The Dutch road toll system has gone through its biggest reform in decades. On 1 July 2026 the Netherlands abolished the Eurovignette on its territory and introduced a distance-based Heavy Goods Vehicle Charge (HGVC), known locally as vrachtwagenheffing.
For carriers, freight forwarders, and fleet managers this means a change in how tolls are settled: the end of the annual vignette fee, payment for every kilometre on an extensive road network, a mandatory GNSS-based on-board unit (OBU), and new penalties for non-compliance. Below is a complete guide based on official Dutch government sources (Rijksoverheid, RDW, vrachtwagenheffing.nl) with specific rates, tables, and an action plan.
Quick answer: what changed on 1 July 2026?
| Element | Before 1 July 2026 | From 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Toll system in NL | Eurovignette (annual/quarterly) | HGVC (per-kilometre charge) |
| Vehicles covered | Above 12 t (Eurovignette) | N2 and N3 above 3500 kg TPMA |
| Technology | Vignette-based | GNSS + OBU (EETS) |
| Rate | Fixed annual fee | 0.025 to 0.487 EUR/km (depending on mass and CO2) |
| M2/M3 buses | Eurovignette | Exempt from HGVC |
| Vehicle tax (MRB) | Full rate | Abolished up to 12 t; reduced above 12 t |
| Blankenburg tunnel A24 | Separate toll | 9.49 EUR/passage (>3500 kg), separate from HGVC |
The new HGVC system: what is vrachtwagenheffing?
HGVC (Heavy Goods Vehicle Charge) is the Dutch per-kilometre road charge based on GNSS satellite technology (GPS/Galileo). The system replaces the Eurovignette and applies on almost all motorways and on selected provincial and municipal roads in the Netherlands.
Legal basis: Wet vrachtwagenheffing (act adopted 12 July 2022, amended by the Tweede Kamer on 1 April 2025 and the Eerste Kamer on 18 November 2025). Operational details are published by the Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat on rijksoverheid.nl and vrachtwagenheffing.nl.
Charging principle: the lighter and lower-emission the vehicle, the lower the per-kilometre rate. The Dutch government is deliberately steering fleets towards low-emission and zero-emission vehicles.
Road network covered by the charge
The charge applies on the toll network map published by the government (roads marked in red on the official map). It includes:
- practically the entire Dutch motorway network (snelwegen),
- selected provincial roads (provinciale wegen),
- selected municipal roads (gemeentelijke wegen).
Important: the OBU must remain switched on at all times while driving in the Netherlands, including on sections not subject to the charge. RDW records mileage and verifies device compliance.
Who is covered by HGVC charges?
Vehicles subject to the charge
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle categories | N2 and N3 |
| Mass threshold | Technical permissible maximum mass (TPMA) above 3500 kg |
| Electric vehicles | TPMA above 4250 kg (for ZE) |
| Scope | Dutch and foreign vehicles |
| N2/N3 split | N2: >3500 kg to 12 000 kg; N3: above 12 000 kg |
You will find the vehicle category (N2/N3) and TPMA on the registration document, field F1. If permissible maximum mass (F2) is lower than TPMA, the technical mass (F1) is still used for toll calculation.
Vehicles exempt from HGVC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| M2, M3 | Buses (full exemption) |
| Vehicles up to 3500 kg TPMA | Out of scope (N1 category) |
| Motorhomes | Exempt |
| Electric/ZE vehicles up to 4250 kg | Exempt |
| Sewage trucks, sweepers, snow ploughs | Exempt |
| Vehicles with transit plates | Exempt |
International exception: Eurovignette still in Luxembourg and Sweden
With the launch of HGVC the Netherlands officially withdrew the Eurovignette on its territory. For international routes remember however:
| Country | Eurovignette after 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | Does not apply (replaced by HGVC) |
| Luxembourg | Applies (vehicles >12 t) |
| Sweden | Applies (vehicles >12 t) |
| Denmark | No (own system) |
| Germany | No (Toll Collect system) |
When planning a route Rotterdam, Luxembourg, Stockholm you must account for three different charging models in a single trip.
How billing works: OBU, EETS, and service providers
Requirements from 1 July 2026
Every N2/N3 truck owner must:
- Sign a contract with a service provider (dienstaanbieder) approved in the Dutch system.
- Install an OBU (on-board unit, tolkastje) supporting HGVC before the first trip to the Netherlands.
