The Dutch government has new rules for income and work from January 2026

The

Separate

Here you can read more about the 2026 minimum youth wages.

As of 1 January 2026, benefits will be going up. This means that people on benefits will receive slightly more money each month. The increase applies to all benefits, such as the

Below are examples of the new amounts for walfare including holiday pay:

Married or living together (21 years of age up to

Single (21 years of age up to state pension age): The benefit rises from €1,369.06 to €1,401.50 per month.

Married or living together (from state pension age): The benefit increases from €2,094.98 to €2,144.16 per month.

Single (from state pension age): The benefit rises from €1,530.21 to €1,564.69 per month.

Want to read more about applying for welfare benefits in the Netherlands? Then read more on RefugeeHelp.

Child benefit, childcare allowance and child budget.

From 1 January 2026, parents will receive more financial support for children's expenses. These include the

The government is investing an additional €199 million in the childcare allowance for working parents. Working parents with a joint income up to €56,412 will therefore receive 96% of childcare costs reimbursed, up to the maximum hourly rate. Parents with a higher income will also receive a higher reimbursement than now.

Maximum hourly rates for childcare are rising:

• Day care: €11.23 per hour

• Extracurricular care: €9.98 per hour

• Childminder care: €8.49 per hour

The child budget will also increase slightly:

• Single parents with incomes up to €29,736 get more.

• Parents with a partner and an income up to €39,141 also receive something extra.

• If you have a higher income, the child budget may be lower.

Do you want to read more about child benefit, childcare allowance and the child budget? Then read on at RefugeeHelp.

From 1 January 2026, the government will adjust the

People are encouraged to work without fear of losing benefits or allowances. The measures are designed to make working more attractive. People everywhere are allowed to earn the same amount on top of their benefits.

There will also be clear rules for donations. People will soon be allowed to receive up to €1,200 per year in donations without it affecting their benefits.

In addition, municipalities can provide retroactive assistance. This means that people will not be temporarily without income. In this way, the government wants to prevent people from getting into debt.

The government is making these changes because the old Participation Act was too strict and complicated. There was too little room to look at people's personal situations. The emphasis was too much on control and not enough on help.

With the Dutch Participation Act in Balance, the government wants to work on the basis of trust and humanity. Municipalities are given more freedom to help people, especially in finding suitable work and building a stable income.

Employees involved in heavy work can stop working up to 3 years earlier through the early retirement scheme

Employers do not have to pay additional taxes on this benefit. From 1 January 2026, the maximum amount will be increased to €2,357 gross per month.

To also make the scheme possible for people with a low income or little pension, the employer may provide extra money. This is a maximum of €300 gross per month on top of the basic RVU benefit. The employer also does not have to pay extra tax on this extra amount.

Employers and

Employers can get a wage cost benefit

There is no longer a wage cost benefit for older workers aged 56 and older. Employers who hired these workers before 1 January 2024 will keep the wage cost benefit.

It will actually become easier for employers with more than 25 employees to hire people with occupational limitations. The wage cost benefit will apply from 2026 for as long as the employee is employed. This benefit was previously a maximum of 3 years.

A special statement from the UWV

Young people with a disadvantage on the labour market will receive better guidance in the transition from school to work starting 1 January 2026.

Municipalities, schools and

Municipalities provide faster and appropriate help to young people. This help is aimed at going back to school, finding work or a combination of work and learning.

Counselling is designed for young people up to age 27 who:

• Are taking an MBO course at level 1 or 2

• Have been attending VSO or PRO

• Have dropped out of school without a diploma

Want to read more about studying at MBO in the Netherlands? Then read more on RefugeeHelp.