The majority of the Netherlands’ 342 local authorities are increasing property taxes this year, in an effort to head off the impact of a €2.4 billion cut in central government spending.

Calculations by homeowners’ association VEH suggest the average rise in OZB, which is only paid by people who own the property, will be an inflation-beating 6.2%.

Adding in increased charges for waste disposal and water, the average household will pay just over €1,000 in local council taxes this year, a rise of 5.5% on 2024.

The highest taxes are paid in the wealthy towns of Wassenaar (€1,633), Bloemendaal (€1,631) and Laren (€1,597), where most €1 million-plus homes can be found.

The biggest increases, of more than 20%, will be paid by the residents of Stadskanaal in Groningen, Valkenburg aan de Geul (Limburg) and Loon op Zand (Noord-Brabant).

In Amsterdam and Utrecht, the average local tax bill is going up at least 10%, while in Eindhoven and The Hague, the increase is below the national average at 4%. In Rotterdam, local tax bills will rise 6%, the VEH said.

Check the AD’s interactive map to find out about your local council’s plans.

“Councils will often have no other option than to increase property taxes (OZB) to the maximum when central government spending is cut,” the VEH said.

“This means that homeowners will bear the brunt of paying for social welfare responsibilities and council services. We are calling on the government to take action in the upcoming spring budget to prevent significant property tax increases and financial problems for municipalities.”