Allowance check — which allowances am I missing?
6 questions — every allowance you can apply for appears with estimated monthly amount. Healthcare, rent, child budget, childcare, AIO.
Check all three allowances at once
Health, rent, and childcare allowances combined. Estimates only — Belastingdienst sets the final amount.
Children in paid daycare 0
Total monthly allowances
€0
estimated for 2026
Healthcare allowance€0
Rent allowance€0
Childcare allowance€0N/A
Combined fair-estimate model for the three main means-tested allowances. Use this to scan "am I missing money", not for exact filing.
In short
The Netherlands has four main allowances via the Belastingdienst plus a supplement for AOW pensioners. (1) Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag): max €127/mo single, €243/mo partners (2026). Income limit €38,000 single / €48,000 partners. (2) Rent allowance (huurtoeslag): for social housing (calculated rent ≤ €885 in 2026). Amount depends on rent + income + composition, max ~€500/mo. (3) Child-bound budget (kindgebonden budget): for parents with home-living children under 18. Per-child amount rising (€130-180/mo 1st child, more for 12+). Income limit ~€39,000 single / €49,000 partners. (4) Childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag): for working parents with child in registered care. Up to 96% of hourly rate (max €10.71/hr in 2026), hours capped at 230/month. (5) AIO supplement: for AOW pensioners with partial buildup + low income, up to welfare level. Apply at SVB. Assets limit 2026: €141,000 single / €179,000 partners (above: all allowances lapse except KOT which has no assets test). Application possible up to 1 year retroactively — don't forget one. Important: report changes in income, partner, family composition within 4 weeks, else risk clawback + penalty.
You enter
- Collective income 2026 (estimated) — Gross wage + benefits + profit + alimony received. Before deductions like pension premium.
- Fiscal partner yes/no + partner income — Married, registered partnership, or cohabiting with child or joint home. Not "boyfriend since 6 months".
- Number of children + ages — For child budget + childcare allowance. Ages determine amount (12+ higher contribution).
- Calculated rent per month — Base rent + service costs (water, common-area cleaning, lift, gardener). Not: utilities.
- Wealth on 1 January — Savings + investments minus debts (no own home, no DUO). Above limit = no allowance (except childcare).
- Childcare hours + rate — KOT only: hours per child per month + hourly rate of provider (daycare, BSO, host parent).
You get back
- Healthcare allowance per month — Estimated monthly amount based on your income + composition.
- Rent allowance per month — Amount for social rent. Free-market rent (>€885): €0.
- Child-bound budget per month — Per child, rising with count and age. Monthly amount paid per household.
- Childcare allowance per month — 96% of hourly rate up to €10.71 max, × hours capped at 230/month.
- Total allowances per month + per year — Sum of all allowances you're not yet applying for — potential "free money" left on the table.
- Direct apply links — Per allowance: direct link to Mijn Toeslagen application.
The math behind it
Each allowance has its own formula:
Healthcare allowance = max amount − (phase-out 13.5% × (income − threshold)). Threshold 2026: €25,092 single, €31,832 partners. Max: €1,524/yr single, €2,916 partners.
Rent allowance = (calc rent − base rent) × subsidy % (declining with income). Base rent 2026: ~€249. Quality discount for rent above capping thresholds (€648 / €695).
Child-bound budget = fixed amount per child (1st €1,683/yr; 2nd €1,470; 3rd+ €1,346) + single-parent supplement €3,660/yr. Phase-out 6.75% above €26,500 income single, €38,000 partners.
Childcare allowance = hourly rate (max €10.71) × hours (max 230/mo) × reimbursement % (96% lowest incomes → 33.3% highest). Both parents must work/study.
All allowances lapse above wealth limit (€141k / €179k partners) except KOT (no wealth test).
Healthcare allowance = max amount − (phase-out 13.5% × (income − threshold)). Threshold 2026: €25,092 single, €31,832 partners. Max: €1,524/yr single, €2,916 partners.
Rent allowance = (calc rent − base rent) × subsidy % (declining with income). Base rent 2026: ~€249. Quality discount for rent above capping thresholds (€648 / €695).
Child-bound budget = fixed amount per child (1st €1,683/yr; 2nd €1,470; 3rd+ €1,346) + single-parent supplement €3,660/yr. Phase-out 6.75% above €26,500 income single, €38,000 partners.
Childcare allowance = hourly rate (max €10.71) × hours (max 230/mo) × reimbursement % (96% lowest incomes → 33.3% highest). Both parents must work/study.
