← Netherlands hubs Architect
Netherlands Dutch (Nederlands) € EUR
Marieke is a self-employed architect navigating the complexities of Dutch business regulations, tax incentives for sustainable building, and personal social security. This hub consolidates the national-level support systems she relies on to manage her practice and personal life.
Managing the fiscal realities of being a self-employed professional (ZZP) in the Netherlands.
Self-employed deduction Zelfstandigenaftrek national · Belastingdienst
Who qualifies Entrepreneurs who spend at least 1,225 hours a year on their business.
What you get A fixed tax deduction of €3,750 (2024) from your taxable profit.
What it actually costs you Requires maintaining a precise hour administration (urenadministratie).
Common gotcha The deduction is being phased out gradually until 2027.
Small Businesses Scheme Kleineondernemersregeling (KOR) national · Belastingdienst
Who qualifies Businesses with an annual turnover of less than €20,000.
What you get Exemption from charging and filing VAT (BTW).
What it actually costs you You cannot reclaim VAT on business expenses.
Common gotcha You must commit to the scheme for at least three years.
Small-scale investment allowance Kleinschaligheidsinvesteringsaftrek (KIA) national · Belastingdienst
Who qualifies Entrepreneurs investing in business assets (e.g., software, office equipment).
What you get An extra tax deduction on investments between €2,801 and €387,580.
What it actually costs you Requires keeping invoices and proof of payment.
Common gotcha Does not apply to land or private residential property.
Entrepreneur Check Ondernemerscheck national · Kamer van Koophandel (KvK)
Who qualifies Anyone starting or running a business.
What you get A tool to determine if you are considered an entrepreneur by the tax authorities.
What it actually costs you 15 minutes to answer the questionnaire.
Common gotcha The result is an indication, not a binding legal decision.
Starter deduction Startersaftrek national · Belastingdienst
Who qualifies New entrepreneurs who qualify for the self-employed deduction.
What you get An additional €2,123 tax deduction in the first five years.
What it actually costs you Can be applied a maximum of three times.
Common gotcha You must not have been an entrepreneur for more than 5 years.
SME profit exemption MKB-winstvrijstelling national · Belastingdienst
Who qualifies All business owners who pay income tax on business profits.
What you get A 13.31% exemption on your taxable profit.
What it actually costs you Automatic calculation in your tax return.
Common gotcha This is applied after other deductions like the self-employed deduction. Leveraging subsidies for sustainable design and energy-efficient architecture.
Environmental Investment Allowance Milieu-investeringsaftrek (MIA) en Vamil national · RVO
Who qualifies Entrepreneurs investing in environmentally friendly assets.
What you get Up to 45% of the investment cost can be deducted from taxable profit.
What it actually costs you Must apply within 3 months of ordering the asset.
Common gotcha The asset must be on the 'Milieulijst' published by RVO.
Energy Investment Allowance Energie-investeringsaftrek (EIA) national · RVO
Who qualifies Entrepreneurs investing in energy-efficient techniques.
What you get 40% of the investment cost is deductible from taxable profit.
What it actually costs you Requires a minimum investment of €2,500.
Common gotcha Must be applied for within 3 months of the investment commitment.
Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy Investeringssubsidie duurzame energie en energiebesparing (ISDE) national · RVO
Who qualifies Homeowners and small businesses.
What you get Cash back for heat pumps, solar boilers, or insulation.
What it actually costs you Must be installed by a professional company.
Common gotcha Budget is limited; apply as soon as the project is finished.
Sustainability Loan Duurzaamheidslening (SVn) national · Stimuleringsfonds Volkshuisvesting (SVn)
Who qualifies Property owners looking to make energy-saving improvements.
What you get Low-interest loan for energy-saving measures.
What it actually costs you Interest rates are lower than standard bank loans.
Common gotcha Availability depends on the specific municipality's participation.
Building Decree Advisory Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (BBL) national · Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken
Who qualifies All architects working on construction projects.
What you get Standardized safety and sustainability requirements for all buildings.
What it actually costs you Compliance is mandatory; requires technical documentation.
