Individual Choice Budget: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how civil servants in the Netherlands can use their Individual Choice Budget for extra leave, training, or cash.
The Individual Choice Budget is a flexible fund provided to many civil servants to help them tailor their employment benefits to their personal needs.
Who it's for
This scheme is available to most civil servants working in the Netherlands. This includes those serving in the police force.
What you get
The scheme provides you with a specific budget that is calculated based on your current salary. You have the flexibility to decide how this money is used to best suit your life. You can choose to use the budget to purchase extra leave (verlof kopen), use it to fund professional training to advance your career, or have it paid out to you as cash.
What it costs you
There is no direct financial cost to participating in the scheme. However, it does require your active management. You must log in to your HR portal to make your selections and manage how your budget is allocated.
The catch to know
The main thing to remember is that if you do not take active steps to manage your budget, it may be paid out to you automatically at the end of the year. Because this is a cash payout, you should be mindful that receiving this money could affect your tax brackets.
How to apply
- Log in to your official HR portal.
- Review the available budget amount and the different options for spending it.
- Select your preferred options, such as extra leave or professional training.
- Confirm your choices within the portal to ensure your budget is allocated as intended.