Privileges end in the Dutch monarchy: Queen Máxima will have to pay taxes

The Dutch Royal House covers its official expenses from an annual item in the state budget. It is common in all European monarchies. Governments cover, from budgets, all expenses that have to do with public activities and the maintenance of all buildings and other properties belonging to the Royal Family. What differs in different royal houses is how their members’ private expenses are paid. In the case of the Netherlands, only three people receive benefits equivalent to their salary.

King William expects this year, from the state budget, 1.1 million eurosthe equivalent of a monthly salary of 91,666 euros.

His wife, the Argentinean Máxima, 400,000 euros have been allocated. As if he earned 33,333 euros a month. Her mother, Queen Emeritus Beatrice, will have to settle for 300 thousand, equal to 25 thousand euros a month.

Princess Amalia, heir to the throne, was entitled to receive an allowance like her mother’s since she turned 18, but he rejected it and never received it. Considering that their expenses are covered, that they pay for neither accommodation nor travel or that their security is paid for by the State, these do not seem like small emoluments. Also, until now that money was tax-free, but that’s over now.

To pay taxes

The liberal-progressive party D66 (member of the provisional government waiting for the far right Geert Wilders to be able to form another executive, in which he will not participate), presented to Parliament, together with the socialists and social democrats, a motion which called for that the three members of the Royal Household who receive these roles (King William, Queen Máxima and Queen Emerita Beatrix) They will pay taxes on that money.

It was not the first time that some left-wing group had put forward this proposal, which was usually rejected by the Christian Democrats and liberal-conservatives. But this time something has changed.

The liberal-conservative party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte has informed its deputies vote in favor, “not oppose at all” the motion of his government partners. This decision by Rutte allows him to reach the two-thirds of the Chamber necessary for the motion to move forward, both in Parliament and in the Senate.

The need to reach a two-thirds majority is due to the fact that the change involves a constitutional reform, which so far protects the king from paying taxes. Of the 150 deputies, at least 100 will have to vote in favor. And 50 out of 75 senators.

The parties that support the motion or that have supported it in the past and that are likely to vote in favor amount to 112 out of 150 deputies and almost 60 out of 75 senators.

So from now on every year the three members of the Royal Household will receive, like every Dutch person, an envelope to submit their tax return. MP Joost Sneller, of the liberal-progressive D66, said that “it is important that the king also pays taxes. The teacher does it, the policeman does it too. “It is important that everyone in the Netherlands contributes to maintaining public services.”

Clarion has calculated how much King William, Queen Máxima and Queen Emerita Beatrix will have to pay, according to the data available on the website of the Dutch Ministry of Finance.

Of 1.1 million euros, Guillermo will have to pay, when the reform comes into force, but in principle already this year, 524,504.02 euros. Furthermore, a further 10,533.02 euros of social security tax. Of 1.1 million you will have 564,962.16 euros left, which is not bad. Máxima’s 400,000 euro gross will remain at 211,462.16 and the 300,000 of Queen Emeritus Beatrice at 160,962.16 euros.

To be compared with another Royal House. In Spain, King Felipe VI received 269,296 euros last year. Queen Letizia 148,105 euros and Queen Emerita Sofía 121,186 euros. The other members of the Royal House do not receive allowances. These emoluments are tax-free. We will see until when, if the Dutch decision becomes a trend.