Applying for exemption

As a rule, if you live in the Netherlands, you are automatically covered by the Dutch national insurance system. If you receive income from work or a benefit, you will have to pay national insurance contributions . If you do not want to be insured, and you meet the necessary conditions, you can apply for an exemption .

For which insurance schemes can you get an exemption?

It is possible to get an exemption from the following Dutch national insurance schemes: AOW pension, survivor benefit (Anw ), child benefit, long-term care (Wlz ). For the Wlz, you may be able to request a certificate of non-coverage under the Wlz scheme.

If you have been granted an exemption, you do not have to pay Dutch social insurance contributions. This also means that you are no longer insured under the Dutch social insurance schemes.

What are the conditions for exemption from paying Dutch national insurance contributions?

You wish to apply for an exemption under the AOW, Anw, AKW and Wlz schemes

You can apply for an exemption if:

  • your partner or family member works for an organisation under international law, and
  • you live in the Netherlands, and
  • you do not work in the Netherlands, and
  • you do not receive a Dutch benefit (with the exception of an AOW old-age pension), and
  • you are not covered under the social insurance scheme of the international organisation, and
  • you have sufficient coverage under the collective health insurance scheme  of the international organisation. This insurance must include hospital care and long-term care in nursing homes.

If you meet these conditions, make sure you apply for an exemption within 4 months. If you apply after 4 months, the exemption will only start as from the date that we receive your application.

You want an exemption under the AOW, Anw and AKW schemes

You can apply for an exemption if:

  • you live in the Netherlands, and
  • you receive a benefit from a country other than the Netherlands, or from an organisation under international law, and
  • you have a long-term pension or benefit, and
  • your benefit is at least €1,493.52 gross per month, and
  • you are not working (limited voluntary work is permitted)

If you have a Dutch benefit as well as a benefit from another country or from an international organisation, the following additional conditions apply:

  • both your benefits are long-term benefits, and
  • your benefits together are at least €1,493.52 gross per month, and
  • your Dutch pension or benefit is lower than or equal to the other benefit.

If you meet these conditions, make sure you apply for an exemption within 1 year. If you apply after 1 year, the exemption will only start as from the date that we receive your application.

You want to apply for an exemption under the Wlz scheme

If you are insured under the Wlz scheme, you can apply for an exemption provided you meet the necessary conditions.

You want to request a certificate of non-insurance under the Wlz scheme

If you are not insured under the Wlz scheme, you can request a certificate of non-insurance, provided you meet the conditions.