The coronavirus and your company: Dutch government measures to help businesses

The coronavirus COVID-19, and the measures taken to restrict the spreading of the coronavirus in the Netherlands, mean significant loss of turnover for many businesses. This article lists the measures the Dutch government is taking to help entrepreneurs affected by the crisis. Check this page regularly for updates.

Second set of economic measures

On 20 May, the government announced new and additional economic measures for businesses. In a nutshell:

The extra support for self-employed professionals Tozo is extended: both the cost of living support and the business loan. The conditions for applying for Tozo 2 have changed; for instance, a partner income check will now be part of the procedure if you apply for support for the cost of living. Runtime 1 June – 31 August.
The Reimbursement Fixed Costs Scheme for SMEs aims to compensate selected SMEs with up to 250 employees for fixed costs other than wage costs. Applications is possible from mid-June, runtime 1 June – 31 August 2020.
The wage cost compensation scheme NOW is extended. The conditions for NOW 2 have been altered; one change if especially beneficial for businesses that rely on seasonal work. Businesses can apply for NOW 2 for the months June, July and August.
The corona modules of the credit guarantee schemes BMKB, GO, and KKC are extended. The budget for the Microcredit scheme is increased.
New funding is available for the startup scheme COL.
The tax measures (payment extension, no fines, hours criterion relaxed) are extended until 1 September. The tax collection and tax interest rates will remain close to zero until 1 October.
The government is launching several support measures for the career development and training of employees, self-employed professionals without staff (zzp-ers) and flex workers who have less or no work due to the corona crisis. The crisis programme 'NL leert door' (The Netherlands keeps learning) people will be able to take online courses and find self-development advice to help them cope with the new economic situation.

Financial aid

NOW: Employers with more than 20% turnover loss can apply for the Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment (NOW,Noodfonds Overbrugging Werkgelegenheid) to receive up to 90% compensation of their employees' wages.
Tozo: Self-employed professionals can apply for a temporary benefit or loan for self-employed professionals (Tozo) to bridge the loss of income from 1 March onwards, in the municipality where they live.
TOGS: The €4,000 Reimbursement for entrepreneurs in affected sectors scheme (TOGS) is open for entrepreneurs in a number of specific sectors who have been affected by the coronavirus measures, until 26 June 2020.
Indirect Emission Costs Subsidy Scheme (ETS): If your company is eligible for the Indirect Emission Costs Subsidy Scheme (ETS), you will receive the money sooner.
Compensation for turnover loss for horticultural businesses and potato farmers: Horticultural businesses (food and ornamental) and farmers who produce processing potatoes can claim compensation for part of their turnover loss from the government.

Coaching by Entrepreneurs Sounding Board

The Foundation Entrepreneurs Sounding Board (Stichting Ondernemersklankbord, OKB) offers free coaching to SMEs that have been affected by the corona crisis. Read how to apply.

Credits and guarantees

BMKB-C: From 16 March 2020 to 1 April 2021, the SME credit guarantee (BMKB) scheme is extended to help SMEs that are affected by the coronavirus secure bank guarantees and bridge financing.
BL-C: For agricultural entrepreneurs, the equivalent of the BMKB-C is the Credit Guarantee scheme for Agriculture (BL-C).
COL: Startups and scale-ups can apply for the 'Corona-Overbruggingslening' (Corona Bridging Loan or COL) via the Techleap.nl website. Regional Development Companies (ROMs) supply the loans, that vary between €50,000 and €2 million.
GO: The Business loan guarantee scheme (GO) has been extended.
Microcredit: Entrepreneurs who have a loan from microcredit provider Qredits do not have to repay their loan for a period of 6 months. During this period, the interest will be reduced to 2%. The government supports Qredits with 6 million euros.
Tozo: Self-employed professionals can apply for a temporary benefit or loan for self-employed professionals (Tozo) to bridge the loss of income from 1 March onwards, in the municipality where they live.
Tozo for entrepreneurs living abroad: If your company is in the Netherlands, but you live abroad (in the EER or Switzerland), you can apply to the municipality of Maastricht for a business loan with retroactive effect from 1 March.
Growth Facility Scheme: The intended phasing out of the Growth Facility Scheme will be extended by one year, to 1 July 2021.
Proof-of-concept funding: Businesses that make use of the Proof-of-concept funding scheme (VFF) or the Innovation credit scheme (IK) can apply for a repayment extension. Also, no interest will be levied on the VFF.
Export credit insurance: The government has extended the export credit insurance facility.
DTIF: The Dutch Trade and Investment Fund (DTIF) has been extended to include pre-delivery advances.

