The Netherlands applies a distinct traffic regime based on vehicle weight. Passenger cars and light commercial vehicles can drive without a vignette on the Dutch highway network, with a few exceptions (toll tunnels). However, heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of twelve tons or more must hold an eurovignette to use the highways and certain expressways. This framework, in place for several years, will undergo a major shift in the summer of 2026.
Heavy Goods Vehicle Mileage Tax: What Replaces the Eurovignette in the Netherlands in July 2026
The Dutch government has scheduled the end of the eurovignette on its territory for July 1, 2026. The flat-rate system (daily, weekly, monthly, or annual vignette) will be replaced by a mileage charge for vehicles of 3.5 tons and above. This new system, called vrachtwagenheffing, relies on an onboard unit that records the actual kilometers traveled on a defined network of main roads.
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The shift from a time-based fee to a per-kilometer charge changes the budgetary logic for carriers. With the eurovignette, a truck crossing the Netherlands in a few hours paid the same daily rate as a vehicle driving all day. The mileage tax aligns the cost with the actual use of the network.
The authority responsible for tolls in the Netherlands, the RDW, has already accredited providers of onboard units to anticipate the rollout. Some operators offer to install the device now to simulate the future tax without billing, until the system becomes operational. To better understand the current framework regarding vehicle registration and eurovignette in the Netherlands, it remains useful to distinguish what applies to heavy goods vehicles from what concerns light vehicles.
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Refund of the Eurovignette Multi-Country After the Dutch Exit
The eurovignette currently covers several countries: Luxembourg, Sweden, and, until June 30, 2026, the Netherlands. Carriers holding a vignette that is valid beyond this date will find themselves with a partially expired title.
The official site eurovignettes.eu specifies that holders of a valid eurovignette beyond June 30, 2026, and driving only in the Netherlands can now submit a refund request via the online form. The request must clearly indicate that the refund pertains to the period starting July 1, 2026.
- Vehicles registered in the Netherlands: supporting documents will be required for requests submitted after June 30, 2026, according to the same criteria as for foreign vehicles.
- Foreign vehicles with a multi-country eurovignette (also covering Luxembourg or Sweden): only the Dutch portion can be refunded, while the vignette remains valid in the other concerned countries.
- In Luxembourg and Sweden, the eurovignette remains mandatory for heavy goods vehicles beyond July 2026, with no tariff changes announced at this stage.
The refund process raises practical questions for international fleets transiting through several countries in the system. Field reports vary on the actual processing times for requests.
Low Emission Zones and Vehicle Registration in the Netherlands
For drivers of passenger cars, the main regulatory obstacle in the Netherlands is not the highway toll (free for light vehicles) but the low emission zones in city centers. Several major Dutch cities impose traffic restrictions based on the vehicle’s emission class.
Older diesel vehicles are the most affected. Depending on the city, restrictions may prohibit access to the center for diesel cars that do not meet a minimum Euro standard. These zones, called milieuzones, operate through automatic license plate recognition. The vehicle must be registered in a database that allows verification of its environmental compliance.
Check Your Vehicle’s Compliance Before Departure
A French driver planning to travel in the center of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Utrecht must check if their vehicle meets the criteria for the local low emission zone. The Euro standard is listed on the registration certificate (field V.9 on the French registration document).
Recent petrol cars generally pass without difficulty. In contrast, diesel vehicles over ten years old risk access restrictions in several Dutch cities. Zero-emission vehicles can travel without any constraints in all milieuzones.
Toll Tunnels and Traffic Specificities for Light Vehicles
Dutch highways are free for cars, light campervans, and motorcycles. There are two notable exceptions in the form of toll tunnels.
The Westerscheldetunnel, connecting Belgian Flanders to the west of the Netherlands, is the longest tunnel in the country. Its toll applies to all vehicles, regardless of their category. The rate varies depending on the type of vehicle (car, campervan, motorcycle).
- Passenger cars and motorcycles pay a toll for each crossing of the Westerscheldetunnel.
- Campervans are classified according to their size, which may affect the applicable rate.
- Payment can be made on-site or via an automatic payment system for frequent users.
Outside of these tunnels, no toll applies to vehicles under 3.5 tons on the Dutch highway network. The speed limit on highways varies by section and time, a factor to consider for driving in winter or during peak traffic periods.
Preparing Your Trip to the Netherlands: Regulatory Checkpoints
Dutch regulations overlay several layers depending on the vehicle and destination. A road carrier must anticipate the shift to the mileage tax and check the installation of their onboard unit. A motorist in a passenger car must focus on the environmental compliance of their vehicle for urban areas.
Vehicle registration in Dutch databases mainly concerns milieuzones. Some cities require prior registration for foreign vehicles, while others rely solely on automatic license plate reading. The procedures vary from one municipality to another, complicating preparation for a driver passing through several urban areas.
The Dutch framework is evolving rapidly. The exit from the eurovignette system, the expansion of low emission zones, and the rollout of the mileage tax are reshaping traffic conditions for the coming years. Checking the applicable rules a few weeks before departure remains the most reliable precaution, as available data may change between the announcement of a measure and its actual implementation.