Hold onto your tents, because camping in the Netherlands just got a whole lot more complicated—thanks to a sneaky little VAT hike. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Dutch camping world, the VAT rate for accommodations has shot up to a whopping 21%, while the rate for traditional camping stays remains at a more modest 9%. If you’re wondering what this means for those picturesque safari tents popping up across campsites—well, it’s about to get a little murky.
The VAT confusion isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a full-blown administrative headache for camping owners who are now stuck in a gray area of the tax system. Imagine this: you’re a campground owner, and you rent out everything from basic tent pitches to fully furnished safari tents. Now, with these new VAT regulations, you have to figure out which spots qualify for the 9% VAT rate (the cheaper one) and which ones need to bump up to 21%. As one seasoned camp owner told RTL Nieuws, “It’s totally unclear where the boundaries are.” Sounds like a real “stick-your-head-in-the-sand” moment if there ever was one!
To make matters worse, the Hiswa-Recron (the Dutch camping and leisure association) has chimed in, acknowledging that this whole situation is indeed very complex. The association’s admission might be a relief for the camp owners feeling like they’re lost in a labyrinth of rules and exceptions. After all, hundreds of Dutch campsites are juggling a mix of traditional camping spaces, bungalows, and even glamping-style accommodations like safari tents. And here’s the kicker: with rising costs across the board (thanks, inflation!), the fear is that owners won’t be able to raise rental prices enough to cover the new VAT without scaring off potential campers. After all, who wants to pay more for their weekend getaway when you can get a perfectly decent hotel room for the same price?
One particularly concerned campsite owner summed it up: “It’s bad for business, and it’s bad for the local economy.” That’s because campers bring more than just their tents to the table—they bring the revenue. But with costs up and taxes looming large, many fear guests might decide it’s not worth the hassle to camp at all.
Now, as tempting as it might sound to throw more “regular” camping spots into the mix to fill in the gaps, that’s not as simple as it sounds. Adding extra pitches for traditional campers might be the obvious solution on paper, but there’s a problem: bungalow rentals are the real money-makers. While the great outdoors may seem like the ideal place for tents and sleeping bags, the reality is that people will pay more for the comfort of a little home on wheels—especially during those less-than-sunny Dutch days.
Plus, who’s really up for roughing it when there’s a fully heated, cozy cabin with a bathroom just waiting for you to move in for the weekend? Sure, you might miss out on a bit of fresh air, but you’ll also avoid the rain that always seems to show up when you’ve just set up your tent. In short, renting out houses and cabins isn’t just a fallback; it’s a lifeline for many campsites trying to make ends meet.
And don’t get us started on the safari tents. These “glamping” structures have become the new darling of the camping world. But now, thanks to the VAT hike, they’re a bit of a tax nightmare. A safari tent is somewhere between a traditional camping spot and a mini hotel room, which makes it hard to figure out whether it falls under the 9% VAT or the 21% VAT. What’s next—will hammocks have their own VAT rate? Who knows at this point.
To wrap it all up: Dutch campsites are caught in a confusing dance with the taxman, trying to figure out how to keep their businesses afloat without sending guests running for the hills (or in this case, the nearby hotel). With VAT rates rising, competition stiffening, and guests watching their wallets, camping owners are in the unenviable position of balancing the books without sacrificing the vacation experience. As for us campers, it looks like we’ll be paying a bit more for our “roughing it” experience. Maybe it’s time to invest in that cozy bungalow after all!