Child benefit - Who is insured?

The Netherlands has four national insurance schemes: child benefit (AKW), old age pension (AOW), survivor benefits (Anw), and exceptional medical expenses (AWBZ). As a rule, everyone who lives in the Netherlands is insured under these national insurance schemes. However, there are some exceptions.

Living in the Netherlands but not insured

When can you be living in the Netherlands without being insured?

• If you work outside the Netherlands and do not have a Dutch secondment certificate.
• If you work as a civil servant for another country's embassy or consulate, or for an international organization such as NATO, the European Union or Eurocontrol. Your family members will only be insured if they work in the Netherlands.
• If you work for the government of another country or for the Antillean or Aruban government. In that case, your family members will not be covered under Dutch national insurance either.
• If you work in international transport for a non-Dutch employer, transporting persons or goods mainly outside the Netherlands.
• If you are a musician, performing artist or sportsperson working in the Netherlands for a short period of time.
• If you are studying in the Netherlands temporarily and are not employed.

Living outside the Netherlands but still insured

When can you be living outside the Netherlands while staying insured in the Netherlands?

• If you work and pay tax in the Netherlands, and you do not have a secondment certificate from another country.
• If you work outside the Netherlands and you have a Dutch secondment certificate.
• If you are a Dutch national working outside the Netherlands for a Dutch embassy or consulate or another Dutch government institution. Your family members will stay insured as well, unless they start working outside the Netherlands and earn more than the tax-free threshold.
• If you work in international transport for a Netherlands-based company and you transport goods or persons outside the Netherlands. However, you will not be insured if you work mainly in the country where you live or if you work for a branch of your company outside the Netherlands. If you live on board a ship, family members living on board with you will also be insured.
• If you are staying outside the Netherlands temporarily to study and do not work in that country.
• If you are receiving care in certain care institutions outside the Netherlands, such as the Dutch sanatorium in Davos.

Working in more than one country

If you work in more than one country, different rules may apply to you. If you want to know what your insurance position is in such a situation, contact your SVB office.

If you do not want to be insured

Are you against all forms of insurance on principle?

Is there another reason why you do not want to be insured?