Common gotcha The BBL replaced the old Bouwbesluit in 2024.
Circular Economy Program Nederland Circulair in 2050 national · Rijksoverheid
Who qualifies Architects designing circular or bio-based projects.
What you get Access to knowledge networks and potential innovation grants.
What it actually costs you Requires participation in government-led innovation pilots.
Common gotcha Not a direct cash grant, but a platform for project support. Ensuring coverage for disability and health as a freelancer.
Healthcare Allowance Zorgtoeslag national · Belastingdienst
Who qualifies Low to middle-income earners.
What you get Monthly contribution towards health insurance premiums.
What it actually costs you Income-based calculation; must update if income changes.
Common gotcha If you earn too much, you must pay it back at the end of the year.
Disability Insurance (AOV) Arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering national · Private insurers (regulated)
Who qualifies Self-employed professionals.
What you get Income replacement if unable to work due to illness.
What it actually costs you Monthly premiums are tax-deductible.
Common gotcha Premiums vary wildly based on profession and age.
Basic Health Insurance Basisverzekering national · Zorgverzekeraars
Who qualifies All residents of the Netherlands.
What you get Standard medical care coverage.
What it actually costs you Mandatory monthly premium and annual deductible (eigen risico).
Common gotcha You must switch or renew annually by January 1st.
Bread Fund Broodfonds community · Broodfonds Coöperatie
Who qualifies Self-employed individuals (ZZP).
What you get Peer-to-peer income protection for short-term illness.
What it actually costs you Monthly contribution to a personal account.
Common gotcha Not a formal insurance, but a collective agreement.
Architects Pension Fund Pensioenfonds voor de Architectenbureaus (SFA) national · SFA
Who qualifies Architects employed by or running a firm.
What you get Mandatory pension accrual.
What it actually costs you Monthly premiums deducted from income.
Common gotcha Often mandatory if the firm falls under the collective labor agreement.
Child Benefit Kinderbijslag national · Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB)
Who qualifies Parents with children under 18.
What you get Quarterly payment to help with child-rearing costs.
What it actually costs you Automatic registration upon birth.
Common gotcha Amount changes as the child grows older. Maintaining the architect title and staying updated with industry standards.
Architects Register Architectenregister national · Stichting Architectenregister
Who qualifies Qualified architects with a recognized degree.
What you get Legal right to use the title 'Architect'.
What it actually costs you Annual registration fee.
Common gotcha You must re-register every two years to keep the title.
Professional Experience Period Beroepservaringsperiode (BEP) national · Stichting Architectenregister
Who qualifies Recent graduates aiming for full registration.
What you get Mentorship and structured professional development.
What it actually costs you Two-year program with specific reporting requirements.
Common gotcha Must be completed to be eligible for the register.
Royal Institute of Dutch Architects Bond van Nederlandse Architecten (BNA) private · BNA
Who qualifies Practicing architects.
What you get Legal support, model contracts, and networking.
What it actually costs you Annual membership fee based on firm size.
Common gotcha Not a government scheme, but essential for professional credibility.
Pension for temporary staff StiPP Pensioen national · StiPP
Who qualifies Freelance architects working on temp contracts.
What you get Pension accrual during temporary employment.
What it actually costs you Automatic deduction if you meet the threshold.
Common gotcha Easy to lose track of small pots if you switch firms often.
Study cost deduction Studiekosten aftrek national · Belastingdienst
Who qualifies Entrepreneurs investing in professional development.
What you get Tax deduction for training related to your business.
What it actually costs you Must be related to maintaining or improving professional skills.
Common gotcha The tax deduction for study costs was replaced by STAP-budget, which is now also being phased out.
NEN Standards NEN national · NEN
Who qualifies Architects needing technical standards.
What you get Access to standardized building codes and norms.
What it actually costs you Subscription or per-document fee.
Common gotcha Many standards are referenced in the BBL and are legally binding.
One honest app. Real lives, real businesses. Free for what people need, paid only for what runs a business — on our own model, our own metal.
Where we run
Bangalore + Czechia
Our own metal · GDPR · DPDPA
