Background information

Alongside direct income support, the Dutch cabinet's April 2026 Energy relief package ('Acties Weerbaarheid Energieschok') explicitly aimed to reduce structural energy dependence by improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock. The government noted that the energy price shock demonstrated the need to reduce dependence on fossil energy from the Middle East, and therefore included measures to improve the resilience of the Netherlands and reduce energy consumption. The National Heat Fund (Nationaal Warmtefonds) is an existing instrument providing low- or zero-interest loans to homeowners for insulation and sustainability works; the 2026 package substantially expanded its resources. Additional measures target households in energy poverty, homeowners' associations, and residents of the most poorly insulated properties.

Content of measure

The cluster comprises four related instruments: 1) The Nationaal Warmtefonds receives additional funding of €180 million. Through the fund, all homeowners can take out a loan to make their home more sustainable. Homeowners with an income of up to €60,000 pay 0% interest. 2) An additional €80 million is made available for Energiefixers — professionals working in neighbourhoods who assist residents with small and large energy-saving measures in the home. 3) Sustainability subsidies for homeowners' associations (Verenigingen van Eigenaren, VvE) under the existing SVVE subsidy scheme (Subsidieregeling verduurzaming vereniging van eigenaren) are increased by €25 million. VvEs can use this subsidy to insulate properties, or to install a heat pump or solar boiler. 4) Through the National Programme for Liveability and Safety (Nationaal Programma Leefbaarheid en Veiligheid), €5 million per year from 2026 to 2028 is made available for residents in the worst-insulated properties. Approximately 16,500 households can receive assistance in making their owner-occupied home more sustainable, such as help in applying for subsidies.

Use of measure

No uptake data available at time of entry.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement reported.

Views and reactions

The Dutch Renewable Energy Association (NVDE) reacted positively, describing the package as "good first steps" and welcoming the focus on investments to reduce energy dependence. NVDE chair Olof van der Gaag stated that the cabinet was "thinking in the right direction and offering remedies against our energy dependence," while calling for further measures to follow.

Sources

• 20 April 2026: Kabinet maakt bijna een miljard vrij voor economische impact Midden-Oosten (www.rijksoverheid.nl)
• 20 April 2026: Plan kabinet: maatregelen om gevolgen hoge energieprijzen te beperken (www.rijksoverheid.nl)