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Home Import All about BPM

All about BPM?

Bpm is the tax you pay for a car, van or motorcycle. You have to pay bpm for every car, van and motorcycle registered in the Netherlands. A car or motorcycle is only given a license plate once the bpm declaration has been made and paid. Only then may you take the vehicle on the road.

What is bpm?

Bpm means "Taxation of Passenger Cars and Motorcycles. The tax authorities determine how much bpm you pay for a car based on its CO2 emissions and purchase price. For a van, camper or motorcycle, the bpm is a percentage of the net list price.

You also pay bpm for some extras that come with the net catalog price, such as extra options, accessories and extra charges for special versions.

CO₂ emissions are determined based on the WLTP method, which is more realistic than previous measurement standards. Read more about bpm on the Tax Office website.

Bpm and car insurance

With car insurance, the inclusion or exclusion of bpm can affect the premium. A car with a high list value, for example due to many extra options such as a hybrid SUV, usually results in a higher all-risk premium.

The bpm affects the purchase price of a car and thus the list value. That value is an important factor for insurers when calculating premiums. Especially with all-risk insurance policies. The higher the list value, the higher often the premium.

In addition, BPM plays a role with import cars. The value including or excluding BPM also determines the insurance value. Insurers sometimes ask whether the declared value includes or excludes BPM. Especially with gray imported vehicles.

Pay Bpm for every registered vehicle

In the Netherlands, you have to pay bpm for every car, van or motorcycle registered in the Netherlands. Are you getting a car, van or motorcycle from abroad? Then you also have to pay bpm.

You must pay bpm even if the vehicle is not registered in the Netherlands, but is used on Dutch roads by someone living in the Netherlands.

You must pay bpm in these situations

In all of the following cases, bpm must be paid:

  • You want to register a passenger car, delivery van or motorcycle with the RDW. For a delivery van you pay bpm if it was put into use for the first time on or after July 1, 2005, and you are not an entrepreneur or do not meet the entrepreneurial scheme.
  • You are driving on public roads with a van that has been converted into a passenger car. This is a van on which bpm has not yet been paid or for which you have not yet recovered it.
  • You get a passenger car, van or motorcycle from abroad and want to register it with the RDW.
  • You convert a van put into service before July 1, 2005 into a passenger car.
  • You no longer meet the conditions of the entrepreneurial scheme, the disability scheme or the cab or public transportation scheme.
  • You live in the Netherlands and drive a passenger car, van or motorcycle here with a foreign license plate.
  • You live in the Netherlands and are going to drive here for more than 14 days in a passenger car, motorcycle or van with a foreign license plate that you borrowed, rented or leased abroad.
  • You modify the engine of a passenger car within three years of registration such that the CO2 emissions are higher than the CO2 emissions on which tax has been paid.

Bpm calculation

By calculating the bpm you can calculate how much you have to pay when buying a new car. For a passenger car, you base this calculation on the CO2 emissions of your car. For a van, camper or motorcycle, the bpm is a percentage of the net catalog price.

To calculate the bpm for a passenger car, you need to know the car's CO2 emissions. The RDW records the CO2 emissions of every type of passenger car with a European type approval.

This is also mentioned in the inspection data of the car. Then you can calculate the bpm using table that is on the website of the Tax Administration.

This is how you can pay bpm

For a new car or motorcycle, the importer ends up paying the bpm to the Internal Revenue Service. The dealer charges the amount to the customer and then forwards it to the importer.

In other cases, you fill out the "bpm tax return" form. Then send it to 1 of the 16 bpm declaration points of the Tax Administration. After checking, you will receive a message with the amount you have to pay, the reference and the account number.

When do you not have to pay bpm?

You pay no bpm in these cases:

A motor vehicle is 25 years old or older.

A van a CO2 emissions of 0 grams per kilometer.

A van has a first admission date of December 31, 2024 or earlier and is older than 5 years.

There is full age credit. View the flat-rate table on the Internal Revenue Service website.

Difference between bpm and motor vehicle tax

Bpm is a tax you pay once when you first register a vehicle in the Netherlands. The amount depends on CO2 emissions and the price of the vehicle. Road tax you pay regularly as long as you own a vehicle, and this amount depends on its weight, fuel type and province.

Bpm encourages more fuel-efficient driving, while road tax is meant to pay for road maintenance costs.

Residual BPM when importing used car

When you import a used car, you don't pay the full amount. You only have to pay part of the original amount. This part is also called residual BPM. This amount can be found on the vehicle registration certificate or through the RDW's online registration check.

The residual BPM is calculated based on several factors, such as the car's age and current mileage. The residual BPM drops, just as a new car drops in value.

For a 5-year-old car with original bpm of €6,000 and 60% depreciation, you still pay €2,400 residual bpm.

Bpm reclaim

You can reclaim bpm if you:

A passenger car used for cab or public transportation.

A van used to transport a disabled person and their wheelchair or other assistive device.

Bpm and the entrepreneurial scheme

Business owners do not pay bpm when purchasing a van . This exemption is automatically granted if you are an entrepreneur for sales tax purposes. However, the amount does count toward the additional taxable income. The exemption only applies if the van is used at least 10% for business purposes.

For a delivery van, if you are not an entrepreneur or do not comply with the entrepreneurial scheme, you have to declare and pay within one month after registration. You can drive it on public roads during that month.

Calculate car insurance premium

To calculate premiums, we need the zip code of the primary driver. For private use, the youngest driver must reside at the same address as the applicant. In case of business use, you can enter the postal code of the company here.
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Frequently asked questions about bpm

How is the bpm calculated?

The bpm for passenger cars is calculated on the basis of CO₂ emissions according to the WLTP method. For vans, motor homes and motorcycles, the bpm is calculated on a percentage of the net list price. For imports, depreciation is often applied.

When do I have to pay bpm?

You owe bpm when you first register a vehicle in the Netherlands. This applies to both new vehicles and used vehicles imported from abroad. Even if you drive on the Dutch road as a Dutchman with a foreign license plate, you must pay bpm in certain cases. The tax must be paid before the vehicle is given a Dutch license plate.

Is there bpm exemption for electric cars?

Yes, electric cars also have to pay bpm. All-electric cars pay only the minimum rate. In 2025, that minimum rate is €667.

Can I get exemption from bpm?

Yes, you can apply for an exemption in specific situations. This applies, for example, when moving to the Netherlands with your own vehicle, for wheelchair transportation or if you use a van for business purposes as an entrepreneur. The conditions differ per situation. Read more about the exemptions on the website of the tax authorities.

What happens if I declare or pay bpm late?

If you do not pay the bpm on time or file a late tax return, you will be fined by the Inland Revenue. Also, you may not use the vehicle until it has a license plate. You don't get the license plate until after payment.

What is residual BPM when importing?

This is the remaining bpm amount after depreciation when importing a used vehicle.

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