A Dutch car brings three recurring legal obligations into view: WA insurance, motor-vehicle tax (MRB) and APK where applicable. These are separate systems. A valid APK does not mean you are insured, and paying insurance does not replace the APK or tax obligation.

WA insurance: the legal minimum

Dutch law requires third-party liability insurance (WA) for a registered car. It covers liability for damage you cause to others, subject to the policy and law. Commercial insurers also sell broader products commonly called WA+ / limited casco and all-risk / full casco, but those broader layers are optional; WA is the compulsory base.

Arrange cover for the exact moment the car is registered in your name. RDW checks the insurance register against the vehicle register. Do not assume there is a grace period after transfer.

MRB: motor-vehicle tax

MRB depends on factors including vehicle type, weight/mass, fuel and province. The Tax Administration’s calculator is the safest way to price a specific vehicle before purchase.

  • Since 1 July 2026, the MRB calculator uses massa rijklaar (mass ready for use) for the relevant weight input. On an older paper registration certificate, the Tax Administration explains how to convert the old empty-weight field.
  • A move to another province can change the amount because provincial surcharges differ.
  • For 2026, a fully electric passenger car or hydrogen passenger car pays 70% of the full petrol passenger-car MRB rate.
  • Plug-in hybrids with 1–50 g/km CO₂ no longer have a reduced MRB percentage from 1 January 2026; the full rate applies.
  • Certain diesel cars can also attract a particulate-matter surcharge.
Do not use an old EV/PHEV article to budget 2026 ownership costs. Dutch tax discounts have changed repeatedly. Use the current Belastingdienst calculator with the actual vehicle details.

APK: when is inspection due?

Passenger car up to 3,500 kgNormal APK pattern
Petrol, alcohol and/or electric; vehicle no more than 30 years oldFirst at 4 years; then twice every 2 years; annually from age 8
Diesel, gas or other fuel (including combinations with electric); vehicle no more than 30 years oldFirst at 3 years; every year after that
30 years or olderEvery 2 years
50 years or olderNo mandatory APK

Check the exact due date in the RDW registration check. You can normally have the car inspected up to two months before expiry without losing the existing expiry rhythm.

APK is not maintenance. RDW explicitly describes it as an inspection at a point in time. Tyres, brakes, fluids, timing-belt/chain requirements, battery condition and other maintenance still need attention between inspections.

Temporarily not using the car? Consider suspension

If you will not use a vehicle for a longer period, you can suspend (schorsen) the registration through RDW. During a valid suspension you normally do not pay MRB and the ordinary insurance/APK obligations are paused. But the vehicle may not be driven or parked on the public road. Limited exceptions exist, for example around an APK appointment under the RDW conditions.

If a suspended vehicle is sold/transferred, the suspension ends. The new owner must arrange a new suspension if they also want it off-road.

If the car is abroad when APK expires

There is no general postponement because you are abroad. RDW currently says a Dutch APK can be performed outside the Netherlands only in Belgium and Spain through the recognised route. If you know the expiry will fall during a long trip, arrange the inspection before leaving.

Practical annual car budget

  • Insurance premium and deductible/excess.
  • MRB.
  • APK and likely repairs.
  • Routine servicing, tyres and unexpected mechanical work.
  • Parking permit, garage or paid street parking.
  • Fuel or charging.
  • Depreciation and financing/interest, if applicable.