Netherlands: owning a house in Morocco could cut health allowance from 2027

This update focuses on Netherlands Morocco house. New asset rules in the Netherlands are set to hit Moroccans living there who own a house or land in Morocco.

Netherlands Morocco house: what changes on 1 January 2027

From 1 January next year, the asset ceiling to qualify for the Dutch health allowance, known as “zorgtoeslag”, will be sharply reduced.

For a single person, the ceiling would drop from €146,011 in 2026 to €119,122 in 2027. For couples, it would fall from €184,633 to €158,748.

According to estimates published in the Netherlands, around 40,000 households could lose their entitlement to “zorgtoeslag” altogether.

Up to €3,223 less per year for some families

The “zorgtoeslag” helps residents in the Netherlands pay their mandatory health insurance. Under the new rules, the loss could reach around €1,680 a year for a single person and up to €3,223 for a couple.

These figures are estimates, but they show the potential impact on low and middle-income families already close to the official asset limits.

Why property in Morocco now matters more

The reform directly affects Moroccans in the Netherlands who own a house, an apartment, land or a share of family property in Morocco. The tax office does not look only at money held in Dutch bank accounts.

When calculating assets, Dutch authorities include:

• savings and bank accounts,
• shares and investments,
• second homes in the Netherlands,
• real estate abroad, including a house in Morocco.

By contrast, the main home occupied in the Netherlands and the family car are excluded from the calculation.

How the value of a Morocco house is included

The Dutch benefits service explains that assets correspond to the value of all possessions minus certain recognised debts. A house in Morocco is therefore counted, together with any qualifying loans attached to it.

Owning property in Morocco does not automatically cancel the health allowance. However, once added to savings, investments and other assets, the value of a Morocco house can push a household over the new thresholds of €119,122 or €158,748.

For some Moroccan families in the Netherlands, that could mean losing the “zorgtoeslag” completely, with up to €3,223 less support over the year.

Practical steps for Moroccans living in the Netherlands

Given these changes, Moroccans in the Netherlands who own property in Morocco have every reason to plan ahead.

A few useful steps:

• get an up-to-date estimate of their property value in Morocco, even if it is co-owned within the family,
• review their total assets for 2026 and 2027,
• check which debts can be deducted under Dutch rules,
• contact a tax adviser or local social service if needed, to simulate the impact on “zorgtoeslag”.

The new rules may weigh on the health budget of many households, especially those just under the previous ceiling. It is therefore important to monitor official Dutch announcements and keep all documents related to property held in Morocco.

For more guidance on navigating life between Morocco and your country of residence, you can consult Canal212’s practical guide for Moroccans living abroad.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.