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Disability (AOV) and mandatory insurance
Written by Ilias3 min read
As a freelancer you have no employer who continues paying your salary if you fall ill. If you become disabled long-term, your income disappears. A disability insurance (AOV) can cover that. In addition, work is being done on a mandatory insurance. This article explains how it works.
What is a disability insurance?
A disability insurance pays out an amount if you can no longer work due to illness or an accident. This way you keep income, even if you're temporarily or long-term out of action. The premium and the cover differ per insurer and depend on your profession, age and desired payout.
Is a disability insurance mandatory?
At the moment a disability insurance is not mandatory for freelancers; you choose yourself whether to insure. However, the government is working on a mandatory disability insurance for the self-employed. The exact arrangement and start date of it may still change, so keep an eye on developments.
Is the premium deductible?
The premium of a disability insurance is deductible for a freelancer with a sole trader business, but not as business costs. You deduct the premium as an expense for income provision in your income tax return. The later payout is then taxed. Take this into account in your planning.
What alternatives are there?
Besides a regular disability insurance there are alternatives, such as a 'broodfonds', where a group of self-employed people temporarily support each other during illness. You can also build a buffer yourself. Each solution has pros and cons in terms of costs and certainty; choose what suits your risk and situation.
This article provides general information based on the rules known for 2026 and does not replace personal tax advice. For your specific situation, we're happy to take a look with you.
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