You are studying or doing an internship

If you have come to the Netherlands as an international student, you will not be insured under the child benefit scheme, even if you are registered as living at an address in the Netherlands.

By ‘studying’, we mean that you are doing a course of study or training which:

• is provided under expert guidance and supervision
• prepares you for a final exam, for which a diploma is awarded
• ensures that you are able to work in the occupation you are being educated or trained for

In addition, we check whether you spend at least 19 hours a week on your course of study or training. This includes practical classes and optional course activities, time spent in class and doing homework, and travelling time to and from your place of study.  

If you are studying and you start doing paid work, a paid internship or paid volunteer work, you will probably become insured under the child benefit scheme.

You may also become insured under other national insurance schemes, such as the Wlz scheme. In that case, you will be required to take out Dutch health insurance.

If you are going to study outside the Netherlands, you will remain insured under the child benefit scheme while you are away. This is true whether or not you are still registered as living at an address in the Netherlands.

If you are going to study outside the Netherlands and you start doing paid work, your insurance under the child benefit scheme and other national insurance schemes, such as the Wlz scheme, may change. This could also have consequences for your health insurance. 

If you would like to know what you need arrange if you are going to study outside the Netherlands, answer the questions on the Rijksoverheid website and get a useful summary of what you need to arrange.