Insurance
Safety Nets for Sick or Pregnant Freelancers: Know Your Options
Freelancers in the Netherlands do not automatically enjoy the safety nets that salaried employees have. If you're self-employed (zzp'er) and you become sick or pregnant, there is no employer to continue paying your income during leave. This means you need to plan ahead and make use of the various support options available. Our complete insurance guide for freelancers covers all essential insurance types.
1. Maternity Benefit (ZEZ) for Pregnant Self-Employed Women
If you are a freelancer and expecting a child, you are entitled to a maternity benefit under the Zelfstandige en Zwanger (ZEZ) scheme. The ZEZ provides a maternity and childbirth allowance for at least 16 weeks during and after pregnancy. This is essentially the self-employed equivalent of maternity leave pay.
Benefit Amount
The ZEZ benefit is capped at the level of the minimum wage. Your exact amount depends on your work hours:
| Situation | Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| 1,225+ hours/year (urennorm met) | 100% of gross minimum wage |
| Fewer hours/lower income | Proportional amount based on earnings |
| Maximum benefit | ~€2,070/month gross (2026) |
Duration
Single Baby
16 weeks
6 weeks before due date (or 4 weeks) + 10 weeks after birth
Twins/Multiples
20 weeks
10 weeks before + 10 weeks after birth
How to Apply
2. No Paid Sick Leave: Private Disability Insurance (AOV)
Unlike an employee, if a freelancer falls ill or gets injured, there is no default sick pay or employer coverage. You are entirely responsible for securing a replacement income during periods you can't work.
What is an AOV?
An arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering (AOV) is a private insurance policy that pays you a monthly benefit if you cannot work due to long-term illness or disability. You can typically insure up to about 70-80% of your normal income.
| AOV Feature | Typical Options |
|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | €100-200+ (varies by age, profession, coverage) |
| Waiting Period (eigenrisicoperiode) | 14 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years |
| Coverage Duration | 2 years, 5 years, or until retirement (AOW) |
| Tax Deductible | Yes - reduces net cost by ~35% |
Why Many Freelancers Don't Have AOV
Common Obstacles:
- • High premiums (especially for older/risky professions)
- • Strict medical underwriting
- • Pre-existing conditions excluded
- • Coverage denied for some
Cost-Saving Tips:
- • Choose longer waiting period (6-12 months)
- • Combine with Broodfonds for first 2 years
- • Consider "stripped-down" AOV with lower payout
- • Start young - premiums lock at entry age
3. Broodfonds: A Collective Sick-Leave Fund
As an alternative (or complement) to private insurance, many freelancers join a Broodfonds or similar schenkkring (mutual support fund). A Broodfonds is a form of collective safety net "for and by entrepreneurs" – essentially a group of 20-50 self-employed people who agree to pool resources and support any member who becomes sick.
How It Works
- Each member contributes a fixed monthly amount (€33-€112) into their own "pot"
- Small administrative fee (~€12.50/month) + one-time entry fee
- If a member gets sick, others donate from their pots (gifts = tax-free!)
- After 1-month waiting period, receive support for up to 2 years
| Broodfonds Details | Amount/Duration |
|---|---|
| One-time registration fee | €225 |
| Monthly contribution | €12,50 |
| Monthly savings into pot | €33-€112 |
| Maximum benefit | €750-€2.500/month |
| Maximum duration | 2 years |
| Tax deductible | No (contributions stay your savings) |
Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- ✓ Affordable and transparent
- ✓ No medical underwriting - everyone accepted
- ✓ Community-based with supportive network
- ✓ Your savings stay yours if you leave
- ✓ Gifts received are tax-free
Disadvantages:
- ✗ Limited to 2 years maximum
- ✗ Maximum €2,500/month may not cover expenses
- ✗ Contributions NOT tax-deductible
- ✗ Won't qualify as mandatory AOV alternative
- ✗ No rehabilitation support like insurers offer
Despite this limitation, a Broodfonds can still play a valuable role in your overall protection strategy.
4. Upcoming Mandatory Disability Insurance (Wet BAZ)
To tackle the large number of uninsured self-employed, the Dutch government is planning a mandatory basic disability insurance for all freelancers (zzp'ers) in the coming years. This is often referred to as Wet BAZ (Basisverzekering Arbeidsongeschiktheid Zelfstandigen).
Who Must Participate?
