ROTTERDAM, 24 February 2026 – Fuel is more expensive again in the Netherlands in 2026, and a new calculation by Duitsemilieusticker.nl argues that filling up across the border can now be worth it for more people, including drivers based in Rotterdam. Their free tool lets you estimate whether you would actually save money, depending on where you drive and what you drive.
The obvious caveat is distance: doing a dedicated “fuel run” from Rotterdam to Belgium or Germany can feel a bit ridiculous. But if you are already travelling to or through Belgium, or you are heading into Germany for work, a weekend away, or a road trip, it can be a smart moment to fill the tank there instead of at home.
Why fuel costs rose again in 2026
In short, the Netherlands did not fully scrap the fuel excise discount (accijnskorting), but it was reduced, and that pushed pump prices up from 1 January 2026.
Multiple Dutch outlets report the same ballpark increase: roughly 5.5–6 cents per litre for petrol and about 3.5–3.6 cents per litre for diesel.
What the Rotterdam calculation claims
Based on its own assumptions, Duitsemilieusticker.nl says a “typical” petrol driver from Rotterdam could save around €101 per year by filling up in Belgium. For diesel drivers, the same calculation says it is not a saving but around €29 more expensive in this specific comparison.
Their example is built around 12,000 km per year, a 55-litre tank, and average consumption of 1:15 for petrol or 1:18 for diesel, with the note that different mileage or a bigger tank can change the outcome quickly.
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The sensible Rotterdam angle: combine it with a trip
If you live in Rotterdam, the realistic win is not “drive abroad to save a tenner”. The realistic win is “fill up abroad because you were going there anyway”.
Think: a weekend in Antwerp, Ghent or Bruges; a drive to the Ardennes; a Germany trip that includes the Ruhr area; or anything that puts you near a motorway petrol station across the border. In that case, fuelling up can become a small add-on saving rather than a mission.
Use the tool before you change your habits
Duitsemilieusticker.nl has published a free calculator where you enter your own home location and consumption to estimate savings:
https://duitsemilieusticker.nl/grenstanken/
It is worth using because the answer depends on your route, your fuel type, your tank size, and how often you can realistically fill up across the border without adding extra kilometres.
