Infrastructure minister open to Belgian toll, surprised by 100-euro rate

The Dutch government has no problem with Belgium introducing tolls for drivers, provided the fees reflect actual road usage, caretaker Infrastructure Minister Robert Tieman said after the weekly council of ministers meeting. Each year, many Dutch motorists pass through Belgium on their holidays.

Tieman explained that Belgium aims to fund infrastructure improvements and is seeking ways to finance them through a toll vignette. However, he was surprised by the price reported in Belgian media, saying that a rate of 100 euros per year seems “rather high.”

Tieman has not yet consulted his Belgian counterpart but is open to discussion. “I need to get more information on whether alternative approaches exist. Paying based on usage is acceptable, but it has to be proportional.”

Harry van der Maas, Zeeland’s mobility commissioner, also voiced concerns about the reports. During a committee meeting, he emphasized his support for the free movement of people and goods, noting its importance for businesses.

“Particularly for a border region such as Zeeland, and also for Noord-Brabant and Limburg in this case,” the commissioner said. Van der Maas pledged to explore how Zeeland could act to block Belgium’s toll vignette, potentially in cooperation with Noord-Brabant and Limburg.

Van der Maas was responding to questions from JA21 council member Gert Heijkoop, who described the toll as “a misguided plan.” Heijkoop added, “If stopping the measure isn’t possible, we might need to discuss with The Hague the option of introducing a vignette for our Flemish neighbors.”

Van der Maas described himself as “unpleasantly surprised” by remarks from Tieman. “It can’t be the intention to have an Infrastructure Minister who doesn’t see anything wrong with Belgium doing this,” Van der Maas said.