Rent benefit (in Dutch: huurtoeslag) is a financial contribution from the Dutch government to help people with low incomes pay their rent. You apply for it via the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax and Customs Administration).
- You pay your full rent to your landlord — the benefit is paid to you separately.
- You can apply once and keep receiving it every year as long as you still meet the conditions.
- If your income, address, or living situation changes, you must notify the Belastingdienst within 4 weeks.
- You can apply as soon as you are registered at your rental address with the municipality.
- If you lived at the address previously and didn’t apply, you can still apply retroactively for a past year (up to a deadline) — check the tax office deadlines for each year.
To be eligible for rent benefit there are some conditions that you and your accommodation should comply too. If any of these conditions are not met you will not be able to get rent benefit.
You must:
- Be 18 years or older and live in the Netherlands.
- Have a valid rental agreement and be registered at that address.
- Pay the rent yourself and be able to prove it.
- Have legal residence status (EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or valid residence permit).
- Have income and assets below the yearly limits. (Belastingdienst 2026 limits)
- Live in a self-contained accommodation (own kitchen, toilet, living/sleeping area). Shared rooms usually do not qualify.
Income and assets
- Your income and household situation determine eligibility and benefit amount.
- Assets limits 2026: ~€38,479 for a single person, ~€76,958 for a household with a partner.
- If your income or assets are too high, you may not qualify or receive a smaller amount.
On top of the tenant requirements there are some requirements for your rented accommodation.
If you have a shortstay (naar zijn aard van korte duur) tenancy agreement you cannot apply for rent benefit. Even if it is a self-contained accommodation.
You can only apply for rent benefit if you live in a Self-contained accommodation, or a designated student complex.
You must live in a self-contained accommodation:
- Your own entrance door
- Your own kitchen
- Your own toilet
- Your own living/sleeping area
Rooms in shared housing usually do not qualify.
There were several important changes to huurtoeslag starting 1 January 2026:
- No maximum rent to apply: You can now apply even if your rent is higher than previous thresholds.
- Service costs excluded: Only the basic rent (kale huur) counts for calculating the benefit; service costs like cleaning or common utilities are not included.
- Age rule updated: Students 21 years and older are now treated like adults for rent benefit — previously it was 23+. This is great news for younger students who were previously limited.
- Gradual reduction: If your income rises, the benefit decreases gradually instead of stopping abruptly.
For a quick test of your possibility to receive rent benefit you can fill in the "Rekenhulp toeslagen" (in Dutch only): https://www.belastingdienst.nl/rekenhulpen/toeslagen/.
Here you fill in your gross income, worth of your assets and the calculation rent.
- Check conditions: are all tenant and accommodation requirements met?
- Prepare for your request
- Do you have a DigiD? If No? Apply for a DigiD
- Are you registered at the address you are requesting rent benefit for?
- Do you know how much rent and service costs you are paying?
- Do you know your (expected) annual income?
- Using your DigiD Log in at “Mijn toeslagen”:
- Apply for Rent benefit (huurtoeslag)
- You will receive an answer within 5 weeks
- If you are eligible you will receive the payment around the 20th every month
- If there are any changes ( in address or income e.g.) inform the “belastingdienst” as soon as possible
Frequently asked questions
Questions about housing?
Contact Student Housing
We are here to help you out!
