€45 million subsidy scheme launched for major monument restorations in the Netherlands
Starting September 1, owners of large national monuments can apply for a new subsidy to fund major restorations. With €45 million available, this scheme aims to prevent decay of culturally significant buildings, addressing a long-standing funding gap for high-cost projects.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Subsidy Scheme | Major restoration projects for non-residential national monuments |
| Available Budget | €45 million |
| Eligibility Threshold | Restoration costs exceeding €2.5 million (€1 million for green monuments) |
| Cap per Project | €10 million in eligible restoration costs |
| Application Opening | September 1, 2026 |
| Funding Rounds | Autumn 2026 and 2027 |
| Administering Body | Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) |
| Permit Requirement | Environmental permit for national monument activity |
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) oversees the preservation of national monuments, ensuring their cultural and historical value is maintained for future generations. This subsidy scheme is part of the government’s broader effort to address gaps in monument care financing, particularly for large-scale restoration projects.
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New subsidy scheme for major restoration projects of national monuments to open
A new subsidy scheme for major restoration projects of national monuments will open for applications on September 1, 2026. This subsidy scheme is intended for non-residential national monuments with significant restoration needs. Until now, such projects have often been excluded from subsidies. Only projects with eligible restoration costs exceeding €2.5 million will qualify. The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) will administer the scheme, which was published today in the Government Gazette. A total of €45 million has been allocated for this scheme.
Minister Gouke Moes (Education, Culture and Science): “In a rapidly changing world, monuments remind us of a shared past and connect different generations. This new scheme is an important step in improving the financing system for monument care. As a government, we support owners in caring for monuments, but the challenge is particularly great when it comes to major restoration projects. With this scheme, we offer a solution to prevent irreparable decay of such national monuments.”
€45 million available
In June 2024, a study was completed on the financing system for monument care. The main conclusion was that the system works well, but financing options for owners of large national monuments are insufficient. Given the great societal value of these monuments, a package of measures was presented in June 2025. One of these measures is a national subsidy scheme for major restorations, for which €45 million has been made available. Over the past months, the scheme has been developed in consultation with the monument sector and provinces.
The funds will be made available in two rounds: in the autumn of 2026 and 2027. In case of oversubscription, applications with a lower requested subsidy percentage will take priority. The threshold amount for eligibility is €2.5 million in eligible restoration costs. To prevent the available funds from going to only a few projects, there is also a cap of €10 million in eligible restoration costs.
Only restoration projects with an environmental permit for the national monument activity will qualify for the subsidy. Owners can also apply for the restoration costs of green national monuments. The threshold amount for these is €1 million in eligible costs.
Financing system for monument care
This scheme adds a new pillar to the financing system for monument care. Other pillars include loans through the National Restoration Fund (NRF), subsidies for residential monuments, maintenance subsidies (Sim), and regular restoration subsidies through the provinces, to which the government contributes.
More information about the subsidy scheme for major restoration projects of non-residential national monuments is available on the website cultureelerfgoed.nl.