Germany increases flight tax: now 70 euros tax on long-distance flights

The amount of the German flight tax depends on the travel destination. For example, European flights will be charged 15.53 euros in tax as of May 1. Travelers who travel less than 6,000 kilometers, for example to Dubai or North Africa, pay 39.34 euros. Flights that travel more than that number of kilometers will now be taxed at 70.83 euros.

The Ticket Steuer was introduced in 2011 to supplement the government’s coffers. This generated 1.5 billion euros last year. Thanks to the increase, the German government expects an additional 580 million euros in annual revenue.

Now that the German flight tax has been increased by more than 20 percent, Germany is becoming a little less attractive for Dutch people crossing the border. In the Netherlands, holidaymakers pay 29.05 euros in air travel tax, regardless of the destination.

Due to the lack of European regulations, major differences remain between the Member States. For example, the countries surrounding us all apply a distance-dependent flight tax. Belgium charges 4 euros on long-distance flights and only 10 euros on a flight less than 500 kilometers. After all, travelers can also take the train for those types of destinations.

All other countries apply the opposite principle: the United Kingdom, for example, charges travelers who travel 8,850 kilometers no less than 202 pounds (the equivalent of 236 euros). If you travel less than 3,200 kilometers, you pay 26 pounds (30 euros).

Since March, there has also been discussion in the Netherlands about adjusting the flight tax. According to researchers from SEO and CE Delft, the introduction of a higher flight tax, also for transfer passengers, makes the shrinkage of Schiphol unnecessary. According to the researchers, this would dampen the number of long-distance flights, and therefore also the growth of CO₂ emissions. In addition, large aircraft would land at Schiphol, which would reduce noise pollution. The tax would also lead to more tax revenues. Whether the flight tax will actually be adjusted will be decided at the formation table.