Huurtoeslag: can you get rent allowance?
A government contribution to your rent. Some students qualify, most in shared rooms don't. Two minutes to find out.
The short version
Huurtoeslag is a monthly allowance from the tax office (Belastingdienst) that covers part of your rent. It can be a few hundred euros a month. But there are hard conditions, and the one that catches students is this: it's only for zelfstandige woonruimte, a place with your own front door, your own kitchen and your own toilet. A room in a shared house doesn't qualify. A studio usually does.
You also need
- To be registered at the address (see registration and BSN)
- A rent below the yearly limit (lower if you're under 23)
- Income and savings below the limits
- EU nationality, or a valid residence permit
Check in 2 minutes
The limits change every year, so don't trust numbers from a blog post (including this one). Use the official calculator: Proefberekening toeslagen. You'll need your rent and your expected income.
Worth knowing
If you work part-time and pay Dutch health insurance, you can probably also claim zorgtoeslag (health insurance allowance). Same calculator. Many students leave this money on the table.