Moving to a new rental home in the Netherlands? Be sure to check if you’re entitled to receive housing allowance ('huurtoeslag'). In this blog, we'll share all the details and guide you through the application process, step by step.

If you have a relatively low income, most rents are too high in relation to what you earn. Upon request, the Dutch government's Tax Services can provide you with an allowance. This applies to both Dutch and international tenants, including expatriate workers and students. Housing allowance makes your rent more affordable because you'll receive a significant cost reduction from the Dutch government. 

Terms and conditions

In 2026, there is no longer a maximum rent limit to be eligible for housing allowance. However, there are a number of requirements that you need to meet to receive housing allowance. We’ve listed the most important ones:

• You are 18 years or older
  
  
• You are Dutch or have legal residence status in the Netherlands
  
  
• You’re officially registered at the City Hall
  As housing allowance is only granted for complete calendar months, it's important that you report your new address at the beginning of the month. If your rental agreement starts mid-month, or you register halfway through the month, you’re only entitled to housing allowance for the subsequent month.
  
  
• You have a valid citizen service number (BSN, burgerservicenummer)
  You’ll receive this number about 1 week after registering with the municipality.
  
  
• You have a valid Dutch bank account
  Housing allowance will only be paid to a Dutch bank account registered in the applicant’s name. You can open a Dutch bank account after registering in the Netherlands.
  
  
• You are the main tenant
  During the application process, you'll need to prove that you are renting your home. Your name should be on the rental agreement. Also, you need to provide bank statements, proving that you're paying the rent.
  
  

The amount of housing allowance you receive depends on combined factors such as your basic rent (without any service costs), income, and the composition of your household.

• Income
  The higher your income, the less housing allowance you’ll receive. It might also be that your income is too high to receive housing allowance. You can make a test calculation (in Dutch) on the website of the Dutch Tax Authorities to check if you can receive housing allowance.
  
  
• Savings
  If you rent a home by yourself, your savings and private assets can’t exceed €38,479. If you live together, your collective savings shouldn’t be higher than €76,958.
  
  
• Self-contained home
  You can only apply for housing allowance if you’re living in a self-contained home, meaning you have your own kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and living area(s).
  
  

How to apply for housing allowance

You can apply for housing allowance on the MijnToeslagen website of the Dutch Tax Service Office. You can log in using your DigiD. In this blog, we explain how you can apply for a DigiD. Once you’re logged in, go to ‘Huurtoeslag’ and click ‘Aanvragen’. Here, you can fill out the application form. Make sure to have the following details on hand:

• Basic rent
  There is no maximum rent limit to qualify for housing allowance. However, the amount of your housing allowance is calculated with a maximum rent. In 2026, this maximum rent is €932.93 for people above the age of 21. For young people under the age of 21, the maximum rent used for the calculation is €498.20. When you live together with someone, the age of the oldest resident determines which rent limit applies. If your rent is lower than this, they will calculate the housing allowance based on the rent you pay. Your basic rent is specified in your rental agreement.
  
  
• Gross yearly income
  This is your (expected) income from employment or (social) benefits for the current year. This excludes any income that you receive from parents, scholarships, or other gifts. ‘Gross’ is the amount mentioned on your salary slip before the deduction of the wage tax.
  
  
• Savings
  Here, you'll need to fill in your savings amount as of January 1 of the current year.

On average, the government needs 8 to 13 weeks to process your housing allowance application. You’ll receive the housing allowance from the government in your personal Dutch bank account. Be sure to provide your IBAN via ‘MijnToeslagen’ to receive the payments.

Report changes on time

Housing allowance is granted per calendar year. You’ll need to update your personal details and estimates of your income and savings each year. To receive housing allowance, you must meet the above-mentioned conditions each calendar year.

Does your income change during the year? Or is your partner moving in? Via ‘MijnToeslagen’, you need to inform the Tax Service Office within 4 weeks about the following changes:

• Your income changes
• Your household composition changes
• You are moving (abroad)
• Your rent changes
  
  

If a change has any consequences for the amount of your allowance fee, the Tax Service Office will adjust the monthly amount or stop your housing allowance.

The Tax Service Office is very strict when it comes to distributing the housing allowance. If you receive allowance incorrectly, you'll need to repay it. Make sure to submit any changes in time.

More information

Do you want to know more about housing allowance, or do you need help during the application process? Visit the website of the Tax Service Office or call the Tax Information Line.