Zorgtoeslag and huurtoeslag for expats (2026): who qualifies and how much you get

Yes, expats can get zorgtoeslag (health care allowance) and huurtoeslag (rent allowance) if they live legally in the Netherlands, are registered at a Dutch address and meet the income and asset limits. In 2026 you can get zorgtoeslag with an income up to €40,857 (single) or €51,142 (with a partner); the maximum is about €129 a month for a single person. Huurtoeslag has no fixed income limit, but assets may not exceed €38,479 for a single person, and since 2026 no rent is too high to apply. You apply at Dienst Toeslagen.

Status as of 29 September 2026, checked against the official sources listed at the end of this article. Amounts for 2027 are proposals unless stated otherwise and can still change.

Nationality doesn't matter; residence status does. According to Dienst Toeslagen (zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag):

• EU/EEA and Swiss citizens need a residence status that gives the right to allowances; working here usually qualifies.
• Non-EU citizens need a valid residence permit.
• For huurtoeslag, all adult housemates must also meet the residence requirements.
• You must be registered in the population register (BRP) at your address.

Income and asset limits: Dienst Toeslagen. The monthly maximums are from Zorgwijzer; the higher your income, the less you get. Other conditions: you are 18 or older and have Dutch health insurance. You can apply for a year until 1 September of the following year, but it's easier to apply as soon as you're insured.

2027: the government announced on Prinsjesdag that the maximum for a single person is expected to rise to about €140 a month (Rijksoverheid). Final 2027 amounts follow at the end of the year.

Huurtoeslag helps with the rent of an independent home (with its own front door, kitchen and toilet, with some exceptions). What changed in 2026 (Rijksoverheid):

• No rent is too high anymore: you can apply whatever your rent, but the allowance is calculated on at most €932.93 a month (€498.20 for 18 to 20-year-olds).
• Service costs no longer count in the calculation.
• 21 and 22-year-olds now fall under the adult rate.
• Asset limit: €38,479 for a single person, €76,958 for a household with an allowance partner.

There is no fixed income limit; how much you get depends on your income, rent and household. Use the trial calculation (proefberekening) on the Dienst Toeslagen site before you apply.

Allowances are based on your toetsingsinkomen (assessment income), which for most people is your taxable income for the year (Dienst Toeslagen). Tax-free allowances from your employer don't count as taxable income. Because the 30% ruling makes part of your salary tax-free, your toetsingsinkomen can be lower than your gross salary. That can bring you under a limit, but it also means you must estimate your income carefully to avoid paying back later. Income from abroad in the same year counts too.

1. Get a DigiD (the Dutch government login) after you're registered at the municipality.
2. Log in to Mijn toeslagen on the Dienst Toeslagen site and do the trial calculation.
3. Apply and enter your estimated income for the year, and your partner's if you have one.
4. Report changes (income, address, partner, moving abroad) straight away.

Allowances are paid into your Dutch bank account. Related guides: Dutch health insurance for expats, eigen risico 2026 and 2027 and buying vs renting.

Checked on 29 September 2026:

• Dienst Toeslagen: conditions for zorgtoeslag (in Dutch)
• Dienst Toeslagen: maximum income for zorgtoeslag 2026 (in Dutch)
• Dienst Toeslagen: zorgtoeslag with another nationality (in Dutch)
• Dienst Toeslagen: huurtoeslag if you're not Dutch (in Dutch)
• Rijksoverheid: more people qualify for huurtoeslag in 2026 (in Dutch)
• Dienst Toeslagen: the income that counts for allowances (in Dutch)
• Zorgwijzer: zorgtoeslag amounts 2026 (in Dutch)
• Rijksoverheid: healthcare plans for 2027 (in Dutch)