Finance

Health insurance premiums in the Netherlands have risen by almost 80% over the last 20 years, with an average policy now costing €1,906 annually. While 2026 will see minimal increases due to higher tax revenues, experts warn of significant hikes to come.

A new NIBUD study reveals that Dutch students’ pocket money has increased by 29% since 2020, outpacing inflation. The report details average amounts by age and notes shifts in saving habits and part-time work.

Over 1.6 million Dutch people with pension insurance face a potential tax bill on their retirement savings if their employers fail to transition them to the new pension system by 2028. The Tax Office will reclassify accrued pensions in old schemes as taxable income, but the issue can be easily prevented.

A Dutch consumer foundation is taking legal action against Netflix, alleging that price increases since 2017 were implemented unlawfully. Customers can join a ’no cure, no pay’ claim to potentially receive compensation for the price difference.

Dutch regulators are threatening producers of plastic bottles with millions in fines unless they increase the deposit return rate to 90%. Producers may have to raise the deposit fee or offer a bonus to encourage returns.

Significant changes are coming to the Dutch rent allowance (huurtoeslag) in 2026, including a lower age limit and adjustments to eligibility criteria. This article breaks down the new rules and provides an example for a base rent of €850.

Major Dutch pension funds for the metal and construction industries have announced significant pension increases for 2026. The metal industry fund PME will raise pensions by 2.82%, while the construction fund bpfBouw will also increase payouts as it transitions to a new pension system.

The Dutch House of Representatives has scrapped a proposed tax increase on savers and investors. To cover the resulting budget gap, a tax benefit for homeowners with almost fully paid-off mortgages will be reduced instead.

Dutch insurer Menzis proposes eliminating the mandatory healthcare deductible for low-income individuals without increasing their premiums, starting a pilot in 2026 to prevent vulnerable groups from avoiding necessary medical care.

With the Netherlands phasing out its net-metering scheme, home battery sales have more than doubled in 2025. However, the financial return on these batteries remains uncertain and highly dependent on individual circumstances.