From 2026, renters paying sky-high prices will finally be able to apply for huurtoeslag (rental allowance), regardless of how much their rent costs.
The change could help 170,000 extra people, including internationals stuck in the expensive private rental market.
Up until now, if you were paying more than €900 per month in basic rent (excluding g/w/e and service charges), you were completely shut out from receiving government help with housing costs. That’s changing next year, reports NU.nl.
Who can apply for rental allowance?
From 2026, the Dutch government is scrapping the €900 rent ceiling that previously excluded many renters from claiming huurtoeslag. Anyone aged 21 and over can now apply, no matter how high their rent is.
There’s a catch, though (isn’t there always?).
The government will only provide benefit payments on rent up to €933 per month. If you’re paying €1,500 in basic rent, you’ll only get help with the first €933 of it.
For younger renters aged 18 to 20, the threshold is lower at around €500.
The amount you receive also depends on your income and assets. Curious to know if you can receive anything? You can make a test calculation on the government’s website.
The conditions (because there are always conditions)
Before you start mentally spending that extra cash, there are requirements. Your home must be self-contained (with its own front door, kitchen, and toilet), and your income and assets need to fall below certain thresholds.
For single renters, the benefit stops if you have more than €38,479 in savings or assets.
The exact income cap isn’t entirely clear yet, but you can be fairly certain the government won’t be handing out huurtoeslag to those earning a ton. (Fun Dutch fact: a ton is €100,000.)
Meanwhile, couples face different limits based on their combined income.
These changes are particularly relevant for internationals who often end up in the private rental sector by default.
Social housing waiting lists are notoriously long, and earning “too much” for social housing whilst still struggling with eye-watering private sector rents is a familiar predicament for many expats.
@dutchreview It would help with the heating bill #netherlands #amsterdam #housing #renting #housingcrisis ♬ Horror mystery music box loop(1168519) – Yorm
Will you be applying for huurtoeslag once the new rules take effect? Let us know in the comments below.
