Wage Garnishment and Protected Earnings

Wage garnishment and the protected earnings threshold: what you need to know

Are you facing wage garnishment (loonbeslag)? You must never be left without a subsistence minimum. That is what the protected earnings threshold (beslagvrije voet) is for: the part of your income that cannot be attached, so that you can keep paying rent, groceries and healthcare costs. You can check your protected earnings threshold easily with the official calculator (rekentool).

What is wage garnishment?

In wage garnishment your employer (or benefits agency) receives notice from the bailiff and is obliged to cooperate. Part of your wages goes to the bailiff or creditor; you keep at least the protected earnings threshold.

Tip: always check that your details are correct (household situation, housing costs, income) and recalculate it yourself using the official tool. Changes can raise or lower your protected earnings.

What is the protected earnings threshold?

The protected earnings threshold is the legally protected part of your income. How high it is depends on, among other things, household composition, income and housing costs. Since 1 January 2021 the calculation starts from 95% of the applicable social assistance standard (bijstandsnorm), plus statutory adjustments related to health insurance, housing and children, with maximum amounts that are adjusted every January and July. The protected amount can never be more than 95% of your monthly income: at least 5% is always available to creditors (article 475dc Dutch Code of Civil Procedure). You can check and calculate it at uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl.

Maximum protected earnings (from 1 July 2026)

Single, no children: € 2.208,48 p/m
Single parent: € 2.543,75 p/m
Married or cohabiting, no children: € 2.905,79 p/m
Married or cohabiting, with children: € 3.179,68 p/m

Source: article 475da(1) Dutch Code of Civil Procedure, as in force from 1 July 2026. The amounts change every six months. Note: your actual threshold can come out lower because other income and allowances count towards it. Always check with the calculator.

What changed in 2026?

From 1 January 2026 the calculation changed because the rules for housing benefit (huurtoeslag) changed. As a result, your protected earnings in 2026 may be set lower than in 2025; the attaching party informs you about the new amount. Check at the same time whether you are now entitled to housing benefit, because more people qualify in 2026. If you receive social assistance (bijstand), the recalculation is done automatically. In other cases a higher protected amount is not applied automatically: contact the attaching party yourself, preferably within four weeks, if the amount is too low for your situation.

Special situations

No fixed address or a correspondence address: a different, lower threshold applies under the legislation.
Staying in an institution: your own contribution can count in the calculation.
Living abroad with Dutch income: the threshold applies as a rule, but is often calculated as though you lived in the Netherlands; give the bailiff your address and household details.

Note: in a number of situations less money is left to live on, because a lower threshold usually applies. That is generally the case if you live abroad, if you are homeless, or if you are temporarily staying in an institution such as a nursing or care home.

Does this describe your situation?
You can then ask the bailiff to raise your threshold to the standard amount. You will need to show what your income is and exactly what your housing situation involves — proof of address, household details or a statement of residence. That prevents the threshold being set unnecessarily low.

If you are unsure, or if your circumstances change, it is always sensible to contact the bailiff so that your personal situation is taken into account.

Health insurance premiums and non-payment: what happens?

If you are six or more monthly premiums behind with your health insurance (zorgpremie), your insurer reports you to the CAK. You then pay a higher bestuursrechtelijke premie to the CAK instead of the normal premium (€ 172.70 per month in 2026), usually withheld directly from your wages or benefit. The protected earnings threshold already includes an amount for your health insurance premium. If your wages are also attached, the CAK deduction is paid out of your protected amount, not on top of it (article 18f(5) Health Insurance Act). Report payment problems early: with a payment arrangement with your insurer or through debt assistance, the CAK premium can end.

Bank attachment versus wage garnishment: a big difference

With a bank attachment (bankbeslag) the protected earnings threshold is not applied automatically. Contact the bailiff immediately and ask them to release what you minimally need to live on.

Do you want to contact the bailiff, for example to pass on your details or to discuss how much you need to get by? Look carefully at the letter about your protected earnings: it sets out exactly how to reach the right person. That stops you being left without enough money for your day-to-day expenses.

Can the municipality set off a debt against your benefit?

