There is no direct 'BENG subsidy'; BENG is a mandatory energy performance standard for all new buildings, not a subsidized option.
Dutch Housing System
Table of Contents
Further Reading
Income Requirement
The minimum gross income a prospective tenant must earn to be considered for a rental property, a primary and often rigid screening tool used by landlords.
Application Process
Crown Molding
A decorative trim applied to the junction where the walls meet the ceiling, adding a classic, finished, and often elegant look to a room.
Property Features
Vaulted Ceiling
A high, arched, or angled ceiling that extends up towards the roofline, creating a dramatic sense of space, volume, and openness in a room.
Property Features
Smart Lighting
A modern lighting system that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app or smart home hub, offering convenience and customizable ambiances.
Property Features
Built-in Speakers
A luxury feature where speakers for a sound system are recessed into the ceilings or walls, offering a clean, integrated audio experience.
Property Features
Co-operative Housing
A housing model where residents collectively own and manage their own properties, a niche sector in the Netherlands that receives some government support for its creation.
Dutch Housing System
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The Myth of the BENG Subsidy\n\n### A Requirement, Not an Incentive\nA common misconception is that there is a specific 'BENG subsidy' available in the Netherlands. This is incorrect. BENG, which stands for Bijna Energieneutrale Gebouwen (Nearly Energy-Neutral Buildings), is not a voluntary scheme or a subsidized upgrade; it is the minimum legal requirement for the energy performance of all new buildings (both residential and commercial) for which a building permit was applied for after January 1, 2021. It is the baseline standard, not a target for which you receive a reward. Failing to meet the BENG requirements means you will not be granted a building permit. Therefore, thinking of BENG in terms of a subsidy is fundamentally wrong—it's like asking for a subsidy for putting brakes on a new car. It's a mandatory part of the package.\n
The Three BENG Indicators\nThe BENG standard is not a single number but is based on three separate, compulsory indicators that a new building's design must satisfy:\n1. BENG 1: Maximum energy demand. This indicator limits the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling the building per square meter per year. It forces architects to design well-insulated, airtight buildings with a good orientation to the sun.\n2. BENG 2: Maximum primary fossil energy use. This looks at the total amount of fossil fuel energy the building consumes, including for heating, hot water, ventilation, and lighting. Even with a good BENG 1 score, inefficient installations can cause a failure on BENG 2.\n3. BENG 3: Minimum share of renewable energy. This requires a certain percentage of the total energy used by the building to come from renewable sources, such as solar panels, heat pumps, or a connection to a district heating network powered by renewables.\nA building must comply with all three indicators simultaneously.\n\n### Where Subsidies Do Come In\nWhile there is no subsidy for merely meeting the legal BENG standard, there are subsidies available for exceeding it or for improving the energy performance of existing buildings. For example, subsidies like the ISDE (Investeringssubsidie duurzame energie en energiebesparing) provide financial support for installing heat pumps or insulation in existing homes, helping them move towards BENG levels of performance. Similarly, financing schemes like the Regeling Groenprojecten are available for new construction projects that are significantly more ambitious and sustainable than the BENG requirements. The key distinction is that BENG is the mandatory starting line, and subsidies exist to encourage people to run further and faster in the race towards sustainability.