Tax shock for holidaymakers: VAT rises to 21%!

Tax shock for holidaymakers: VAT rises to 21%!

The planned increase in VAT on hotel accommodation and holiday parks in the Netherlands from January 2026 is causing great concern throughout the industry. The VAT rate is set to rise from the current 9% to 21%, which could lead to an increase in prices for guests. Loud aha24x7 With this measure, the Dutch government will aim for projected revenues of 1.2 billion euros, of which 910 million euros will come from hotels and 302 million euros from other accommodation providers.

Despite these ambitious goals, studies, including those by ABN AMRO, show that the actual additional tax revenue could only amount to a maximum of 285 million euros. Only 34.8% of hotels' revenue is affected by the increase, raising questions about whether forecast revenues can actually be achieved.

Risks for the tourism industry

The potential negative impact on the tourism industry is significant. It is estimated that a third of foreign tourists, especially Germans and Belgians, could avoid the Netherlands. As a result, the decline in tourism demand would result in a loss of 511 million euros in VAT revenue. Dutch holidaymakers may also feel compelled to move abroad as prices for accommodation in their home country may rise.

The confrontation with already high energy costs, labor costs and inflation puts the hotel industry in an even more precarious position. The Royal Horeca Nederland warns that overnight stays could fall by up to 30%. Municipalities in the border provinces such as Limburg, Gelderland and Zeeland must expect falling income from the tourist tax.

Negative consequences for business travelers

The upcoming changes will also affect a significant number of business travelers who frequently stay in the Netherlands and can reclaim VAT. Loud Ruhr24 The hotel industry fears that it will have to compromise service standards and adjust the repayment of corona debts.

In order to counteract the upcoming price increases, hotels are speculating about possible price increases of up to 11%. Some more expensive hotels may introduce an additional tax of 75 euros per night. This would jeopardize the competitiveness of Dutch hotels as tourists may migrate to Belgium or Germany.

Another point is that the VAT increase also applies to deposits and bookings made before January 1, 2026, but for overnight stays in 2026. The already tense situation in the tourism industry could therefore worsen even further.

While campsites are excluded from this VAT increase, the general one remains worrying for the Dutch tourism industry given the impending financial burdens.