- Assign the OBU to the correct registration number.
- Keep the OBU switched on at all times while driving in the Netherlands.
- Report faults to the provider immediately and ensure a working device within 3 hours.
RDW has enforced compliance from day one (1 July 2026), and a missing or faulty OBU leads to fines.
Data needed to determine the rate
| Parameter | Where to find it | Impact on rate |
|---|---|---|
| TPMA (technical mass) | Registration document, field F1 | Higher mass = higher rate |
| Euro class | Document / RDW register | For CO2 class 1: Euro 0 to Euro 6 |
| CO2 class (1 to 5) | RDW register (VECTO) | Class 5 (zero-emission) = lowest rate |
| Kilometres driven | GNSS registration via OBU | Direct cost multiplier |
Vehicles without an assigned CO2 value (e.g. registered before 1 July 2019) are automatically placed in CO2 class 1, which means the highest rates.
HGVC tariffs 2026: full per-kilometre rate tables (EUR)
The base rates below (price level 2026) applied from 1 July to 31 August 2026. From 1 September to 31 December 2026 they are reduced by 22.3% (details below). From 2027 rates are indexed for inflation (1 January each year).
CO2 class 1 (highest rates, split by Euro)
| TPMA (kg) | Euro 0 | Euro 1 | Euro 2 | Euro 3 | Euro 4 | Euro 5 | Euro 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3500 to 12 000 | 0.272 | 0.221 | 0.211 | 0.184 | 0.162 | 0.131 | 0.113 |
| 12 000 to 18 000 | 0.392 | 0.315 | 0.300 | 0.266 | 0.229 | 0.186 | 0.160 |
| 18 000 to 32 000 | 0.432 | 0.364 | 0.347 | 0.308 | 0.264 | 0.212 | 0.182 |
| Above 32 000 | 0.487 | 0.409 | 0.392 | 0.349 | 0.298 | 0.236 | 0.201 |
CO2 classes 2, 3, 4, and 5 (low-emission and zero-emission vehicles)
| TPMA (kg) | CO2 class 2 | CO2 class 3 | CO2 class 4 | CO2 class 5 (ZE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3500 to 12 000 | 0.103 | 0.092 | 0.063 | 0.025 |
| 12 000 to 18 000 | 0.145 | 0.129 | 0.088 | 0.035 |
| 18 000 to 32 000 | 0.165 | 0.148 | 0.100 | 0.037 |
| Above 32 000 | 0.183 | 0.165 | 0.111 | 0.038 |
CO2 class 5 covers zero-emission vehicles: electric, hydrogen engine, or fuel cell (hydrogen). Condition: CO2 emissions not higher than 1 g/km.
Example route cost calculation
Scenario: Tractor unit >32 t, Euro 6, CO2 class 1, route Rotterdam, Venlo, Maastricht, 280 km on the tolled network.
- Rate: 0.201 EUR/km
- Cost: 280 × 0.201 = 56.28 EUR (one way)
- Return trip: 112.56 EUR for HGVC alone
- From 1 September to 31 December 2026 (rates 22.3% lower): about 43.73 EUR one way
The same set in CO2 class 5 (electric): 280 × 0.038 = 10.64 EUR one way. Difference on a single trip: over 45 EUR.
To compare costs across Europe use our price list for 46 European countries.
Temporary 22.3% reduction (1 September to 31 December 2026)
Since 1 September 2026 HGVC rates have been reduced by 22.3% for all truck categories. The Minister of Infrastructuur en Waterstaat (Karremans) sent this decision to the Tweede Kamer on 22 May 2026 because of rising fuel prices (rijksoverheid.nl). The reduced amounts are published on vrachtwagenheffing.nl.
| Period | Rates |
|---|---|
| from 1 July to 31 August 2026 | Full base rates (tables above) |
| from 1 September to 31 December 2026 | Rates reduced by 22.3% (in force now) |
| From 1 January 2027 | Return to full rates (with inflation indexation) |
According to the Dutch government the average rate fell from about 0.191 EUR/km to 0.148 EUR/km, and truck owners will pay about 80 million EUR less in total.
Price freight until the end of 2026 at the reduced rates. Full rates with inflation indexation return on 1 January 2027, so update your 2027 price lists.
