November 10, 2023
Everything you need to know about the BMKB-Groen
As everyone has unfortunately noticed, energy costs have risen sharply. This is another hard blow for entrepreneurs. That is why the government is intervening. In addition to the Compensation for Energy Costs and the price cap, the government is also introducing the BMKB-Groen (BMKB-G). In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the BMKB-Groen.
What is the BMKB-Groen?
The BMKB-Groen is an expansion of the BMKB; a guaranteed credit for small and medium-sized enterprises. The BMKB is a scheme in which the government vouches for a loan. The idea is that small businesses can more easily take out a loan this way because it provides extra guarantee for the bank. The BMKB-Groen is an expansion of the BMKB, it is for loans used to invest in sustainable assets or a sustainable business property. The BMKB-Groen encourages and assists companies to become more sustainable. Sustainability usually leads to a decrease in energy use, which also reduces energy costs.
Who can use the BMKB-Groen?
To use the BMKB-Groen, you must meet the following conditions:
- You have an MKB (SME) company.
- Your company is based in the Netherlands, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, or Saba.
- You have a company with a maximum of 20 employees with an annual turnover of up to 50 million or a total balance sheet of up to 43 million.
- Your company has been in operation for more than 3 years.
- Your company does not operate in the following excluded business groups:
- Public healthcare
- Agriculture/fisheries
- real estate/financial sector
These sectors have their own institutions/regulations regarding sustainability.
Until when can you use the BMKB-Groen scheme?
The BMKB-Groen came into effect on November 7, 2022 and will remain in place until July 1, 2027. So you still have a number of years to make use of this scheme.
Which investments count as sustainable investments for the BMKB-Groen?
There are two types of investments that count. Firstly, an investment in assets on the EIA-list counts. Secondly, investments in a more sustainable business property count if this investment leads to at least an energy label C.
What is the benefit of the BMKB-Groen?
As described above, the BMKB-Groen is an expansion of the BMKB for sustainable investments. The expansion of the BMKB-Groen means that there is a higher guarantee, longer term, and lower commission for the guaranteed credit. The government guarantees up to 75% of your loan with the BMKB-Groen. The maximum term for sustainable investments is 12 years instead of 6 years. The commission for the BMKB-Groen has been reduced to 2% for loans shorter than two years and 3% for loans with a term between 25 and 48 quarters of a year.
How can you apply for the BMKB-Groen?
You cannot apply for the BMKB-Groen directly by yourself. This is done through your financier, for example, your bank. Since the first quarter of 2023, banks can now also offer this scheme in addition to non-bank financiers. Before that, banks were not able to do this.
If you have been thinking about becoming more sustainable for a while, the BMKB-Groen might just be the push you need. With the government's guarantee, you can borrow more and more favorably to invest in sustainable assets. Super useful for you as an entrepreneur!
