Freelancer insurance Netherlands 2026: AOV & liability from €25-80/mo
Complete coverage guide | ZZP & BV requirements | 100% tax-deductible
As a freelancer in the Netherlands, you need three types of insurance: AOV (income protection) at €25-80/month, BAV (professional liability) at €8-50/month, and AVB (business liability) at €10-30/month. While only BAV is legally mandatory for certain professions, all three are contractually required by most corporate clients and fully tax-deductible.
Quick facts
- AOV: €25-80/month (income protection, not mandatory but essential)
- BAV: €8-50/month (professional liability, legally required for some professions)
- AVB: €10-30/month (business liability, recommended for client work)
- Tax deduction: 100% of premiums deductible as business expenses
- Total monthly cost: €43-160/month for comprehensive coverage
Table of contents
Mandatory vs recommended insurance
The Dutch insurance landscape for freelancers operates on three levels: legally mandatory, contractually required, and strongly recommended. Understanding these distinctions is crucial because while the government only mandates specific insurance for certain professions, clients almost universally require proof of coverage before signing contracts.
| Insurance Type | Legal Status | Client Requirement | Cost/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| AOV (Income Protection) | Not mandatory | Often required | €25-80 |
| BAV (Professional Liability) | Mandatory for some* | Usually required | €8-50 |
| AVB (Business Liability) | Not mandatory | Sometimes required | €10-30 |
*Legally mandatory BAV professions: lawyers, notaries, accountants, tax advisors, architects, engineers, medical professionals, financial advisors.
Reality check
While AOV is not legally mandatory, approximately 78% of corporate clients in the Netherlands require proof of income protection insurance before signing contracts with freelancers. Without it, you'll struggle to secure work with established companies, especially in IT, consulting, and creative industries.
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AOV (income protection insurance)
Arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering (AOV) replaces your income if you become unable to work due to illness or injury. Unlike employees who receive WIA benefits from the government, freelancers have zero safety net without private insurance.
Coverage details
- Benefit percentage: Typically 70-80% of your chosen insured income
- Waiting period: 30, 90, 180, or 365 days (longer wait = lower premium)
- Duration: Until recovery or state pension age (67 in 2026)
- Definition of disability: Usually 25% income loss for partial disability, 80%+ for full disability
- Own occupation: Best policies cover inability to perform YOUR specific profession (not any job)
Cost factors
AOV premiums are calculated based on risk assessment. Here's what affects your monthly cost:
| Factor | Impact on Premium | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Age | +€2-5/month per year over 35 | 35yo: €45/mo, 45yo: €70/mo |
| Health | Exclusions or +20-50% premium | Back problems: mental health excluded |
| Profession | Physical work +30-60% | IT: €40/mo, Construction: €65/mo |
| Insured amount | Linear scaling | €2k/mo: €35, €4k/mo: €70 |
| Waiting period | 30d: +40%, 90d: baseline, 365d: -30% | 90d wait: €50/mo, 365d: €35/mo |
Typical scenario: 35-year-old IT freelancer
- • Insured income: €3,000/month
- • Waiting period: 90 days
- • Coverage: 80% of income (€2,400/month payout)
- • Monthly premium: €45-55
- • After-tax cost: €28-35 (with 37.07% tax deduction)
Medical underwriting reality
All AOV applications require a medical questionnaire. Be prepared for:
- Mental health: History of burnout, depression, or anxiety often results in exclusions or rejection
- Musculoskeletal: Back, neck, or joint problems typically excluded from coverage
- Chronic conditions: Diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or chronic pain often lead to rejection
- Apply early: Get coverage BEFORE you develop health issues (pre-existing conditions won't be covered)
BAV (professional liability insurance)
Beroepsaansprakelijkheidsverzekering (BAV) protects you when your professional advice or services cause financial damage to clients. This is the one insurance that's both legally mandatory for regulated professions and contractually required by nearly every corporate client.
