Entrepreneurs in sectors affected by coronavirus can apply for compensation

Note: the date of this news item is March 27, 2020. Read the current information about the Dutch approach and measures against the coronavirus.

The governments health measures have direct consequences for income in a number of specific sectors. For example, due to the forced closure of food and beverage establishments and events, the ban on contact professions in personal care, and cancellations in the travel industry because of the ‘essential travel only’ advice for Dutch residents. For these entrepreneurs, the cabinet provides this additional grant within the emergency package alongside other measures such as wage cost compensation and extended possibilities for bridging loans, said both ministers.

Sectors now eligible include food and beverage establishments, cinemas, hair and beauty care (including hairdressers, pedicurists, makeup artists), travel agencies and tour operators, driving schools, saunas, solariums, swimming pools, fitness centers, sports clubs and events, and certain private cultural institutions such as museums, circuses, theaters, playhouses, and music schools. These are businesses located outside the home. The only exception is food and beverage establishments, for example a café where the owner, tenant, or leaseholder lives above.

Applications can be submitted by entrepreneurs via rvo.nl/tegemoetkomingcorona from Friday, March 27, 2020 until Friday, June 26, 2020. The business must be located in the Netherlands and the main activity as mentioned above must be evident from the registration as of March 15, 2020 in the trade register. The grant payment will be made as soon as possible after the application is submitted. Applications are checked to prevent fraud.

Dutch entrepreneurs can apply for exceptional financial support from the cabinet due to the economic consequences of corona via the temporary wage cost compensation scheme (NOW) or extra support for self-employed persons (zzp’ers). Companies can also make use of various tax measures and extended possibilities for bridging loans.

For other questions about corona, companies can visit Government.nl/coronavirus or RIVM.nl. Or visit the Chamber of Commerce website: KvK.nl/corona. If your question is not answered there, call the advice team at 0800-2117.

Entrepreneurs should contact their credit provider, such as a bank, for extended credit schemes (such as BMKB). The schemes of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) (wage cost compensation and support for self-employed persons) will be opened as soon as possible. Guidelines for shops can be found at the trade organizations. For tax measures, entrepreneurs can contact the Tax Administration Business via Belastingdienst.nl/coronavirus.