Healthcare allowance Netherlands 2026: who qualifies, how much you get and how to apply

The Belastingdienst lists 4 conditions for 2026: you are 18 or older, you have a Dutch health insurance policy, and your income and your assets are below the limits (Belastingdienst).

• Dutch basic insurance: any basic policy from a Dutch insurer counts; supplementary cover is not needed. A visitors’ policy or a voluntary policy for foreign students does not count (Belastingdienst).
• Lawful residence: EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need a valid residence status; others need a valid residence permit that gives a right to allowances (Belastingdienst).
• Your partner: your allowance partner is your spouse or registered partner, or sometimes someone registered at your address (Belastingdienst). If your partner has no Dutch insurance, you get half the amount for 2 people, but their income still counts (Belastingdienst).
• Students: if you only study here, you usually stay insured at home and cannot get it. A paid side job, or an internship paid at least the minimum wage, changes that (Belastingdienst).

For 2026 your income may not be higher than €40,857, or €51,142 together with your allowance partner, according to the Belastingdienst (Belastingdienst).

• Which income counts: the toetsingsinkomen (assessment income). It is roughly your gross income for the year, usually a little higher, and never your net income (Belastingdienst). Holiday allowance counts, student finance does not (Belastingdienst). Our Dutch tax calculator and income tax guide help you estimate your year.
• Assets on 1 January: only your assets on 1 January 2026 count: up to €146,011, or €184,633 together. Savings count, and so does a holiday home. Too much on 1 January means no allowance for all of 2026, even if your assets fall later (Belastingdienst).

You must report changes to the Belastingdienst within 4 weeks, in Mijn toeslagen (Belastingdienst).

• Income: a new job, a raise or more hours means a new estimate, and give a fresh one before each new year (Belastingdienst).
• Assets too high on 1 January: report them within 4 weeks and the Belastingdienst stops the payments (Belastingdienst).
• Your address: a move you report to your municipality does not need reporting again (Belastingdienst).

Without Dutch health insurance you have no right to healthcare allowance; stop it in Mijn toeslagen and you usually get a new calculation within 5 weeks (Belastingdienst).

• Your address: give it to your municipality before you leave; it informs the Belastingdienst (Belastingdienst).
• Keeping it abroad: sometimes possible, for example if you work for a Dutch employer or are insured through the CAK. The amount can then be lower (Belastingdienst).
• Rent allowance stops: rent allowance is not paid while you live abroad (Belastingdienst).
• From abroad: with DigiD or the European login you can still use Mijn toeslagen (Belastingdienst).