How to avoid paying back allowances

A demand to pay back hundreds or thousands of euros is a hard blow. These tips help you avoid it, especially if your situation changes often.

Why would you have to pay back?

Your allowance is an advance payment (voorschot) based on an estimate. If the estimate turns out to be wrong, the amount is corrected after the year ends. The most common causes:

Your income was higher than you reported (a pay rise, a bonus, a new job, finishing your studies).
You got an allowance partner, or your partnership ended.
A co-resident with their own income moved in (rent allowance).
Your assets on 1 January were above the limit. Savings abroad count too.
Your childcare hours or hourly rate changed.
You stopped working and were no longer required to have Dutch health insurance (international students).
You left the Netherlands but the allowances kept being paid.

5 tips to avoid paying back

Report changes within 4 weeks in Mijn toeslagen or the Toeslagen app.
Estimate your income a little too high. If you received too little, you get the rest later.
Check your advance every January, when the new amounts start.
Check your assets on 1 January, especially after an inheritance or selling a house.
Recalculate with ToeslagBuddy whenever your situation changes.

Leaving the Netherlands?

Report your departure to your municipality and stop your allowances in Mijn toeslagen before you leave. Healthcare and rent allowance stop when you no longer live (or are insured) in the Netherlands.
Keep your DigiD and your address details up to date, or give a Dutch contact person an authorisation, so that the final calculation reaches you.
If you have to pay back after you have left, the Dutch authorities can still collect it, also abroad.

Do you still have to pay back?

You usually get a payment arrangement of up to 24 months, which takes into account what you can afford. Can you not pay the amount? Ask for a personal payment arrangement. If you disagree with the calculation, you can object (bezwaar maken) within 6 weeks. Call the BelastingTelefoon on 0800 0543 (free from a Dutch phone) or +31 55 538 53 85 from abroad; check the current number on belastingdienst.nl.

Money worries? Every municipality offers free debt help. The sooner you ask, the easier it is to solve.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to pay back an allowance?

Usually you get a payment arrangement of 24 months. On a low income you can ask for a personal payment arrangement.

Do I pay interest on money I have to pay back?

As a rule, no, as long as you stick to the payment arrangement.

I am leaving the Netherlands. What should I do?

Stop your allowances in Mijn toeslagen, report your departure to your municipality, and make sure letters from Dienst Toeslagen can still reach you.