You hear it everywhere: near-free childcare. But what will you actually pay in 2026 when you take your child to a daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) or after-school care (BSO)? The promise of lower costs is significant, but the new financing system is income-dependent. That means: the more you earn, the more you contribute yourself. Still, there's good news. For many parents, costs in 2026 are considerably lower than before. In this article, we'll do the math for you, so you know exactly what to expect.
What changes in 2026 with the new financing system?
From 2026, the system has been substantially reformed. The government has significantly increased the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) for lower and middle incomes. The goal: to make working more rewarding and keep childcare affordable for everyone. The maximum reimbursement is now 96% for families with an income up to €56,412. Above that, the percentage gradually decreases, to a minimum of 36.5% for the highest income groups.
Important to know: the benefit only applies if both parents work, study, or are completing civic integration. Your childcare must also be registered in the National Childcare Register (LRK). The hourly rate that the government reimburses at maximum in 2026 is €11.23 for a daycare center, €9.98 for after-school care (BSO), and €8.49 for childminder/host parent care (gastouderopvang). Is your childcare more expensive? Then you pay the difference yourself.
How much childcare benefit will you receive? Calculation examples by income group
To make this concrete, we'll use a standard situation: a family with two working parents and one 2-year-old child attending a daycare center (kinderdagverblijf) for 40 hours per week. The hourly rate is €11.23 (the maximum the government reimburses).
Income up to €30,000: near-free childcare
With a low income, you receive 96% benefit. You pay only 4% yourself. That comes to approximately €90 per month for 40 hours of childcare. That is indeed near-free. Most of your salary remains available for other expenses.
Income €45,000: a small personal contribution
For this middle-income group, the maximum 96% reimbursement also applies. Your personal contribution remains limited to that same €90 per month. The difference with the old system is enormous here. Previously, you would quickly have paid several hundred euros more.
Income €70,000: the transition to lower reimbursement
Here you move into a lower percentage bracket. Depending on the exact calculation of your assessed income, you receive approximately 85% to 90% benefit. Your personal contribution rises to around €180 to €270 per month. That's still substantially lower than before the reform, but you'll notice it's no longer 'near-free.'
Income €100,000: higher personal contribution
At this income level, your reimbursement drops to approximately 60% to 70%. You pay €450 to €720 per month yourself for the same 40 hours. That's a considerable amount, but don't forget: you still receive thousands of euros in benefit per year. Without the system, you'd be paying the full whack.
Income above €150,000: minimum reimbursement of 36.5%
For the highest incomes, the minimum percentage applies. You receive 36.5% benefit and pay over €1,150 per month yourself. That sounds like a lot, and it is. Still, this is a deliberate government choice: available resources go primarily to families who need it most.
What if your childcare is more expensive than the maximum?
This is a pitfall many parents fall into. Many daycare centers, especially in large cities and with premium providers, charge an hourly rate above €11.23. You pay the difference entirely yourself, on top of your regular personal contribution.
Suppose: your daycare center charges €13.50 per hour. The government reimburses a maximum of €11.23. That means €2.27 per hour out of your own pocket. At 40 hours per week, that's almost €400 per month extra. For after-school care (BSO) or a childminder/host parent (gastouder), the same principle applies, with their own maximum rates.
Our tip: compare childcare not only on atmosphere and location, but also on price. On Kiddie.nl, you immediately see which childcare falls within the maximum rate and which doesn't. That prevents surprises afterwards.
What else should you watch out for in 2026?
The new system brings advantages, but also points of attention. For example, clawbacks are still possible if your income or work situation changes and you don't report this in time. It remains essential to keep your details up-to-date on toeslagen.nl.
Waiting lists also play a role. Due to lower costs, demand for childcare is increasing, while the staff shortage (over 24% at daycare centers, 36% at BSOs) isn't immediately resolved. Register your child in good time. On Kiddie.nl, you check availability and waiting times per location.
Finally: the system revision of 2029 is coming. Then the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) will disappear completely and the government will pay childcare organizations directly. All working parents will then pay only 4% personal contribution, regardless of income. But until then, the current income-dependent system applies.
How do you calculate your exact costs?
Want to know precisely what you'll pay? The Dutch Tax Administration offers a trial calculation for childcare benefit on toeslagen.nl. You enter your income, type of childcare, and number of hours, and immediately see your expected contribution.
Even easier: on Kiddie.nl you compare childcare locations on price, availability, and quality. You see at a glance which childcare suits your budget and situation. No more spreadsheets, no more guesswork.
Conclusion: near-free is real for some, a partial benefit for others
The promise of near-free childcare works out best in 2026 for families with an income up to €56,412. They pay only 4% themselves. Above that, the personal contribution increases, to over €1,150 per month for the highest incomes. It remains crucial to carefully calculate your situation and choose childcare that falls within the reimbursed rate.
The reform does make working more rewarding for many parents. But 'near-free' is not a universal truth. Check your personal situation, compare childcare on price and quality, and stay alert to changes in your circumstances. This way, you keep control of your costs and make the best choice for your child.