It’s not all about money. From more expensive hotels to mandatory smart meters, here are the practical, regulatory, and occasionally bizarre changes that have hit the Netherlands as of New Year’s Day.
Whilst everyone’s focused on what’s happening to their wallets, the Dutch government has been busy tinkering with everything else too, NOS reports.
Some of these changes are genuinely useful, others are mildly annoying, and a few are downright quirky.
From what you can toss in your recycling bin to what pets you’re allowed to own, here’s what has changed in Dutch daily life.
Health and wellbeing
1. Your basic health insurance just got an upgrade
Three updates have hit the basic health insurance package.
First, you can now participate in a stop smoking programme three times per year instead of just once.
Turns out quitting nicotine is hard, and the government has finally acknowledged that people might need more than one attempt.
Second, people with axial spondyloarthritis (a type of inflammatory back and pelvic condition) can now access physiotherapy through their basic insurance.
READ MORE | 9 things you need to know about Dutch health insurance as an international
Third, some consultations no longer count towards your eigen risico (deductible).
If your GP consults a specialist for advice about your case, that’s now covered outside your deductible. Same goes for an initial exploratory conversation with a mental health professional.
2. Smoking becomes less attractive
Vapes and refill packs can only be sold in specialist tobacco shops as of the new year, according to KVK.
And there are even bigger plans for the future. From 2030, you’ll only find tobacco products such as cigarettes and rolling tobacco in convenience stores like Primera and Bruna and in specialist tobacco stores.
In 2032, they will also disappear from convenience stores.
It’s all part of the government’s ongoing effort to discourage smoking and vaping, particularly among young people.
Travel and transport
3. Hotels are now slightly pricier
Planning a staycation in 2026? You might want to rethink your budget. The VAT on hotel stays and holiday parks is jumping from 9% to 21%.
There’s a silver lining if you’re the camping type, though. If you rock up with your own tent, caravan, or camper, you’ll still pay just 9% VAT.
The government originally wanted to slap higher VAT on gyms, museums, and theatres too, but the Tweede Kamer managed to block that plan. Small mercies.
4. Your commute is getting more expensive
Train fares have jumped up by 6.5% on average. The NS initially wanted to raise prices by about 12%, but the government negotiated a four-year phase-in to soften the blow.
It’s still a hefty increase, though. If you’re commuting regularly, you might want to consider an NS subscription or reconsider that bike commute.
5. Petrol, diesel, and your car are all getting pricier
The excise tax on petrol has risen by 5.6 cents per litre, diesel by 3.6 cents, and LPG by 1.3 cents.
After years of government subsidies keeping fuel prices artificially low following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, those reductions are finally being wound back.
Road tax has also gone up for certain vehicle types, so check what you’ll be paying for your specific car.
6. Bulgaria joins the eurozone
This one’s not about the Netherlands specifically, but it affects EU travel.
Bulgaria has adopted the euro as of January 1, according to the ECB. The lev has been retired, joining the likes of the guilder, peseta, and drachma in currency history.
If you’re planning any trips to the Balkans, you can leave the currency converter at home.
Environment and utilities
7. Your recycling bin is getting new friends
You can now toss coffee capsules (even full ones), household aerosol cans (deodorant, hairspray, whipped cream), and large packaging films into your PMD (plastic, metal, drink cartons) bin.
READ MORE | Recycling in the Netherlands: an international’s guide in 2026
Producers have improved packaging recyclability, and waste processors have upped their game, making these items suitable for recycling.
It’s a small change, but it might finally answer that eternal question: “Where on earth do I put this thing?”
8. Smart meters are now mandatory
You can no longer refuse to have a smart or digital meter installed to track your electricity and gas usage.
The old analogue meters with spinning dials are being phased out because they can’t track solar panel energy that’s being fed back into the grid. This makes it impossible for energy companies to charge you appropriately.
READ MORE| 14 dang smart ways to save on energy costs in the Netherlands [UPDATED 2026]
You can still turn off the automatic data-sharing function on smart meters and report usage yourself if you prefer.
Or you can opt for a simpler digital meter without communication capabilities. Either way, the analogue meter’s days are numbered.
9. Big water users are paying more
Water tax is increasing, but only for heavy users. While you currently pay a special tax only on the first 300 cubic metres each year, this will change to the first 50,000.
Most three-person households use around 150 cubic metres annually, so you likely won’t notice a difference. This is really targeting businesses and organisations to encourage water conservation.
Rules and regulations
10. Recreational sea fishing gets bureaucratic
If you fish recreationally in Dutch sea waters, you’ll need to start logging your catches in an app called Rec-Fishing.
The requirement applies to sea bass, eel, and bluefin tuna. You’ll record what gear you used, where you fished, the size or weight of the catch, and whether you kept it or threw it back.
It’s an EU-wide rule starting January 10, aimed at understanding recreational fishing’s impact on fish populations. Freshwater fishing in rivers and lakes isn’t affected.
11. Cash payments get a cap
Shops can no longer accept cash payments of €3,000 or more. It’s an anti-money laundering measure aimed at making it harder for criminals to wash dirty money through legitimate businesses.
The ban doesn’t apply to transactions between private individuals, so you can still hand over a wad of cash for that Marktplaats purchase if you really want to.
12. You have the right to contact the government online
Citizens and businesses now have a legal right to communicate with government bodies via the internet.
You can submit permit applications, file objections, and handle other bureaucratic tasks through email, web forms, or file uploads.
The government must send you a confirmation when they receive your message, and they can’t force you to fill out unnecessary fields on web forms. Postal communication remains an option.
Animals and children
13. Hairless and folded-ear cats are banned
Getting a Sphynx (hairless cat) or Scottish Fold (folded-ear cat) will not be allowed anymore.
The reason? These breeds suffer from genetic conditions that cause chronic pain, joint problems, infections, and skin cancer.
If your cat was born and microchipped before January 1, you can keep them, but are not allowed to join shows and competitions anymore.
It’s a welfare-focused decision, even if it’s disappointing for current owners of these distinctive felines.
Bonus: Other changes worth noting
Creators get better copyright protection
Writers, musicians, and filmmakers are getting stronger protections when signing contracts with publishers, record labels, and film producers.
Rights agreements must be in writing, and creators can terminate contracts more easily if their work isn’t being used. They can also band together to negotiate collectively with platforms like streaming services.
Crime fighting gets tougher
Penalties for organised crime are increasing.
Building hidden compartments in vehicles to obstruct police investigations is now a criminal offence, and it’s getting harder for defendants to request new judges during trials (a tactic sometimes used to delay proceedings).
Psychologists working on criminal cases get paid more
Forensic psychiatrists and psychologists are seeing their fees rise by 9%, and they can bill for more hours.
There’s currently a shortage causing delays in criminal proceedings, so the government hopes better pay will attract more professionals to the field.
Which of these everyday changes will affect your daily life most? Are you celebrating easier recycling or mourning your now-illegal Sphynx cat? Tell us in the comments below.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on December 29, 2025 and was updated on January 5, 2026.
Typical for a socialist country
Thank You. Have a Happy New Year!
Helpful, even for a Dutchie like me! Thank you!