I work outside the Netherlands and have become unable to work due to sickness or disability. What should I do?
If you work abroad and have become unable to work (in part or in full) due to sickness or disability, you are usually entitled to incapacity benefit. Exactly how you receive this benefit depends on the country where you are insured.
If you don’t know where you have incapacity insurance coverage or whether you are insured, first check where you are insured.
Choose your situation
If you have incapacity insurance coverage in the Netherlands, you are initially entitled to sickness benefit. Your employer may also continue to pay you a portion of your salary.
Still unable to work after 2 years
If after 2 years you are still unable to work (in part or in full), you may be entitled to benefit under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA)
If you have incapacity insurance coverage in a country other than the Netherlands, contact the benefits organisation in that country. If you are insured in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you can find the relevant benefits organisation on Europa.eu.
If you do not have incapacity insurance coverage, you are not entitled to incapacity benefit.
If you return to the Netherlands, you may be entitled to social assistance (information in Dutch). You can also look into whether there are other options for you in the country where you live.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.