Social insurance in 2 countries
In principle, cross-border commuters can be covered for the same period by the social insurance schemes of 2 countries. In Europe, agreements have been made to determine which country’s legislation is applicable in such cases. These agreements make sure that you are not insured in the wrong country or in 2 countries at the same time.
Which country’s social insurance schemes cover you?
The country you are insured in depends on where you live, work or study, or which country pays your pension or benefit. Many different situations are possible. It is important that you find out what will happen in your situation.
See what will happen in different situations.
The country you are insured in for medical care depends on where you live or work. If you work in the Netherlands, you will normally be insured under the Dutch healthcare system. If you work in Belgium or Germany, you will normally be insured under that country’s compulsory healthcare system. Sometimes, you are entitled to medical care in 2 countries: the country where you live and the country where you work. Please bear in mind that the cost of health insurance in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany may not be the same. The amounts paid to cover medical care may also be different.
The rules for how you build up a state pension are different in the Netherlands than in Belgium and Germany. Although all 3 countries have a state pension, the amounts paid are also different. The amount you get usually depends on how many qualifying years you have. If you have pension rights in Belgium or Germany as well as the Netherlands, you will receive pension payments from both countries. The age at which you start receiving your pension can differ from country to country.
In the Netherlands, you can get family benefits if you have a child. Family benefits consist of child benefit, child budget and childcare benefit. Belgium and Germany also have family benefit schemes. The Flemish region of Belgium has the Growth Package (Groeipakket) scheme. Germany has the Kindergeld scheme. The conditions for receiving family benefits, how long you can get them (this will depend on your child’s age) and the amounts you can get differ from country to country.
As a cross-border commuter, you may be entitled to family benefits in 2 countries. However, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have made agreements so that only 1 country will pay the full family benefit amount. If the family benefit amount in the other country is higher, that country will pay the difference as a supplement.
More information
If you commute to work across the Dutch-Belgian or Dutch-German border, you can ask us for more information. We have a number of leaflets that may be helpful. You can also make an appointment for one of our consultation sessions.
If you want to know how living, working or studying across the border will affect your family, go to the website of Grensinfopunt. This gives practical information and advice on what you need to do if you are going to live or work outside the Netherlands.