Bill on Basic Disability Insurance for the Self-Employed: what does this mean?

On 13 March 2026, the bill on Basic Disability Insurance for the Self-Employed was submitted to the House of Representatives. With this proposal, the legislator aims to create a structural social safety net for self-employed individuals who become incapacitated for work. This addresses a gap in the current system, in which self-employed individuals – unlike employees – are not automatically insured against loss of income in the event of incapacity for work.

Compulsory insurance as a starting point

The core of the proposal is the introduction of compulsory basic insurance for the self-employed. This insurance provides a benefit in the event of long-term incapacity for work and is intended to prevent the self-employed from becoming entirely dependent on their own savings or social security benefits. The premium is expected to amount to approximately 5.4% of profit, with a maximum of around €171 gross per month. The aim is to keep the system affordable, although in practice this will place a relatively heavier burden on those with lower incomes.

Limited cover and long waiting period

The insurance has a two-year waiting period. This means that self-employed individuals are only entitled to benefits after this period. This is an important point to note, as financial difficulties can arise particularly during the initial period of incapacity for work. Furthermore, the benefit is capped at the level of the minimum wage. For self-employed individuals with higher incomes, this means that the insurance offers only basic provision and not full income protection.

Exceptions

Not all self-employed individuals fall within the scope of the proposal. Self-employed individuals who have already taken out private insurance for incapacity for work are excluded. Directors and major shareholders (DMSs) operating through a private limited company (BV) are also excluded from the scheme. This raises questions regarding equal treatment and potential strategic choices in corporate structures.

Critical comments

Although the proposal is presented as a social provision, there is also criticism. In particular, the combination of a compulsory contribution, a long waiting period and a relatively low benefit is causing debate. For some self-employed individuals, the scheme may feel like an increased burden without commensurate protection.

Furthermore, the question of the extent to which this basic insurance actually reflects the diversity within the self-employed group arises, ranging from low-income self-employed individuals to highly educated professionals with substantial incomes.

Conclusion

The bill marks an important step in the further regulation of the position of the self-employed within the social security system.
At the same time, the scheme appears to offer mainly a minimum level of provision, meaning that supplementary private insurance will remain necessary for many self-employed individuals. The parliamentary debate will have to determine whether and to what extent the proposal will be further amended, particularly regarding affordability, coverage and feasibility.