Netherlands (NL)
The Netherlands is a small, densely populated constitutional monarchy in Northwestern Europe, consistently ranked among the world's most liveable and progressive countries.
Social Security in Netherlands
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
The Netherlands operates a comprehensive social security system built on two pillars: national insurance (volksverzekeringen — covers everyone resident in the Netherlands) and employee insurance (werknemersverzekeringen — covers employees only). The system covers unemployment, incapacity, healthcare, pensions, long-term care, and family benefits. Administration is split between the SVB (Social Insurance Bank) for national insurance and UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) for employee insurance.
Burger Service Nummer (BSN)
BSN
Automatically assigned when you register at your gemeente (municipality). You receive your BSN within a few days of registration. It is printed on your residence card (verblijfsvergunning) or EU registration document.
- All contact with government agencies and the tax authority (Belastingdienst)
- Opening a Dutch bank account
- Healthcare (access to GP, hospitals, prescriptions)
- Employment — payroll, social security contributions
- Benefits and allowances (toeslagen)
- School enrolment for children
- Filing income tax returns
Benefits & Support Payments
Unemployment benefit
WW-uitkering (Werkloosheidswet)
Income replacement during unemployment for employees who are made redundant or dismissed. Not available for people who quit voluntarily or are fired for cause.
Must have worked at least 26 weeks in the 36 weeks before unemployment (weeks criterion). For longer benefit duration: must also have earned wages in at least 4 of the last 5 years (years criterion). EU citizens treated same as Dutch nationals.
Apply online at werk.nl within 1 week of becoming unemployed. Must register as job seeker at UWV.
Incapacity benefit
WIA (Wet werk en inkomen naar arbeidsvermogen)
Income replacement for employees who become unable to work due to illness or disability after a 2-year employer-paid sick leave period.
Employees who remain incapacitated after 2 years of employer-paid sick leave. Must undergo a UWV assessment (keuring) of remaining capacity for work.
UWV assesses automatically after 2-year sick period. Apply at uwv.nl.
State pension
AOW (Algemene Ouderdomswet)
Flat-rate state pension payable to everyone who has reached AOW age and lived or worked in the Netherlands.
Reaches AOW age (66 years + 10 months in 2026). Each year of Dutch residence = 2% of full AOW.
SVB contacts you automatically 6 months before AOW age. Apply at mijnsvb.nl.
Child benefit
Kinderbijslag (AKW)
Quarterly benefit for all parents with children under 18 in the Netherlands, regardless of income.
Parent must be insured for Dutch national insurance. Child must live in Netherlands.
SVB — often automatic after birth registration. Apply at mijnsvb.nl.
Social assistance
Bijstand (Participatiewet)
Means-tested minimum income for Dutch residents who have exhausted all other entitlements.
Must be resident and registered. Must have exhausted other benefits. Assets below threshold. Non-EU holders: depends on permit type.
Apply at your gemeente.
Contribution Overview
National insurance contributions (AOW 17.90% + ANW 0.10% + WLZ 9.65% = 27.65%) apply to income up to €38,883 (first bracket, 2026), embedded in the Box 1 income tax rate. Source: belastingdienst.nl rates table 2026. Employee insurance (WW, WIA, ZW) is paid entirely by employers. The Zvw (health insurance) income-related contribution: employer pays 6.10% on income up to €79,409/year (2026); employees pay a flat nominal premium to their chosen insurer (~€145–175/month).
International Social Security Agreements
EU Regulation 883/2004 for all EU/EEA countries. Bilateral agreements with: USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel, India, China, and ~35 others.
Self-employed (ZZP) are outside most employee insurance. They must arrange their own disability insurance (AOV). This is the most significant social security gap for self-employed in the Netherlands.
Social Security
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