent years.

Supporters of the funding shift say that strengthening public transport is important not only for mobility but also for climate goals and social equality. People who cannot drive (including students, elderly residents and low-income households) rely on affordable bus and train services.

The extra funding is expected to help provinces keep more routes running and reduce the risk of further cuts.

Alongside the fuel-tax decision, MPs also approved a proposal to increase taxes on private-jet travel. From 2030, passengers on small aircraft with fewer than 20 seats may pay surcharges of up to €2,100 per ticket, or around €420 for flights within Europe.

The measure is designed to target high-emission, short-haul flights used mostly by wealthier travellers. Lawmakers say it could generate around €58 million in yearly revenue and encourage more climate-friendly transport choices.

The new fuel-tax rates will take effect at the start of 2026, while discussions about longer-term taxation of petrol and diesel will continue. Future decisions will depend on the national budget, climate policy and trends in the global energy market.