The proposed VAT increase for recreational accommodation will not affect camping with your own camping equipment. You would think that farm campsites would benefit from this. However, the SVR (camping farmers) is also critical of this measure. Many camping farmers also farm rental accommodations and these will soon be subject to the high rate. Furthermore, SVR is committed to affordable holidays - also for people with a somewhat lower income. This group is in trouble.
The SVR is sounding the alarm about the price development in the Dutch holiday sector. “Behind the scenes, municipalities are already working on significantly increasing the tourist tax for 2026. That is a worrying development,” says SVR spokesperson Bas van Mill. “If the national government also goes ahead with the plan to increase the low VAT rate for rental accommodations from 9% to 21% and this is also extended to campsites, affordable holidays will also come under extra pressure.”
According to SVR, these measures would be disastrous for both Dutch and foreign campers. "We are already hearing it from our thousands of German donors: the Netherlands is simply becoming too expensive as a holiday destination. Petrol, catering, supermarkets - everything is more expensive here than with them. If you then add increased tourist tax and high parking fees, you are literally chasing the campers out of our beautiful Netherlands."
Decline in Zeeland
The consequences are already visible. Van Mill mentions Zeeland as an example: “In the municipality of Veere we are already seeing a declining occupancy rate – and this while Zeeland is one of the most popular regions in the Netherlands.”
Call to government and municipalities
SVR calls on municipal and national governments to monitor price developments together with campsites. “The signals are now green for Dutch campers – let’s cherish that. But things can quickly change if we lose sight of affordability.”
Camping on the farm is on the rise
Is it all doom and gloom for the camping farmers? Fortunately, there are also market developments that play into the hands of 'camping on the farm'. Van Mil: “The popularity of camping continues to grow unabated. The Dutch have never owned so many caravans, campers, trailer tents and tents as they do now. Camping is enjoying nature, friendly and connecting. We see that people consciously choose hospitality, simplicity and affordability. The pre-season had an exceptionally good occupancy at the SVR campsites - partly thanks to the sunny weather of the past few months.”
Camping farmers expand their offering
SVR represents some 2.000 small-scale and farm campsites in the Netherlands and abroad. More than 150.000 donor families use these locations each year, where peace, space and simplicity are central. Also via the platform hurenbijdeboer.nl, an initiative of SVR, more than 600 special places to stay now find their way to a wide audience.
More information: www.svr.nl