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, Anw survivor benefit (Anw ), child benefit (AKW), 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.

Qualifying conditions for exemption

Select the situation that applies to you and find out what the conditions are.

You wish to apply for an exemption under the AOW pension, Anw survivor benefit, child benefit and long-term care (Wlz) schemes

You can apply for an exemption if:

  • your partner or family member works for an international organisation, 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 group 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 apply as from the date that we receive your application.

You wish to apply for an exemption under the AOW pension, Anw survivor benefit and child benefit schemes

You can apply for an exemption if:

  • you live in the Netherlands, and
  • you receive a pension or benefit from a country other than the Netherlands, or from an international organisation, and
  • you have a long-term pension or benefit, and
  • your pension or 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 pension or benefit as well as a pension or benefit from another country or from an international organisation, the following additional conditions apply:

  • both your pensions or benefits are long-term, and
  • your pensions or benefits together are at least €1,493.52 gross per month, and
  • your Dutch pension or benefit is less than or the same amount as the other pension or 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 apply as from the date that we receive your application.
Please contact us if you have any questions.

You wish 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.