Voluntary insurances for self-employed professionals
Employees in the Netherlands are automatically insured through employee insurance schemes. If you are self-employed and work as a freelancer (zzp'er), this does not apply to you. But you can take out voluntary insurance yourself. Find out what types of voluntary insurance policies are available to protect you.
Protect your income during your working life
Self-employed professionals are not automatically insured against risks such as illness, disability, or unemployment. The following options can help protect your income.
Illness or occupational disability insurance
As a zzp’er, you will not earn any money if you are unable to work due to illness or accident. To ensure you have an income if you cannot work, you need to take out your own disability insurance (Arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering, AOV).
AOV insurance to become mandatory
Disability insurance is not currently mandatory for entrepreneurs. The government is working on legislation to make AOV mandatory. You will then be required to have disability insurance. The legislation is expected to come into force in 2030.
Alternatives to disability insurance AOV
Besides disability insurance, there are other ways to protect yourself against loss of income due to illness or accident. Find out what other types of insurance are available.
Unemployment
If you are self-employed and you become unemployed, in general you will not be eligible for unemployment benefit (werkloosheidswet, WW).
There are exceptions:
- self-employed people who also have part-time paid work
- self-employed people who started their business with unemployment benefit
If your situation does not meet any of these conditions, you can consider voluntary insurance with the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).
Good to know: if your business is no longer viable and you have to stop, you may qualify for financial support under the Decree on Social Assistance to the Self-Employed (Bbz).
Voluntary insurance with UWV
Former employees or benefit recipients in the Netherlands who start their own business can take out several voluntary insurances (vrijwillige verzekeringen) with UWV. For example, they can take out insurance against:
- loss of income due to illness (sickness benefit)
- unemployment (unemployment benefit)
- long-term disability (WIA benefit)
The amount for which you can insure yourself with UWV is subject to a maximum. The premium depends on the rates set for that year.
> Find out more about voluntary income protection with UWV.
Pregnancy
Good to know: Pregnancy and childbirth are an exception. Self-employed professionals who are pregnant may qualify for the ZEZ maternity allowance. You do not need voluntary insurance to receive this benefit. You can apply to UWV for the ZEZ maternity pay.
Protect your income after retirement
Everyone residing or working in the Netherlands builds up a basic state pension, the general old age pension (AOW). You are entitled to this when you reach state pension age.
If you want to build up more pension, you should take care of this yourself. There are several ways to supplement your pension. In some cases, you can still make use of a former employer’s pension scheme. You can also choose to save, for instance via a private pension scheme.
For some entrepreneurs there are (mandatory) sector or occupational pension funds
Additional survivor’s pension
Your partner and children are not automatically entitled to a survivor’s pension (nabestaandenpensioen). If you want to make sure your family will not suffer financially after you have passed away, you can for instance take out a life insurance. You can also choose to save or invest to create a financial buffer.
Protect your business
Every zzp’er can take out voluntary business insurances against a number of business risks with an insurance company. This is not mandatory. However, there are situations in which you do need to take out a specific business insurance. For example, business liability insurance, when a client or supplier asks for it. Or your trade or industry association can demand it.
Please note: Professional indemnity insurance is mandatory for several professions, either by law or as required by the relevant professional body. Always check your personal situation to determine when an insurance policy is voluntary or mandatory.