Research by the government’s macro-economic forecasting agency CPB suggests that plans to require all freelancers to take out insurance to cover periods of long-term illness will not provide the protection some need.

Figures suggest that 75% of freelancers (zzp’ers) have no insurance against being unable to work.

The government hopes to introduce compulsory insurance for freelancers in 2030, but the details are still being worked out. However, the insurance is unlikely to kick in for the first two years.

Research by the CPB suggests that 70% of freelancers would be able to cover their basic costs for a two year period. An insurance policy that started after one year would raise this to 75%, but would still leave 25% of freelancers unable to pay their bills.

Some 15% of freelancers would only be able to cover their costs for a couple of months, the CPB research showed.

“Most people can keep going for a period, but a large group can’t,” CPB researcher Bolhaar said. “If you get into financial trouble within a year, an insurance that starts after two is not that beneficial.”

National statistics agency CBS said on Wednesday that the self-employed are twice as likely to live in poverty as people in paid employment or those running small companies.

Some 2.2% of adults in work in 2024 were living below the poverty line, compared with 4.4% of freelancers, the CBS said.