Clean and Zero-Emission Construction Equipment Subsidy Scheme (SSEB) Retrofit Grant

About this grant

The SSEB Retrofit subsidy (Subsidieregeling Schoon en Emissieloos Bouwmaterieel, Retrofit) funds the conversion of construction equipment, auxiliary functions and sea-going construction vessels that an applicant already owns and uses. The aim is to reduce nitrogen emissions from the construction sector. Eligible conversions include fitting an SCR catalyst to diesel machines to make them low-emission (categories A, B and C), converting in-use machines to zero-emission drivetrains such as electric motors with batteries or fuel cells (category D), re-engining in-use machines with a mono-fuel hydrogen combustion engine (category E), re-engining or converting sea-going construction vessels to hydrogen or ammonia (categories F and G), and installing shore-power systems on sea-going vessels (category H). Eligible costs include the purchase cost of the new components (catalyst, motor, control electronics, battery or fuel-cell system and hydrogen storage), installation labour, assembly materials, and CE-marking or certification costs where relevant. For reusable battery packs, one pack can be included in the conversion costs, and additional packs are claimed under code A2.7 at a rate per kWh that depends on company size. The subsidy does not cover the vehicle or vessel itself. Subsidy rates are 25% of eligible costs for large companies in categories A to E, 30% for SMEs in categories A to E, 25% for large companies in categories F and G, 45% for SMEs in categories F and G, and 30% for large companies and 45% for SMEs in category H. Applicants must keep the converted equipment for at least four years after final assessment, meet minimum usage conditions in the Dutch construction sector or Dutch EEZ, and report AdBlue use or vessel operating days annually. The subsidy cannot be combined with MIA in 2026. The page states that the application window is closed, with the end date given as 30 October 2026 at 17:00.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enterprises established in the Netherlands that are in the construction sector and either operate their own construction machines or vessels, or rent or lease out construction equipment or vessels. The company must own the equipment or vessel being converted, re-engined or fitted with an electrical installation, and must not be an undertaking in difficulty as defined in the General Block Exemption Regulation. The company must be registered in the Dutch trade register under one of the listed SBI codes: 39, 41, 42, 43, 49410, 50201, 77120, 77320, 77340 or 77390. The equipment must already have been bought and used, and must appear on the SSEB machine list (part A with a J in the Retrofit column, or part D for sea-going vessels). Machines must be used at least 70% of the time for outdoor construction work in the Netherlands, and vessels must work in the Dutch EEZ on average at least 60 days per year during the first four years. For category D, the equipment must be fitted to a Euro VI vehicle or a phase V machine if it is an auxiliary function. The purchase or finance-lease contract must be conditional on receiving SSEB subsidy and must contain no irrevocable obligations.

How it's scored

Applications are handled in order of receipt on a first-come, first-served basis, and the decision is provided on request by post and viewable online. If more complete applications arrive on the day the budget runs out, a lottery is held among all complete applications submitted that day. No scoring criteria or panel composition are described; eligibility and technical conditions are checked at application and again at final assessment, when the subsidy amount cannot exceed the amount in the grant decision.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a business that owns or will retrofit used or newly acquired construction equipment or seagoing construction vessels in the Netherlands
• ✓Retrofit must make the equipment or vessel low-emission or zero-emission
• ✓Applications accepted from 3 March 2026 through 30 October 2026

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Electric mobility funding supports electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, battery supply chains and fleet transition for buses, vans and trucks. Public authorities buy vehicles and charge points through tenders, while grants back pilots and manufacturing. Applicants usually need site plans, grid capacity checks and an operator for the finished assets.