Applying for zorgtoeslag
Zorgtoeslag is a monthly payment from Belastingdienst that compensates part of health insurance (zorgverzekering) costs. Available to adults with low income who have basic insurance.
What to prepare
- BSN and DigiD
- Your insurance policy number (zorgverzekering)
- Income forecast for current year
- Toeslagpartner info (if living together)
- Bank IBAN for receiving payments
Applying for zorgtoeslag
Zorgtoeslag is a monthly payment from the Dutch state that helps with health insurance costs. Available to adults with low income who have the mandatory basic health insurance.
Who is eligible (2026)
- Age 18+
- Have basic insurance (basisverzekering) with a Dutch insurer
- Combined annual income (toetsingsinkomen):
- Single: up to €38,000/year
- Couple (toeslagpartner): up to €48,000/year
- Registered at BRP
- NOT under RMO (Ukrainians with TPD status use RMO instead of zorgverzekering; zorgtoeslag is not relevant)
Payment amount (2026)
Maximum amounts:
- Single: up to €154 / month
- Couple: up to €295 / month
The exact amount depends on income — the lower the income, the larger the compensation. At maximum income, no payment.
How to apply
- Go to belastingdienst.nl via DigiD
- Choose Mijn Toeslagen → Zorgtoeslag
- Enter insurance policy number + income forecast
- Specify toeslagpartner, if any
- Confirm and submit
- Belastingdienst reviews within 8 weeks
- Payments arrive monthly in advance (20th of each month)
Toeslagpartner
Toeslagpartner is the person you share a household with for subsidy calculation purposes. This can be:
- Spouse (registered at BRP as such)
- Registered partnership (geregistreerd partnerschap)
- Living together with a contract + shared children
- Living together with jointly owned property
If you have a toeslagpartner, their income IS COUNTED in eligibility calculation.
If income changes
Update the forecast via Mijn Toeslagen:
- Income increase → update immediately, otherwise refund of overpayments
- Income decrease → update, you'll receive more zorgtoeslag
- At year end, Belastingdienst verifies through aangifte (tax return)
Common mistakes
- Thinking you don't qualify — the €38,000 limit is quite high. Apply and the algorithm will verify.
- Forgetting about toeslagpartner — their income counts. Not reporting → refund + penalty.
- Not updating income — most common reason for refund of overpayments the following year.
Combining with other benefits
- If you receive huurtoeslag — same Mijn Toeslagen, income counted ONCE
- If you receive kindgebonden budget — also via the same
- All toeslagen have identical toeslagpartner limits
Sources
Last updated: May 2026. Exact threshold amounts and maximum subsidies are published by Belastingdienst annually — THESE NUMBERS REQUIRE LEGAL REVIEW.
Common mistakes
- {"title":"Not applying because you think you don't qualify","description":"Income limits are quite high (€38,000/year single in 2026). Apply and the algorithm will automatically check eligibility."}
- {"title":"Not updating income","description":"As with huurtoeslag, unreported income increases lead to refund of overpayments + penalties. Update via Mijn Toeslagen."}
- {"title":"Ignoring household composition","description":"If you live with a partner (toeslagpartner), their income counts too. Not declaring → refund of overpayments."}