New Horse Transport Regulations from 1 July 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

From 1 July 2026, significant changes are coming to horse transport. Anyone buying or selling a sport horse, or travelling to a competition or inspection abroad, will encounter new regulations: a kilometre charge for heavier lorries, expanded tachograph requirements, and stricter conditions for transport within the Benelux. In this guide, we outline the three most important changes, explain when they apply to you, and provide a practical checklist before you load up your trailer or truck.

Please note: this article is an informative summary based on public sources (May 2026). The exact implementation may vary per situation. Always verify your specific situation with official bodies such as the RDW, ILT, NVWA, and KNHS before you travel.

What changes on 1 July 2026?

On the same date, three separate regulations will come into effect, each impacting a different aspect of horse transport. Legally, they are unrelated, but for a horse owner, they will feel like a single package. We explain them individually below.

1. Lorry charge for vehicles over 3,500 kg

From 1 July 2026, the Netherlands will introduce a kilometre-dependent lorry charge for vehicles with a permissible maximum mass exceeding 3,500 kilograms. You will pay per kilometre driven on designated roads, with a rate depending on the vehicle's weight, CO₂ emissions, and Euro class.

In return, the Eurovignette will be abolished, and motor vehicle tax for lorries will be adjusted. If you drive a large horse lorry, you must register with a toll service provider and have an on-board unit (OBU) installed in the vehicle to track kilometres.

Who is this relevant for? Primarily commercial stables, trainers, and owners with heavy trucks over 3.5 tonnes. If you have a lighter combination of a car with a trailer, it falls outside this charge.

2. Tachograph requirement extended to 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes

For many equestrians, the biggest surprise lies in the second change. Until now, the tachograph requirement only applied from 3.5 tonnes. From 1 July 2026, vehicles with a permissible maximum mass of 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes will also be required to use a smart tachograph (Smart Tacho 2 / G2V2) when performing international goods transport.

This affects a large group: the popular "2-horse" trucks and wider van combinations often fall precisely into this weight class. If you cross the border into Belgium or Germany with such a vehicle, the tachograph requirement may apply.

According to published explanations, there are exceptions, including for strictly private use within a 100-kilometre radius and for transport that is not the main activity of a business. However, sources are not unambiguous on whether transporting your own horse to an international competition falls under the obligation.

Uncertain point — do not assume. Based on current publications, it is not certain whether private transport of your own sport horse across the border falls under the tachograph requirement. Inquire with the ILT or RDW before driving internationally.

3. Stricter rules for transport within the Benelux

The third change concerns non-commercial horse transport within the Benelux. Until now, the entire Benelux has been considered a single free zone for which no health certificate is required. From 1 July 2026, this exemption will be limited to directly adjacent provinces.

Specifically, this means the exemption will primarily apply to journeys from Dutch border provinces (such as Zeeland, North Brabant, and Limburg) to the adjacent Belgian provinces. If you drive from, for example, Gelderland or Utrecht to Belgium, an official health certificate from the NVWA may be required.

For all cross-border transport, the following also remains applicable:

• Correct identification of the horse (passport with chip and barcode).
• Registration in the central database (RVO) of the country of origin.
• Return to the home stable after the activity.

Are you involved as a buyer or seller?

Most people buying or selling a sport horse also need to transport that horse somewhere. Therefore, these rules directly impact the market. A few recognisable situations:

• You buy a horse abroad. If you pick up your new sport horse yourself in Belgium, Germany, or Spain, check the weight class of your vehicle beforehand and whether a health certificate is required for the route.
• You sell to a foreign buyer. Clearly agree on who arranges the transport and who is responsible for the paperwork. A smooth, correct handover prevents disputes later.
• You travel to inspections or competitions across the border. Even without earning money, international transport may fall under the new requirements.
• You have transport done by a professional. Explicitly ask the transporter if they comply with the tachograph and certificate rules of 2026.

In all cases: ensure the horse's papers are in order before the sale is finalised. A missing passport or an outdated registration can delay transport.

Checklist before transporting a horse

Use this checklist as a starting point and adapt it to your own situation:

1. Determine the permissible maximum mass of your vehicle. Do you fall under 2.5 tonnes, between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, or above? This determines which rules apply.
2. Ascertain if your journey is international. If you stay within the Netherlands, the tachograph and charge rules for international transport do not apply.
3. Check the route within the Benelux. If you are not departing from a border province, inquire whether an NVWA health certificate is required.
4. Check the horse's papers. Valid passport with chip, correct RVO registration, and any export documents.
5. Ask your transporter for confirmation. Have a professional transporter confirm in writing that they comply with the 2026 regulations.
6. Plan extra time. New registrations, toll registrations, and certificates require preparation; start well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the new tachograph requirement also apply to my car with a trailer?

The obligation is linked to the permissible maximum mass of the vehicle and international goods transport. A light combination may fall outside the obligation, but this depends on the total weight and the route. Check your specific situation with the RDW or ILT.

Do I have to pay the lorry charge with a horse truck?

The charge applies to vehicles over 3,500 kg. If you have a heavy horse lorry, you will probably need to register with a toll service provider. Lighter vehicles are not subject to it.

Do I need a health certificate to drive to Belgium?

That depends on your departure province. An exemption still applies from border provinces to adjacent Belgian provinces; from other regions, an NVWA certificate may be required. Inquire about this for each journey.

When exactly do the rules come into effect?

All three changes come into effect on 1 July 2026. Therefore, prepare your transport now.

Conclusion

The changes of 1 July 2026 make the transport of sport horses slightly more complicated, especially for cross-border journeys. The good news: with the right preparation — knowing your vehicle's weight, your route, and your horse's papers — buying, selling, and competing with your horse remains perfectly manageable. In case of doubt, always seek information from official bodies.

Ready for your next sport horse? View the current offerings or place your own advertisement on SportHorses and prepare for transport in good time.