Servicebonnen

Servicebonnen, or service vouchers, refer to a voucher-based payment instrument used in several European countries to subsidize and formalize the provision of household, caregiving, and related services. They typically cover services such as cleaning, childcare, elder or disabled care, and home maintenance. The concept aims to simplify payments, improve labor conditions in the care sector, and reduce informal work.

In typical arrangements, a household or government purchases vouchers with a fixed value. Providers who perform eligible services deliver the service and redeem the voucher through an official system. The vouchers represent a set monetary amount per service and may be partially or fully paid by the voucher, with any remaining cost charged by the provider. Participation usually requires registration or approval of the service provider, and the scheme may offer tax advantages or social security eligibility for both the worker and the household. There are often annual caps or limits on voucher usage in some versions.

The design and status of servicebonnen vary by country and over time. In Belgium, similar instruments are known as chèque-services (French) or dienstencheques (Dutch); in the Netherlands, service vouchers were introduced and later reformed or removed in some periods. Other regions have implemented comparable schemes with different rules and values.

Criticism includes administrative overhead and potential for fraud, while supporters highlight increased transparency, quality control, and support for formal employment in care services.