Against the proposed VAT increase

VAT may increase, but our commitment to your health remains unwavering! Ways to take action against this measure.

As many of you may have heard, the incoming cabinet intends to raise the VAT from 9% to 21% effective January 1, 2026. We understand that this will mean an additional cost for you and that you are worried about it, and we would like to inform you about how we RWIJK GYM dealing with this potentially incomprehensible change in Rijswijk. This message is also relevant for those people in the Rijswijk region who are considering joining our gym as members.

Low VAT rate for sports

Given the essential role of sport for health, social cohesion, and the economy, it is logical that sports continue to be subject to the reduced VAT rate. The reduced VAT rate makes sports more accessible and affordable for a wider audience. This is particularly important for young people, people with low incomes, and the elderly, who might otherwise lack the financial means to participate in sports activities.

What could this mean for athletes?

Given the essential role of sport for health, social cohesion, and the economy, it is logical that sports continue to be subject to the reduced VAT rate. The reduced VAT rate makes sports more accessible and affordable for a wider audience. This is particularly important for young people, people with low incomes, and the elderly, who might otherwise lack the financial means to participate in sports activities.

What can you do if you oppose the VAT increase?

• Stick a poster on your window. Last June 3rd, a full-page advertisement appeared in many Dutch daily newspapers. You can download that advertisement here.  Stick this on the window of, for example, your home, business, employer, studio, gym, hotel, music school, etcetera. Together, we can show that the increase in the VAT rate affects every Dutch citizen.
• Sign a petition. There are multiple petitions in circulation
• Share an image on your social media account and pronounce
  ▸ For Facebook
  ▸ For Instagram
  ▸ For LinkedIn

Via our RWIJK GYM blog and social media, we will continue to keep you informed about what we can all do together to prevent this proposed measure from going ahead. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about the VAT increase or our personal training or group training membership types. 

Whatever the outcome may be, staying active/exercising and working on improving your vitality and health remains of essential importance for young and old. Do you have any questions, or could you use our help with this? You can always contact Contact us via the link below. The personal trainers of the RWIJK GYM team are happy to help you!