Dutch fuel stations stock up ahead of January excise hike

Fuel stations across the Netherlands are increasing their reserves as the country prepares for a rise in fuel excise taxes starting January 1, anticipating a surge of motorists filling up their tanks in the final days of the year.

Martin van Eijk, chairman of the fuel station industry organization Drive, told ANP on Sunday that he does not expect long lines despite the tax increase. “It’s not a huge difference. Gasoline goes up by more than 5 cents per liter, diesel a little less,” he said. “So I don’t expect huge crowds. But I could be wrong.”

Recently, a reduction in excise taxes has kept pump prices lower. Initially, this tax relief was expected to continue in 2026. However, in November, the Tweede Kamer approved a proposal from the ChristenUnie party to redirect part of the funds intended for extending the discount for another year toward public transport budget cuts.

Gasoline prices have fallen recently. In November, they reached this year’s peak at 2.202 euros per liter, but the current recommended price from major oil companies is around 2.125 euros per liter.

“This decline shows that excise taxes are not the only factor in what you pay at the pump,” said fuel expert Derk Foolen of consumer collective UnitedConsumers. “The price of crude oil on the world market often has a bigger impact, and that has dropped significantly recently.”

Fuel market prices fell partly due to renewed hope for a resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Other factors include the prospect of a major oil surplus from new OPEC+ production and North and South American oil output, combined with moderate demand.

Throughout 2025, Dutch fuel prices fluctuated amid geopolitical instability. Prices are now slightly lower than at the start of the year, when top-tier highway stations charged 2.144 euros per liter for Euro95 gasoline. Diesel, which was 1.906 euros per liter then, now costs 1.892 euros.

Price comparison site Independer said earlier this month that excise taxes are the main reason for the large price gap with neighboring countries, noting that the Dutch government charges a fixed amount per liter that is significantly higher than in Belgium.