Government measures for entrepreneurs

In his speech on Monday, the Prime Minister made it clear that we will be in difficult weather in the near future. A news conference followed on Tuesday evening announcing a package of emergency measures to prevent entrepreneurs from getting into trouble and people from losing their jobs.

Measures to contain the virus are affecting many businesses and self-employed professionals. The national government and local governments are offering a helping hand. Our following overview of links to up-to-date information on the latest support measures may be helpful.From the Dutch government:

•    Dutch government’s business webpage offers advice and links to organisations that can help and advice.
•    Page dedicated to the government measures to help businesses.
•    ‘roadmap’ to help with things like minimising health risks and dealing with taxes.
•    Dutch government's NOW-arrangement (Noodfonds Overbrugging Werkgelegenheid) for financial help for employers to pay the wages in regard to the COVID-19 crisis. You can find more information about the scheme here.
•    You can also find details about the support for self-employed professionals (zzp-ers).
•    Entrepreneurs in certain sectors affected by corona measure may also be able to access compensation.
•    You can also find information about the government's business loan guarantee scheme, SME credit and temporary emergency bridging measure.
•    There's also a page of FAQ for entrepreneurs available as well.

From the City of Amsterdam:

•    The City of Amsterdam website provides info in English about the situation.
•    There's also a page dedicated to the help available for businesses and freelancers.
•    There will be a temporary income support measure for self-employed entrepreneurs and freelancers, find out more here.
•    You can request tax deferral for the ‘combined municipal levy’, which includes real-estate tax, sewage levy and waste collection levy.

Other available services:

•    The official foreign investment agency of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, amsterdam inbusiness. The team is available to answer questions by phone or email about market intelligence, practical information about setting up a business in the area and online fact-finding visits, among other services.

Laptops for school children:

We are aware that financing your business may now be your top priority and your main concern. Yet, we dare to share with you a program by the City of Amsterdam to support schools and children who do not have the means to buy laptops, needed to follow school from home during the crisis. Last week the City bought 3.250 new laptops (at approx. € 300 each). The demand is for 6.000. Any help from companies to sponsor in cash or in kind is very welcome. If you have the means, kindly contact amsterdam inbusiness.