Eurovignette abolished 2026: what changes for transport operators?
Not legal advice — consult a tax adviser for guidance specific to your situation.
From 1 July 2026, the Netherlands definitively abolished the Eurovignette. The legislation underpinning it was repealed, along with the obligation to hold a vignette for your heavy goods vehicle. The replacement is the lorry charge — a new kilometre-based system that also takes over from vehicle tax for heavy vehicles. Whether you work as a self-employed driver or run a small transport business, this affects you directly. Here is what changes in practice and what you can arrange now.
What was the Eurovignette and why did the Netherlands abolish it?
The Eurovignette was a time-based toll for lorries over 12,000 kg, levied jointly across several European countries including the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden. Dutch transport operators purchased the vignette to legally use the public road network with their heavy vehicle.
The Netherlands left this system to introduce its own kilometre-based lorry charge — a model that better reflects the 'polluter pays' principle and allows transport movements to be priced more precisely.
For self-employed transport operators who bought a weekly, monthly or yearly Eurovignette, this obligation disappears entirely for journeys within the Netherlands.
What exactly is the lorry charge?
The lorry charge is a kilometre levy for lorries with a technical mass of 12,000 kg or more. Instead of a fixed fee per time period, you pay per kilometre driven on the Dutch road network. The system simultaneously replaces vehicle tax (MRB) for heavy vehicles.
A concrete example: you are a self-employed transport operator running regional routes in the Netherlands. Previously, you bought a monthly vignette at a fixed rate regardless of how many kilometres you drove. Now you pay based on your actual kilometres. Drive less during a quiet week and you pay less — which works out fairer than a fixed monthly amount.
Aspect Before 1 July 2026 From 1 July 2026 Eurovignette NL Mandatory Abolished Vehicle tax (MRB) heavy vehicles Applicable Replaced New charging system — Lorry charge (per km) Weight threshold 12,000 kg and above 12,000 kg and above
For your day-to-day administration, keeping accurate mileage and time records is increasingly important — especially if you drive for multiple clients and need to allocate or justify costs.
Want to track your hours per assignment more effectively? Get started with PrikKlokPlus today and keep hours, routes and projects neatly organised.
Driving internationally: Luxembourg and Sweden
One important point for operators driving across borders: the Eurovignette has only been abolished in the Netherlands. In the two remaining participating countries — Luxembourg and Sweden — it remains in force for heavy goods vehicles under current rules. Always verify the up-to-date regulations of the relevant countries, as these may change.
If your routes regularly pass through Luxembourg or Sweden, you still need a valid Eurovignette for those sections under those countries' current regulations. Always check which countries fall on your route and whether toll obligations apply before you set off.
Accurate mileage records become even more essential as a result — not just for tax purposes, but to demonstrate per country where you have driven. See also our article on the tax-free mileage allowance for freelancers in 2026.
What does this mean for your administration?
The switch from Eurovignette to lorry charge has direct consequences for your bookkeeping:
- No more vignette costs for Dutch journeys — this disappears as a fixed expense
- Lorry charge becomes a variable cost — based on your actual kilometres
- Vehicle tax for heavy vehicles is abolished — confirm this with your accountant or tax adviser
- International journeys need separate attention — check vignette obligations per country
For self-employed transport operators, accurate time tracking per project is also fiscally relevant. The Dutch Tax Authority sets out administrative requirements around the hours criterion for entrepreneurs. Consult a tax adviser for guidance on your specific situation. Read more in our article Is time tracking legally required in the Netherlands?
If you work for multiple clients and want to track hours and costs per customer, it is worth exploring the differences between Excel and time tracking software — particularly as your administration grows more complex under the new charging rules.
For guidance on rates that may be considered realistic in the transport sector, see our knowledge base article on the minimum hourly rate for freelancers in 2025–2027.
Conclusion
The Netherlands abolished the Eurovignette from 1 July 2026 and replaced it with a kilometre-based lorry charge that also takes over from vehicle tax for heavy vehicles. Operators driving solely within the Netherlands no longer need a vignette. Those driving internationally must remain alert to the rules in Luxembourg and Sweden.
Keep your mileage records and time tracking in good order — it makes invoicing, cost justification and tax filing significantly simpler, both now and going forward.
Not legal advice — consult a tax adviser for guidance specific to your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need to buy a Eurovignette for journeys in the Netherlands from 1 July 2026? No. The Netherlands fully abolished the Eurovignette from 1 July 2026. You do not need to purchase a new vignette for Dutch routes.
Does the lorry charge also replace vehicle tax? Yes. The lorry charge replaces both the Eurovignette and vehicle tax (MRB) for heavy vehicles with a technical mass of 12,000 kg or more. Consult a tax adviser for the implications in your specific situation.
Do you drive through Luxembourg or Sweden? Do you still need a Eurovignette? Under the current regulations of Luxembourg and Sweden, the Eurovignette remains mandatory for journeys through those countries. Always check the current rules per country before departing.
What is the weight threshold for the lorry charge? The lorry charge applies to vehicles with a technical mass of 12,000 kg or more — the same threshold as the former Eurovignette.
Does the switch to the lorry charge affect my freelance administration? Yes, indirectly. Vehicle tax disappears as a fixed cost, and the charge becomes variable (per kilometre). Keep your mileage and time records up to date so you can correctly allocate costs to clients or projects. Consult a tax adviser for tailored guidance.
Keep your hours and projects neatly under control
As a transport operator, you need to know exactly how much time and cost goes into each assignment. PrikKlokPlus makes time tracking simple — per client, per project, always clear.