You can read here about the accumulation of the insured period in the Netherlands, and other EU Member States or countries covered by EU Regulations where you have lived and/or worked.

In what situation can I claim?

 If you are going to work in an EU country or other countries covered by EU Regulations, generally you will no longer be a part of the Dutch social security system and the laws of your new country will apply to you.

If you have lived, worked and/or paid insurance in another EU country or other countries covered by the same regulations, your time living in another of these countries, the period you have worked or the contributions you have paid may be taken into account when your benefits are calculated in the Netherlands.

Brexit

In the case of the UK, each case needs to be assessed individually to determine whether a person falls within the scope of Art 30 of the Withdrawal Agreement, and so the EU Coordination Regulations apply, or whether they fall within the scope of situations described in Art 32 of the Withdrawal Agreement and/or come under domestic legislation and the Protocol on Social Security Coordination attached to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

What am I entitled to and how can I claim?

 If you come to work in the Netherlands (as an employee), you are legally insured under the employee insurance schemes. To be covered by the Dutch national insurance schemes, you must work or live in the Netherlands.

Exceptions may apply to certain specific categories such as posted workers.

The employee insurance schemes comprise the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW), the Sickness Benefits Act (ZW) and the Act on Work and Income according to Work Capacity (WIA).

The national insurance schemes comprise the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW), the Surviving Dependants Act (Anw), the General Child Benefit Act (AKW) and the Long-term care Act (Wlz).

You are obliged to take out care insurance based on the Health Insurance Act (Zvw).

Aggregation of insured periods

Earlier insurance periods in other Member States are taken into account when determining entitlement to the following benefits:

• entitlement of unemployment benefit (WW) of three months: employment record of at least 26 weeks in the 36 weeks before becoming unemployed;
• extended period of WW benefit receipt: at least 208 hours of paid work for at least four out of the five years before the year when you became unemployed;
• 3 months of pay-related WIA/WGA benefit for the partially incapacitated: employment record of at least 26 weeks in the 36 weeks before becoming sick. If you do not comply with this, you can still receive a follow-up benefit or wage supplement benefit.
• extended period of WIA/WGA benefit receipt: at least 208 hours of paid work in a calendar year.

Know your rights

 European Commission publication and website:

• Provision of social security: your rights as an EU citizen abroad.

Who do you need to contact?

 If you are seeking advice or help with your EU rights, please apply for help from the EU.