Must Participate:
- ✓ Self-employed with "winst uit onderneming" (IB-ondernemers)
- ✓ Freelancers filing business income
Exempt:
- • BV directors (DGA's)
- • Those with substantial employment alongside
- • AOW recipients (pension age)
Premium and Benefits
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Premium | 5.4% of annual profit, max ~€171/month |
| Paid to | Belastingdienst (tax authority) |
| Tax deductible | Yes |
| Waiting period | 2 YEARS before benefits start |
| Benefit amount | 70% of previous income, capped at minimum wage (~€2,300/month gross) |
| Duration | Until recovery or AOW retirement age |
One common misconception deserves special attention here.
5. Last-Resort Support: Bbz Welfare for Self-Employed
What happens if a freelancer has no insurance or buffer and suddenly cannot work? You may also face issues with being unable to pay your taxes. In that case, there is a social welfare provision called Bbz – Besluit bijstandverlening zelfstandigen. This is essentially municipal assistance for entrepreneurs in financial trouble.
Bbz Can Provide:
- Temporary income supplement (up to social minimum level)
- Loan to keep your business afloat
- Support to close business and transition (for older entrepreneurs)
Conditions
- Business must have been viable before the setback
- Expected to be viable again after recovery
- Must demonstrate genuine financial need
- No other resources or savings to draw on
- Partner's income may affect eligibility
6. Extra: UWV's Voluntary Insurance for New Freelancers
One option that many starting freelancers don't know about is the UWV voluntary insurance. If you have recently left employment (or stopped receiving unemployment benefits) to start your own business, you have a one-time opportunity to continue your disability and sickness insurance via UWV by paying premiums yourself.
Coverage Options
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ziektewet | Short-term sickness (70% of last wage) | Up to 2 years |
| WIA | Long-term disability (after 2 years of illness) | Until AOW retirement |
Why Consider UWV Voluntary Insurance?
- ✓ No medical underwriting - ideal if you have pre-existing conditions
- ✓ Guaranteed acceptance - if you apply within the 13-week window
- ✓ Pregnancy bonus - if pregnant while covered, you get 100% of your insured daily wage (topped up with ZEZ if needed)
7. Planning Ahead: Tips for Worst-Case Scenarios
No one likes to imagine falling seriously ill — and preventing burnout is an important first step — but having a plan is part of being a responsible freelancer. Here are practical tips to ensure you're prepared for the unexpected:
1. Build an Emergency Fund
Save 3-6 months of living expenses minimum. Given 2-year waiting periods in insurance, aim for 1-2 years if possible. Read our tips on building a financial buffer.
2. Secure a Safety Net
Get AOV, join Broodfonds, or combine both. Consider UWV voluntary insurance if recently employed. Don't be part of the 80% with nothing.
3. Know the Support Systems
Familiarize yourself with ZEZ (pregnancy), Bbz (emergency assistance), and upcoming Wet BAZ. Keep UWV login and policy numbers handy.
4. Consider Backup Arrangements
Have a colleague who can take over projects? Consider part-time employment for continued sick pay coverage.
Comparison: All Safety Net Options
| Option | Coverage | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZEZ | Pregnancy: 16 weeks | Free | All pregnant freelancers |
| Private AOV | Long-term: until AOW | €100-250/month | Full protection seekers |
| Broodfonds | Short-term: max 2 years | €46-125/month | Affordable short-term protection |
| Wet BAZ (2028-2030) | Basic: after 2-year wait | Max €171/month | Mandatory for all IB-ondernemers |
| UWV Voluntary | Like employee coverage | Based on prior salary | Recently left employment |
| Bbz | Emergency welfare | Means-tested | Absolute last resort |
Conclusion
By understanding and utilizing these safety nets, freelancers can mitigate the financial risks of illness or pregnancy. While it requires extra effort to arrange (unlike employees who have it arranged for them), knowing your options means you won't be blindsided by a loss of income.
As always, your personal situation determines which options work best for you.
Sources and More Information
- Rijksoverheid - Maternity benefit ZEZ
- Ondernemersplein - ZEZ Guide
- KVK - Mandatory AOV Explained
- Rijksoverheid - Wet BAZ
- Tax Calculator - Calculate your net income and insurance impact
- De Ondernemer - 80% uninsured statistics
- Univé - Broodfonds vs AOV
- Yezzer - Sick as freelancer
- UWV - Voluntary insurance
- Rijksoverheid - Bbz Welfare