Who can apply
Startups and established companies, large or small, can apply for the Innovation Credit. A large part of the activities happens in the Netherlands.
- Technical project. Experimental development of a product, process or service that is technically new and has high risk. Software and artificial intelligence can count as well.
- Clinical project. A product that is tested on people before it reaches the market, such as a medicine or a medical device.
- Company size. The whole group counts for the company size, under the European definition. A Dutch BV of a large foreign group therefore counts as a large company.
What you receive
| Company | Alone | With collaboration |
|---|---|---|
| Large company | Up to 25% | Up to 40% |
| Medium-sized company | Up to 35% | Up to 50% |
| Small company | Up to 45% | Up to 50% |
The percentage applies to the total project costs. The credit is at most €10 million for a technical project and €5 million for a clinical project, and a project is at least €150,000.
- Full financing. RVO grants the credit when the financing of the project and of the company is complete for the full term of the project.
- Costs. Only costs after the application count, and only costs that directly serve the development.
What you repay
- Interest. Interest is 3% a year, compound, from each payment.
- Markup. After a successful project, a one-off fixed markup on the amount borrowed follows, 15% for a technical project and 25% for a clinical project. The markup is free of interest.
- Repayment. The decision includes the schedule, based on your own forecasts. Repayment usually starts within six months after the project. Early repayment is allowed.
- If the project fails. When the project fails technically, or the expected sales disappear, you can ask RVO to write off the credit in full or in part.
What the credit is worth per project
| Technical project | Project costs | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Large company, alone | €4 million | Up to €1 million (25%) |
| Large company, with collaboration | €4 million | Up to €1.6 million (40%) |
| Small company, alone | €4 million | Up to €1.8 million (45%) |
How we arrange the application
Our team arranges the full application. You decide at every step, and RVO decides on the credit.
| Work | Who does it |
|---|---|
| The business plan, the project plan with the technical or clinical risk, and the financing plan | Our team, with your technical people |
| The project budget in the required RVO Excel model, and the financial model | Our team |
| The financing of the rest, with the documents of the investors and the group | You and your investors, with our preparation |
| The Dutch company of a group from abroad, with its registrations and eHerkenning, the Dutch business login | Our team |
| After the grant, the progress reports per period and the report after the project | Our team, with an accountant for the statement |
Our fee consists of a feasibility check at a fixed price, a fixed amount for the application file and a percentage of the credit granted, all agreed in advance. You see each amount in your proposal before you decide.
- Our team has a look first. You describe the project, the risk, the market and the financing.
- Feasibility check. We test the project against the RVO conditions and calculate the credit.
- Proposal. You receive the scope of the work and the fee before you decide.
- Application. We prepare the plans and the budget and submit a complete application.
- After the grant. We prepare the quarterly reports and the report after the project.
When to apply
- 2026. Companies can apply throughout the year, until 31 December 2026. RVO handles complete applications in order of arrival.
- Budget. The budget for 2026 was €50 million and rose by €20 million in the autumn of 2026.
- 2027. The opening for 2027 follows in the Dutch Government Gazette (Staatscourant). The Dutch budget for 2027 announces a structural cut in spending on the Innovation Credit.
Payments and obligations after the grant
- Payments. RVO pays the credit per period, spread over the quarters. The next period follows after RVO approves the progress report.
- Report. Within 13 weeks after the project, you send the report for the final settlement, with a statement from an accountant.
- Security. RVO asks for security, such as a pledge. Until the credit is repaid, payouts to the shareholders wait.
Other schemes our team arranges
- Energy and industry subsidies in the Netherlands. The overview, with the EU Innovation Fund, the European Hydrogen Bank, SDE++ and WBSO.
- Renewable energy and carbon reduction (SDE++). A subsidy per unit of renewable energy or avoided CO2, for 12 or 15 years.
- Industrial climate projects (NIKI). At least €30 million to scale up a proven technology in industry.
- Climate investments in industry (VEKI). Up to €30 million for proven technology that cuts CO2.