All allowances lapse above wealth limit (€141k / €179k partners) except KOT (no wealth test).
Worked example
Sanne & Mark: 2 kids (4 and 8), both working, in social-rent apartment Utrecht:
• Sanne income €28,000
• Mark income €32,000
• Collective income: €60,000
• Calc rent: €780/mo (social)
• Both kids in childcare 3 days/week (~120 hrs/mo total)
• Wealth: €15,000
Healthcare allowance: income €60,000 > partner limit €48,000 → €0.
Rent allowance: calc rent within social, but income > limit €38,000 single / €48,000 partners → phase-out. At €60,000 income: practically €0.
Child-bound budget: income > partner phase-out threshold €38,000. Per child €1,683 + €1,470 = €3,153/yr. Phase-out 6.75% × (€60,000 − €38,000) = €1,485. Remaining: €3,153 − €1,485 = €1,668/yr = ~€139/mo.
Childcare allowance: hourly rate Utrecht avg €10.80 (cap €10.71). 120 hrs/mo × €10.71 = €1,285. Reimbursement % at €60k partners: ~70%. €900/mo.
Total Sanne & Mark: €1,039/month = €12,470/year in allowances. Many households only apply for KOT and miss child budget — €1,668/yr left on the table out of pure unawareness.
• Sanne income €28,000
• Mark income €32,000
• Collective income: €60,000
• Calc rent: €780/mo (social)
• Both kids in childcare 3 days/week (~120 hrs/mo total)
• Wealth: €15,000
Healthcare allowance: income €60,000 > partner limit €48,000 → €0.
Rent allowance: calc rent within social, but income > limit €38,000 single / €48,000 partners → phase-out. At €60,000 income: practically €0.
Child-bound budget: income > partner phase-out threshold €38,000. Per child €1,683 + €1,470 = €3,153/yr. Phase-out 6.75% × (€60,000 − €38,000) = €1,485. Remaining: €3,153 − €1,485 = €1,668/yr = ~€139/mo.
Childcare allowance: hourly rate Utrecht avg €10.80 (cap €10.71). 120 hrs/mo × €10.71 = €1,285. Reimbursement % at €60k partners: ~70%. €900/mo.
Total Sanne & Mark: €1,039/month = €12,470/year in allowances. Many households only apply for KOT and miss child budget — €1,668/yr left on the table out of pure unawareness.
How to read the result
- Apply for EVERY allowance you qualify forForgotten = free money lost. Belastingdienst doesn't tell you what you're missing. Application possible 1 year retroactively, otherwise lost.
- Report changes within 4 weeksIncome change, partner in/out, child in/out, move — report within 4 wks. Else: clawback + penalty up to 100%.
- Wealth limit firm — except KOTAbove €141k single / €179k partners: all allowances gone except childcare (no wealth test). Effect: high savings costs you €1,000-2,000/yr in allowances.
- Allowance partner isn't what you thinkBoyfriend/girlfriend ≠ partner. Married or registered = always partner. Cohabiting with child = always partner. Cohabiting with joint owned home = always partner. "We just see each other often" = no partner. Wrong assessment leads to big clawbacks.
- Estimate conservatively when in doubtToeslagen.nl has your final assessment only after the fiscal year. Estimate too high: top-up. Too low: refund. Tip: 5-10% conservative estimate → year-end refund instead of debt.
Key terms
- Allowance partner
- Someone considered your partner by the Belastingdienst: married, registered, cohabiting with child or joint owned home. Determines income test + wealth limit.
- Collective income
- Sum of Box 1 + Box 2 + Box 3 income. What Belastingdienst uses for allowance tests + tax credit phase-out.
- Calculated rent
- Base rent + service costs (water, cleaning, lift, gardener). Not: utilities. Max 2026 for rent allowance: €885/mo.
- AIO supplement
- Supplementary income provision for elderly, for AOW pensioners with incomplete buildup (typically migrant with <50 NL years) up to welfare level. At SVB.
- Child-bound budget
- Income-dependent allowance per child under 18. Independent of child benefit (which all families receive).
- KOT
- Childcare allowance. Up to 96% of max hourly rate €10.71 (2026) for registered care (daycare, BSO, host parent). Both parents must work/study.
- Social Safety Net Team
- Belastingdienst team for people who got into trouble due to allowance affair or hardship. 0800-2358-358 free, can suspend assessment + arrange custom.
Frequently asked
Can I apply for allowances for past years?