Expected measures

These measures have been announced, but have not yet been fully worked out or launched. Check this page regularly for changes.

Extra support for the cultural sector: The government is working out measures to provide extra support for crucial cultural organisations and events.
Flex workers: The government and the UWV have been working on a scheme to compensate flex workers that have been laid off after 1 March due to the corona crisis, and who cannot claim benefits. It is undecided as yet if the scheme will go ahead.
Small Credits for Corona Guarantee Scheme: SMEs with relatively small financial needs may be eligible for a bridging loan of up to €50,000 under the Small Credits for Corona Guarantee Scheme (Klein Krediet Corona garantieregeling or KKC). The scheme first has to be approved by the European Commission before you can turn to your credit provider.
Compensation for legal aid: Legal aid lawyers, mediators and curators who experience more than 20% income loss due to the corona crisis will receive additional compensation.

Closed measures

SET: The Incentive scheme eHealth at Home (SET) has been closed. The scheme has reached its budget limit.
Temporary support for local media: The Temporary Support for Local Media scheme closed on 19 April, as previously announced.

Tax options for entrepreneurs

The Dutch Tax Administration has taken several measures to help entrepreneurs. Are you having difficulty repaying taxes or bank loans? There are also possibilities for payment and tax and loan repayment extensions.

Call the Tax Information Line

Since the information on the tax options offered to entrepreneurs during the coronavirus crisis is mostly only available in Dutch, it would be wise to consult the Tax Information Line if Dutch isn't your first language. The number for resident entrepreneurs is +31 (0)800 0543; non-residents can call +31(0)55 538 53 85.

It is also a good idea to ask someone - your accountant, for instance - to help you.

Several municipal and regional taxes have also been extended:

Tools

If you need help finding out for which scheme you are eligible, try using one of the following tools:

The Measure checker: an intreractive pdf by the KVK and Business.gov.nl that guides you through 5 questions, in English.
The Corona Calculator: employers organisation VNO-NCW and MKB Nederland have prepared this tool to help you find the schemes you're eligible for, and calculate their impact on your financial position. In Dutch.
Krijgiktozo: a tool to see if you are eligible for the temporary benefit for self-employed professionals Tozo. In Dutch.
Rekenhulp omzetverlies (Turnover loss calculator): this tool helps you find if if you qualify for the NOW scheme. In Dutch.

Relaxation of measures for businesses

On 6 May, the Dutch government decided to gradually relax the rules from 11 May onwards. Read this article to see the timeline that indicates which businesses may re-open in the coming months, if the virus remains under control.

General health measures

All public events are cancelled until 1 September.
People are strongly advised to work from home until further notice. People in so-called ‘vital professions’ may still go to work. Until schools and daycare centres re-open on 8 June, special arrangements are made for the children of people in so-called ‘crucial professions’ (in Dutch). Contact your municipality or safety region for information, or check the RIVM and Rijksoverheid pages.
There are travel restrictions in place for travel into the Netherlands. The restrictions apply to all non-EEA travellers without valid residence permits or visa, and will be in place at least until 15 June. The EU has appealed to its members to prolong the restrictions until then. An exception to the ban is in place for food, medicine and medical equipment transports. Read the article on The Netherlands and you for full details on who is and who is not allowed to travel into the Netherlands.

To protect your employees, your clients, and yourself, follow the RIVM advice:

Wash your hands regularly
Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow
Use paper tissues
Don't shake hands
Keep at least 6 feet distance from each other

Information and advice

You can turn to these organisations for further information and advice:

General health

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM

National information phone: 0800-1351 (from abroad dial +312 0205 1351)
Advice and information on the coronavirus
Current information about the novel coronavirus COVID-19

Government.nl

Business

Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) Coronaloket

Advice and information on the coronavirus for entrepreneurs (in Dutch)
Call the KVK Coronaloket: 0800 2117, open Mon-Fri from 8:30-17:00 hours. From abroad: +31 (0)88 585 2222.

Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)