AED Subsidy and Financing: How to make the purchase affordable?

Written by

Bart de Visser

More than 15 years of experience in AEDs & cardiac safety · AEDwijzer

Published on March 20, 2026

Purchasing an AED is a direct investment in the safety of your environment. Whether it's a residential area, a sports club, or a business park, a defibrillator can save lives within the crucial 6-minute window after a cardiac arrest. But what does an AED cost, and is there a municipal AED subsidy that makes the purchase financially viable?

In this article, based on more than 15 years of experience in the AED industry, we discuss the three most common routes to financial support.

What does an AED cost? A quality AED costs between €900 and €2,500, depending on the brand and model. With the right subsidy or financing route, the investment is feasible for most organizations and neighborhoods.

1. Municipal AED subsidy and local initiatives

There is no national subsidy from the central government for AEDs. Nevertheless, many municipalities encourage the placement of an AED at the local level, often through budgets for 'liveability' or 'citizen initiatives'. Sports clubs can also regularly apply for a specific sports club subsidy to make sports facilities heart-safe.

Inquire with your own municipality about the applicable subsidy schemes. Common conditions include:

• The AED must be available 24/7 to the surrounding area, placed in an outdoor cabinet.
• The device must be registered with the HartslagNu call system.
• There must be a management plan for periodic AED maintenance.

2. Crowdfunding through the BuurtAED campaign

A proven method to finance a heart starter for the neighborhood is through a crowdfunding AED project. The Heart Foundation facilitates the BuurtAED campaign for this: the neighborhood jointly raises money, and when the target amount is reached, the Heart Foundation contributes the remaining amount.

A neighborhood AED subsidy through this collective model is effective because it not only arranges financing but also directly activates more civilian first responders in the neighborhood—which significantly increases the chance of survival in the event of a cardiac arrest.

3. Health insurer reimbursement for AED

For individuals with a medical indication, in some cases, a health insurer's reimbursement for an AED may be possible through basic or supplementary insurance. This applies exclusively when a cardiologist has determined an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and considers a personal AED medically necessary. Reimbursement through health insurance is not possible for neighborhood AEDs or devices for associations.

Saving on operational costs after deployment

After purchase, you can also save on operating costs. When an AED is used during resuscitation, the costs for new electrodes and the battery are almost always fully reimbursed by the Regional Ambulance Service (RAV). Therefore, the costs after deployment never form a barrier for the owner.

Make the right choice for your budget

Whether you use a subsidy or opt for collective financing: always choose a model that suits your situation. Factors such as the IP value (protection against moisture and dust), user-friendliness, and ease of maintenance are crucial for successful long-term placement.

Do you need tailor-made advice for a subsidy application or do you want to know which model best suits your situation? Use our interactive selection tool or contact us directly.

Start the AED Selection Tool here