Changes in rental allowance starting in 2026
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From 1 January 2026, new rules on rental allowance will come into force in the Netherlands. These changes may affect the amount of rental allowance you receive. In this article, we explain the most important changes.
The rent limit as a condition has been removed
Up to and including 2025, there was a maximum rent for being eligible for rental allowance. We refer to this as a rent limit. Since 2026, this rent limit has been removed as a condition.
What does that mean for you?
Even if you have a home with a higher rent, you may be able to get some rental allowance.
How much you receive in rental allowance still depends on your income, age and household situation.
The rental allowance is still calculated based on a maximum rent. In 2026, this will be €932.93. For households in which everyone is under 21, this figure is €498.20. Is your rent higher than this? If so, you will not receive rental allowance for the portion of the rent exceeding these amounts.
Please note: Rental allowance never reimburses the entire rent. You always pay your own portion.
Service charges are no longer included
Up to and including 2025, you could receive rental allowance towards certain service charges, such as cleaning or energy for communal areas. From 2026 onwards, you will no longer receive rental allowances towards service charges. For example, if in 2025 you paid 50 euros in service charges for which you received rental allowance, you will no longer receive rental allowance towards that amount in 2026.
Age limit for young people has been lowered to 21
Up to and including 2025, a lower maximum rent was applied when calculating rental allowance for young people aged 23 and under. Since 2026, this lower age limit has applied only to young people aged 21 and under.
Is the oldest member of the household under 21? If so,
These amounts are adjusted annually according to
Check your rental allowance decision for 2026
Are you receiving rental allowance for 2026? If so, you will have received a provisional decision from Dienst Toeslagen. This is a letter stating the provisional amount of rental allowance you will receive and the information used to calculate it. You will receive this decision by post. You can also find the decision in
The decision states:
How much rental allowance you will get next year.
Based on what information (rent, income, household).
What to do if the information is incorrect.
This decision is important: you should check carefully that your information is correct. If there are mistakes in your details about your rent, income or household, you may have to pay back rental allowance later. So always check the decision carefully, and adjust your details if they are incorrect.
Want to know approximately how much rental allowance you can get or are entitled to?
What does this mean for you?
Do you already have rental allowance? Then your allowance will be automatically adjusted in 2026. You do not have to do anything yourself, but check your decision.
Do you have a rent higher than the former rent limit? Then you may still be able to get rental allowance starting in 2026.
Are you paying service charges? Keep in mind that you no longer get an allowance on that.
Are you 21 or 22 years old? As of 2026, you are more likely to receive rental allowance.
Has your rent changed on 1 July 2026? If so, check in Mijn toeslagen to see if your new rent has been reported.
Questions about changes to the rental allowance
Do I get more rental allowance because of this change?
Not always. The rent limit as a condition has been removed, but the allowance for service charges no longer applies. Dienst Toeslagen (the allowances service) calculates the new amount automatically.
Do I need to report the rent increase or reduction from 1 July myself?
The annual rent increase or reduction on 1 July is usually reported to Dienst Toeslagen by your landlord. Check Mijn toeslagen to see if your new rent has been reported. Is your old rent still shown there? If so, please report the new basic rent yourself as soon as possible. Do you rent a property in the private sector? This is a rented property that does not fall under social housing or mid-range rental. Is your rent changing following a renovation, or are you moving house? If so, you must report the new rent yourself.
When can I apply for the rental allowance?
You can apply for the rental allowance if you meet the conditions. Are you moving into a rented property for the first time? If so, you can apply for the rental allowance once you have moved in and are registered with the municipality at your new address.
You can find more information in the article on applying for rental allowance.