Yes. In certain cases the municipality may set an outstanding debt off directly against your benefit, for example social assistance. This is called set-off or deduction. The municipality must respect the protected earnings threshold: the part of your income you minimally need for daily expenses.

Is this leaving you short? Contact the municipality straight away to discuss whether the deduction can be adjusted. Organisations such as the Nibud or the Juridisch Loket can also advise you on how to deal with it.

How is the threshold calculated?

The bailiff or attaching creditor calculates your threshold using data (from the UWV wage register, the population register and the Tax Administration) and the housing costs and allowances you report. You can check the calculation yourself and, where necessary, supply additional information.

What you need in order to check:

The threshold statement or the bailiff’s letter
Recent payslips (yours and your partner’s)
Rent or mortgage, health insurance policy
A summary of allowances (housing, healthcare, childcare)

When does an adjusted threshold take effect?

An adjusted threshold can take effect at different moments, depending on when you supply the correct information:

Within 4 weeks of receiving the notice of your protected earnings: If within that period you report that the bailiff used incorrect data (and supply the correct information), or it turns out the threshold was miscalculated, the adjusted amount applies retroactively from the start of the attachment. If you paid too much, the excess is refunded.
After 4 weeks: If you supply the correct information later (after 4 weeks or more), the adjusted threshold applies from the moment you report it. In that case there is no refund for the earlier period.

So check your details quickly and report any errors as soon as you can, to avoid losing money.

Common mistakes (and how to put them right)

Things often go wrong where housing costs or health premiums are ignored, no partner assessment is made, the wrong income period is used, or allowances are left out. Check, and ask for a recalculation with evidence (tenancy agreement, policy, payslips). The government advises you to check for yourself and report any changes.

Unsure about multiple attachments? Through the national attachment register (landelijk beslagregister), bailiffs coordinate their attachments in order to prevent double deductions.

Refunds where the threshold was wrong

Good news: if too much was withheld from your wages or benefit because of a calculation error or incorrect information, you can often get that money back. But timing is everything.

Note the following:

Reported straight away, within 4 weeks? If within four weeks of receiving the notice of your protected earnings you report that the bailiff used incorrect data (and you send the correct information at the same time), the excess withheld is refunded to you.
A calculation error by the bailiff? Even where the bailiff had the correct data but still made an error in the calculation, the excess is refunded — provided you raise it quickly.

Do you only report new or corrected information after those four weeks? Then the higher threshold normally applies from the moment you report it, and the earlier excess is usually not refunded. A pure calculation error by the bailiff, made with the correct data, is a different matter: ask for correction and repayment in that case as well. After a new annual calculation, the four weeks run from the new notice and a correction applies from the date of that recalculation. So always check the calculation immediately after an attachment and act quickly if you see anything wrong.

Can several bailiffs attach my income?

If you are in arrears with several creditors, more than one bailiff may want to attach your income. You need not fear a double deduction: through the national attachment register bailiffs consult one another and coordinate the attachments. Your protected earnings threshold is always taken into account, so that you do not fall below the subsistence minimum.

Do you think something is nonetheless wrong, or are you receiving several notices about attachment of your income? Contact the bailiffs involved so that any misunderstanding is resolved quickly.

What to do if the calculation is too low

Ask for a recalculation by the bailiff (with supporting documents).
Check the attachment register (beslagregister) where there are multiple attachments.
Object, or go to court if no correction follows.
Get legal help (the first consultation is free; costs and possible subsidised legal aid are discussed before any work starts).

When does an adjusted threshold take effect?

If you report in time that your threshold was miscalculated, within 4 weeks of receiving the notice of your protected earnings and with the correct data or evidence provided to the bailiff, the recalculation usually applies retroactively: the excess withheld is refunded.

If your report comes later (after those 4 weeks), the correct amount is usually applied from the moment you report it. The money withheld in excess before that date is unfortunately not refunded.

In short:

Within 4 weeks: reporting plus correct data = recalculation from the start, refund possible.
After 4 weeks: reporting = adjustment from the report onwards, no refund for the past.

Too much withheld? How refunds work

If your threshold is set too low and you find out in time, you are in many cases entitled to a refund of the amount withheld in excess.