Changes to vehicle tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting)
Together with HGVC, Dutch vehicle tax changed:
| Vehicle mass | Change from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Up to 12 000 kg | Vehicle tax abolished (0%) |
| Above 12 000 kg | Tax significantly reduced (to European minimum) |
| from 1 July to 31 December 2026 | Temporarily 0% MRB for trucks of 12 000 kg and above too (overheid.nl) |
The government compensates part of the per-kilometre costs by lowering vehicle tax. For carriers with vehicles registered outside the Netherlands this change has no direct impact (it applies to NL registration), but it affects the competitiveness of Dutch carriers on shared routes.
Blankenburg tunnel (A24): separate toll, independent of HGVC
Motorway A24 / Blankenburgverbinding (Vlaardingen, Rozenburg, 4.2 km with tunnel under the Nieuwe Waterweg) has a separate toll system that is not part of HGVC.
Rates from 1 January 2026
| Vehicle type | Toll per passage |
|---|---|
| Cars, vans up to 3500 kg | 1.57 EUR |
| Electric vans up to 4250 kg | 1.57 EUR |
| Trucks and vehicles >3500 kg | 9.49 EUR |
The toll is a flat fee per passage, without differentiation by CO2 class (in line with the Eurovignette directive exception for tunnels). Rates are indexed annually (1 January).
Blankenburgverbinding elements:
- motorway A24 (2 × 3 lanes),
- Maasdeltatunnel (under the Nieuwe Waterweg estuary),
- Hollandtunnel (land tunnel),
- junction with A20 and A15.
Approach roads to the tunnel remain free. Drivers can always choose an alternative toll-free route.
ViA15 (planned opening around 2031, Bemmel, Zevenaar) will have an identical toll system.
Penalties for HGVC violations from 1 July 2026
Minister Tieman set penalty amounts in the Beleidsregel hoogte bestuurlijke boete (Staatscourant 2026, 1089). In the first 6 months (until 31 December 2026) reduced rates apply.
Penalty table
| Violation | from 1 July to 31 December 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| No contract with service provider | 400 EUR | 800 EUR |
| OBU switched off | 250 EUR | 500 EUR |
| OBU not working properly | 250 EUR | 500 EUR |
| OBU assigned to another vehicle | 250 EUR | 500 EUR |
Penalty rules:
- Maximum one penalty per 24 hours per vehicle (the highest detected violation is charged).
- If the violation continues on subsequent days, a penalty may be imposed again each day.
- Example: no contract for 5 days of driving = 5 × 400 EUR = 2000 EUR for one vehicle.
If any truck in your fleet still has no OBU, order one before its first trip to the Netherlands. OBU providers have different delivery times.
OMV SmartPass: one device, no stress on Dutch roads
Introducing HGVC in another country does not have to mean mounting another device on the truck windscreen. The solution is OMV SmartPass (EETS, European Electronic Toll Service), available through ONYX as an official OMV agent.
What SmartPass offers for HGVC
| Feature | Operational benefit |
|---|---|
| HGVC settlement across the Netherlands | Compliance from 1 July 2026 without a separate NL contract |
| Blankenburg tunnel (A24) toll | One device, one invoice |
| Link to OMV Card | Consolidated payment for tolls and fuel |
| EUR converted at the ECB rate | Predictable trip cost in your home currency |
| 19 countries in one OBU | No “box zoo” on the dashboard |
| Fleet portal 24/7 | OBU status, axles, mass, toll domains |
Instead of managing separate contracts for the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Austria, SmartPass consolidates billing in one ecosystem. Product details are on the ONYX road tolls page.
Telepass SAT K1: 4G technology ready for the future
As part of OMV SmartPass fleets receive Telepass SAT K1 on-board units with 4G connectivity.
This matters as 2G and 3G networks are being switched off in Europe (Switzerland among others plans shutdown). Older devices based on 2G/3G will stop working on selected markets, creating the risk of driving without a valid OBU and fines. Telepass SAT K1 ensures billing continuity on markets that require modern connectivity.
European coverage: 19 countries in one device
| Central and Eastern Europe | Western and Southern Europe | Scandinavia |
|---|---|---|
| Poland (e-TOLL, A4 Katowice-Krakow) | Netherlands (HGVC, Blankenburg tunnel) | Norway |
| Czech Republic | Germany | Sweden (Oresund Bridge) |
| Slovakia | Austria | Denmark (KmToll, Oresund and Storebaelt bridges) |
| Hungary | Belgium (including Liefkenshoek tunnel) | |
| Bulgaria | France | |
| Croatia | Italy | |
| Slovenia | Spain | |
| Portugal | ||
| Switzerland |
For routes through the port of Rotterdam, Moerdijk terminal, or Venlo hub one device covers transit through Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands without changing OBU at the border.
