Huurtoeslag 2026: Save Money On Rent With The New Rental Allowance Changes

Starting January 1, 2026, the rules for the Dutch rental allowance (huurtoeslag) will change significantly. The government is simplifying the system to make applications easier and to reduce the risk of errors and demands for repayment. These updates mean that those with lower incomes and higher rents, will become eligible for support. This article will give you a guide as to what the huurtoeslag 2026 changes mean.

Huurtoeslag 2026: The Major Overhauls

The largest changes concern who can apply for huurtoeslag based on their rent and age. It means more renters will be eligible to get Dutch rental allowance, which helps to save money on their rental costs. This is important information for renters in The Netherlands who previously would not have been able to claim this allowance.

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Removal of the Maximum Rent Limit (Maximale Huurgrens)

This change impacts low-income tenants who currently pay high rent.

Before 2026, you could only receive Dutch rental allowance if your rent was lower than €900.07 for adults or €477.20 for young people under 23. This cap was known as the maximum rent limit.

Starting in 2026, this maximum rent limit will largely disappear. Tenants may now be eligible for huurtoeslag even with a higher rent, provided they meet other conditions like income, assets, and having an independent living space.

Tenants with lower incomes who previously could not apply because their rent was too high can now apply for the Dutch rental allowance over the rent portion up to €900.07 (the 2025 limit). This expansion is expected to benefit approximately 170,000 households, who could receive an average of €175 per month.

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Lowering the Age for Full Dutch Rental Allowance Eligibility (From 23 to 21)

The age at which tenants qualify for the full Dutch rental allowance rate is being reduced. The age is lowered from 23 to 21 years old. This new age aligns with the statutory minimum wage age.

If you are 21 or 22, you may be able to receive more rental allowance starting in 2026. For those under 21, the allowance is calculated based on a maximum rent of €498.20. They can apply even if their rent is above the 2025 limit of €477.20, although the allowance will only apply to the rent portion up to that €477.20 limit.

Service Charges Are No Longer Included in Calculations

The calculation method is being simplified by excluding non-basic rental costs. In 2025, some service charges were still included in the rental allowance calculation; however, from 2026, they will no longer count.

The Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) will only look at the basic rent (kale huur), which is generally the price listed in the rental contract. This change means that the partial reimbursement for four types of common service costs will end. About 20% of current recipients will receive less allowance, averaging about €9 per month.

If you already receive huurtoeslag and previously reported service charges, the Tax Authority will automatically adjust this for your 2026 allowance.

Core Financial and Calculation Changes Starting in 2026

Beyond rent caps and age limits, new rules simplify the financial testing and support young renters in studios.

New Eligibility Rules for Young People Who Rent Studios (Under 23)

The definition of eligible housing for young people is expanding.

Tenants under 23 can now receive rent allowance for independent studios. An independent studio must have its own kitchen, bathroom, and front door. This change is important for international students and young renters, as studios were often excluded before.

Introduction of Linear Phase-Out and Reduced Own Contribution

The way rental allowance decreases when income rises will become clearer.

A linear phase-out method will be introduced. This makes it easier for tenants to estimate how their huurtoeslag changes if their income increases, providing better insight. All people who receive the Dutch rental allowance will pay €7.58 less for their mandatory own contribution.

Updates to Income and Asset Thresholds

More people may qualify because the limits are shifting upward.

The maximum income and asset thresholds needed for huurtoeslag have increased slightly in 2026. This small rise gives more people access to the allowance, meaning some students and expats who were just above the limit in 2025 may now qualify.

Practical Steps: How to Apply and Check Your 2026 Entitlement

How To Check If You Can Apply For Huurtoeslag

The Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) manages all applications and payments. To receive Huurtoeslag in 2026, you must apply through Belastingdienst. This means you must have a BSN number, and be the registered occupant of your home. Make sure that previous tenants and your landlord are not also registered to your address, as this can complicate the application process.

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Using the Trial Calculation (Proefberekening)

• Link to the Trial Calculator (in Dutch)

To find out if you qualify for the new 2026 rules and how much you might receive, you can use the official trial calculation tool (proefberekening) on the Tax Authority’s website.

Application Process via Mijn Toeslagen (The Tax Authority)

Applications are submitted directly through “Mijn toeslagen” (My Allowances).

You must log in using your DigiD, select huurtoeslag, and enter your rental and income details. Depending on your monthly rent, income and assets, and household size, tenants can expect to receive between €100 and €420 per month in 2026.

Backdating and Avoiding Repayments

You can apply for huurtoeslag in 2026 and backdate the application to January of that year, provided you meet the conditions from that date.

It is crucial to always double-check your eligibility. If you apply without meeting all the necessary conditions, the Tax Authority can demand repayment of all received benefits, along with potential fines.

The simplification of the huurtoeslag system, particularly the removal of the maximum rent limit and the reduced age requirement, is designed to act like a broader safety net, catching low-income renters who were previously excluded only by high market rents.

Huurtoeslag 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most important change regarding the cost of my rent?

The most critical change is that the maximum rent limit (maximale huurgrens) will largely disappear starting in 2026. Before, adults could only get the allowance if their rent was lower than €900.07 (the 2025 limit).

Now, low-income tenants may be eligible for huurtoeslag even with a higher rent, provided they meet other conditions like income and assets. This change is expected to benefit 170,000 households.

2. How does the age requirement for the allowance change in 2026?

The age at which tenants qualify for the full housing allowance rate is dropping from 23 to 21 years old. This new age matches the statutory minimum wage age. If you are 21 or 22, you may receive (more) huurtoeslag starting in 2026.

3. Do common service charges still count in the allowance calculation?

No. Starting in 2026, service charges will no longer count toward the calculation. The Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) will only look at the basic rent (kale huur). If you already receive the allowance and previously reported service charges, the Tax Authority will automatically adjust your 2026 payments.

4. Can young tenants (under 23) get rent allowance for studios?

Yes. Tenants under 23 can now receive rent allowance for independent studios. An independent studio is defined as having its own kitchen, bathroom, and front door.

5. How will the calculation change if my income rises?

To make it easier for tenants to understand how their allowance changes when they earn more, the calculation will be adjusted by introducing a linear phase-out.

This provides better insight into how the huurtoeslag changes as income goes up. Also, all recipients will pay €7.58 less for their mandatory own contribution.

6. How can I find out how much Huurtoeslag I am entitled to receive in 2026?

You can use the official trial calculation tool (proefberekening) on the Tax Authority’s website to see how much huurtoeslag you may be able to receive starting in 2026.

You can then submit your application directly through “Mijn toeslagen” (My Allowances), logging in with your DigiD. You can still backdate your application to January of the same year, provided you met the conditions from that date.