Benefits and insurances for self-employed professionals

As a freelancer/self-employed professional based in the Netherlands, you are responsible for your own pension or disability benefit. However, you may be eligible for parental/childbirth allowances or compensation or benefits while starting your business. You can also take out voluntary insurances.

Benefits

Freelance/Self-Employed Persons (Provision of Assistance) Decree (BBZ)

This is a benefit for freelancers/self employed professionals on a low income.

Older and Partially Disabled (Formerly Freelance/Self-Employed) Persons Income Support (IOAZ)

As an older freelancer/self-employed professional, you can rely on this scheme when you are forced to end your company.

Prenatal and childbirth allowance for freelancers/self-employed people

As a female freelancer/self-employed professional, you are entitled to an allowance in the Netherlands during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Childcare benefit for freelancers/self-employed professionals

If your child is attending a childcare facility, you may receive childcare benefits for the hours you spend on your business. In order to start your own company on the basis of a benefit there are various options. The Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) can provide further assistance in this respect.

Starting your own company while receiving occupational disability benefit

When you have a long-term disability, you can get assistance to start your own company.

Starting your own company while receiving unemployment benefit (WW)

You can start a company while retaining your unemployment benefit.

Insurances

Insurances for freelancers/self-employed professionals

You can take out voluntary insurance with the UWV, so that if you become ill or unfit for work, you will receive sickness or occupational disability benefit. Note: the House of Representatives has adopted a proposal to make it compulsory for self-employed professionals to take out occupational disability insurance. It is not yet certain when this new regulation will come into effect.

You can also take out voluntary insurance against a number of other business risks privately, for example liability insurance.

Employee insurance schemes and national insurance

As a freelancer/self-employed professional you cannot claim employees’ insurances. However, you can claim national insurances (such as the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW).