When you are an employee in the Netherlands and you get sick, your salary continues: the law obliges your employer to pay you for up to two years. But when you are self-employed (ZZP’er), that safety net disappears. If you get injured, fall ill, or suffer from a burn-out and cannot work, your income stops abruptly. That is where income protection insurance, the AOV, comes in. I will explain what it is, whether you need it, and how to choose it.
This guide is part of our complete guide to being self-employed in the Netherlands.
What is the AOV?
The AOV (arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering, income protection insurance) is a private insurance that replaces part of your income if you cannot work due to illness or accident. You choose the key parameters:
- The insured monthly amount: how much you would receive per month if you become incapacitated (usually up to 80% of your income).
- The waiting period (eigenrisicotermijn): how many days you wait before you start receiving payments (for example, 30, 60 or 90 days). The longer the waiting period, the lower the premium.
- The final coverage age: up to what age it protects you (often up to 65-67).
It is not mandatory by law, but for most self-employed individuals it is the most important protection, because your ability to work is literally your source of income.
Note, this is going to change: the Dutch government is processing a law to make basic income protection insurance mandatory for the self-employed (the basisverzekering arbeidsongeschiktheid zelfstandigen, BAZ). Its entry into force has been delayed (it is being considered between 2027 and 2030) and would offer basic minimum wage-level coverage with a premium of around 5-6% of profit. What is important for you: it is expected that you will be able to opt for private insurance as an alternative, so taking out a customised *AOV* now still makes perfect sense.
Do I really need it?
Ask yourself these questions: if tomorrow you could not work for six months or a year, what would you live on? Do you have enough savings to cover rent, food, and bills for all that time? Could your partner support the household alone?
If the answer causes you concern, the *AOV* makes sense. It is especially relevant if:
- You depend 100% on your income as a self-employed individual.
- You have children, a mortgage, or other fixed expenses.
- Your job involves physical risk (construction, care, manual trades).
If you have a good cushion of savings or a second source of income at home, perhaps you can take on more risk (longer waiting period, lower coverage) and reduce the premium. The key is to decide consciously, not out of neglect.
Alternatives and complements to the AOV
- The broodfonds: a group of self-employed individuals who support each other with monthly contributions. Cheaper, but only covers temporary incapacities (up to about 2 years), not lifelong.
- Personal savings: valid as a buffer for short sick leaves, but insufficient for long-term incapacity.
- Business liability insurance: covers something different (damage to third parties), but is usually taken out together with the *AOV*.
How to get an AOV without complications
The traditional *AOV* market in the Netherlands is expensive and complex: policies with fine print and high premiums. Fortunately, digital insurers have emerged that have greatly simplified it, with 100% online contracting, transparent prices, and the possibility of combining the *AOV* with liability insurance in a single policy.
One of the most used options by self-employed individuals is Insify, which offers *AOV* and liability insurance specifically designed for freelancers and entrepreneurs, with the entire process digital. We analyse it in depth in our review: Insify, reinvented insurance for entrepreneurs.
👉 You can calculate your *AOV* premium with Insify in a few minutes and without obligation, to get an idea of how much it would cost to protect yourself.
Whether with Insify or another insurer, the important thing is to compare the insured amount, the waiting period, and the exclusions before signing. Ask for a couple of quotes and choose the one that best suits your risk level and budget.
And don’t forget your pension
The *AOV* protects you against incapacity, but there is another gap that as a self-employed individual you must cover yourself: your pension. Without an employer, you do not automatically accumulate supplementary pension. See how to build it in our guide to pension for the self-employed with BrightPensioen.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Compare conditions and consult an advisor before contracting.
Do you already have an *AOV* or are you considering one? Tell me in the comments what doubts are holding you back.
