Childcare and Education Support in the Netherlands: From Family Allowance to Free School Meals
Are you a parent in the Netherlands? Discover how much you could save thanks to child benefits, childcare subsidies, and free school lunches.
Hello there! As a mother of two now, I can personally tell you how impactful Dutch childcare policies are. The recent announcements about increased child benefits and expanded childcare subsidies were such a relief. And now with free lunches being offered in schools in low-income areas? That’s something every parent should know about. In this post, I’m breaking down everything: the family allowance increase, childcare subsidy expansion, and school meal program. Let’s explore how the Netherlands is supporting families like ours.
Table of Contents
Increased Child Benefit Policy
The child benefit (Kindgebonden Budget) in the Netherlands is a quarterly allowance provided to families with children. As of 2025, the government will add an average of €72 per year per child to this benefit. This adjustment reflects rising costs of living and is particularly helpful for households with multiple children.
Expanded Childcare Subsidies
Childcare allowance (Kinderopvangtoeslag) is income-based and supports working parents by covering part of daycare costs. Starting in 2025, an additional €425 million will be allocated to families with annual incomes between €29,400 and €159,200. This expansion makes subsidies available to more middle-income households.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Income Range | €29,400 to €159,200 |
| Additional Annual Budget | €425 million |
Free School Meals in Low-Income Areas
To promote equality in education, the Dutch government will allocate €135 million annually to provide free school lunches in low-income areas. More than 300 schools are expected to participate. These lunches aim to address nutritional gaps and improve student focus and wellbeing.
- Total Budget: €135 million (2025)
- Schools Covered: Over 300 institutions
- Impact: Better child nutrition and learning performance
What Parents Are Saying
“I saved over €300 a month with the childcare subsidy,” says Lisa, a mother living in Amsterdam. She adds, “The new policy really helped us breathe financially.” Hassan, another parent, shared, “Thanks to free lunches, my son never skips meals and seems much more focused at school.” These real-life stories show just how effective these family support programs are in practice.
Budget and Statistics
With these expanded childcare and education policies, the Dutch government is allocating €635 million in additional funding starting in 2025. This will significantly increase the number of families and children who benefit from these programs.
| Item | Estimated 2025 Figures |
|---|---|
| Households receiving child benefit | Approx. 2.5 million |
| Households receiving childcare subsidy | Approx. 1.3 million |
| Schools with free lunch programs | Approx. 300 schools |
How to Apply and Key Tips
All childcare and education benefits can be applied for via the Dutch government's DigiD portal. Before applying, make sure you have the following ready:
- Create or log in to your DigiD account
- Select “Kindgebonden Budget” or “Kinderopvangtoeslag” depending on your need
- Enter your income, childcare hours, and child details accurately
- Submit before the deadline and expect a decision within 3–4 weeks
It is provided for children under 18, with amounts adjusted based on age and the number of children.
Yes, the more children you have in daycare, the higher the subsidy, depending on hours of care per child.
Yes, as long as the daycare is registered with the government, both public and private daycares are eligible.
Schools in government-designated low-income neighborhoods, including public and some private schools, offer free lunches.
Yes, as long as you're legally residing in the Netherlands and file taxes, you may be eligible.
You can check your status via the MijnToeslagen page after logging in with your DigiD account.
Raising children is never easy—but with support like this, it becomes more manageable. The Netherlands is showing its commitment to shared responsibility in childcare and education. If this is the first time you're hearing about child benefits or daycare subsidies, now is a great time to explore your eligibility. And don’t keep it to yourself—share this info with other parents so they can benefit too!
NetherlandsParenting, ChildBenefit, ChildcareSubsidy, FreeLunch, EducationSupport, FamilyPolicy, GovernmentAid, Kinderopvangtoeslag, KindgebondenBudget, DutchLiving
