The subsidy for monumental residences in the Caribbean Netherlands is granted for the costs of work necessary to preserve the monument (referred to below as ‘preservation work’). The point is to preserve the structural shell and those parts of the monument from which it derives its exceptional value.

Work carried out on new parts of the building is not considered as preservation costs. Examples include:

  • a new floor, bathroom or kitchen;
  • technical systems, such as air conditioning;
  • costs of increased sustainability, comfort improvements, beautification or reconstruction;
  • costs of changed use

Work eligible for subsidy

The subsidy is intended for both back maintenance and restoration. Restoration refers to work that goes beyond regular maintenance and is necessary for restoring the building. In order to be eligible for subsidy, the work must be:

  • focused on maximum conservation of the monumental values, primarily the historic materials and constructions;
  • necessary for technical reasons;
  • carried out in a modest and targeted manner.

Only work referenced in the Guidelines for preservation costs eligible for subsidy (referred to below as ‘the guidelines’). The guidelines are an annex to a different subsidy scheme (the Subsidy scheme for preservation of monuments), but they also apply to this subsidy for monumental residences in the Caribbean Netherlands. A summary of the guidelines specifically applicable to the monumental residences in the Caribbean Netherlands has been provided. It is also available in English. Once both versions have been completed, they will be posted on the Dutch and English pages of this website.

The full text of the guidelines in Dutch is available on the website of the Dutch government.

Future work

No subsidy will be granted for costs of work started or completed before the official decision on the subsidy application. (The decision will be given no later than the end of February 2027.) After receiving a decision to grant a subsidy, the subsidy recipient has two years to carry out the preservation work.