Dutch Budget Day 2026: deficit at 2.9% of GDP and lower fuel excise in 2027

Country reference

• Country: Netherlands (planned expansion country)
• Authorities: Ministry of Finance
• Topic: Budget Memorandum 2027 (Prinsjesdag)
• Key date: Presented 15 September 2026; Senate vote expected December
• Law: Budget Memorandum 2027; Tax Plan 2027

Public finances

• Deficit 2.9% of GDP in 2027, falling to 2.2% in 2030; the aim is to stay below 3%.
• Debt 45.6% of GDP in 2026, 46.9% in 2027 and 48.9% in 2030; the ceiling is 60%.
• The CPB expects household purchasing power to fall 0.1 points on average next year, partly because of the Middle East war and higher prices.

Key measures

• Fuel excise discount extended for 2027: EUR 1.4 billion less tax at the pump.
• A EUR 1.5 billion purchasing power package for lower and middle incomes in 2027, still under discussion.
• Labour tax credit up EUR 173 in 2027.
• Real estate transfer tax for investors cut from 8% to 7% from 2027.
• EUR 1.5 billion one-off and EUR 300 million a year for infrastructure; EUR 425 million a year for housing associations; EUR 1.3 billion for carbon storage.

Dropped plans

• Linking the state pension age directly to life expectancy.
• A 20% cut to the maximum daily wage for social security benefits.

Process

The House of Representatives debates the Tax Plan from October and the Senate in December. The cabinet is a minority government, so measures may change.

What to do now

• Payroll: prepare for 2027 bracket and credit changes.
• Property investors: plan acquisitions around the 7% transfer tax rate from 1 January 2027.
• Track amendments through December.

Our take

The Netherlands has room in its public finances, and the budget uses it for targeted relief rather than big tax cuts. Business measures are technical, not headline-grabbing.