Fleet panel: control for forwarders and fleet managers
OMV SmartPass is not only driver convenience. Through the client portal fleet managers have remote, round-the-clock access to:
- OBU status of each vehicle (active, off, fault),
- History of changes to declared axle count and mass,
- Active toll domains (which countries and systems are enabled per vehicle),
- Consolidated invoices for tolls and fuel (via OMV Card).
When implementing HGVC it is critical that the dispatcher sees whether a vehicle heading to the Netherlands has an active NL domain before it leaves the depot. One click in the portal replaces a phone call to the driver at the German-Dutch border.
Integration with route planning in ONYX TMS lets you include HGVC cost at the freight quotation stage, not after the fact.
Checklist: HGVC in your company
| Step | Action | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verify N2/N3 category and TPMA of each vehicle (field F1) | Immediately |
| 2 | Check CO2 class in RDW register or with EETS provider | Immediately |
| 3 | Calculate HGVC cost on key routes (tables above) | Before freight pricing |
| 4 | Sign EETS contract supporting HGVC (e.g. OMV SmartPass) | Before the first trip to NL |
| 5 | Order and install OBU (Telepass SAT K1) | Before the first trip to NL |
| 6 | Train drivers: OBU always on in NL | Before first trip |
| 7 | Set OBU fault reporting procedure (3 hours to repair) | Before the first trip to NL |
| 8 | Plan routes with/without Blankenburg tunnel (9.49 EUR/passage) | Ongoing |
| 9 | Quote at rates 22.3% lower, full rates again from 2027 | Until 31 December 2026 |
| 10 | Check Eurovignette on routes through Luxembourg and Sweden | Before each trip |
What HGVC toll exemptions apply in practice?
Apart from M2/M3 categories and vehicles below 3500 kg TPMA, exemptions include:
- special vehicles (sewage trucks, sweepers, snow ploughs),
- vehicles with transit plates,
- sections with a separate toll system (Blankenburg A24, ViA15 in future): you pay separately here, HGVC is not charged for those kilometres,
- military vehicles (on Blankenburg).
There is no exemption from the obligation to have an OBU: even if a section is not subject to the per-kilometre charge, the device must remain active.
Settle HGVC without downtime
HGVC has applied since 1 July 2026, and RDW has checked OBUs from day one. A truck without a provider contract or a working OBU risks:
- a fine from 400 EUR per vehicle (until 31 December 2026, fines double from 2027),
- another fine for every day the violation continues,
- downtime on the road.
Want to implement EETS without complications? Contact ONYX and ask about OMV SmartPass. Our experts will tailor the solution to your fleet, configure the HGVC domain, and help you settle HGVC without downtime.
Bibliography and legal sources
| Source | Description | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Rijksoverheid | Official vrachtwagenheffing page | rijksoverheid.nl |
| Vrachtwagenheffing.nl | Operational portal, tariffs, calculator, OBU providers | vrachtwagenheffing.nl |
| RDW | Vehicle register, CO2 classes, OBU checks | rdw.nl |
| Staatscourant 2026, 1089 | Administrative penalty amounts policy | officielebekendmakingen.nl |
| Wet vrachtwagenheffing | Primary act (BWBR) | wetten.overheid.nl |
| Rijksoverheid Blankenburg | A24/Blankenburgverbinding tolls | rijksoverheid.nl |
| BWBR0037688 | Regeling tijdelijke tolheffing Blankenburg | wetten.overheid.nl |
| Minister Karremans (22.05.2026) | Temporary 22.3% reduction (1 Sep to 31 Dec 2026) | rijksoverheid.nl |
| Vrachtwagenheffing.nl | Per-km amounts, including the 22.3% reduction | vrachtwagenheffing.nl |
| Rijksoverheid (01.07.2026) | HGVC launch and end of the Eurovignette in NL | rijksoverheid.nl |
| Ondernemersplein (overheid.nl) | Temporarily lower MRB vehicle tax for trucks | ondernemersplein.overheid.nl |
| Evofenedex | Guide to calculating vrachtwagenheffing | evofenedex.nl |