Yes, up to 1 year retroactively. E.g. in May 2026: applications until 1 June 2025 possible for healthcare/rent/child budget. After: lost. Childcare: only 3 months retroactive. Check old years NOW if you wonder whether you missed something.
What if I'll earn more later?
Allowances phase out as income rises. On exceeding limit: stop receiving + possible refund of allowances already received this year. Tip: estimate income on expected annual total (incl. any bonus, raise) and adjust mid-year via Mijn Toeslagen.
My partner is foreign — still get allowance?
Yes, if both registered in NL. EU partner with BSN: normal partner declaration. Non-EU partner without residence permit: complex, often only Belastingdienst application in name of registered person. 30%-ruling partner: counts for income limit with 30% deduction applied. Specialist advice recommended.
Money in savings can reduce allowances?
Yes. Above wealth limit €141k single / €179k partners (2026): healthcare, rent, child budget all lapse. KOT remains (no wealth test). Strategy: temporarily lower wealth before 1 January (reference date) via large purchase, debt payoff, or investment that doesn't count as Box 3 (pension, owned home).
What if I received too much allowance?
Belastingdienst sends final assessment in May next year. Too much = repay (within ~12 months, payment plan possible). Too little = you get it back. Allowance affair context: call Social Safety Net Team 0800-2358-358 free — can suspend assessment + arrange custom. No interest on overpayment until 1 May.
Complex situations
Edge cases that typical net-pay tools skip but actually matter for a real Dutch tax situation. Each one assumes the basic case above and tells you what changes.
Mid-year marriage or breakup — allowances flip
Change in fiscal-partner status mid-year retroactively changes all allowances from that moment. Example: married 1 July → partner limits apply from July. Jan-June income test as single, July-Dec as partners. Belastingdienst recalculates in May next year. Risk: if you declared single for the whole year but acquired a partner mid-year, you risk clawback. Tip: report change within 4 weeks via Mijn Toeslagen. On divorce: partner status ends from date of divorce registration at council, not from "we live separately".
30% ruling expats — watch collective-income test
For allowance tests, collective income counts after 30% deduction. Effect: an expat with €100k gross + 30% ruling has €70k collective income → may get healthcare allowance that wouldn't otherwise be received. Example: €100k gross expat couple with 30% ruling on both salaries, collective income after 30%: €70k. At partner limit €48k you'd fall just outside healthcare allowance, but... if 30% ruling brings the deduction below €48k, healthcare allowance returns. Don't forget to apply — expats leave this on the table the most.
Volatile ZZP profit — allowances hard to estimate
For ZZP'ers with unpredictable profit (consulting, creative work): high variation makes allowance estimation risky. Conservative estimate (higher than expected income) = lower monthly allowance + big refund in May. Optimistic (lower income) = higher monthly + big clawback. Best strategy: choose conservative + after 6 months adjust mid-year via Mijn Toeslagen based on actual YTD figures. Refund in May feels good; clawback hurts. With wealth on savings near limit: 1 January reference date is your friend for cashflow timing.
Moving between social and free sector mid-year
Rent allowance ends when you enter free-market rent (above €885/mo calc rent). Or begins when you move to social rent. Important: report move within 4 weeks at Belastingdienst (separate from BRP). Example: move 1 September from free to social rent. Apply rent allowance from September → 4 months of allowance that year. Forgotten = possibly €1,500-2,000 missed.
Income change to stay within 30% ruling
Some expats can fall below 30% ruling minimum (€46,660 in 2026) by working part-time or sabbatical, then PERMANENTLY LOSE the 30% ruling (no restoration). Effect on allowances: rise in collective income from 30% loss can remove allowance eligibility. Tip: always calculate whether "working less" improves or worsens your net position — sometimes working a bit more to stay above the 30% threshold is net much better.
Allowance-affair context — recovery or new damage prevention
People who received wrongful clawbacks during the allowance affair (2018-2021) have right to recovery via Social Safety Net Team. Call 0800-2358-358 free — they can suspend old assessments, arrange compensation, or custom payment plans. Prevent new problems: always enter changes via Mijn Toeslagen in writing, save the confirmation screenshot, and check the final assessment in May carefully. On uncertainty: make contact before a clawback arrives.
What this tool doesn't do
This tool estimates the four main allowances + AIO. Many complex situations are worked out above. Out of scope: DUO student finance (separate system), special welfare schemes (per municipality), specific elderly schemes (per municipality). For your actual application: Mijn Toeslagen for 4 main + SVB for AIO + council desk for special welfare.