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Language training —
sometimes partially funded
Various funding schemes, sector funds and municipal programmes are available for language and workplace training. Which option is relevant depends on your sector, collective labour agreement (CLA), participants, and the objective of the training. Language Flow is happy to help you explore the possibilities.
Which funding option suits you?
Below you will find the most important funding options for language training in 2026. Which scheme applies depends on your sector, collective labour agreement (CLA), participants, and the objective of the programme. Some schemes have specific accreditation or application requirements — please get in touch and we will explore what is possible for your situation together.
Last checked: 27 September 2026
SOWIS
For employers who hire refugees with residence status
For employers with status holders; supports additional workplace guidance aimed at bridging language and cultural differences.
- €3,000 per status holder · specific employment conditions apply
- Workplace guidance focused on bridging language and cultural differences
- First-time applicants may receive a one-off additional €3,000 contribution, subject to the overall maximum
- Application period: 8 June – 30 September 2026
RAS — Language and Writing Programme
For cleaning companies affiliated with RAS
For employees under the Cleaning and Window Cleaning Industry CLA; covers both training costs and absence costs.
- Covers training costs and absence costs during training hours
- Maximum end level B1 · pre- and post-assessment mandatory
- Annual budget: applications processed in order of receipt
Colland Arbeidsmarkt
For agricultural and green sectors
For employees in agricultural and green sectors covered by an applicable Colland scheme.
- Conditions and reimbursements vary by sub-sector and CLA
- Language courses may be eligible in certain Colland sub-sectors
- Check your CLA/sub-sector for current amounts and conditions
O&O fund / sector fund
Sector-specific · governed by CLA
Many industries have their own training and development fund (O&O fund); whether language training is eligible varies per fund.
- Language training may be eligible depending on the fund
- Not every employer is covered by an O&O fund
- Conditions and amounts vary per sector and fund
SLIM training funding
Only under specific collaboration and training conditions
Only in combination with qualifying role-specific training from the training package of an accredited Development Pathway.
- Standalone language training does not qualify
- Language training must not cost more than the role-specific training
- Specific training provider and invoicing conditions apply
- Applications can formally still be submitted until 31 December 2026, but funding is not guaranteed after the budget ceiling has been reached
Doorzaam — Dutch Language Budget
For staffing agencies / temp agencies
For staffing agencies wishing to improve the Dutch language proficiency of agency workers or status holders in placement.
- Max. €1,500 per participant per calendar year
- Budget can be used for one or more Dutch language training programmes
- Training must be provided by an ROC or by a training provider that can demonstrate NRTO membership
- Check in advance that the selected training provider meets the conditions
- Application via the staffing agency · 2026 closed · new rounds for 2027 not yet published
Municipality — basic skills
For adults and job seekers
Municipalities fund basic skills and adult education; formal civic integration (Wi2021) falls under separate rules.
- Possible for basic skills, adult education, and sometimes reintegration
- Conditions and providers vary per municipality
- Formal civic integration falls outside this framework and has its own funding rules
Am I eligible?
Answer a few questions and receive an initial indication of the funding options that may be relevant to your situation.
Who is the funding for?
Which sector or collective labour agreement (CLA) does your organisation fall under?
Is the training intended for one or more status holders (people with asylum residence status)?
Has the status holder previously performed paid work for your organisation?
Does or will the status holder have an employment contract of at least 20 hours per week for at least 12 months?
Is the start date of the employment contract 8 December 2025 or later?
Is this purely a language training, or is language part of a broader role-specific programme?
What is your situation?
Everything you need to know
Sometimes different schemes can be used alongside each other, but in principle the same costs cannot be funded twice. The possibilities depend on the conditions of the relevant scheme or sector fund. Always check the conditions of both schemes before combining costs.
This varies per scheme. For SOWIS and RAS, the employer submits the application. For Colland, depending on the scheme, either the employer or the employee may submit the application or claim. For O&O-funds and municipal programmes, the procedure varies per fund or municipality.
This depends on the scheme. Some schemes impose requirements on the employer, employee, sector, training, training provider, or programme structure. Our language programmes work with CEFR levels, but this does not automatically mean that every programme qualifies for every funding scheme. We therefore assess the applicable conditions on a case-by-case basis.
This varies per scheme. Some schemes work with an advance payment, others with a retrospective claim or final assessment after the programme ends. Supporting documents such as invoices, proof of payment, attendance records, or pre- and post-assessments may also be required. Always check the procedure of the relevant scheme before the programme begins.
Yes, possibly. SOWIS is specifically intended for status holders, but depending on the sector or CLA, an O&O fund, RAS, Colland, or another scheme may be relevant. The SLIM training funding can only apply in specific situations where supplementary language training is combined with eligible role-specific training within an accredited Sectoral Development Pathway. Which route is possible depends on the situation.
Disclaimer: Please note: this page and the funding checker provide an initial indication only. Funding conditions, budgets, application deadlines, and availability are subject to change. A scheme being shown does not automatically mean you are eligible. Always verify the current conditions with the official funding provider. No rights can be derived from the information or outcome of this checker. Information last checked on 27 September 2026.
