Dutch subsidy for climate investments in industry (VEKI), and how it applies to a company from abroad

Who can apply

VEKI is for a company that executes the project at its own account and risk. The activity that saves CO2 belongs to main group C, D or E of the Dutch business classification (SBI), meaning industry, energy supply, and the processing of waste and water. This code may differ from the code in the company registration at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK).

• Minimum. A large company applies for at least €125,000 in subsidy, a small or medium-sized company for at least €30,000.
• Payback time. On its own, the investment pays for itself only after more than 5 years.
• CO2 in 2030. The project leads to an absolute reduction of CO2 emissions in the Netherlands in 2030.
• A group from abroad. A Dutch BV of a foreign group can apply. For the size of the company and its financial health, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) looks at the whole group, including the companies abroad. A BV of a large group therefore counts as a large company.

Pilot and demonstration projects belong to a separate Dutch scheme, DEI+, for demonstration projects in energy and climate innovation.

What you receive

The subsidy is a percentage of the extra investment compared with a standard investment, the reference investment.

For a project calculated with the full investment, the rate for a large company is 20% for environmental protection and 15% for energy efficiency. Renewable energy and district heating receive 30%. Costs count only when the company capitalises them in its accounts.

• Maximum per project. €30 million. For certain infrastructure and storage of hydrogen or waste heat, it is €25 million, and for public hydrogen infrastructure €11 million.
• Maximum per tonne. The subsidy divided by the CO2 saved over 15 years, or over the lifetime if shorter, is at most €80 per tonne.

What the subsidy is worth per project

Want our team to have a look?

How we arrange the application

Our team arranges the full application. A specialist from our network works with your engineers on the calculations. You decide at every step, and RVO decides on the subsidy.

Our fee consists of a feasibility check at a fixed price, a fixed amount for the application file and a percentage of the subsidy granted, all agreed in advance. You see each amount in your proposal before you decide.

1. Our team has a look first. You describe the investment, the technology and the timetable.
2. Feasibility check. We test the payback time, the CO2 reduction in 2030 and the limit of €80 per tonne.
3. Proposal. You receive the scope of the work and the fee before you decide.
4. Application. We prepare the calculations, the plan and the statements, and submit a complete application.
5. After the grant. We prepare the reports and the request for the final settlement.

When to apply

• The 2026 round. From 7 May 2026 at 9:00 until Thursday 28 January 2027 at 17:00 Dutch time.
• Order. RVO handles applications in order of arrival. Your place counts from the day your application is complete.
• An oversubscribed budget. The budget is oversubscribed. Companies can still apply, because rejected applications free up budget.
• Start of the project. Work starts after the application. A final, binding order counts as a start. Buying a site, applying for permits and a feasibility study are allowed before.
• 2027. The Dutch government reserved €77 million for a new round in 2027. The dates follow in the Dutch Government Gazette (Staatscourant).

Payments and obligations after the grant

• Start and duration. You start within 6 months of the grant and finish the project within 4 years of the start.
• Advance. You receive 90% of the subsidy as an advance. The last part follows after the final settlement.
• Progress. For a project of more than 12 months, you send a progress report once a year.
• Final settlement. For a subsidy of €30,000 to €125,000, you add a statement from the board. From €125,000, you add an audit statement from an accountant.

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.
• Research for the energy transition (MOOI). Up to €4 million for research by at least three companies.
• Innovation Credit. A government credit for technical and clinical development.
• 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), VEKI (read on 1 November 2026, in Dutch)
• RVO, VEKI handbook, April 2026 (in Dutch)
• Staatscourant 2024, 12503, article 4.6.3 on the subsidy rates (in Dutch)
• Staatscourant 2025, 30380, amendment with the four-year term and the extension to 1 August 2030 (in Dutch)
• Staatscourant 2026, 15135, the 2026 round (in Dutch)
• Dutch government, Budget Day 2026, investments in climate and energy (in Dutch)

Last reviewed on 1 November 2026.