Finance & Funding

Subsidies for Starters and SMEs in the Netherlands (2026)

Updated: 2026-05-27 Holdwise editorial team Subsidies Funding SME

The Dutch government offers subsidies and schemes for businesses, mainly for innovation, sustainability and skills. They usually pay for part of specific costs, such as wages for research or the price of green equipment. At Holdwise, we updated this answer on 27 May 2026 and change it when the rules change.

Where to look

You find most schemes in two places:

Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO, Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland): the national agency that manages many subsidies for entrepreneurs.
Subsidy database: the government and several private platforms maintain searchable databases of available schemes by sector and theme.

The main categories

Innovation: the best-known scheme is the WBSO, a tax credit for research and development (R&D). With the WBSO, your wage costs for qualifying R&D work are lower.
Sustainability: with schemes like the Energy Investment Allowance (EIA) and the Environment Investment Allowance (MIA), you get tax deductions for green investments.
Skills and learning: sector-specific schemes like SLIM support training and skills development.
Regional and provincial: many provinces run their own schemes, often for specific sectors or themes.

What to expect realistically

Subsidies rarely fund an entire startup. They usually reduce specific costs (wage costs for R&D, the price of green equipment, training costs). Treat them as a discount on your costs.

Applying for a subsidy

For most applications, you need detailed documents and you must meet strict criteria. Some schemes pay out in order of application (first come, first served). In other schemes, the best applications win. For larger schemes, a specialist adviser can improve your chances, but the adviser charges a fee or a percentage of the subsidy.

Pick one or two and apply well

Spreading attention across many schemes rarely works. Identify one or two that really suit your business and invest in those applications properly. A well-prepared single application works better than five rushed ones.

Tip: the WBSO is easier to get than many other subsidies. If any part of your work involves technical development or research, check whether you qualify.

You can arrange the notary, the KVK registration and the VAT number from abroad. See setting up a BV in the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions

Are subsidies free money? +

Hardly. Most subsidies reduce specific costs or taxes, and they come with strict conditions and reporting duties. They can still be very valuable.

Should I hire a subsidy consultant? +

For simple schemes like the WBSO, you can apply yourself. For larger or more complex schemes, a specialist often earns back the fee with a better application.

Where do I find subsidies that suit my business? +

Start with RVO and the national subsidy database, plus your provincial website. Filter by sector and theme to find a manageable shortlist.

Sources Belastingdienst · KVK · wetten.overheid.nl Last updated: 2026-05-27