I work for an international organisation. My partner works in the Netherlands or receives Dutch benefit. How does this affect their social security situation?
You work for an international organisation like NATO or the International Criminal Court and your partner works in the Netherlands or receives a Dutch pension. In that case Dutch legislation applies to your partner. That means that your partner falls under the Dutch social security system.
State old age pension (AOW)
For each year they are insured under the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW), your partner builds up 2% old age pension rights. If your partner was already insured under the Dutch system, their old age pension rights will continue to accrue in the same way.
Surviving dependants benefit
If your partner dies, you may be entitled to surviving dependants (ANW) benefit for yourself and your children.
Child benefit
Your partner can apply for child benefit for your minor children, and may also be entitled to a child budget. If your employer pays you child benefit, however, there will probably be no full entitlement to Dutch child benefit.
Benefit if your partner is ill or unfit for work
Is your partner employed? Or do they receive unemployment benefit (WW), sickness benefit or incapacity benefit (WIA)? In that case they may also be insured under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW), Sickness Benefits Act and Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA).
Healthcare insurance and healthcare benefit
How your partner’s medical costs are paid for is determined by the Healthcare Insurance Act (ZVW) and the Chronic Care Act (WLZ). Your partner must take out healthcare insurance with an insurer of their own choosing. They may also be entitled to healthcare benefit.
Exemption from Dutch healthcare insurance
Is your partner obliged to take out Dutch healthcare insurance because they work or receive Dutch social security benefit? And are they also covered for medical costs by your employer’s scheme? In that case they cannot apply for exemption from Dutch healthcare insurance.
Your partner can only apply for an exemption if they do not work in the Netherlands (or receive Dutch benefit) and your employer’s healthcare scheme provides adequate coverage. For instance if your employer’s scheme includes the costs of admission to hospital or a nursing home.