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 gross profit minus the private business ownership allowance, tax relief for new companies, and SME profit exemption.

Calculation:

Means-tested income = gross 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 2025, a maximum of about €39,700 per year for a single person, a maximum of about €50,000 together with a benefit partner).
• You do not have too much capital for this benefit (in Dutch, such as savings or investments.

Amount

In 2025, the maximum healthcare benefit is about €1,575 per year for single persons and €3,000 for people together with a benefit partner.

Applying for healthcare benefit

Apply for healthcare benefit no later than 1 September of the year following the benefit year.

Example: to receive healthcare benefit for the year 2024, you must apply by 1 September 2025 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.
  The rent is not too high (in 2025, a maximum of around €900 per month).
• 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 can be up to almost €500 per month, depending on your rent and income.

Applying for rent benefit

Apply for rent benefit no later than 1 September of the year following the year you are applying for.

Example: you must apply for rent benefit for 2024 by 1 September 2025 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 your family composition and income. In 2025, it can be up to €5,900 per year for a single parent with 1 child. With a benefit partner, the maximum is €2,511. These amounts increase if you have more children.

Applying for supplementary child benefit

Apply for the supplementary child benefit no later than 1 September of the year following the year for which you would like to receive the benefit.

Example: you must apply for the supplementary child benefit for 2024 by 1 September 2025 at the latest.

Please note: you may receive this benefit automatically if you already receive another benefit.

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 your income and the number of hours of childcare. This can amount to thousands of euros each year. Make a test calculation (in Dutch).

Applying for childcare benefit

Apply for childcare benefit within 3 months after the month in which your child started childcare.

Example: is your child starting daycare in July 2025? Then you must apply for the benefit by 31 October 2025. If you apply later, your benefit cannot be backdated by more than 3 months.

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.