Are you facing wage garnishment? Then you must never be left without a subsistence minimum to live on. For that, there is the protected earnings amount: the part of your income on which no garnishment may be imposed, so that you can continue to pay rent, groceries and healthcare costs. You can easily check your protected earnings amount with the official calculator. Rijksoverheid+2uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl+2

What is wage garnishment?

In the case of wage garnishment, your employer (or benefits agency) receives a notice from the bailiff and is required to cooperate. A portion of your wages goes to the bailiff/creditor; you keep at least the garnishment-exempt amount about. uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl

Tip: Always check that your information is correct (living situation, housing costs, income) and recalculate it yourself via the official tool. Changes can make your garnishment-free threshold increase or decrease. Government of the Netherlands+1

What is the garnishment-free threshold?

The garnishment-exempt amount is the legally protected part of your income. The amount depends, among other things, on household composition, income and housing costs. In practice, this is often around 90–95% of the social assistance standard, with maximum amounts that are adjusted annually. You can check and calculate it via uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl. uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl+1

Maximum protected earnings (July 2025 – estimate)

• Single, no children: € 2.093,67 per month

• Single parent: € 2.264,67 per month

• Married/cohabiting without children: € 2.771,07 per month

• Married/cohabiting with children: € 2.888,00 per month

Source: official information (uwbeslagvrijevoet/Schuldinfo). Note: your actual protected earnings threshold may be lower when income/benefits are counted. Always check with the calculator. uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl+1

Special situations

• No fixed abode or place of residence / mailing address: different (lower) garnishment-free threshold according to legislation. KBvG

• Staying in an institution: your own contribution may count in the calculation. UWV

• Living abroad with Dutch income: the protected earnings threshold generally applies, but often calculated as if you live in the Netherlands; provide your address/family details to the bailiff. UWV

Health insurance premium and (non-)payment: what happens?

If you fall behind with the health insurance premium, then you may be registered with the CAK. The administrative premium is then collected through wages/benefits. Important: the health insurance premium is a fixed expense and falls within the protected earnings threshold — it is not a garnishment. Report payment problems early, often a payment plan is possible. CAK+2CAK+2

Bank seizure vs. wage garnishment: big difference

With bank seizure (seizure of your account) the protected earnings threshold is not automatically applied. Contact immediately contact the bailiff and ask to have the minimum you need for basic living expenses exempted. SchuldInfo

Can the municipality offset a debt against your benefit?

Yes, the municipality may in certain cases directly offset an outstanding debt against your benefit, such as a social assistance benefit. This is called setoff or withholding. The municipality must take into account the protected earnings: the part of your income that you minimally need for your daily expenses.

Is this putting you in a tight spot? Contact the municipality immediately to discuss whether the withholding can be adjusted. Organizations such as the Nibud or the Juridisch Loket can advise you on how to deal with this.

How is the protected earnings amount calculated?

The bailiff/attachment creditor calculates your protected earnings amount based on data (including UWV-Polis, BRP and Belastingdienst) and your reported housing costs/allowances. You can recalculate it yourself and if necessary additional information can be provided. uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl+2KBvG+2

Required for verification:

• Overview of protected earnings / bailiff’s letter

• Recent payslips (you/partner)

• Rent/mortgage, health insurance policy

• Overview of benefits (rent-/health-/childcare) uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl

At what point does an adjusted protected earnings amount take effect?

An adjusted protected earnings amount can commence at different times, depending on when you provide the correct information:

• Within 4 weeks after the start of the garnishment: If you report within this period that the bailiff has used incorrect data (and you provide the correct information), or it turns out that the protected earnings amount has been calculated incorrectly, the adjusted amount will apply retroactively from the start of the garnishment. Have you therefore paid too much? Then you will receive the overwithheld amount back.

• After 4 weeks: If you only come forward later (after 4 weeks or more) with the correct information, the adjusted protected earnings threshold will be applied from the moment you report this. In that case, you will not receive a refund for the earlier period.

So always check your details promptly and report any errors as soon as possible. That way you avoid missing out on money.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

It often goes wrong with: not accounting for housing costs/health insurance premium, no partner assessment, wrong income period, or benefits not taken into account. Check and request recalculation with evidence (rental contract, policy, pay slips). The Government of the Netherlands advises to check yourself and to report changes. Government of the Netherlands+1

Are you unsure about multiple garnishments? In the national garnishment register bailiffs coordinate their garnishments with each other to double withholding to prevent. KBvG

Can multiple bailiffs garnish my income?

