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

Financial aid

• NOW2: Employers with more than 20% turnover loss can apply for the Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment (NOW,Tijdelijke Noodmaatregel Overbrugging voor Werkbehoud) to receive up to 90% compensation of their employees' wages over the months June through September. NOW1, for the months April through June, is now closed.
• Tozo2: Self-employed professionals can apply for Tozo2, the temporary benefit to bridge the loss of income over the months June through September in the municipality where they live. Check with your municipality when you can apply.
• TVL: The Reimbursement Fixed Costs Scheme for SMEs aims to compensate SMEs in selected sectors for fixed costs other than wage costs, and replaces the TOGS measure, that closed on 26 June. Application is possible from 30 June through 30 October.
• TOFA: The Temporary Bridging measure for Flex Workers or TOFA compensates flex workers that have been laid off after 1 March due to the corona crisis, and who cannot claim benefits. Application at the UWV. The TOFA opened on 22 June.
• Extra support for the cultural sector: The government has allotted €300 million to providing extra support for cultural organisations and events.
• SET: Caregivers can apply for the special corona-related Incentive scheme eHealth at Home: SET COVID-19 2.0. The available funds are for care providers who invest in a structural setup for digital care. The scheme runs from 27 July - 30 November (unless funds run out sooner).

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.
• 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).
• Tozo2: Self-employed professionals can apply for Tozo2, a loan to bridge the loss of income over the months June through September in the municipality where they live. Check with your municipality when you can apply.
• 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.
• Temporary support for local media: New budget has been allocated for the Temporary Support for Local Media scheme. Application is possible from 22 June.

Tax options for entrepreneurs

Several municipal and regional taxes have also been extended:

• Tourist tax
• Regional Water Authority tax
• Energy tax and Sustainable Energy Surcharge (ODE)

Relaxation of measures for businesses

The Dutch government has been gradually relaxing the rules from 11 May onwards. On 1 July, most restrictions will be relaxed considerably. This is sooner than was announced earlier. Read this article to see the timeline that indicates which businesses may re-open in the coming months, and which rules they have to follow. All dates are on condition that the virus remains under control.

• 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

General health measures

• People are advised to work from home, if possible.
• Everyone in the Netherlands who has symptoms of COVID-19 can apply for a test. If you or one of your employees starts having complaints that correspond with the coronavirus symptoms, stay at home and apply for a test.
• The travel restrictions that are in place for travel into the Netherlands have been lifted for a small number of countries per 1 July (read which ones here - in Dutch). For all other non-EEA countries, they remain in place until at least 15 July. The restrictions apply to travellers without valid residence permits or visa. 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. Tourists from a number of EU countries can holiday in the Netherlands.