What BAV covers
Covered claims
- • Professional errors in advice or services
- • Financial losses from your mistakes
- • Copyright or trademark infringement (your work)
- • Data breaches or privacy violations
- • Legal defense costs
- • Client contract disputes
Not covered
- • Intentional wrongdoing or fraud
- • Physical injury (that's AVB territory)
- • Property damage (also AVB)
- • Work done before policy started
- • Criminal acts
- • Contractual penalties or late delivery fines
Coverage amounts by profession
| Profession | Typical Coverage | Monthly Cost | Legal Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT/Software Developer | €500k - €1M | €15-25 | Not mandatory |
| Consultant/Advisor | €1M - €2.5M | €25-40 | Not mandatory |
| Accountant/Tax Advisor | €2.5M - €5M | €50-120 | Mandatory |
| Architect/Engineer | €2.5M - €5M | €60-150 | Mandatory |
| Designer/Creative | €250k - €500k | €8-15 | Not mandatory |
| Lawyer/Notary | €5M+ | €150-300 | Mandatory |
Client contract reality
Even if BAV isn't legally mandatory for your profession, 89% of corporate clients require minimum €500k coverage before signing contracts. Tech companies often require €1M+, financial services clients demand €2.5M+. Without adequate BAV, you'll be excluded from most corporate opportunities.
AVB (business liability insurance)
Aansprakelijkheidsverzekering Bedrijven (AVB) covers physical damage and bodily injury you cause during business activities. Think of it as the business version of regular liability insurance, but it covers incidents at client offices, events, or anywhere you work.
Common scenarios covered by AVB
Client office damage
You spill coffee on a client's €3,000 laptop during a meeting
Third-party injury
A visitor trips over your equipment bag at a client site
Equipment damage
Your camera falls and damages a client's expensive flooring
Event incidents
Someone gets injured at a workshop you're hosting
AVB coverage tiers
| Coverage Level | Insured Amount | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | €500k | €10-15 | Home office, digital work |
| Standard | €1M - €1.25M | €20-25 | Client visits, consulting |
| Premium | €2.5M+ | €30-40 | Events, physical work, workshops |
Who really needs AVB?
If you work exclusively from your home office and never meet clients in person, AVB is optional. However, if you regularly work at client offices, attend events, or host workshops, AVB is essential. One €10,000 damage claim will cost more than 40 years of AVB premiums.
Rule of thumb: If you visit client premises more than once per month, get AVB. The €10-30/month cost is negligible compared to potential liability.
Cost breakdown and tax deductions
The total monthly cost for comprehensive freelancer insurance ranges from €43 to €160, but the effective cost after tax deductions is 37-63% lower depending on your income bracket.
Monthly cost scenarios
| Scenario | AOV | BAV | AVB | Total | After Tax* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Coverage (Designer, 30yo) | €25 | €8 | €10 | €43 | €27 |
| Standard Coverage (IT Consultant, 35yo) | €50 | €20 | €20 | €90 | €57 |
| Premium Coverage (Accountant, 45yo) | €80 | €50 | €30 | €160 | €101 |
*After-tax cost calculated at 37.07% income tax rate (2026 rate for income €38,098-€75,518). Higher earners (49.50% bracket) save even more.
Tax deduction mechanics
How tax deductions work for insurance
Step 1: Pay premiums
You pay €90/month (€1,080/year) for AOV + BAV + AVB
Step 2: Deduct from revenue
List €1,080 as business expense in your annual tax return
Step 3: Calculate tax savings
€1,080 × 37.07% (or 49.50%) = €400 (or €535) tax reduction
Step 4: Effective cost
€1,080 - €400 = €680/year real cost (€57/month)
Important tax considerations
- •Premiums: 100% tax-deductible as business expenses
- •AOV payouts: Taxable as income (you'll pay income tax on disability benefits)
- •BAV/AVB payouts: Not taxable (liability compensation is tax-free)
- •VAT: Insurance premiums are VAT-exempt (no BTW charged or recoverable)
Insify: Insurance for freelancers & entrepreneurs
Online in 5 minutes • English support • Tailored for expats
AOV (Income Protection)
Replaces 70-80% of income if unable to work
From €25/mo
BAV (Professional Liability)
Covers professional errors and advice claims
From €8/mo
AVB (Business Liability)
Protects against physical damage claims
From €10/mo
Why Insify for expat freelancers?
- 100% English platform and support
- Get quotes online in 5 minutes
- Tailored for ZZP and BV structures
- All premiums 100% tax-deductible
ZZP vs BV insurance requirements
Your business structure (ZZP sole proprietor vs BV private limited company) significantly affects insurance requirements and costs. Here's the breakdown for both structures.
