Netherlands: Energy price spikes, new car levies, and labor rulings

Various legal and economic developments are impacting workers and employers in the Netherlands.

In the energy sector, consumers with dynamic electricity contracts saw prices double in September 2025 compared to the previous year, with average market prices rising from 7.4 cents to 15.018 cents per kWh. This change can increase monthly costs by approximately €19 for average users.

Regarding labor law, several court rulings have favored employees. A truck driver was awarded over €22,000 after being wrongfully dismissed for exercising a right of retention on vehicle documents to pressure an employer for unpaid wages. Similarly, the Hague Court of Appeal ruled that an employer cannot summarily dismiss a driver for taking vacation during busy periods, stating that seasonal busyness alone does not constitute a weighty reason to deny leave.

In criminal matters, the Public Prosecution Service is seeking a 240-hour community service sentence and an 18-month driving ban for a taxi driver involved in a fatal accident in Zwaagdijk-Oost. The driver is accused of negligence for changing lanes and running a red light, though investigators found no evidence of speeding or substance use.

Finally, a new climate measure known as the ‘pseudo-final levy’ will be introduced. Starting January 1, 2027, employers providing petrol, diesel, or hybrid company cars will be charged an annual 12 percent levy based on the vehicle's catalog value. This cost cannot be passed on to employees.