Rent benefit (huurtoeslag) can be up to €537 per month in 2026 (€523 if you live alone), over €6,400 a year. Your entitlement depends on income, rent (maximum eligible rent €932.93) and assets. We check for free whether you qualify.
What is rent benefit?
Rent benefit (huurtoeslag, also called rent subsidy) is a monthly contribution from the government for renters with low or middle income who rent a home in the private or social sector. The aim is to keep housing affordable. The benefit is calculated based on your income, the number of residents, your rent and your wealth.
You apply for rent benefit via the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) Benefits. But you can also ask for help when applying. We are happy to help residents of Zaanstad with this.
Note: You apply for rent benefit via toeslagen.nl or the DigiD app. Don't have DigiD or trouble with digital applications? We help you with it, also at your kitchen table at home.
Conditions for rent benefit in 2026
To qualify for rent benefit you have to meet four main conditions:
- You rent an independent home (with your own front door, kitchen and toilet)
- Your rent is under the maximum rent limit (liberalisation threshold)
- Your income is below the income limit
- Your wealth is below the assets limit
In addition: you are 18 or older, you have Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit, and the home is your main residence.
Rent limit 2026: maximum rent
Since 2026, a higher rent no longer rules you out. The benefit is calculated over your bare rent (excluding service costs, which no longer count since 2026), but only up to a maximum:
| Household | Rent counted up to (2026) |
|---|---|
| Everyone under 21 (no child, no disability) | €498.20 per month |
| Someone aged 21 or older | €932.93 per month |
* Exact limits are set annually. Check the current amounts at toeslagen.nl.
Do you have co-residents? The rent limit applies to the entire rental price of the home, not per person. Service costs (gas, water, electricity, cleaning) usually don't count towards the rent limit, but check this carefully on your rental contract.
Income limits rent benefit 2026
Your assessable income (toetsingsinkomen) determines whether you are entitled to rent benefit and how much. This is your taxable income from box 1, 2 and 3.
There is no fixed maximum income. The rent allowance gets gradually lower as your income rises, until it reaches zero. At which income that happens depends on your rent and on who lives in your home, so a single limit per household says little.
Want to know where you stand? Use the trial calculation (proefberekening) on toeslagen.nl, or ask us to check it for free.
Tip: Do you have a partner or co-resident aged 18 or older? Then their income also counts towards the assessable income.
Assets test: your savings also count
In addition to your income, the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority) also looks at your wealth (savings, investments, second home). If your wealth exceeds the exemption, you are not entitled to rent benefit. The asset limits for 2026 are:
| Situation | Maximum wealth |
|---|---|
| Single person | ± €38,479 |
| With a benefit partner (per person) | ± €38,479 (together ± €76,958) |
* The assets limit equals the tax-free allowance in box 3. Check the current amounts each year.
How much rent benefit can you get?
The amount of your rent benefit depends on your rent, your income and your household composition. The government uses a so-called norm rent: the part of the rent you have to pay yourself. The benefit covers the difference between your actual rent and the norm rent.
| Example calculation | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Bare rent | €680 |
| Assessable income (toetsingsinkomen) | €22,000 (single) |
| Basic rent (you always pay this part yourself) | €202.52 |
| Rent benefit per month | €413 |
* Worked out with the official 2026 formula from Dienst Toeslagen (Berekening huurtoeslag 2026), rounded down to whole euros as they pay it. Your amount depends on your income, rent and household. Calculate it with our rent benefit calculator (in Dutch), on toeslagen.nl, or get in touch with us.
Rent benefit can reach €537 a month. Renters who are entitled but never apply miss out on that money. We calculate within 5 minutes what you are entitled to, free, without commitment.
Call 06 – 19 71 18 48 WhatsAppCall me backApplying for rent benefit: step by step
You apply for rent benefit via the website of the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority) Benefits department. These are the steps:
- Log in at toeslagen.nl with your DigiD
- Choose 'Apply for rent benefit' in the menu
- Enter your details: rent, address and income (an estimate for the current year)
- Add co-residents who are 18 years or older
- Submit the application, you receive a decision and possibly an advance payment
⚠️ Apply on time: You can apply for rent benefit up to 1 September of the year following the year you want the benefit for. So don't wait too long, every month you're late, you miss out on benefit. You can also apply retroactively, up to that same deadline.
Reporting changes: important all year round
Has your situation changed? Report it as soon as possible via Mijn Toeslagen (the online benefits portal). This applies to:
- A change in income (higher or lower)
- Moving house or a new rent
- Moving in together or separating
- A co-resident moving in or out
If you have received too much benefit, you will have to pay it back. Reporting changes on time prevents an unpleasant reclaim afterwards.
What if you received too much rent benefit?
After the end of the year, the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) settles based on your actual income (the definitive assessment). If your actual income was higher than estimated, you have to pay back (part of) the benefit received. This can be thousands of euros if you don't adjust it in time.
Can't pay the reclaim all at once? Then you can request a payment plan from the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) Benefits, arrange this as early as possible.
Help with rent benefit in Zaanstad
Not sure if you are entitled to rent benefit? Or having trouble applying online? We help residents of Zaanstad apply for and check benefits, including rent benefit (huurtoeslag), healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) and childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag). We can also visit you at home if that is easier.
- ✓ Free calculation within 5 minutes
- ✓ Complete application, also without DigiD
- ✓ Check on earlier years (retroactive)
- ✓ Help with changes and reclaims
- ✓ Home visits throughout Zaanstad possible
- ✓ Fixed price upfront – no surprises
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