New disability insurance offers safety net for self-employed at €171 per month
Starting in 2026, self-employed individuals in the Netherlands will have access to an affordable disability insurance, ensuring a minimum income if they cannot work. This scheme protects those who struggle to obtain private insurance due to age or health, preventing financial hardship.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum monthly premium | €171 gross |
| Premium calculation | 5.4% of profits (capped at €171) |
| Coverage start | 2026 |
| Benefit cap | Minimum wage (up to state pension age) |
| Waiting period for benefits | 2 years |
| Excluded groups | Self-employed with private insurance or operating via a bv |
| Current uninsured rate | 75% of self-employed individuals |
The Ministry of Work and Participation is responsible for labor market policies, including social security for self-employed individuals. This new insurance scheme aligns with the government’s goal to balance entrepreneurial freedom with a robust safety net for vulnerable workers.
Unfiltered ☕
Openrijk brings government news unfiltered to you. But that does cost us the necessary caffeine.
Read the full translated article below
Cabinet to introduce affordable basic insurance for self-employed individuals in case of disability
The cabinet is introducing a basic insurance scheme that guarantees a minimum income for self-employed individuals in the event of disability. This ensures that self-employed individuals who cannot obtain insurance due to their age or health will also have an affordable social safety net if they become disabled. According to current calculations, the basic insurance will cost a maximum of €171 gross per month. Self-employed individuals who have private insurance or operate through a limited company (bv) will not be covered by the basic insurance.
Minister Aartsen of Work and Participation: “This cabinet wants to give self-employed individuals the freedom and space to run their businesses. But they also deserve a social safety net to prevent them from falling into poverty if they are unexpectedly unable to work. With this basic insurance, at the lowest possible premium, we are ensuring that.”
Three-quarters of self-employed individuals currently do not have insurance against disability. Often, they find the costs too high. Some cannot obtain insurance at all, or only at a high surcharge, due to their age or medical situation. This leaves a portion of self-employed individuals with no fallback if something unexpected happens.
Self-employed individuals should retain as much freedom as possible to run their businesses and make their own choices. For this reason, the basic insurance for disability will provide coverage up to the state pension age, with benefits capped at the minimum wage.
Maximum premium of €171
The gross premium amounts to 5.4% of profits. The less profit you make, the lower the premium, which is capped at a maximum of €171 per month. This amount is based on the statutory minimum wage for 2025 and will be indexed.
The insurance is not necessary for self-employed individuals who already have private insurance or are director-majority shareholders (directeur-grootaandeelhouders). Self-employed individuals who also work as employees and are already sufficiently insured against disability will also not be covered by the basic insurance.
If someone becomes disabled, there is a two-year waiting period before they receive benefits. During the first two years, it is their own responsibility to cover any loss of income, for example using personal savings or their partner’s income.