Zorgtoeslag: the healthcare allowance, explained for expats
Updated 14 November 2026
With premiums around €169/month in 2027, the Dutch government compensates lower incomes through zorgtoeslag — a monthly allowance of up to roughly €130. Many expats (and almost all working students) qualify without knowing it.
Who qualifies
- You're 18 or older and hold Dutch basic health insurance.
- You live or work in the Netherlands legally.
- Your income is below the yearly limit — roughly €40,000 for singles and €50,000 combined for partners (exact limits shift annually; the official check gives the current figures).
- Your assets are below the (generous) savings limit — around €145,000 for singles.
The allowance tapers with income: the less you earn, the closer you get to the ±€130/month maximum. Partners apply together; both incomes count.
How to apply (15 minutes)
- Get a DigiD (digital government login) at digid.nl if you don't have one — you need your BSN.
- Go to belastingdienst.nl/toeslagen → "zorgtoeslag aanvragen".
- Estimate your annual income for the year (not monthly). With the 30% ruling: use your taxable salary.
- Submit — payment follows monthly, usually the 20th, starting the next month (with back-payment for eligible months).
The one golden rule
Zorgtoeslag is an advance based on your own income estimate. Earn more than you estimated and you repay the difference after your tax return — the classic toeslag trap. Update your estimate at "Mijn toeslagen" the moment your salary changes (new job, raise, bonus).
Typical expat scenarios
| Scenario | Zorgtoeslag? |
|---|---|
| Working student with side job (€12k/yr) | Yes — near the maximum |
| Starter at €35k | Yes — partial |
| Tech salary €60k+ | No — above the limit |
| Couple, one income €45k | Likely partial (combined limit ~€50k) |
| First year, arrived in September | Per-month entitlement for Sep–Dec — apply retroactively |
Also see the complete health insurance guide and check what you'll actually pay with the insurance helper.
Frequently asked questions
Can expats really get zorgtoeslag?
Yes. Nationality is irrelevant — what matters is that you have Dutch basic health insurance, are 18+, have legal residence, and your income and assets are below the limits.
Do I need to reapply every year?
No — once granted, it continues automatically. But you must report income changes yourself, otherwise you repay the difference after your tax return.
Can I apply retroactively?
Yes: you can apply for a given year until 1 September of the following year. Arrived mid-year? Your entitlement is calculated per month.
Does the 30% ruling affect my zorgtoeslag?
Indirectly, in your favour: the tax-free allowance lowers your taxable income (verzamelinkomen), which is what the allowance is tested on. Some ruling holders therefore qualify where their gross salary suggests otherwise — run the official calculator to check.