Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands has a right to Child Benefit (Kinderbijslag) for children (including step- and foster-children) under the age of 18. This benefit is meant to allay the expenses of care for a child, such as clothing, sports activities and so forth. It is implemented and paid by the Social Insurance Bank (Sociale Verzekeringsbank, SVB).It is a form of national insurance and the official term is AKW Algemene Kinderbijslagwet.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for child benefit, the following conditions must be satisfied:
You work or live legally in the Netherlands or you work outside the Netherlands for an employer established in the Netherlands.
You have children, stepchildren or foster children who are younger than 18 years of age.
When these children, step- or foster children, are older than 16, they go to school and receive an additional income of no more than an annually fixed amount.
Contact the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) for more information about the amounts. You can find detailed information on the SVB website (available in multiple languages).
When are you covered by national insurance in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has four national insurance schemes: child benefit (AKW), old age pension (AOW), survivor benefits (Anw) and long-term care (Wlz). 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 in the aforementioned schemes?
If you work outside the Netherlands and do not have a Dutch secondment certificate.
If you work outside the Netherlands – but not in another EU Member State or a country with which the Netherlands has a social security agreement – for an employer based outside the Netherlands.
If you work as a civil servant for another country's embassy or consulate, or for an international organisation such as NATO or the European Union. Your family members will only be insured if they work in the Netherlands or receive a Dutch social security benefit.
If you work for the government of another country or the government of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. Your family members will only be insured if they work in the Netherlands or receive a Dutch social security benefit.
If you work in international transport for a non-Dutch employer, transporting persons or goods mainly outside the Netherlands. Different rules apply within the EU.
If you work in the Netherlands and you have a non-Dutch secondment certificate.
If you are studying in the Netherlands temporarily and are not employed.
If you are a family member of a person who works outside the Netherlands and you do not work or receive a Dutch social security benefit (only applies for AWBZ insurance).
If you receive a non-Dutch social security benefit (only applies for AWBZ insurance).
If you are a family member of a person who receives a non-Dutch social security benefit and you do not work or receive a Dutch social security benefit yourself (only applies for AWBZ insurance).
If you are a family member of a person who receives a pension or benefit from an international organisation and you yourself do not work or receive a Dutch social security benefit (only applies for AWBZ insurance).
Application
You will automatically receive an application package from the SVB with an application form after you have notified the municipality of the birth of your first child. The registrar passes on your data and those of the child to the SVB. Then you can mail the application or submit it online (using DigiD). Upon the birth of additional children you will receive a letter from the SVB containing information about child benefit. If you foster a child, you must contact the SVB yourself. They will then send you an application package.
Coming from abroad
If you are coming from abroad with your children, you must request an application form from the SVB yourself. The office in your particular region will determine whether you are entitled to child benefit.
Changes
Changes in your situation may affect the child benefit. You can notify the SVB of changes online (using DigiD). If you do not have DigiD, you can fill in the form on the website, print it out and send it by post.
Dutch child benefit is paid on a quarterly basis
You receive child benefit once per quarter. The first payment you will receive will be for the next quarter after your child's birthday. In other words, your child benefit will start in January, April, July or October. The SVB pays child benefit after the end of each quarter. If you adopt a child or if you have just come to live in the Netherlands, your child benefit may begin at a different time.
