Are you facing wage garnishment? You should never be left without a minimum to live on. That is what the attachment-free allowance exists for: the portion of your income that cannot be garnished, so you can continue to pay rent, groceries and healthcare costs. You can easily check your attachment-free allowance using the official calculation tool. Rijksoverheid
What is wage garnishment?
With wage garnishment, your employer (or benefits agency) receives a notice from the bailiff and is obligated to cooperate. Part of your wages goes to the bailiff/creditor; you retain at least the attachment-free allowance. uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl
Tip: Always check whether your details are correct (living situation, housing costs, income) and recalculate yourself using the official tool. Changes can increase or decrease your attachment-free allowance. Rijksoverheid
What is the attachment-free allowance?
The attachment-free allowance is the legally protected portion of your income. The amount depends on, among other things, family 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 this via uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl. uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl
Maximum attachment-free allowance (July 2025 – indication)
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Single, no children: € 2,093.67 p/m
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Single parent: € 2,264.67 p/m
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Married/cohabiting without children: € 2,771.07 p/m
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Married/cohabiting with children: € 2,888.00 p/m
Source: official information (uwbeslagvrijevoet/Schuldinfo). Please note: your actual attachment-free allowance may be lower due to income/allowances being taken into account. Always verify with the calculation tool. uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl
Special situations
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No permanent residence / postal address: a different (lower) attachment-free allowance applies under the law. KBvG
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Residing in an institution: your personal contribution may be included in the calculation. UWV
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Living abroad with Dutch income: the attachment-free allowance generally applies, but is often calculated as if you live in the Netherlands; provide your address/family details to the bailiff. UWV
Please note: in a number of situations you are left with less money to live on, because a lower attachment-free allowance usually applies. This is typically the case if you live abroad, if you are homeless, or if you are temporarily residing in an institution such as a nursing home or care home.
Does your situation match this?
You can then ask the bailiff to increase your attachment-free allowance to the standard amount. To do so, you must demonstrate what your income is and what your living situation entails. Think of proof of address, family details or a declaration of residence. This prevents your attachment-free allowance from being set unnecessarily low.
If in doubt or if your circumstances change, it is always advisable to contact the bailiff. This ensures that your personal situation is taken into account.
Health insurance premium and (non-)payment: what happens?
If you fall behind on your health insurance premium, you may be registered with the CAK. The administrative premium is then collected through your wages/benefits. Important: the health insurance premium is a fixed expense and falls within the attachment-free allowance — it is not a garnishment. Report payment difficulties early; often a payment arrangement is possible. CAK
Bank attachment vs. wage garnishment: a major difference
With bank attachment (attachment on your bank account), the attachment-free allowance is not automatically applied. Contact the bailiff immediately and request that the minimum amount you need for living expenses be released. SchuldInfo
Would you like to contact the bailiff, for example to provide your details or to discuss how much money you need to make ends meet? Then carefully read the letter about your attachment-free allowance. It explains exactly how to easily contact the right person. This prevents you from being left without sufficient money for your daily expenses.
Can the municipality offset a debt against your benefits?
Yes, in certain cases the municipality may directly offset an outstanding debt against your benefits, such as a social assistance benefit. This is called set-off or deduction. The municipality must take the attachment-free allowance into account: the portion of your income you need at minimum for your daily expenses.
Are you struggling as a result? Contact the municipality immediately to discuss whether the deduction can be adjusted. Organisations such as Nibud or the Juridisch Loket (Legal Services Counter) can also advise you on how to deal with this.
How is the attachment-free allowance calculated?
The bailiff/garnishing party calculates your attachment-free allowance based on data (including UWV-Polis, BRP and Tax Authority records) and your declared housing costs/allowances. You can verify this yourself and, if necessary, provide additional information. uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl
Needed for verification:
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Attachment-free allowance overview / bailiff's letter
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Recent payslips (you/partner)
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Rent/mortgage, health insurance policy
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Overview of allowances (housing/healthcare/childcare) uwbeslagvrijevoet.nl
When does an adjusted attachment-free allowance take effect?
An adjusted attachment-free allowance can take effect at different times, depending on when you provide the correct information:
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Within 4 weeks of the start of the garnishment: If you report within this period that the bailiff used incorrect information (and you provide the correct details), or if the attachment-free allowance was incorrectly calculated, the adjusted amount takes effect retroactively from the start of the garnishment. If you overpaid as a result, the excess amount withheld will be refunded to you.
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After 4 weeks: If you only come forward later (after 4 weeks or more) with the correct information, the adjusted attachment-free allowance is applied from the moment you report this. In that case, you will not receive a refund for the earlier period.
Therefore, always check your details promptly and report any errors as soon as possible. This prevents you from missing out on money.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
Things often go wrong with: not accounting for housing costs/health insurance premium, no partner assessment, incorrect income period or allowances not being considered. Check and request a recalculation with evidence (rental contract, policy, payslips). The government advises you to check yourself and report changes. Rijksoverheid
Do you have doubts about multiple garnishments? In the national garnishment register, bailiffs coordinate their garnishments to prevent double deductions. KBvG
Refund in case of an incorrect attachment-free allowance
Good news: if too much was withheld from your wages or benefits due to a calculation error or incorrect information, you can often get that money back. But timing is everything.
Pay attention to the following:
- Reported immediately within 4 weeks? If you report within four weeks after the garnishment that the bailiff used incorrect information (and immediately provide the correct details), the amount that was withheld in excess will be refunded to you.
