Mental pressure increases among freelancers
More than a quarter of the surveyed freelancers (27%) indicate that mental strain has increased in the past two years. Particularly, entrepreneurs in the business services, creative sector, and healthcare cite increased workload and uncertainty about assignments as the main causes. Additionally, 16% report regularly experiencing stress complaints that affect their work.
Mental health issues the biggest cause of long-term absence
Previous research into working conditions shows that mental health issues play an important role in long-term absence from work in the Netherlands. For instance, a study by ArboNed & HumanCapitalCare from 2023 shows that 40.1 percent of long-term sick leave is caused by mental health issues, such as stress and burnout complaints. Thus, mental problems constitute a large part of long-term absence among employees.
Nevertheless, 47% of the surveyed freelancers believe that they would be back to work fully within three months after mental health issues. This view deviates from what is seen in broader labor market studies and seems to be on the optimistic side.
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'Freelancers underestimate mental risks'
According to Gabriël Baysoy, AOV expert at DisabilityInsurance.nl, many freelancers especially underestimate the duration of recovery. 'With mental complaints, many freelancers underestimate how long recovery can take. Recovery from a burnout often takes months in practice, and in more severe cases even years. This makes the risk of long-term absence for freelancers particularly large. Yet we see that freelancers mainly focus on physical risks. The figures show that mental absence poses a significant risk, but many freelancers are still insufficiently prepared for it.'
Few provisions for mental health issues
Despite increasing concerns, only 23% of respondents have made a provision that also covers mental health issues, such as a disability insurance.
A majority (52%) report having little insight into the financial consequences of long-term mental absence. With an average freelancer income of €3,000 to €4,000 per month, half a year of absence can quickly lead to a loss of €18,000 to €24,000.
Uncertainty about mandatory AOV leads to wait-and-see behavior
The introduction of the mandatory disability insurance for freelancers has been delayed again. As a result, it remains unclear what coverage mental health issues will receive and what waiting period will apply. According to Baysoy, this uncertainty causes many freelancers to continue to wait, while mental health issues seem to be increasing.
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Awareness is growing, but action lags behind
Although mental pressure among freelancers is increasing, the willingness to protect themselves against it remains low. The survey shows that freelancers recognize the risk, but this hardly leads to concrete measures. As a result, a large group of freelancers remains financially vulnerable in the face of mental health issues.
About the research
The study was conducted in January 2026 among 200 freelancers from various sectors. The results are indicative and provide insight into the experiences and risk assessments of freelancers regarding mental health and disability.
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