Disability insurance (AOV): protecting your income
Why freelancers need disability insurance, how AOV works, what you'll pay, and whether the upcoming mandatory scheme will change everything.
As a freelancer, you have no employer safety net. If you become ill or injured and can't work, there's no sick pay, no benefits coming in, no payroll to fall back on. That's exactly why disability insurance — AOV (arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering) — exists. This post explains how it works, what it costs, and what's about to change.
Why income protection matters for zzp'ers
An employee who gets injured gets statutory sick pay for the first two years, then disability benefits. A freelancer gets nothing. The moment you can't work, your income stops. Your rent, mortgage, staff salaries, and business costs don't.
That's the gap AOV fills. It replaces a portion of your income if illness or injury prevents you from working. It's not a luxury — it's financial oxygen when your earning power vanishes.
The mandatory scheme is coming, but not yet in force
The Dutch government has proposed making AOV mandatory for all self-employed people starting in the coming years. As of now, this is still a plan — not yet law. A private AOV is entirely voluntary today. We'll explain what the proposal means and what you should do now.
How voluntary AOV works today
A private AOV policy covers your income if you become unable to work due to illness, injury, or medical condition. Here's what shapes the deal:
Waiting period (wachttijd). You choose: typically 4 weeks, 13 weeks, 26 weeks, or 52 weeks. The longer you wait before payments start, the cheaper the premium. Many choose 13 weeks — you have a small emergency fund, but protection kicks in quickly.
Age cap (eindleeftijd). Your policy runs until an age you choose: commonly 65. After that, you're on AOW (state pension). Some policies offer continuation to 70, but at higher cost.
Income definition. AOV pays out based on your declared income (usually your tax return). If you earn €3,000 per month, the policy might replace 70–80% of that if you become unable to work — not 100%. This forces you to keep a small buffer.
Earnings and work capacity. If you return to work part-time, the payout adjusts. Some policies use beroepsarbeid (your own profession) as the benchmark — you must be unable to do your job. Others use passende arbeid (suitable work) — you're deemed unable if you can't earn a certain percentage of your normal income, even in a different job. Passende arbeid is stricter and cheaper.
Let ZZP Belasting do the maths
Automatic BTW returns, income-tax forecasts and depreciation — from the invoices you already have.
Try it freeCost and what shapes your premium
A typical AOV premium runs €50–200 per month, depending on:
- Your age. Younger = cheaper. A 30-year-old pays less than a 50-year-old.
- Your income. Higher income = higher payout = higher premium.
- The waiting period. 4 weeks is pricier than 52 weeks.
- The definition of disability. Beroepsarbeid (can't do your job) is cheaper than passende arbeid (can't earn a threshold).
- Your profession. Some jobs are riskier than others; premiums vary.
The premium is tax-deductible as a business cost. If you pay €100/month (€1,200/year), you deduct it from your profit, saving roughly 30–49% of its value in tax.
The upcoming mandatory scheme
The government has drafted a plan to make AOV mandatory for all self-employed people. The scheme would:
- Provide baseline coverage (income protection if you become disabled)
- Be funded by a mandatory contribution (amount and start date not yet final)
- Likely phase in over several years, starting with new freelancers
This is not yet law. No fixed start date, no confirmed premium, no final details are public. The government is still working on the design. Treating the mandatory scheme as imminent would be misleading — check belastingdienst.nl and rijksoverheid.nl for the latest status before making big insurance decisions.
Private AOV now: should you get one?
If you're self-employed and your business is your main income, a private AOV is wise. The monthly premium is a rounding error compared to the cost of losing your entire income for a year or more.
Skip it only if:
- You have a large cash buffer (6–12 months of living costs saved)
- Your partner's salary fully covers household expenses
- You're in the final years before AOW (state pension) age
Otherwise, it's the single most important insurance you can buy.
How AOV interacts with other income protection
Sick pay from a part-time job. If you work 30 hours a week in employment and 10 as a freelancer, your employer's sick pay might cover the employment income, but you need AOV to cover the freelance portion.
Broodfonds. Some freelancers join a mutual-aid fund instead of or alongside AOV. It's cheaper but covers less and for a shorter time (usually 2 years max). We dive into that in broodfonds: a mutual-aid alternative.
Business continuation insurance. Some policies cover ongoing business costs (rent, staff salaries) if you can't work — separate from personal income protection.
Next steps
- Get a quote. Contact an insurance broker or use sites like insurancedirect.nl or lemixy.nl to compare. Typical policies take 10–15 minutes to quote.
- Choose a waiting period. If you have a 3-month emergency fund, a 13-week waiting period is balanced.
- Pick your definition of disability. Beroepsarbeid is cheaper; passende arbeid is safer.
- Check the updated legal landscape. Follow belastingdienst.nl for announcements about the mandatory scheme.
Can I claim AOV as a business cost?
What if I have a pre-existing condition?
Does AOV cover me if I burn out?
A disability is not a statistical outlier — it's something that happens to real freelancers every year. AOV isn't glamorous, but it's the difference between a tough season and genuine catastrophe. Whether you choose a private policy now or wait for the mandatory scheme, make sure you have a plan. ZZP Belasting helps you forecast your income, so you know exactly what you'd need to replace if disaster struck.