- Calculation error by the bailiff? Even if the bailiff had the correct information but still made a calculation error, you will receive the excess amount back — provided you act quickly.
If the error is only discovered and reported after four weeks, you are less fortunate. In that case, the excess amount withheld remains withheld, even if you provide the correct information afterwards. Therefore, always check the calculation immediately after a garnishment and take quick action if you notice any errors.
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 deducted twice. Thanks to the national garnishment register, bailiffs consult with each other and ensure that garnishments are properly coordinated. This way, your attachment-free allowance is always respected and you are prevented from falling below the subsistence minimum.
Do you suspect something is not right or are you receiving multiple notices about garnishment of your income? Then contact the relevant bailiffs to resolve any misunderstandings quickly.
What do you do if the calculation is too low?
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Request a recalculation from the bailiff (with supporting documents).
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Check the garnishment register in case of multiple garnishments.
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File an objection/go to court if correction is not forthcoming.
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Seek legal assistance (free of charge with us; we recover costs from the opposing party/settlement).
When does an adjusted attachment-free allowance take effect?
If you report in a timely manner that your attachment-free allowance was incorrectly calculated — that is, within 4 weeks of the garnishment being placed, with the correct information or supporting documents provided to the bailiff — the recalculation usually applies retroactively: you receive the excess amount withheld back.
If your report comes later (after those 4 weeks), the correct amount is generally adjusted from the moment of your report. Unfortunately, the money withheld in excess before that date will not be refunded.
In short:
- Reported within 4 weeks + correct information = recalculation from the beginning, refund possible.
- Reported after 4 weeks = adjustment from the moment of reporting, no refund for the past.
Too much withheld? Here is how refunds work
Was your attachment-free allowance set too low and did you discover this in time? In many cases, you are entitled to a refund of the amount that was withheld in excess.
Pay attention to the following rules:
- Reported within 4 weeks: If you discover within 4 weeks after the garnishment that errors were made in the calculation (such as incorrect information or a miscalculation) and you immediately provide the correct documents, the bailiff should correct the attachment-free allowance retroactively. You will receive the excess amount withheld back.
- Reported after 4 weeks: If you only find out later — after the first 4 weeks — the attachment-free allowance is adjusted from the moment of your report. In that case, you generally do not receive any money back for the preceding period.
In short: the sooner you check and demonstrate any errors, the greater the chance of getting your money back. So make sure you request a recalculation immediately if in doubt and keep all supporting documents readily available.
Has your situation changed? Report this immediately
Moving house, change in family composition, changed rent or income? This can directly affect your attachment-free allowance. Report changes with evidence to the bailiff immediately and request written confirmation.
Practical examples (anonymised)
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Employee was left with €1,000 p/m; after verification, the attachment-free allowance turned out to be €1,450 → €450 p/m extra.
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Single parent: childcare allowance/housing costs not taken into account → attachment-free allowance corrected.
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Social assistance benefit around the attachment-free allowance → no deduction permitted.
Checklist for wage garnishment
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📄 Request a specification of the attachment-free allowance
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📑 Check whether rent, health insurance premium, allowances and partner income have been included
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🧾 Submit supporting documents in a timely manner
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🧮 Recalculate using the official tool
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👨⚖️ Raise the alarm (legal assistance) if correction is not forthcoming
Frequently asked questions
1) How much can be withheld at most?
The attachment-free allowance always remains; at least 5% of net income goes towards repayment. The exact amount depends on your personal calculation.
2) Can the attachment-free allowance be adjusted afterwards?
Yes. In case of changes or errors, you can request a recalculation; provide evidence and ask for written confirmation.
3) Does the attachment-free allowance also apply to bank attachment?
Not automatically. Contact the bailiff immediately and request that the legal minimum be released for living expenses.
4) Can my holiday pay be garnished?
Holiday pay is included in the income basis for the calculation; this affects the attachment-free allowance/repayment capacity.
5) What if there are multiple garnishments?
The first garnishing party calculates the attachment-free allowance; other garnishing parties must respect it. Registration/coordination takes place via the calculation module/garnishment register.
How can you tackle your debts?
Resolving debts often starts with getting an overview and taking action. First, list all outstanding invoices and creditors, including amounts and due dates. Also map out your income and fixed expenses: this way you can see how much room there is for repayment.
Steps to tackle debts:
- Set up a payment plan: Contact creditors and discuss the possibility of paying in instalments.
- Ask for help (if needed): If you cannot manage on your own, engage debt assistance from your municipality. They can mediate or initiate a debt restructuring process.
- Stay in touch: Let creditors know your situation. Silence often leads to unnecessary increases.
- Prevent new debts: Stay within your budget as much as possible and, if necessary, appoint a financial administrator or budget coach.
- Check your details: Report any errors immediately to the relevant authorities and request correction with written confirmation.
If you are still unable to get out of debt despite these steps, debt restructuring through the Wet schuldsanering natuurlijke personen (WSNP — Natural Persons Debt Restructuring Act) may be possible in some cases. This is a last resort, requiring you to adhere to strict conditions.
Why Arslan Advocaten?
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Specialised in wage garnishment & attachment-free allowance
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Quick recalculation and objection in case of errors
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Strong in negotiation with bailiffs/creditors
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Free assistance for clients (we recover reasonable costs where possible)
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