The Netherlands is set to introduce the highest air passenger tax in the European Union from next year, following policy decisions adopted by the previous government.
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By 2027, the average tax paid by air passengers departing from Dutch airports is expected to reach more than €40 per ticket, compared with an EU average of approximately €5. This places the Dutch levy at more than 8 times the European benchmark. This planned increase conflicts with the current coalition agreement, which calls for a coordinated European framework for air passenger taxation across member states.
As a result of the increase, passengers traveling on medium-haul routes, such as Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco, will pay €48 in taxes per ticket by 2027, a 60% increase from current levels. For long-haul destinations, including the United States, Suriname, and destinations across Asia, the tax will rise by as much as 140%. For a family, this could amount to nearly €290 (€72 per ticket) in air passenger taxes alone. The air passenger tax is expected to generate an additional €300 million for the treasury in 2027, bringing total revenue to approximately €1.1 billion, without any of the proceeds being allocated to aviation sustainability.
Research conducted by Markeffect (2025) among Dutch consumers suggests that travelers are increasingly likely to consider alternatives outside the Netherlands. According to the findings, 74% of respondents indicated they would be willing to fly from foreign airports if air passenger taxes were to rise further. KLM has cautioned that a higher tax burden compared with neighboring countries could push passengers to use airports outside the Netherlands.
Over time, this trend may result in a reduction in demand for Dutch airports and a corresponding decline in available destinations, with broader implications for travelers, businesses, and the Dutch economy. KLM therefore maintains that the Dutch air passenger tax should be more closely aligned with neighboring countries.
