Netherlands: Organisation

Social insurance in the Netherlands is organised jointly by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sports. A distinction is drawn between national insurance on the one hand, which covers the whole of the population and employees’ insurance, on the other, only covering employees (excluding civil servants).

The general insurance schemes provide for:

• insurance for old age,

• maintenance for survivors,

• insurance for exceptional medical costs, and

• children allowance.

The employee’s insurance schemes provide for:

• insurance for sick pay,

• medical care,

• insurance for invalidity and

• insurance for unemployment.

Since 1 January 1998 there also is an invalidity scheme for self-employed persons. There is no special insurance for employment injuries or occupational diseases; these risks are covered by the other insurance schemes. In addition to this the State runs a social assistance scheme that is managed by the municipal authorities. This scheme is characterised as a safety-net since its objective is to guarantee minimum income to people who do not or no longer have sufficient recourses to cover the necessary costs of living. 

With the exception of the insurance for exceptional medical costs, the national insurance schemes are implemented by the Social Insurance Bank, the board of which comprising representatives from employees’ and employers’ organisations. The invalidity scheme for self-empoyed persons and the employees’ insurance schemes are implemented by the National Insitute for Social Insurance (Lisv). This institute is responsible for managing, and has to contract out the implementation to private implementing bodies. The board of the Lisv is composed of representatives of employees’ and employers’ organisations and an independent chairman, appointed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. Supervision is carried out by the Board of Supervision of social insurances (Ctsv). This board consists of 3 independent persons, nominated by the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment and appointed by Royal Degree. The supervision concerns both the general insurance schemes and the employees’ insurance schemes (exclusive health insurance).

Health insurance (medical care) is implemented by recognised health insurance funds, which are supervised by the Health Insurance Funds Council, managed by a board partly appointed by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports resp. by the representative organisations of employers, employees, health care providers and insurers. Two members are appointed by the official organisation representing the interests of insured parties. The Council is accountable to the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports.

Over a certain income a private insurance must be taken out.

The general insurance for exceptional medical costs is implemented by the health insurance funds, private insurers and the bodies that implement the insurance schemes for public servants. Supervision is also carried out by the Health Insurance Funds Council. To this end the board consists of an additional number of members of organisations involved with the implementation of this insurance.

The job of supervising the private medical insurance sector is entrusted to the Insurance Control Board, a body established under the Insurance Industry (Supervision) Act.

Ministerie van Sociale Zaken
en Werkgelegenheid
Poatbus 90801
NL-2509 LV Den Haag
Anna van Hanoverstraat 4

Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, welzijn en Sport
Postbus 5406
NL-2280 HK Rijswijk
Sir W. Churchillaan 362 

Sociale Verzekeringsbank
Hoofdkantoor
Postbus 1100
NL-1180 BH Amstelveen
Van Heuven Goedhartlaan 1 

Sociale Verzekeringsbank
Kantoor Buitenland
Postbus 7105
NL-1007 JC Amsterdam
Van Leyenberghlaan 221 

GAK Nederland bv
Postbus 8300
NL-1005 CA Amsterdam
Bos en Lommerplantsoen 1 

Ziekenfondsraad
Postbus 396
NL-1180 BD Amstelveen
Prof. J.H. Bavincklaan 2 

Voorlichtingscentrum
Rhijnspoorplein 1
NL-1091 GC Amsterdam 

Stichting Bureau
voor Belgische Zaken
Markendaalseweg 35
NL-4811 KA Breda 

Stichting Bureau
voor Duitse Zaken
Postbus 10505
NL-MB Nijmegen
Nassausingel 3

LANDELYK INSTITUUT SOCIALE VERZEKERINGEN (LisV)
Postbus 74765
NL-1070 BT Amsterdam
Buitenveldertselaan 3 

College van Toezicht Sociale Verzekeringen (ctsv)
Postbus 100
NL-2700 AC Zoetermeer
Bredewater 12

Zorgverzekeraars Nederland
Postbus 142
NL-3990 DC Mouten
Prins Bernhardweg 65