- Research for the energy transition (MOOI). Up to €4 million for research by at least three companies.
- EU Innovation Fund. Up to 60% of the relevant costs of large clean-industry projects.
- Hydrogen and methanol ships. Up to €4 million per ship for a hydrogen or methanol energy line.
- Hydrogen in mobility (SWIM). For hydrogen refuelling stations together with transport companies.
For companies in the Netherlands, the overview in Dutch is subsidie aanvragen voor je bedrijf.
Sources
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Innovation Credit (read on 1 November 2026)
- RVO, conditions of the Innovatiekrediet (in Dutch)
- RVO, budget of the Innovatiekrediet raised by €20 million (in Dutch)
- RVO, handbook for the application, February 2026 (in Dutch)
- Dutch framework decree for subsidies, article 10, wetten.overheid.nl (in Dutch)
Last reviewed on 1 November 2026.
Company formation
Your company in the Netherlands
One package for the full setup. You sign a power of attorney in your own country. The notary in the Netherlands does the rest. You receive a proposal with the price for your situation before you decide.
Swipe to see all four options →
Your Dutch BV
- The notary deed, signed for you with a power of attorney
- Registration at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK)
- The identity check the law requires
- Registration of the owners in the register of ultimate owners (UBO register)
- Your tax number and VAT number
- The list of documents from your country, and how to legalise them (apostille)
- Advice on the setup for low tax from the start: one company or a holding, your first financial year and your salary
- Personal support during the setup and the start of your company
Holding and operating company
Set up for growth of your company and your wealth.
- Two companies, set up together, with everything from the BV package for both
- You can pay profit to your holding tax-free (participation exemption)
- In your holding, you keep your profit apart from the risks of daily business, and you can invest it
- If you sell your operating company later, your holding receives the profit tax-free
What you can add
Made for your company. The price is in your proposal.
- Business bank account: the complete file your bank asks for
- eHerkenning: your login for the Dutch tax portal
- EORI number: your number for import and export
- Article 23 licence: you settle import VAT in your VAT return, so you keep that cash in your company
- One VAT return for all your online sales in the EU (One Stop Shop, OSS)
- Payroll tax number, so your company can pay you a salary
- A lower director salary, prepared and submitted to the tax authority
- The 30% ruling for you or your staff, when you relocate to the Netherlands
- Bookkeeping, VAT returns and annual accounts
- Licences and EU rules for your sector
Your first-year plan
Before you start trading, our team looks at everything you plan to do, prepares a plan for your first year and files the applications for you. See the first-year plan →
- The registrations and licences your company needs
- Your salary, dividend and loans from your company in year one
- The tax schemes and deductions you are entitled to
- Your numbers for the first year: tax, salary and what you keep in your company
You see the exact amount in your proposal before you decide. Owners from some countries need extra checks.
Want our team to have a look? →Ask our team on your next stepFrequently asked questions
What is the Dutch Innovation Credit?
The Innovation Credit, Innovatiekrediet in Dutch, is a government credit for a technical or clinical development project with high risk. You repay it when the project succeeds, with 3% interest and a one-off markup.
How much Innovation Credit can a company receive?
A large company receives up to 25% of the project costs, a small company up to 45%, and more with collaboration. The maximum is €10 million for a technical project and €5 million for a clinical project.
What happens when the project fails?
When the project fails technically, or the expected sales disappear, you can ask RVO to write off the credit in full or in part.
When can you apply for the Innovation Credit?
Throughout 2026, until 31 December, in order of arrival of complete applications. The opening for 2027 follows in the Dutch Government Gazette.
Can a company from abroad apply?
A Dutch private limited company (BV) of a group from abroad can apply when a large part of the activities happens in the Netherlands. The whole group counts for the company size.
What does the fee for the application consist of?
Our fee consists of a feasibility check at a fixed price, a fixed amount for the application file and a percentage of the credit granted. You see each amount in your proposal before you decide.