Rise in suspensions: higher road tax puts motorhomes out of action more often

Since 1 January 2026, motorhome owners in the Netherlands pay half the standard motor vehicle tax (MRB) rate instead of a quarter. According to a survey by the Vrije Recreatie foundation among 1,211 motorhome owners, 57.2% have suspended their registration more often, for longer, or for the first time; 24.1% suspend for a longer continuous period, 23.4% more often between shorter trips, and 9.7% began suspending for the first time. In the first quarter of 2026, 17,318 suspension applications were filed, compared with 7,593 in the same period of 2025; on 1 January 2026, 52.1% of all 185,174 motorhomes were suspended, up from 42.9% a year earlier. 12.2% are considering selling or switching to another camping vehicle, 18.4% expect to go out less often, 5.9% are considering selling and stopping camping, 5.4% are looking at a caravan or folding trailer, and 0.9% at a smaller or cheaper motorhome.