If you are planning a trip to the Netherlands, it is important to budget for more than just your hotel or rental cost. The reason is almost every visitor is required to pay a tourist tax called “toeristenbelasting” in Dutch, which is charged by municipalities across the country. The Netherlands applies this municipal tourist tax to overnight accommodations, and this guide explains how the system works in 2025, how much you can expect to pay in different cities, and which exemptions may apply.
Tourist tax in the Netherlands is a municipal fee charged to non-residents staying overnight in paid accommodations. Each municipality sets its own rate, which can be either a fixed amount per person per night or a percentage of your room rate excluding VAT. The tax applies to all types of overnight stays including hotels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, campsites, airbnb’s and even houseboats.
Municipalities collect it to support public services, infrastructure, and cultural preservation. In practice, this means visitors help share the cost of keeping cities and towns attractive and functional.
In 2025, 320 municipalities in the Netherlands impose this tax, while 23 do not charge anything. Rates vary widely, reflecting each city’s popularity and tourism impact.
| City ↕︎ | Rate (2025) ↕︎ | Type ↕︎ | Approx. € / night ↕︎ | Change vs 2024 (€) ↕︎ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 12.5% | Percentage | ~€18–25 (avg. €22) | +€3.75 | Highest nationwide; luxury hotels may incur >€30/night in tax. |
| Utrecht | €14.20 | Fixed per person/night | €14.20 | +€4.74 | |
| Almere | €12.32 | Fixed per person/night | €12.32 | +€5.02 | |
| Haarlem | €10.56 | Fixed per person/night | €10.56 | +€3.76 | |
| Zaandam | €7.71 | Fixed per person/night | €7.71 | — | |
| Schiphol area | 6.29% | Percentage | — | — | Applies to many airport-adjacent accommodations. |
| Heemstede | €5.00 | Fixed per person/night | €5.00 | New | Introduced in 2025. |
| Texel Island | €3.50 | Fixed per person/night | €3.50 | — | |
| Zandvoort | €3.50 | Fixed per person/night | €3.50 | — | |
| Lisse (Keukenhof) | €3.25 | Fixed per person/night | €3.25 | — | |
| Lansingerland | €3.23 | Fixed per person/night | €3.23 | New | Introduced in 2025. |
How Tourist Tax is Calculated and Collected
There are two common methods which the tourist tax is calculated in the Netherlands:
- Percentage of the overnight rate – A portion of your room price, added on top of the base cost.
- Fixed amount per person, per night – A flat rate, regardless of how much the room itself costs.
You never pay tourist tax directly to the municipality. Instead, your accommodation provider handles everything:
- The hotel, B&B, or rental host collects the tax from you,
- They remit the collected taxes to the local municipality,
- Payment typically happens at check-in or check-out,
- Some accommodations include the tax in their quoted rates, while others add it separately.
This system applies to all accommodation types including traditional hotels, Airbnb rentals, campsites, and even houseboat stays.
Who Gets Exempted from Tourist Tax?
Several groups can avoid paying tourist tax:
Automatic Exemptions:
- Local residents registered in municipal records
- People already paying commuter tax (forensenbelasting)
- Houseboat residents who pay mooring fees
- Patients in hospitals or care facilities
Age-Based Exemptions:
- Children under 18 (varies by municipality)
Situation-Based Exemptions:
- Some long-term residents
- Specific business travelers (though most business stays still pay the tax)
- Local residents staying within their own municipality
The key principle is simple: tourist tax targets non-resident visitors staying overnight. If you live in the area or fall into specific protected categories, you likely qualify for an exemption. Always check with your accommodation provider if you believe an exemption applies.
Business Travelers and Tourist Tax
Most business travelers still pay tourist tax in the Netherlands. While some municipalities offer limited exemptions for specific business situations, the majority of work-related stays are subject to the standard rates. Check with your accommodation provider about potential business exemptions, but plan to pay the tax unless specifically told otherwise.
Planning Your Budget
When budgeting for your Netherlands trip, factor in tourist tax as a significant expense, especially for longer stays or luxury accommodations. In Amsterdam, a week-long stay could add €150 or more to your total costs.
Consider these money-saving strategies:
- Choose accommodations in municipalities with lower rates or no tax
- Stay in areas just outside major tourist centers
- Look for accommodations that include tourist tax in their quoted prices
The Future of Tourist Tax
Dutch municipalities increasingly favor percentage-based tax systems like Amsterdam‘s model. This approach automatically adjusts tax revenue as accommodation prices rise, rather than requiring annual rate adjustments.
Amsterdam is the highest contributor to the tourist tax revenue in the Netherlands, collecting an estimated €245 million annually. This massive revenue stream demonstrates how effective tourist tax can be for managing tourism impacts while funding municipal services.
The trend toward higher rates reflects growing concerns about overtourism in popular destinations. Cities use tourist tax both as a revenue source and as a tool to manage visitor numbers by making stays more expensive.
What Visitors Should Know
The tourist tax is unavoidable for most short stays, and it is not refunded when leaving the country. It is simply part of the accommodation cost. If you are comparing hotel prices in Dutch cities, remember that Amsterdam and Utrecht have some of the highest rates in Europe, while small towns may charge only a few euros.
One Last Thought
Tourist tax in the Netherlands is part of the travel experience, helping preserve the charm, culture, and services that make the country so attractive to visitors. While the amount you pay will depend on where you stay, knowing about the tax in advance means no surprises when planning your trip. With this in mind, you can focus on what truly matters—enjoying the canals of Amsterdam, the tulip fields of Lisse, the beaches of Zeeland, and the countless cultural treasures that make the Netherlands unforgettable.
[…] Amsterdam currently charges 12.5% of your accommodation rate (excluding VAT) as tourist tax. This represents a significant increase from the previous 7% rate, implemented on January 1, 2024, making Amsterdam’s tourist tax the highest percentage rate in the Netherlands. […]