News item | 16-09-2025 | 15:35
The budget of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) for the year 2026 is dominated by plans to keep care accessible and affordable. Municipalities are being compensated for youth care shortages and the cabinet makes money free for plans from the two care agreements that were closed last year. The government is also investing in care for the disabled and women’s shelter. In total, the cabinet takes € 114.1 billion for healthcare in 2026.
Cabinet is compensating municipalities for youth care shortages
In addition to the € 3 billion that was released in the Spring Memorandum, municipalities receive € 728 million extra this year that they can use to implement the plans from the Youth Reform Agenda. This means: more focus on health and prevention around the child and the family. With this € 728 million, the government compensates for municipalities for the so -called youth care shortages 2023 and 2024. With this money, municipalities can strengthen the social basis and strong local teams that ensure that children receive better help and support where necessary. And therefore less youth care is needed. With this compensation, the government follows the advice of the Experts Committee (Van Ark) that focuses on the implementation of the agreements from the Youth Reform Agenda.
From care to prevention
With the supplementary care and welfare agreement (AZWA), the government is structurally investing nearly € 70 million in medical prevention (for example vaccinations and population investigations). In 2027 and 2028, € 400 million will be allocated to improve facilities and cooperation between care and the social domain (such as municipalities and social workers).
Extra money for women’s shelter
Women’s shelter is an important facility in tackling domestic violence and violence against women. The capacity of women’s shelter is currently under pressure. It is important that shortages are tackled. That is why VWS structurally makes € 12 million available for additional reception places as of 2026. The further agreements and distribution of this money are still taking place between the government and municipalities.
More money available for care for the disabled
People with a disability must be able to count on good quality care. For this reason, it is regularly examined whether the rates for the care for the disabled are still sufficient for providing good care. € 112 million is being released to increase the rates in the Long -Term Care Act (Wlz) for the care for the disabled before 2026. There is also € 140 million available to increase the rates for housing. This allows providers to make their homes more sustainable. For a number of specific target groups with a complex demand for care (including people with non-congenital brain injury), € 11 million has been made available. This allows them to arrange a suitable care offer. In total, € 263 million is added for the care for the disabled.
Healthcare expenditure, premium and care allowance
The total healthcare expenditure (€ 114.1 billion) will increase by six percent in 2026 compared to 2025. This increase is largely due to the rise in wages and prices. With good salaries, the sector remains attractive for healthcare staff.
The health insurance premium increases with the rise in total healthcare expenditure. For 2026, VWS expects an increase in the health insurance premium by € 3 per month. This brings the average health insurance premium to € 159 per month. The expected health insurance premium will increase once in 2026 once. This is because more money has been left in the government’s health insurance fund. Health insurers will announce their new healthcare premiums by 12 November. The health care allowance remains virtually the same.