Homeowners in the Netherlands will have to reach a bit deeper into their pockets in the coming year, after local authorities announced they are significantly increasing local taxes and council fees from 2024. Overall, homeowners will pay an average of 5,8 percent more for council services next year.

Homeowners in the Netherlands to pay higher local taxes next year
According to research by the homeowners’ lobby group VEH, homeowners will pay an average of 938 euros in municipal taxes and levies in 2024, an increase of 51 euros compared to 2023. Looking at the updated charges posted by 110 local authorities, VEH found that fees for property tax, waste disposal and waste water were all going up either at or above the current inflation rate of 4,2 percent.

In some places, the costs are significant: in the municipalities of Renkum and De Bilt, property taxes are increasing by more than 20 percent. In Rhenen, Brummen and Oosterhout, sewage charges are going up by more than 20 percent, and in Zeewolde and Heusden, waste levies are going up a whopping 40 percent in 2024.

On average, property taxes – taxes charged on people who own their homes, which are used to fund local services – are rising by an average of 5,5 percent, while waste collection will increase by 6 percent and sewerage fees will rise by 4,5 percent, according to the VEH.

Local taxes are calculated based on the WOZ value
In the Netherlands, local taxes like these are based on the value of your home or business (known as the WOZ) value. The WOZ value itself is based on numbers from the January of the previous year. In 2024, official property values will increase only slightly, by 3,4 percent.

The figures only directly affect homeowners in the Netherlands. While tenants do pay waste and sewerage taxes, these are passed on to them by their landlords via their rent; they do not receive their own property tax assessment from the municipality