Benefits and health insurance
Terugvordering
Repayment demand for an allowance
What does Terugvordering mean?
A terugvordering is a demand from Dienst Toeslagen to repay allowance you received but turned out not to be entitled to, usually after the definitieve berekening. You can pay in one go or spread the amount over at most 24 months. The payment plan starts when you pay the first monthly amount before the due date. Interest is charged on the instalments.
Key facts
| Sent by | Dienst Toeslagen |
| Payment plan | Up to 24 months, starts with the first payment |
| Interest | Charged on payment plans |
| Objection deadline | 6 weeks from the date of the decision |
What to do
- Check the definitieve berekening behind it first. If the income or household data is wrong, object to that decision.
- Decide how to pay: in full, or in monthly instalments over at most 24 months.
- To start the payment plan, pay the first monthly amount before the due date in the letter.
- If even the monthly amount is too high, contact Toeslagen straight away and ask for a lower amount based on your ability to pay.
- Do not ignore it. Unpaid repayments move on to reminders and an enforcement order with extra costs.
Worth knowing
Leaving the Netherlands does not cancel a terugvordering. Toeslagen can still collect it abroad, so settle or arrange a payment plan before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a payment plan for a toeslagen repayment?
Yes. You can repay in monthly instalments over at most 24 months. The plan starts automatically when you pay the first monthly amount before the due date. Interest is charged on the instalments.
What if I cannot afford the monthly amount?
Contact Dienst Toeslagen as soon as possible and ask for a payment arrangement based on what you can pay. Waiting only adds reminder and enforcement costs.
Does objecting stop the repayment?
Objecting to the underlying decision does not automatically stop collection. Ask in your objection for the repayment to be paused until your objection is decided.
Read next
Official sources
More Dutch terms: benefits and health insurance
Plain-English explanations of the words on your letters and contracts.