Highly skilled migrant households often assume the visa itself settles this question, and it generally does not. Where two people count as toeslagpartners (benefits partners), the claim is a single household one assessed on combined income and combined assets, so the sponsor's salary forms part of the calculation whoever submits it.
Yes, if your household otherwise qualifies — but it's not really "your partner's" zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) separate from you; if you're toeslagpartners (benefits partners), it's a single joint claim assessed on combined income and combined assets, whichever of you actually submits it. Your HSM (highly skilled migrant) status doesn't block your partner from being part of a household that receives zorgtoeslag, but your income and savings count fully toward the household limit regardless of who applies — for 2026 that's a combined €51,142 income ceiling and €184,633 in assets. What matters for your partner specifically is their own legal residence status, plus having Dutch health insurance and a BSN (citizen service number) in their own name; a partner here on a dependent or family-reunification permit tied to your HSM status generally has access to toeslagen, though the exact permit subtype can matter, and it's worth confirming through the Belastingdienst's eligibility check rather than assuming. If your combined income sits under the threshold and your partner has the health insurance and BSN sorted, the HSM visa itself usually isn't the blocker. ---