News item | 16-09-2025 | 15:35
The purchasing power is in 2026 for all groups in the Plus. The Dutch have on average more to spend and poverty will also decrease further in the coming year. The cabinet also leaves a covered budget. This means there is a solid basis for future choices. This is evident from the Budget Memorandum, which Minister Heinen (Finance) today offered together with the Tax Plan to the House of Representatives.
The Dutch economy and public finances are now in good shape. Wages rise and there have never been so many people at work. Nevertheless, Minister Heinen emphasizes that there is work to be done. “Our starting position is good. We live in freedom and prosperity in one of the happiest countries in the world. To keep it that way, great choices are needed, because we see expenditure rising. The international unrest underlines the importance of greater defense investments. In addition, the expenditure on care and social security is rising. In short, we are at a strong way of intercourse.according to the minister.
Main measures
The persistently high inflation makes life more expensive. The government therefore extends the discount on the fuel excise duty, which dampens prices at the pump after the New Year. Furthermore, the educational opportunity scheme will be maintained and in 2026 there will be no cuts on regional public transport. There is also more money from 2028 (rising to € 50 million structurally) to the prison system. This meets the cabinet for important wishes from the House of Representatives.
Extending the excise tax credit on gasoline and diesel until January 1, 2027, the treasury costs € 1.7 billion. This is covered, among other things, by income from the CO2-Level for goods produced outside the EU (CBAM), a less high refund of the energy tax than previously announced and the abolition of some specific cost items of the tax scheme for foreign employees who are temporarily in the Netherlands (ETK scheme), such as fixed telephony costs.
Public finances
The cabinet is committed unabated to budget discipline and trend budget policy. The basis for the budget for 2026 was laid in the Spring Memorandum. In addition to the outline agreement, it already contained substantial investments in defense (€ 1.2 billion structurally) and municipalities, among other things. Those things are now part of the Budget Memorandum. All investments are covered by the government within the budget. The same applies to a number of setbacks, for example in the gas benefits, EU payments and arising from the Liquidation Loss account judgment. The income and expenditure framework closes over the full budget period. This means there is a covered budget and no bills are transferred to the future.
Before 2026, the budget deficit is expected to be 2.9% of the gross domestic product (GDP). An improvement of 0.7% point compared to the Budget Memorandum 2025. The shortage will fall further to 2.1% in 2030. At the end of 2026, the national debt is expected to be 47.8% of GDP (2.3% point lower than last year was expected). The Netherlands thus meets European agreements on deficit (maximum 3%) and debt (60%). This also applies to the 2027 to 2030.
Tax plan 2026
In addition to the tax measures that contribute to purchasing power, the tax plan also takes measures for a better tax system. For example, no tax can be avoided by adding a touch of dairy to soft drinks and vegetable and fruit juices. The flight load also receives various rates for short, medium and long flights. For shorter flights you pay less than for long flights. The longer flights to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom are covered by the lowest rate. In addition, the focus is on a further greening of the fleet of the Netherlands by stimulating the use of emission -free cars.