Netherlands truck toll goes live on 1 July: 21 days to register an OBU

The Netherlands launches its distance-based truck toll on 1 July 2026, replacing the Eurovignette that has covered Dutch roads for years. Every truck over 3,500 kg - Dutch or foreign - must carry a working on-board unit from that date, and enforcement begins on day one . With three weeks to go, operators who have not yet signed a provider contract risk fines of up to EUR 400 from the moment the system switches on.

What changes on 1 July and who must comply

The vrachtwagenheffing (truck toll) applies to all vehicle categories N2 and N3 - any truck with a technical maximum mass above 3,500 kg. The RDW, the Dutch vehicle authority , estimates that approximately 725,000 unique foreign trucks use Dutch roads each year, meaning the rule affects operators across Germany, Poland, Belgium, France, and the rest of the EU equally. The toll covers almost all Dutch motorways and a defined set of provincial and municipal roads - the secondary roads are included deliberately to prevent operators routing around the system.

To pay the toll, each truck needs a contract with an approved OBU provider and a functioning on-board unit installed before driving. The OBU must remain active throughout any journey in the Netherlands, including on roads not subject to the toll. Hauliers currently running a German Tollcollect OBU or a Belgian Satellic unit should note that neither device is compatible with the Dutch system - a separate NL-compatible OBU from one of the approved providers (NedLinq, AS24/TotalEnergies, Axxes, Telepass, Toll4Europe, or Tolltickets) is required. The Eurovignette for the Netherlands ends on the same date.

Toll rates and the temporary discount

Rates are set per kilometre and vary by vehicle weight, Euro emission class, and CO2 efficiency category. A Euro 6 truck above 32,000 kg pays EUR 0.201/km under CO2 class 1 from 1 July - roughly EUR 30 for an Amsterdam-Rotterdam round trip. Older, heavier, or more polluting vehicles pay more: a Euro 0 truck in the same weight bracket reaches EUR 0.487/km, while a near-zero-emission vehicle in CO2 class 5 pays as little as EUR 0.038/km. The Dutch government announced on 22 May 2026 that a 22.3% discount will apply from 1 September through 31 December 2026, a temporary relief measure in response to elevated fuel costs - reducing the Euro 6 >32,000 kg rate to EUR 0.156/km during that window.

The motor vehicle tax (MRB) will be abolished for trucks up to 12,000 kg and significantly reduced for heavier vehicles from the next tax period after 30 June 2026, partially offsetting new toll costs for Dutch-registered operators. Foreign operators receive no MRB offset but can apply for sustainability subsidies through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) - more than EUR 253 million is allocated for 2026 to support investment in electric trucks, hydrogen vehicles, and charging infrastructure.

OBU registration: steps before the deadline

Operators who have not yet registered must do so before 1 July. The recommended sign-up deadline of 31 May has already passed, though providers are still accepting new contracts. Registering now and allowing time for OBU delivery and installation is advisable - driving into the Netherlands from 1 July without a functioning registered OBU will trigger a fine of EUR 400 (reduced from the standard EUR 800 for the first six months). A switched-off or malfunctioning OBU carries a EUR 250 penalty. Dutch enforcement authorities will use ANPR gantries and mobile roadside units , and for non-Dutch operators with unpaid fines, Dutch services can obtain vehicle owner details via the EUCARIS cross-border database. Trucks with outstanding amounts can be immobilised at roadside.

To plan cost exposure and check routes, Logifie's EU truck speed limits guide and fuel price map cover the Netherlands alongside all other EU markets. For broader compliance questions about upcoming changes across European corridors, visit the Logifie blog or contact our team .