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Dutch Rental Allowance (Huurtoeslag) in 2026: Requirements and How to Apply
RentBuzz·February 28, 2026·10 min read
Applying for huurtoeslag (Dutch rental allowance) has become possible for more people in 2026. The rules have changed significantly: the rent ceiling has been abolished, the age threshold has been lowered, and service costs are no longer included. This guide covers exactly what the requirements are and how to apply. Updated February 2026.
What changed about huurtoeslag in 2026?
Three major changes apply to huurtoeslag from 2026. First, the rent ceiling has been abolished: tenants with rent above €932.93 can now also receive huurtoeslag, calculated on the portion up to that amount. Second, the youth age threshold has been lowered from 23 to 21 years. Third, service costs no longer count — only the base rent (kale huur) is used in the calculation.
The Dutch Senate approved the new huurtoeslag legislation in late 2024, enabling these changes. For existing recipients, the huurtoeslag is automatically recalculated — you do not need to take any action. All recipients also pay €7.58 less in personal contribution per month in 2026.
What are the eligibility requirements in 2026?
To qualify for huurtoeslag, you must be 18 or older, rent a self-contained home with its own lockable front door, kitchen, toilet, and shower, be registered at the address, and your income and assets must fall below the thresholds. There is no longer a rent ceiling, but the allowance is calculated up to a maximum of €932.93 per month.
The key requirements at a glance:
- Age — You must be 18 or older. Those under 18 generally have no right to huurtoeslag.
- Self-contained home — Your home has its own lockable front door, kitchen, toilet, and (since March 1, 2024) its own shower or bathroom.
- Dutch rental property — The property is in the Netherlands and is not owner-occupied.
- Municipal registration — You are registered at the address with your municipality (BRP).
- Rent amount — There is no maximum rent ceiling anymore. If your rent exceeds €932.93, the allowance is calculated on the portion up to €932.93.
- Income — Your taxable income must fall below the threshold (depends on your rent, age, and household composition).
- Assets — Your assets may not exceed €38,479 (single) or €76,958 (partners combined) as of January 1, 2026.
- Nationality — You hold Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit.
Note for young tenants: If you are under 21, a lower maximum rent of €498.20 per month applies. In 2025, this limit applied to those under 23 — in 2026 the age threshold has been lowered to 21. If you are 21 or 22, you can now claim the full huurtoeslag.
What are the rent thresholds in 2026?
In 2026, the rent thresholds have been indexed. The maximum rent for huurtoeslag calculation is €932.93, the quality discount limit (kwaliteitskortingsgrens) for under-21s is €498.20, and the liberalization limit (liberalisatiegrens) is €1,228.07 per month. Importantly, the rent ceiling has been abolished, so you can receive huurtoeslag even above €932.93.
| Threshold | Amount 2026 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quality discount limit (kwaliteitskortingsgrens) | €498.20 | Maximum rent for tenants under 21 |
| Cap limit low (aftoppingsgrens laag) | €713.02 | 1-2 person households |
| Cap limit high (aftoppingsgrens hoog) | €764.14 | 3+ person households |
| Maximum rent threshold | €932.93 | Upper limit for huurtoeslag calculation |
| Liberalization limit (liberalisatiegrens) | €1,228.07 | Boundary between social and free-sector housing |
Huurtoeslag uses a tiered reimbursement structure: up to the quality discount limit (€498.20), 100% of rent above the base contribution is covered. Between the quality discount and the cap limit, it is 65%, and above the cap limit, 40%.
How is income assessed?
Unlike many Dutch benefits, huurtoeslag does not have a fixed income ceiling. The maximum income you can earn depends on your rent, age, and household composition. You can make a trial calculation at toeslagen.nl to check your eligibility.
Some reference figures from the official 2026 huurtoeslag parameters:
| Parameter | Single person | Multi-person household |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum standard rent (normhuur) | €250.67 | €248.86 |
| Minimum base rent (basishuur) | €202.52 | €200.71 |
| Own contribution threshold | €23,425 | €31,500 |
Your personal contribution (basishuur) increases as your income rises. With a higher income, you pay more yourself and receive less huurtoeslag. The exact amount differs per situation — always make a trial calculation on the Dienst Toeslagen website.
What is the asset limit?
As of January 1, 2026, the asset limit is €38,479 for single persons and €76,958 for partners combined. If your assets exceed this threshold, you will not receive huurtoeslag. Assets of children under 18 living at home count toward the household total.
Assets that count include savings, investments, and other possessions. Pension savings and owner-occupied property are excluded from this calculation.
How to apply for huurtoeslag: step-by-step
You apply for huurtoeslag online via Mijn Toeslagen at toeslagen.nl. You need your DigiD, rental contract (showing base rent), and income details. Most applicants see their allowance amount immediately after submitting.
Follow these steps:
- Check your eligibility — Review the requirements and optionally make a trial calculation at toeslagen.nl.
- Gather your documents — Rental contract (with base rent amount), income details, and your DigiD login.
- Verify your address — Your current address must be registered with the municipality. After a move, it appears in Mijn Toeslagen within 1 to 5 business days.
- Log in to Mijn Toeslagen — Go to toeslagen.nl and log in with your DigiD.
- Select "Huurtoeslag aanvragen" — Fill in the application form. Some information is pre-filled automatically.
- Review and submit — Check all details and submit the application.
- Wait for the decision — Within 5 weeks, you will receive a decision by post and in your Berichtenbox on MijnOverheid.
Tip: Activate your Berichtenbox on MijnOverheid to receive digital notifications about your allowance.
You can apply for 2026 huurtoeslag retroactively until December 31, 2027.
When is huurtoeslag paid out?
Dienst Toeslagen pays huurtoeslag as a monthly advance, around the 20th of each month. The exact timing depends on your bank — the transfer is completed by 24:00 at the latest.
Payment dates for the remainder of 2026:
| Payment date | Allowance for month |
|---|---|
| Monday, April 20 | May 2026 |
| Wednesday, May 20 | June 2026 |
| Monday, June 22 | July 2026 |
| Monday, July 20 | August 2026 |
| Thursday, August 20 | September 2026 |
| Monday, September 21 | October 2026 |
| Tuesday, October 20 | November 2026 |
| Friday, November 20 | December 2026 |
| Monday, December 21 | January 2027 |
After the year ends, the Tax Authority makes a final calculation based on your actual income. If you received too much, you will need to repay the difference. Report changes in income, rent, or living situation as soon as possible via Mijn Toeslagen to avoid surprises.
How to find a rental within the huurtoeslag range
Rentals with a base rent up to €932.93 fall within the huurtoeslag calculation range — many of these are social housing properties. RentBuzz searches 1000+ rental platforms daily and lets you filter by maximum rent, so you only see homes that fit within your budget.
The supply of affordable rental homes varies greatly by region. In major cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, demand is high and supply is limited. By searching multiple platforms simultaneously, you significantly increase your chances.
With RentBuzz, you set up a search profile with your maximum rent and receive instant notifications when a matching home becomes available — including listings on platforms you might otherwise miss.
Amsterdam → Rotterdam →Veelgestelde vragen
From 2026, the rent ceiling has been abolished: tenants with rent above the old limit can now receive huurtoeslag (calculated up to €932.93). The youth age limit dropped from 23 to 21, and service costs are no longer included.
As of January 1, 2026, single persons may have a maximum of €38,479 in assets. For partners combined, the limit is €76,958.
After submitting your application via Mijn Toeslagen, you will typically receive a decision within 5 weeks by post and in your Berichtenbox on MijnOverheid.
Yes, you can apply for 2026 huurtoeslag retroactively until December 31, 2027.
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