Child benefit at twice the basic rate if your child is living away from home for education purposes

You may qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate if your child is receiving education and lives away from home.

Answer the questions to see whether you qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate.

You do not live in the Netherlands

If you do not work in the Netherlands, you may qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate if you work in the public interest in Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba.

You live in the Netherlands

Your child is not pursuing higher vocational training (HBO) or attending university

You do not live on Ameland, Vlieland, Terschelling or Schiermonnikoog

Because of your or your partner’s work, your child cannot live at home

Your child is following a course of study at pre-vocational (VMBO) level

Your child is not obliged to live at the school

Your child is doing a top sport or ‘LOOT’ programme

Is the distance between your family home and the school more than 25 km? If your child’s programme is on the list and you contribute at least €1,358 per quarter to your child’s support, you qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate.

If the distance between your family home and the school is less than 25 km, or the programme is not on the list, you will not qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate, but will continue to receive child benefit at the basic rate.

Your child is following a private vocational training programme (‘BOL’ or ‘BBL’ learning track)

Is the distance between your family home and the school more than 25 km? If your child’s programme is on the list and you contribute at least €1,358 per quarter to your child’s support, you qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate.

If the distance between your family home and the school is less than 25 km, or your child’s programme is not on the list, you will not qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate, but will continue to receive child benefit at the basic rate.

Your child is following a programme at a ‘DAMU’ school (specialising in dance and music)

Is the distance between your family home and the school more than 25 km? If your child’s programme is on the list, and you contribute at least €1,358 per quarter to your child’s support, you qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate.

If the distance between your family home and the school is less than 25 km, or your child’s programme is not on the list, you will not qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate, but will continue to receive child benefit at the basic rate.

You are not entitled to child benefit at twice the basic rate

You are not entitled to child benefit at twice the basic rate, but will continue to receive child benefit at the basic rate. 

Your child may qualify for student finance from DUO (the Dutch Education Service).

You are not entitled to child benefit at twice the basic rate

You are not entitled to child benefit at twice the basic rate. You will continue to receive child benefit at the basic rate.

You can get child benefit at twice the basic rate

You can get child benefit at twice the basic rate if you contribute at least €512 per quarter to your child’s support.

Your child is following a vocational training programme (‘BOL’ or ‘BBL’ learning track)

Is the distance between your family home and the school more than 25 km? If your child’s programme is on the list and you contribute at least €1,358 per quarter to your child’s support, you qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate.

If the distance between your family home and the school is less than 25 km, or the programme is not on the list, you will not qualify for child benefit at twice the basic rate, but will continue to receive child benefit at the basic rate.