Entrepreneurs who live in the Netherlands, but whose business is situated elsewhere in the EU, or vice versa, partly qualify for the Temporary Bridging Scheme for Independent Entrepreneurs (Tozo). In future, persons of state-pension age will also be eligible for support under the Tozo scheme. This was announced by State Secretary Tamara van Ark on Friday, 24 April.
Tozo scheme
Entrepreneurs who have been affected financially by the coronavirus crisis are entitled, under certain conditions, to support to help cover their living costs and/or working capital. To prevent self-employed persons who work across the border from falling between two stools, the government has expanded the scheme.
What do you get where?
Self-employed persons who live in the Netherlands and have their business elsewhere within the EU are therefore entitled to support with their living costs. They must rely on the country in which this business is located for working capital support.
Conversely, self-employed persons who live elsewhere in the EU, but have their business in the Netherlands are entitled to receive working capital support. They must rely on their country of residence for support to help cover their living costs. The necessary conditions must, of course, also be met in these situations.
Application processed centrally
The application for self-employed persons who do not live in the Netherlands will be processed centrally via a single local authority. It is not yet known which local authority this will be.
Working capital support also for persons of state-pension age
Following a motion in the Lower House, arrangements have been made to ensure that self-employed persons of state-pension age also qualify for support with working capital. They are not eligible for support to help cover their living costs.
When does the scheme enter into force?
The scheme is expected to be published in the near future, after which the groups of entrepreneurs in question will be able to submit their applications.