It is possible that multiple bailiffs want to garnish your income if you have arrears with different creditors. Fortunately, you do not need to worry that your income will be withheld twice. Thanks to the national garnishment register, bailiffs consult with each other and ensure that the garnishment is properly coordinated. This way, your protected earnings threshold is always respected and this prevents you from falling below the subsistence minimum.

Do you think that something is still not right, or are you receiving multiple notices about garnishment of your income? If so, contact the bailiffs involved to quickly resolve any misunderstandings.

What should you do if the calculation is too low?

1. Request recalculation with the bailiff (with supporting documents).

2. Check the attachment register if there are multiple garnishments. 

3. File an objection/go to court if no correction is made.

4. Engage legal assistance in (free with us; we recover costs from the opposing party/settlement).

Too much withheld? Here’s how refunds work

Is your protected earnings threshold set too low and do you find out in time? Then in many cases you are entitled to a refund of the amount that was withheld from you in excess.

Please note the following rules:

• Reported within 4 weeks: Do you discover within 4 weeks after the garnishment that errors were made in the calculation (such as incorrect data or a miscalculation) and do you immediately submit the correct documents? Then the bailiff must correct the protected earnings threshold retroactively. You will receive the excess amount withheld back.
• Reported after 4 weeks: Do you only find out later—so after the first 4 weeks? Then the protected earnings threshold will be adjusted from the moment you report it. In that case you usually do not get any money back for the preceding period.

In short: the sooner you check and demonstrate any errors, the greater the chance that you will get your money back. So if in doubt, request a recalculation immediately and keep all supporting documents readily available.

Has your situation changed? Report this immediately

A move, a different household composition, changed rent or income? That can affect your protected earnings threshold directly affect. Report changes with evidence immediately to the bailiff and ask for a written confirmation. 

Real-world examples (anonymized)

• Employee had €1.000 p/m left; after review the protected earnings threshold was €1.450 → €450 p/m extra.

• Single parent: childcare allowance/housing costs not taken into account → protected earnings amount corrected.

• Social assistance benefit regarding the protected earnings amount → no withholding allowed.

Checklist for wage garnishment

• 📄 Request a breakdown of the protected earnings amount

• 📑 Check whether rent, health insurance premium, benefits and partner income have been included

• 🧾 Submit supporting documents on time

• 🧮 Recalculate via the official tool

• 👨‍⚖️ Raise the alarm (legal aid) if correction does not occur 

Frequently asked questions

1) What is the maximum that may be withheld?
The protected earnings always remain; at least 5% of net income will be used to repay. The exact amount depends on your personal calculation. 

2) Can the protected earnings be adjusted retroactively?
Yes. In case of changes or errors, you can recalculation ask questions; provide evidence and ask for written confirmation. 

3) Does the protected earnings threshold also apply to bank account garnishment?
Not automatically. Contact immediately and ask that the statutory minimum be left available for living expenses. 

4) Can my vacation pay be seized?
Vacation pay counts toward the income base for the calculation; this affects the protected earnings threshold/repayment capacity. 

5) What if there are multiple garnishments?
The first garnishing creditor calculates the protected earnings threshold; other garnishing creditors must respect it. Registration/coordination takes place via the calculation module/garnishment register. 

How can you tackle your debts?

Resolving debts often starts with clarity and action. First list all outstanding bills and creditors, including amounts and due dates. Also map out your income and fixed expenses: this shows how much room there is to repay.

Steps to tackle debts:

• Set up a payment arrangement: Contact creditors and discuss the possibility of paying in installments.
• Ask for help (if needed): If you can’t manage it yourself, contact debt assistance from your municipality in. They can mediate or start a debt restructuring process.
• Stay in contact: Let creditors know what your situation is. Silence often leads to unnecessary increases.
• Avoid new debts: Stay within your budget as much as possible and, if necessary, appoint a trustee or budget coach.
• Check your details: Report any errors directly to the relevant agencies and request a correction with written confirmation.

If, despite these steps, you cannot get out of debt, then restructuring via the Debt Restructuring (Natural Persons) Act (WSNP) possible in some cases. This is a last resort, and you must comply with strict conditions.

Why Arslan Advocaten?

• Specialized in wage garnishment & protected earnings

• Quick recalculation and objection in case of errors

• Strong in negotiation with bailiffs/creditors

• Free assistance for clients (we recover reasonable costs where possible)

Related:

• Bank account garnishment: what is it and what can you do?

• Debt collection and bailiff: everything you need to know