There are several benefits given to low-income residents. Since most students don’t make a lot of money, you are likely to be eligible for these. Yes, non-EU students can also qualify!
- Housing allowance (Huurtoeslag)
- Conditions for the rent benefit
- Healthcare allowance (Zorgtoeslag)
- Additional benefits
Housing allowance (Huurtoeslag)
This allowance subsidizes rent for people renting a whole unit (e.g., an apartment, studio, or house) and not just a room. This unit must be independent (have its own, not shared, bathroom, kitchen, and door).
How much is the housing allowance?
This depends on your income and the rent, which must be under a certain threshold. You can make a test calculation here (in Dutch, use Google Translate). In 2025, the maximum eligible rent was € 900,07 per month for individuals 23 years old and older and € 477,20 per month for individuals under the age of 23.
Conditions for the rent benefit
These are the conditions for you and your possible benefits partner:
- Your rent is not too high.
- You rent an independent living space.
- You and the landlord have a rental agreement.
- Your income, and that of your benefits partner and co-residents, is not too high.
- Your assets, and those of your benefits partner and co-residents, are not too high.
- You live in the Netherlands.
- You and the other residents are registered at your home address with the municipality.
- Your co-resident or benefits partner is not the owner of the home.
- You, your benefits partner and your co-residents aged 18 years or older have the Dutch nationality or are legally residing in the Netherlands.
- You are 18 years or older. You pay the rent and can prove this with bank statements.
From Belastingdienst.
Healthcare allowance (Zorgtoeslag)
This benefit subsidizes the Dutch basic health insurance. Student insurances do not qualify.
Anyone taking out the Dutch basic health insurance can be eligible, given that your income and assets are not too high. In 2025, the maximum healthcare allowance is € 131 per month.
You can find more information on the website of the Dienst Toeslagen from the Belastingdienst here.
Additional benefits
Other benefits include allowances for childcare. There are also benefits for unemployed individuals from the UWV, which students generally do not qualify for that easily.
Also, check out our article on DUO Student Finance if you hold a passport from the EU/EEA.
Leave a Reply