Business owners are missing out on benefits: check what you are entitled to

What are benefits?

Benefits are financial contributions from the government. They help people with low or average incomes pay their monthly costs such as rent, healthcare, or childcare. Many entrepreneurs think that benefits are only meant for people in paid employment. That is not the case. If you are an entrepreneur, you can also receive these benefits. You must, however, meet the conditions.

Applying for benefits

You can apply for benefits from the Dienst Toeslagen via toeslagen.nl. You will need your means-tested income (toetsingsinkomen) for this.

Are you applying for benefits for this year? Then try to estimate your means-tested income as accurately as possible. For business owners, this is your net profit minus the private business ownership allowance, tax relief for new companies, and SME profit exemption.

Calculation:

Means-tested income = net profit – private business ownership allowance – tax relief for new companies – SME profit exemption

If you have a  benefit partner  (in Dutch), their income will also be taken into account in the assessment.

 Four types of benefits

There are 4 types of benefits in the Netherlands. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for 1 or more of these benefits.

1. Healthcare benefit

The healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) is a contribution towards your health insurance. If you have a low income, you may get back part of your insurance premium.

Conditions for healthcare benefit

• You are age 18 or older.
• You have Dutch health insurance.
• Your income is not too high (in 2026, a maximum of approximately €40,500 per year for a single person, a maximum of approximately €51,000 together with a benefit partner).
• You do not have too much capital for this benefit (in Dutch), such as savings or investments.

Amount

In 2026, the maximum health care benefit will be approximately €1,548 per year for single persons and €2,952 for couples with a benefit partner.

Applying for healthcare benefit

Apply for the health care benefit before 31 December of the year following the allowance year.
Example: you must apply for the health care benefit for 2025 by 31 December 2026 at the latest.

2. Rent benefit

Rent benefit (huurtoeslag) is intended for people on low incomes who rent their home. You may also be eligible for this as an entrepreneur.

Conditions for rent benefit

• You rent a home.
• You are registered at the address with the municipality.
• There is no longer a maximum rent limit. In 2026, you can also apply for rent allowance if you have a low income and your rent is higher than €932,93. The rent allowance will then cover the portion of the rent up to €932.93. For young people up to the age of 21, the rent allowance is €498.20.
• Your income is not too high in relation to the rent. The income of your benefit partner or any co-residents is taken into account as well. Make a test calculation (in Dutch).
• Your capital is not too high for this benefit (in Dutch).

Amount

The rent benefit is always lower than the rent you pay. The portion you pay yourself is approximately €200. In 2026, you will not receive any allowance for the portion of the rent above €932.93 (young people €498.20).

Applying for rent benefit

Apply for the rent allowance before 31 December of the year following the allowance year.
Example: you must apply for rent allowance for 2025 by 1 December 2026 at the latest.

3. Supplementary child benefit

Do you have a child under the age of 18? Then you may be entitled to a supplementary child benefit (kindgebonden budget). This is an additional contribution on top of the regular child benefit (kinderbijslag).

Conditions for the supplementary child benefit

• You have a child under the age of 18.
• You receive child benefit.
• Your income is not too high. Make a test calculation (in Dutch).
• Your capital is not too high for this benefit (in Dutch).

Amount

The amount of the supplementary child benefit depends on the family composition and income. In 2026, it could amount to €5,900 per year for a single parent with one child. With a partner who is also eligible for benefits, the maximum amount is €2,581. These amounts increase for additional children. For children aged 12 to 16, there is a supplement of up to €703, and for children aged 16 and 17, up to €936.

Applying for supplementary child benefit

Apply for the child-related budget before 31 December of the year following the allowance year.

Example: you must apply for the child-related budget for 2025 by 31 December 2026 at the latest.

Please note: sometimes you will receive this allowance automatically if you already receive another allowance.

4. Childcare benefit

Do you use childcare so that you can run your business? Then you may be entitled to childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag).

Conditions for childcare benefit

• Your child attends a registered childcare facility.
• Your child lives with you.
• You and your partner, if applicable, are working or studying.
• You pay for the childcare yourself.

Amount

The childcare benefit depends on the type of childcare, the parents' income, the number of children and the number of hours of childcare. A maximum of 230 hours per child per month is reimbursed. This can amount to thousands of pounds per year. Make a test calculation (in Dutch).

Applying for childcare benefit

Apply for childcare benefit within three months of the start of childcare. Example: if childcare starts on 1 July 2026, you must apply for childcare benefit by 30 September 2026 at the latest.

Applying for benefits if your income tax return is postponed

Have you been granted a postponement for filing your income tax return? Then you can apply for the healthcare benefit, rent benefit, and the supplementary child benefit until the date on which the postponement expires.

Would you like to know more about benefits?

You can find all the information about benefits on the website of the Dienst Toeslagen (in Dutch). Do you have questions about benefits or are you unsure whether you are entitled to anything? Call the KVK Advice Team on 088 585 22 22. Our advisers will be happy to help you.