I am not Dutch - can I get rent benefit?

If you live in the Netherlands, but have a different nationality, you may still be eligible for rent benefit if you live in a rental home. You receive this benefit from the Dutch government.

Check your situation

• I live in the Netherlands without a partner

  To qualify for rent benefit, you must be lawfully in the Netherlands and meet all of the other conditions for rent benefit.

  Additional rules may apply to your situation, which are listed below.

  Do you have the nationality of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland?

  You must have a valid residence status which entitles you to benefits. The municipality will inform us about this.

  Do you have a nationality other than that of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland?

  You can only receive rent benefit if you have a valid residence permit that entitles you to benefits. The municipality will inform us about this. More information about residence permits can be found on the website of the IND.

  Tip

  If you receive rent benefit and your permit expires soon, apply for an extension of the permit on time so you remain entitled to rent benefit.

  Do you have a partner who lives abroad?

  If your partner is not registered at your address, they, their income and assets do not count as a benefits partner. However, they do count as a benefits partner for other benefits.

  You can apply for rent benefit yourself through Mijn toeslagen

  This can be done as soon as you are registered with the municipality. Find out how to apply for rent benefit.

• I live in the Netherlands with a partner, child or other co-resident

  You, your partner and co-residents aged 18 or older must be lawfully in the Netherlands to receive rent benefit. You must also meet the other conditions for rent benefit.

  Additional rules may apply to your situation, which are listed below.

  Do you and the other residents have the nationality of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland?

  The applicant must have a valid residence status which entitles them to benefits. Your partner must also have a valid residence status, as must your co-residents aged 18 or older. The municipality will inform us about this.

  Do your partner or co-residents have a nationality other than that of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland?

  You can only receive rent benefit if your benefits partner has a valid residence permit. This also applies to co-residents aged 18 or older. The municipality will inform us about this. More information about residence permits can be found on the website of the IND.

  If your partner or co-resident aged 18 years or older does not yet have a valid residence permit, you may still receive rent benefit in the following situations:

  • Your partner or co-resident is awaiting a decision regarding the request of a residence permit.
  • Your partner or co-resident has appealed the rejection of a residence permit and may await the decision in the Netherlands.
  • Your co-resident is under 18 years old.

  Do your partner or co-residents have the nationality of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland, but you do not?

  You can only receive rent benefit if you have a valid residence permit. Your partner and co-residents that are aged 18 or older must have a valid residence status. The municipality will inform us about this. More information about residence permits can be found on the website of the IND.

  Does everyone in your household have a nationality other than that of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland?

  You can only receive rent benefit if the applicant has a valid residence permit that entitles them to benefits. Your partner must also have a valid residence permit, as do any co-residents that are aged 18 or older.

  The municipality will inform us about this. More information about residence permits can be found on the website of the IND.

  If your partner or co-resident does not yet have a valid residence permit, you may still receive rent benefit in the following situations:

  • Your partner or co-resident is awaiting a decision regarding the application for a residence permit.
  • Your partner or co-resident has appealed the rejection of a residence permit and can await the decision in the Netherlands.

  Tip

  If you receive rent benefit and your partner's or co-resident's permit expires soon, apply for an extension of the permit on time so you remain entitled to rent benefit.

  You can apply for rent benefit yourself through Mijn toeslagen

  This can be done as soon as you, your partner and any co-residents are registered with the municipality. Find out how to apply for rent benefit.

  If you do not live in the Netherlands, you cannot apply for rent benefit.

Are you a refugee from Ukraine?

Different rules apply in that case. Read more about the rules for Ukrainians.