Note the following rules:

Reported within 4 weeks: If within 4 weeks of receiving the notice of your protected earnings you discover errors in the calculation (incorrect data or a miscalculation) and supply the correct documents straight away, the bailiff should correct the threshold retroactively and refund the excess.
Reported after 4 weeks: If you only find out later, the threshold is adjusted from the moment you report it. In that case there is normally no refund for the preceding period.

In short: the sooner you check and demonstrate any errors, the better your chance of getting your money back. If in doubt, request a recalculation straight away and keep all your evidence to hand.

Has your situation changed? Report it at once

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

Examples from practice (anonymised)

Employee was left with €1,000 a month; on checking, the threshold turned out to be €1.450 → €450 p/m extra.
Single parent: childcare allowance and housing costs had not been taken into account → the threshold was corrected.
Social assistance (bijstand): the protected amount is 95% of the assistance standard, so in principle about 5% can be withheld.

Wage garnishment checklist

📄 Request a breakdown of the protected earnings threshold
📑 Check whether rent, health premium, allowances and partner income have been included
🧾 Supply supporting documents in good time
🧮 Recalculate using the official tool
👨‍⚖️ Raise the alarm (legal help) if no correction follows

Frequently asked questions

1) How much can be withheld at most?
You always keep the protected earnings threshold (beslagvrije voet); at least 5% of net income goes towards repayment. The exact room depends on your personal calculation.

2) Can the threshold be adjusted afterwards?
Yes. Where there are changes or errors you can ask for a recalculation; supply evidence and ask for written confirmation.

3) Does the threshold also apply to bank attachment?
Not automatically. Contact the bailiff immediately and ask for the statutory minimum to be released for living expenses.

4) Can my holiday pay be attached?
Holiday pay counts in the income base for the calculation, which affects the threshold and the room for repayment.

5) What if there are several attachments?
The first attaching creditor calculates the threshold; the others must respect it. Registration and coordination run through the calculation module and the attachment register (rekenmodule/beslagregister).

How can you tackle your debts?

Solving debt usually starts with an overview and with action. First list every outstanding bill and creditor, with amounts and payment dates. Then map your income and fixed costs, so you can see how much room there is to repay.

Steps to tackle debt:

Agree a payment arrangement: contact creditors and discuss paying in instalments.
Ask for help if you need it: if you cannot manage on your own, call in the debt assistance service of your municipality (gemeente). They can mediate or start a debt restructuring process.
Stay in touch: Tell creditors what your situation is. Silence often leads to unnecessary increases.
Avoid new debts: stay within your budget as far as you can and, if necessary, appoint an administrator or budget coach.
Check your details: report any errors to the organisations involved straight away and ask for written confirmation of the correction.

If these steps still do not get you out of debt, restructuring under the Dutch Natural Persons Debt Restructuring Act (WSNP) may be possible in some cases. It is a last resort, with strict conditions.

Why Arslan Advocaten?

Help with checking wage garnishment and protected earnings
Quick recalculation and objections where there are errors
Strong in negotiation with bailiffs and creditors
Free initial consultation; costs and possible subsidised legal aid are discussed before any work starts

What is wage garnishment and how does it affect my income?

Wage garnishment occurs when a creditor or debt collector orders your employer to withhold part of your salary to pay off a debt. However, you are protected by the ‘beslagvrije voet,’ which ensures you keep a minimum income to cover living expenses.

How can I check if the amount of garnishment is correct?

You should verify your personal details, income, and living situation using the official online tool ‘uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl’ to ensure your garnishment amount is accurate and that your protected earnings are correctly calculated.

What is the ‘beslagvrije voet’ and how is it determined?

The ‘beslagvrije voet’ is the legally protected portion of your income that cannot be garnished, and it depends on factors like your household situation, income, and living costs. Since 2021 it is based on 95% of the applicable social assistance standard plus statutory adjustments, and it can never be more than 95% of your monthly income.

Can I request an increase in my protected earnings if my situation is special?

Yes, if you live abroad, are homeless, or in a care facility, you can ask the creditor or bailiff to increase your ‘beslagvrije voet’ to a standard amount by providing proof of your income and living situation to prevent your protected income from being set too low.