ZZP (Sole Proprietor)
Required insurance
- • AOV (income protection) - €25-80/mo
- • BAV (professional liability) - €8-50/mo
- • AVB (business liability) - €10-30/mo
Total monthly cost
€43-160
Key characteristics
- • Personal liability (unlimited)
- • Simpler insurance needs
- • Lower administrative burden
- • Easier to get AOV approval
BV (Private Limited Company)
Required insurance
- • AOV (income protection) - €30-100/mo
- • BAV (professional liability) - €15-80/mo
- • AVB (business liability) - €15-40/mo
- • D&O (directors' liability) - €40-120/mo
- • Company car insurance (if applicable)
Total monthly cost
€100-340
Key characteristics
- • Limited personal liability
- • More complex insurance needs
- • Higher coverage requirements
- • Additional D&O protection needed
When to choose BV over ZZP (insurance perspective)
While BV insurance costs 2-3× more than ZZP (€100-340/mo vs €43-160/mo), the BV structure provides critical liability protection that ZZP cannot offer. Consider BV if:
- Your annual revenue exceeds €67,000 (required for 30% ruling with BV)
- You work in high-liability professions (consulting, finance, construction)
- You have significant personal assets to protect
- You plan to hire employees or subcontractors
For more details, see our guide on 30% ruling for freelancers with BV setup.
Insurance providers comparison
The Dutch market offers several insurance providers targeting freelancers and entrepreneurs. Here are the main options with their strengths and weaknesses.
Insify
Digital-first, expat-friendly
Pros
- • 100% English platform and support
- • Instant online quotes (5 minutes)
- • Competitive pricing for young freelancers
- • Modern, user-friendly interface
- • Fast claims processing
Cons
- • Limited AOV options for high earners
- • Stricter medical underwriting
- • Less coverage customization
Best for: IT freelancers, designers, consultants under 40, expats who prefer English
Aegon
Traditional insurer, comprehensive coverage
Pros
- • Extensive AOV customization
- • High coverage limits available
- • Strong financial stability
- • Own-occupation disability coverage
Cons
- • Higher premiums (10-20% above average)
- • Primarily Dutch-language service
- • Slower quote process (broker required)
- • Complex policy documents
Best for: High earners (€100k+), those with pre-existing health conditions, Dutch speakers
Allianz
International reputation, premium service
Pros
- • International coverage options
- • English-speaking advisors available
- • Excellent for high-liability professions
- • Global claims handling
Cons
- • Premium pricing (20-30% above average)
- • Complex application process
- • Limited online services
Best for: International consultants, frequent travelers, accountants, architects
ZZP Verzekeringen
Specialist for sole proprietors
Pros
- • Lowest premiums for ZZP (5-15% below market)
- • Simple, no-frills policies
- • Fast online application
- • Specialized in freelancer needs
Cons
- • Dutch-only website and support
- • Limited coverage customization
- • No BV insurance options
- • Strict age limits (under 55 for AOV)
Best for: Price-conscious ZZP freelancers, Dutch speakers, simple insurance needs
Choosing the right provider
For most expat freelancers, Insify offers the best combination of English support, competitive pricing, and ease of use. If you're over 45, have high income (€100k+), or work in regulated professions, consider Aegon or Allianz despite higher costs. Dutch-speaking freelancers on tight budgets should explore ZZP Verzekeringen.
Pro tip: Get quotes from 3 providers to compare not just pricing but coverage details, waiting periods, and exclusions. A €10/month cheaper policy with worse terms can cost you €50,000+ in a denied claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is insurance mandatory for freelancers in the Netherlands?
AOV (income protection) is not legally mandatory but strongly recommended as freelancers don't have access to employee disability benefits. BAV (professional liability) is legally required for certain professions (lawyers, accountants, architects, medical professionals) and contractually required by most corporate clients. AVB (business liability) is not mandatory but recommended for client-facing work.
How much does freelancer insurance cost in the Netherlands?
AOV costs €25-80/month depending on age, health, and coverage level. BAV costs €8-50/month depending on profession and coverage amount (typically €500k-€2.5M). AVB costs €10-30/month for basic coverage. Total monthly cost ranges from €43-160/month, with all premiums being tax-deductible business expenses.
Can I deduct insurance premiums from my taxes as a freelancer?
Yes, all business-related insurance premiums are 100% tax-deductible. This includes AOV, BAV, and AVB. At a 37.07% income tax rate, a €100 premium effectively costs €63. However, disability payouts from AOV are taxable as income, while liability payouts are not taxable.
What's the difference between ZZP and BV insurance requirements?
ZZP (sole proprietor) insurance is simpler with lower costs (€43-160/month total). BV (private limited company) requires directors' liability insurance (D&O), company car insurance if applicable, and potentially higher BAV coverage. BV insurance typically costs €100-300/month. The choice depends on your revenue (BV beneficial above €67,000 for 30% ruling) and liability concerns.
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