Dutch companies received €31 billion in Covid support up to September

Until September last year, entrepreneurs in the Netherlands received a total of around 31 billion euros in coronavirus support. This includes compensation for wage costs and fixed costs during the coronavirus crisis. The hospitality sector received the largest amount, almost a fifth of the total, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported.

Between March 2020 ad September 2021, companies received almost 23.6 billion euros in wage support through the Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Employment (NOW). They received slightly less than 7.4 billion euros in fixed costs reimbursement through the schemes Compensation for Entrepreneurs Affected Sectors (TOGS) and Compensation for Fixed Expenses (TVL). CBS did not include tax deferrals, various guarantees, loans, and small subsidy schemes in the total amount of 31 billion euros.

Up to and including September last year, catering companies received the most support. The sector received a total of 5.9 billion euros. Within the catering industry, restaurants received the vast majority of coronavirus support, followed by hotel restaurants and bars.

Since the lockdown in December 2021, the Cabinet reopened the coronavirus support schemes. In mid-January, the government paid out almost 1.1 billion euros in wage support for November and December and fixed costs reimbursement for the fourth quarter of 2021.