Utrecht reimburses maternity care personal contributions for low-income families from 2026

10-02-2026

Linda Voortman, alderwoman for Work and Income Utrecht: “A good start for your child should never depend on your wallet. With this step, we ensure that maternity care remains accessible to all residents of Utrecht. We take this measure at a time when the availability of maternity care is under pressure, especially in neighborhoods where access is already lower. By lowering the financial barrier, Utrecht wants to increase accessibility. To ensure that every family in Utrecht receives timely, appropriate, and quality maternity care, we are also joining forces with insurer Zilveren Kruis and maternity care organizations.” 

The scheme applies to Utrecht households with a low income up to 125% of the social assistance standard (equivalent to the U-pass). The municipal council previously requested to investigate whether the personal contribution could be reimbursed through special assistance. With this measure, the municipality has not only fulfilled the request to investigate but has also immediately implemented the possibility.

Families in vulnerable situations particularly affected 

Due to staff shortages, the availability of maternity care has been under pressure for years, especially affecting vulnerable families. To gain more insight into the extent of shortages in maternity care, the municipality previously investigated the labor market situation together with Zilveren Kruis and maternity care organizations. It appeared that families in vulnerable situations are more likely to be affected by staff shortages. (Expectant) families from Overvecht, for example, have three times the chance of ending up on a waiting list compared to (expectant) families from Vleuten-De Meern. Additionally, these families sometimes register later and are less familiar with how to engage an independent maternity care provider. For many families, the personal contribution also forms a barrier to receiving (sufficient hours of) maternity care. With the reimbursement of the personal contribution, Utrecht now removes an important financial barrier.

Regional Labor Market Agenda Maternity Care 

Because the municipality now has more insight into where the shortages in maternity care are greatest, shortages can be addressed more targetedly. Therefore, the municipality is working together with maternity care organizations and insurer Zilveren Kruis on the Labor Market Agenda Maternity Care Utrecht 2026-2028, aimed at a future-proof sector and good care for every family in Utrecht. The cooperating parties focus on structural solutions through regional capacity distribution, strengthening the attractiveness of the profession, appropriate maternity care, and training new maternity care providers. There is extra attention to making the work attractive in neighborhoods where the need is greatest.

Read more in the council letter on work and income