The Netherlands agrees to pay Brussels’ €642m surcharge

The Netherlands will pay the €642m surcharge in European Union contributions, finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem confirmed on Thursday.

The Netherlands was sent the extra bill following a recalculation of the Dutch economic performance over the past few years.

Earlier this week, Dijsselbloem said that at first glance it appeared the new calculations are correct. However,  the minister waited until statistics experts had been quizzed in parliament on Wednesday to take a final decision on the extra fee.

Ministers have said since the surcharge became public knowledge that the Netherlands would pay if the figures were accurate.

‘On the basis of this information, I can conclucde that the commission’s calculation about the surcharge is correct,’ Dijsselbloem said in a written briefing for MPs.

The surcharge follows a recalculation of the size of the Dutch economy, which is used to determine EU membership contributions. Britain faced a surcharge of €2.1bn but has had this halved after protests. Italy also faces a substantial surcharge. Other countries, including Germany and France, are getting money back.