Retiring outside the Netherlands
If you live abroad and are retiring, or if you are already retired and are moving abroad, there are a number of things you must take into account. Find out what arrangements you need to make in your situation.
I am not yet receiving a pension from the Netherlands
A pension is regular income that you receive when you stop working or have reached a certain age. You can receive a Dutch pension even if you live outside the Netherlands. There are different types of pension, such as the basic state pension provided under the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW).
There are online tools that show you how much Dutch pension you have accrued or how much pension you can expect to receive from the Netherlands. Depending on the country you live in, you can get all or part of your AOW pension.
How much pension have I accrued?
How much AOW pension will I receive if I live outside the Netherlands?
If you have lived or worked in the Netherlands, you will receive Dutch state pension (AOW) from the day on which you reach state pension age. Your AOW state pension age depends on your date of birth. Find out what your AOW state pension age is.
If you live outside the Netherlands, it is up to you to apply for your AOW pension in good time. You should do this 6 months before you reach your AOW state pension age. How to apply depends on where you live.
If you were employed in the Netherlands, you will probably have accrued a workplace pension through your employer. This pension supplements the basic state pension (AOW). Contact the Dutch pension provider(s) where you built up your workplace pension.
How do I apply for a workplace pension? (information in Dutch)
Find out how retirement affects your entitlement to benefits from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).
How will retirement affect my incapacity benefit from UWV?
How will retirement affect my unemployment benefit (WW) from UWV?
To access Dutch public services online and to log in to mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl, you will need a DigiD or an EU-approved login key. If you don't have one, find out how you can apply for a DigiD or EU-approved login key from another European country. If you currently or will soon receive an AOW state pension from the Netherlands, you can apply for a DigiD via the Social Insurance Bank (SVB).
I am receiving a pension from the Netherlands
If you live abroad and receive a pension from the Netherlands, you may be required to take out health insurance via the CAK. This depends on where you live.
If you live abroad and receive a pension from the Netherlands, you usually have to pay Dutch tax on it. To file a Dutch tax return, you will need annual income statement(s) from your pension provider(s). Your particular situation will determine in which country or countries you are required to pay tax.
- If you live in Belgium, France, Germany, Poland or Spain and you receive a pension from the Netherlands, find out how and where to file your tax return.
- If you live in another country , call the Tax Administration to find out how and where to file your tax return. Call the international tax information line.
Depending on the country where you live, your pension may be taxable there and in the Netherlands. But if the Netherlands has a tax treaty with the country, you may be exempted from paying tax in the Netherlands. You can apply for this exemption by filling in the Tax Administration's application form for exemption from wage tax/national insurance contributions deducted at source. For this you need acitizen service number (BSN).
If you live abroad and receive a Dutch pension, the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) or other Dutch pension provider(s) may ask you for proof of life.
- Find out how you can provide the SVB with proof of life.
- If your pension provider asks you for proof of life, contact them for more information.