The European Commission approved a series of nine intensifications announced between January 21 and February 24 on March 15. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and RVO are working on a quick processing of all intensifications in the ongoing and new applications for TVL support for the first quarter. It is expected to take several weeks before all expansions are implemented. The following intensifications are included:

• The increase of the subsidy percentage to 85%. This was 50% increasing to 70%.
• The reduction of the fixed costs threshold to €1,500 per quarter. That was €3,000.
• The increase of the minimum subsidy amount to €1,500 per quarter. That was €750.
• The opening of the TVL scheme for non-SME companies (more than 250 employees).
• Increase of the maximum subsidy amount to €550,000 for SMEs and €600,000 for non-SMEs. That was a maximum of €90,000.
• Increase of stock subsidy for closed retail to 21% with an increased maximum of €300,000. That was 5.6% with a maximum of €20,160.
• The addition of a one-time surcharge for Cancellation Costs for Travel Organizations.
• The addition of the surcharge for special costs for agricultural and horticultural businesses.
• The opening of the Events module for the first quarter of 2021.

RVO has been working on the preparations for the intensifications for some time. These adjustments are complex and take time. For example, separate modules need to be set up for the travel industry and agricultural sector, and extra control systems are needed for the higher maximum amounts. RVO is working in parallel on the various intensifications of the TVL and will implement these step by step. In some cases, an entrepreneur may be entitled to multiple intensifications in multiple schemes, such as a higher subsidy percentage and an extra surcharge in TVL Q4 and Q1.

The focus of RVO in determining, opening, and implementing intensifications of the TVL has always been to provide as much support to entrepreneurs as quickly as possible. The House of Representatives will be informed next week about the order in which the intensifications will become active.

The Compensation for Fixed Costs for the first quarter of 2021 (TVL Q1 2021) has been open for SMEs since February 15. RVO approved over 47,000 applications in the first month since the opening. So far, a total of €534 million has been awarded. 90% of entrepreneurs received the advance within 3 weeks of applying. A total of 77,000 applications have been received for TVL support for the first quarter. Most applications were made by entrepreneurs from the hospitality sector (18,000), retail (12,000), and the service category (10,000), including hairdressers, beauty salons, and saunas. Entrepreneurs can apply for the TVL Q1 2021 until at least April 30, 2021, at 5:00 PM.

Small entrepreneurs who qualify due to the reduction of the fixed costs threshold and have already applied do not need to do anything. RVO processes these applications as quickly as possible. Larger companies that are eligible for the TVL for the first time cannot apply yet. Entrepreneurs can sign up on the RVO website for updates on the opening and intensification of the TVL.

For questions about the corona support and recovery package, companies and workers can check rijksoverheid.nl/steunpakket. Entrepreneurs can also go to the Chamber of Commerce website for more questions: kvk.nl/corona. If your question is not answered there, please call the advisory team at 0800 – 2117.