Tobacco prices Netherlands

February 10 2026, by Willy van Knippenberg
3 min reading time

The cost of tobacco products in the Netherlands has risen drastically in recent years. Since the major excise duty hike in 2024 and the subsequent adjustments, the price of tobacco in February 2026 has become a decisive factor for many smokers. These price increases are a core part of government policy aimed at discouraging smoking, with the goal of creating a healthier society and a smoke-free generation.

Tobacco prices in the Netherlands: An overview of the current situation

Cigarette prices: For a standard pack of twenty cigarettes, you now pay an average of €11.50 to €12.00. The question “how much does a pack of cigarettes cost?” is nowadays often answered with amounts that were once unthinkable.
Rolling tobacco prices: The price of a 50-gram pack of rolling tobacco has now stabilised at around €25.00. For fans of roll-your-own cigarettes, the question “how much does a pack of Drum cost?” is a painful reminder of how quickly prices have risen compared to just a few years ago.

The role of excise duty increases

Excise duty increases remain the government’s most important instrument. While a major leap was made in 2024, the policy has continued in 2025 and 2026 to allow prices to rise annually in line with inflation and additional public health objectives. This financial pressure is strategically designed to motivate smokers to quit or switch to less harmful alternatives.

Measures towards a smoke-free generation

The ambition to achieve a smoke-free generation by 2040 has gained significant momentum. Key milestones include:

Smoking rate: The government is firmly targeting a reduction in the percentage of adult smokers to below 5%.
Supermarket sales ban: Since 1 July 2024, the sale of tobacco in supermarkets has been completely banned. This has reduced the number of tobacco retail outlets in the Netherlands by thousands, making tobacco less of an “impulse purchase” during daily grocery shopping.

Detailed historical development of cigarette prices

To put current prices into perspective, below is the historical price development of a pack of Marlboro (benchmark):

1975: €0.93 – A time when smoking was still widely accepted everywhere.
2000: €3.21 – The introduction of stricter regulations around the turn of the millennium.
2010: €6.00 – The €6 threshold is reached.
2020: €7.20 – The launch of the National Prevention Agreement begins to show results.
2021: €8.20 – Prices rise faster due to targeted excise increases.
2024: €11.10 – The major leap that reshaped the smoking landscape.
2026: €11.80 – The current average price in specialist shops and at petrol stations.

Buying tobacco abroad: Germany & Luxembourg

Due to record-high prices in the Netherlands, smokers—especially those living near the border—are turning to Germany and Luxembourg. Although prices are also rising there, the difference remains substantial.

Cigarette price comparison by country (February 2026)

Country	Average price (20 cigarettes)	Savings per pack
Netherlands	€11.80	-
Germany	€9.20	€2.60
Luxembourg	€8.50	€3.30

When buying a carton of cigarettes (10 packs), the savings in Luxembourg can quickly exceed €30. However, be sure to observe the personal allowance rules: you may bring up to 800 cigarettes or 1 kg of tobacco duty-free from EU countries.

Making your own cigarettes

For those who do not want to quit but wish to reduce costs, making your own cigarettes using loose tobacco and empty tubes remains the most popular option. It offers control over both cost and smoking experience. With high-quality filters such as Mascotte Classic Filters and a good cigarette injector, you can significantly lower the price per cigarette.

Don’t forget a reliable li