Prenatal and childbirth allowance for self-employed people

If you are a female self-employed worker without employees who is based in the Netherlands, you are entitled to an allowance during pregnancy or after childbirth. The allowance is called the Maternity Benefit Scheme for the Self-Employed (ZEZ). You can apply for the ZEZ allowance by sending a form to the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).

Amount allowance

The maximum amount of the prenatal or childbirth allowance is 100% of the statutory gross minimum wage. You receive a benefit to this amount if you have worked for at least 1,225 hours in the preceding year. If you have worked fewer than 1,225 hours, the benefit depends on profit/income in the years before the benefit is paid. The minimum term of the benefit is 16 weeks.

You can apply for the prenatal and childbirth allowance from the Institute for Employee Benefit Schemes (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen, UWV).