Netherlands to Impose Steep New Taxes on Private Jet Travel by 2030

The Dutch parliament has approved a sweeping reform that will dramatically raise taxes on private jet travel beginning in 2030. 

The legislation, one of the toughest of its kind in Europe, aims to curb emissions from high-end air travel and close the gap between the environmental impact of wealthy frequent fliers and the modest fees they currently pay.

Under the new system, passengers on private aircraft with 19 seats or fewer will be taxed based on the distance of each flight. The fees are sharply tiered:

€420 for short-haul flights of up to 2,000 kilometers

€1,015 for medium-haul flights between 2,000 and 5,500 kilometers

€2,100 for long-haul, intercontinental journeys exceeding 5,500 kilometers

The costs represent an unprecedented jump for the sector, especially when compared to commercial aviation. Today, private jets are taxed similarly to commercial aircraft, with fees based on aircraft weight rather than distance.

Starting in 2027, the Netherlands will transition entirely to a distance-based tax model for all flights. Private jets will initially be subject to the same rates as commercial flights until 2030, when the harsher private-jet-specific system takes effect.

The disparity will then become stark: an economy-class passenger on a commercial long-haul flight of more than 5,500 kilometers pays just over €70 in taxes, while a private jet passenger on the same route will pay more than €2,000.

Short and medium commercial flights will remain comparatively modest, at roughly €29 and €47 respectively.

Lawmakers supporting the bill anchored their argument in climate justice. Citing studies from Oxfam, The Guardian, and the Stockholm Environment Institute, they highlighted the vast inequality in global emissions: the wealthiest 1% of the world’s population generate more greenhouse gases than the poorest 66% combined. 

A significant share of these emissions comes from intensive private jet use, one of the most carbon-intensive forms of travel per passenger. The principle behind the legislation is clear: the polluter pays.

The Dutch decision does not stand alone. In June, several countries, including France, Kenya, Spain, and Barbados, announced intentions to impose additional levies on first-class seats and private jet travel, reflecting mounting pressure to align luxury travel with its environmental cost.

Analysts expect the Dutch model to spark debate within the private aviation sector and potentially inspire similar measures across Europe. With Brussels pushing for more stringent carbon-neutrality goals, the Netherlands may have set a precedent for what future aviation policy in the EU could look like.