From 1 July 2026, the Netherlands will introduce a lorry toll that will apply on most motorways and some provincial and local roads. From that date, many lorry owners will be required to pay the applicable amount per kilometre, depending on the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight and CO₂ emission class.
Goals of the toll, vehicles affected
With the help of the new toll for domestic and international freight transport, the Dutch government aims to make its road transport sector more sustainable and efficient in the future. Part of the revenue is intended to subsidise the purchase of electric lorries, the installation of charging stations and collaboration within the road freight transport sector.
The toll applies to both Dutch and foreign lorries in categories N2/N3:
- N2: technically permissible maximum mass of 3,500 kg to 12,000 kg
- N3: technically permissible maximum mass over 12,000 kg
The lorry toll applies regardless of the vehicle’s intended use, even if the vehicle is not carrying any load.
Toll service providers, on-board unit (OBU), payment
From July 2026, affected lorries must also be fitted with an ‘on-board unit’ (OBU). The device uses GPS to determine the distance travelled on toll roads and sends this data to the previously selected toll service provider, who then bills the user for the kilometres driven and passes the revenue generated on to the government.
A contract must therefore be concluded with an approved toll service provider before you receive their OBU. A current list of all providers can be found on the official website set up specifically for the Dutch lorry toll: Link.
Eurovignette, vehicle tax, special permits/exemptions
With the introduction of the lorry toll, the Eurovignette will be abolished in the Netherlands. The vehicle tax currently payable for lorries with a maximum authorised mass of up to 12,000 kg will soon be abolished entirely, whilst for lorries weighing 12,000 kg or more, this charge will be significantly reduced.
Vehicles exempt from the lorry toll include electric lorries and vans weighing up to 4,250 kg, as well as lorries with temporary, export or dealer number plates. It should be noted, however, that this exemption must be registered online if the vehicle has foreign number plates.
Special permits, for example for privately used lorries that are over 40 years old, or for vehicles used by the police or fire service, must also be applied for online.
