Zorgtoeslag 2026 and 2027: How Much Healthcare Allowance You Get and How to Apply

Last updated: October 3, 2026

THE HAGUE – October 1, 2026 | The Dutch Daily

Zorgtoeslag 2026: the Dutch healthcare allowance helps people on a low or middle income pay their health insurance premium. In 2026 you can receive it if your income is no higher than €40,857 (single) or €51,142 together with a benefits partner, and the maximum is €129 a month for a single person. For 2027 the government expects the maximum for singles to rise to about €140 a month. This guide explains the conditions, the amounts and how to apply.

1. What is zorgtoeslag?

Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must generally have Dutch basic health insurance. Zorgtoeslag is a monthly contribution from the government towards the premium of that insurance. It is paid by the Benefits Agency (Dienst Toeslagen, part of the Belastingdienst), not by your insurer.

You receive the allowance in advance, every month, based on your expected income for the year. After the year ends, Toeslagen calculates the final amount using your actual income. If you received too much, you pay it back; if you received too little, you get the difference.

2. Who can get zorgtoeslag?

The main conditions are:

• you are 18 or older;
• you have Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering);
• you have Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit (EU/EEA and Swiss citizens generally do not need a permit);
• your income is not too high;
• your assets are not too high.

If you live abroad but have Dutch health insurance, special rules apply; check them with the Belastingdienst.

3. Income and asset limits for 2026

The income that counts is your assessment income (toetsingsinkomen). For most employees this is close to their gross annual salary including holiday allowance and bonuses. If you have a partner who counts as your benefits partner (toeslagpartner), for example your spouse or a partner registered at the same address in certain situations, your incomes are added together.

Assets (vermogen) include savings and investments. Toeslagen looks at your assets on 1 January of the year.

4. How much zorgtoeslag do you get in 2026?

The amount depends on your income: the lower your income, the higher the allowance. According to the Belastingdienst table for 2026:

Between these points the amount decreases step by step. The Belastingdienst has a proefberekening (trial calculation) tool where you can enter your own income and see the exact amount.

5. Zorgtoeslag 2027: what changes?

In its Prinsjesdag budget (15 September 2026) the government announced that the maximum zorgtoeslag for single people will rise to about €140 a month in 2027. The average basic premium is expected to rise by about €12.50 to roughly €169 a month, and the compulsory deductible (eigen risico) goes up from €385 to €400.

The official 2027 income limits and amounts are published by Toeslagen later in the year. Our health insurance 2027 guide covers the premium and the switch deadline of 31 December.

6. How to apply for zorgtoeslag

1. Get DigiD. You need DigiD to log in to Mijn toeslagen. See our DigiD and toeslagen guide.
2. Take out Dutch health insurance and have your policy details ready.
3. Estimate your income for the whole year, including holiday allowance. Be realistic: an estimate that is too low leads to repayment later.
4. Apply in Mijn toeslagen. You will receive a decision (beschikking) and monthly payments into your bank account.

Deadline: you can apply for zorgtoeslag until 31 December of the following year. For 2026, that means until 31 December 2027. If you have an extension for your income tax return, you may have more time.

7. Report changes, avoid repayments

Most repayment problems happen because people do not update their details. Report a change in Mijn toeslagen as soon as possible when:

• your income changes (new job, raise, bonus, fewer hours, unemployment);
• you get or lose a benefits partner, or move house;
• your assets change significantly;
• you leave the Netherlands or stop your Dutch health insurance.

If you have to repay, you can usually arrange a payment plan.

8. Tips for newcomers

• You can receive zorgtoeslag from the month you have Dutch health insurance, if you meet the conditions.
• In your first year, your income is often lower because you started work mid-year. Enter the income for the calendar year, not your annual salary. Toeslagen looks at your income for the whole year, including any income from abroad earned before you moved.
• If you are on the 30% ruling, discuss with an adviser how your income counts for toeslagen.
• Our moving to the Netherlands checklist puts health insurance and DigiD in the right order.

9. Examples

• Single, income €25,000: below €29,500, so in 2026 the maximum of €129 a month, or €1,550 a year (the official 2026 maximum).
• Single, income €42,000: above the income limit of €40,857, so no zorgtoeslag.
• Couple, combined income €28,000: below €29,500, so the couple maximum of €246 a month in 2026.
• Single, income €35,000, savings €160,000 on 1 January 2026: assets above €146,011, so no zorgtoeslag, even though the income is low enough.

For incomes between these points, use the proefberekening on the Belastingdienst website.

10. What zorgtoeslag does not cover

• The eigen risico: the compulsory deductible (€385 in 2026, €400 in 2027) is not covered by zorgtoeslag. You pay it yourself when you use care that counts towards the deductible.
• Supplementary insurance: zorgtoeslag is meant for the basic insurance. Extra cover, such as dental insurance for adults, is your own choice and cost.
• Higher premiums: the amount does not depend on which insurer you choose. If your premium is above average, zorgtoeslag does not grow with it.

11. Who is your benefits partner?

For allowances, your partner is not only your spouse or registered partner. In some situations someone you live with also counts as your benefits partner (toeslagpartner), for example if you have a child together or are each other’s partner in a pension scheme. If you have a benefits partner, you apply together and your incomes and assets are added up. Check the rules in Mijn toeslagen before you apply, because getting this wrong is a common reason for repayments.

12. Moving abroad or stopping your insurance

If you leave the Netherlands, or your Dutch health insurance ends, stop your zorgtoeslag in Mijn toeslagen. Payments that continue after your right has ended must be repaid.

13. Key takeaways

• In 2026 the income limit is €40,857 (single) or €51,142 (with a benefits partner).
• The maximum is €129 a month for a single person and €246 for a couple.
• Your assets on 1 January may not exceed €146,011 (single) or €184,633 (couple).
• Apply via Mijn toeslagen with DigiD, at the latest on 31 December of the following year.
• In 2027 the maximum for singles is expected to rise to about €140 a month.

14. FAQ

What is the income limit for zorgtoeslag in 2026?

€40,857 for a single person and €51,142 combined with a benefits partner.

How much zorgtoeslag do I get?

In 2026 at most €129 a month as a single person and €246 a month with a partner, depending on your income.

Can I apply for zorgtoeslag retroactively?

Yes, until 31 December of the following year.

Will zorgtoeslag go up in 2027?

The government expects the maximum for singles to rise to about €140 a month. The official figures follow later this year.

🇳🇱 Dutch Corner

Sources

• Belastingdienst: maximaal inkomen voor zorgtoeslag 2026 (€40,857 / €51,142).
• Belastingdienst: maximaal vermogen zorgtoeslag 2026 (€146,011 / €184,633 on 1 January 2026).
• Belastingdienst: hoeveel zorgtoeslag krijg ik (2026 table: €129 single, €246 with partner).
• Belastingdienst: tot wanneer kan ik toeslag aanvragen (until 31 December of the following year; for 2025 until 31 December 2026).
• Rijksoverheid, Prinsjesdag 2026 (zorg): maximum zorgtoeslag for singles about €140 a month in 2027, premium about €169, eigen risico €400.

More in our guide: Healthcare in the Netherlands – insurance, GP and costs

Fact-checked against official Dutch sources on 3 October 2026.

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