Zorgtoeslag — Dutch health insurance allowance

If you work or live in the Netherlands, health insurance is compulsory. However, the cost of insurance contributions can be high, especially for people on lower incomes. That is why the Dutch tax office offers a health insurance allowance.

Zorgtoeslag is an insurance subsidy that helps cover the cost of the health insurance you have paid for. Thanks to this, the Dutch health insurance refund reduces the financial burden of compulsory Dutch insurance.

The amount of zorgtoeslag depends on your annual income and family situation. The lower your earnings, the higher the subsidy.

For 2026, the Dutch belastingdienst has set new income limits and benefit amounts:

• up to €129 for the individual allowance, and
• up to €131 for the allowance received together with a fiscal partner.

The zorgtoeslag amount changes from year to year, which means the current values need to be checked every year.

To receive zorgtoeslag while working in the Netherlands, you have to meet certain conditions:

• have paid health insurance,
• be an adult (over 18 years of age),
• your gross income must not exceed the limit set by the Dutch tax office. The insurance refund will not be granted if your worldwide income in 2025 exceeds €31,000 (for single people) or €51,500 (with a benefit partner),
• have a valid BSN number (Burger Service Nummer),
• have an active bank account in one of the EU countries.

You can go through the zorgtoeslag application process on your own, but it is worth using the help of specialists.

Ask us to obtain your Zorgtoeslag and prepare the following documents:

1. A copy of your ID card
2. A copy of your insurance policy
3. The Dutch tax card (jaaropgave) from your employer or temporary work agency
4. The bank account number to which the insurance refund will be transferred.
5. information about your estimated total income for 2025
6. Your fiscal partner's details, if applicable
7. When submitting the application, we make sure all the information is correct so as to avoid delays.
8. After the application is submitted, wait for the tax office's decision.

The deadline for applying for Zorgtoeslag is 31.08.2026 and it covers the insurance period for 2025-2026.

The tax office has until 31.12.2026 to issue a decision. This deadline may, however, be extended until your final Aanslag tax decision for 2025 is issued.

The amount of the allowance depends on the income you earned and on the country in which your contributions are paid. The higher your earnings, the lower the allowance. In addition, if you have a fiscal partner, your allowance may be increased accordingly.

Anyone who finishes work in the Netherlands should definitely close their zorgtoeslag benefit for the year in which they no longer work in the Netherlands.

Otherwise the tax office may keep paying the Dutch insurance subsidy without entitlement and then demand it back in the form of a payment request with a cheque, sent even several years after the work ended.

We can submit an application to the tax office on your behalf to stop receiving the benefit. Simply use the service of closing the Dutch insurance allowance for the year in which you no longer work there.

• The Dutch insurance refund helps reduce the cost of living in the Netherlands.
• The insurance subsidy provides access to healthcare without an excessive financial burden.
• Health insurance is compulsory, so the allowance helps reduce the financial burden it involves.

Zorgtoeslag is a Dutch allowance created to reduce the cost of health insurance. Its aim is to support people on lower incomes. The zorgtoeslag health allowance helps cover part of the cost of compulsory health insurance in the Netherlands. This makes health insurance contributions easier on your budget.

In practice, zorgtoeslag is granted to everyone who meets the income criteria and has Dutch health insurance. The belastingdienst checks personal details and decides whether to grant the benefit. It is a legal way to obtain financial relief.

It is normal that the regulations sound complicated. Remember, though, that zorgtoeslag is a Dutch health allowance designed to make your life easier.

To receive the Dutch insurance allowance you must have compulsory health insurance. Your annual income also matters – its level decides whether the support is granted. If your income is too high, zorgtoeslag depends on the limits and may not be available.

You can also apply for the allowance if you are posted to work in the Netherlands or decide to live and work there. The zorgtoeslag health allowance also covers people without registered residence, provided they have active Dutch health insurance.

Not sure whether you are entitled to a refund? The belastingdienst tax office provides a special form that lets you check your entitlement. This is the best way to avoid mistakes and quickly obtain your Dutch insurance refund.

The zorgtoeslag application process takes place online via the belastingdienst toeslagen office. In most cases a digid identifier confirming your identity is required.

In the form you provide your personal details and information about your income. The belastingdienst analyses them and issues a decision. This way you can get part of your insurance costs back.

Keep in mind that you can also receive zorgtoeslag in the Netherlands for the previous year. If you apply on time, you have a chance to receive the insurance refund even retroactively.

The health allowance is paid monthly into your bank account. The belastingdienst can also pay the benefit annually if you request it.

If your situation changes — for example your income increases or you stop working and living in the Netherlands — the belastingdienst may change the amount of the allowance. It is worth reporting every change to avoid having to pay back an overpaid allowance.

It is normal that such procedures seem bureaucratic. Remember, though, that zorgtoeslag is a Dutch allowance that works in your favour and can genuinely lower the cost of your health insurance while working in the Netherlands. At TimeTax we specialise in obtaining zorgtoeslag and will guide you through the whole process. You can order this service remotely, without leaving home, using the platform TimeTax Online.

Filing a Dutch tax return and zorgtoeslag are two separate processes. The tax refund concerns your income and your obligations towards the tax authorities, while zorgtoeslag is a subsidy towards health insurance.

We offer you a package of services under which you will receive your tax refund and we will apply for the zorgtoeslag insurance subsidy.

Thanks to this you have a chance to obtain a tax refund from the Netherlands and receive an insurance refund under the zorgtoeslag health allowance. It is real financial relief and a way to reduce insurance costs – zorgtoeslag.