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Who does what in the Netherlands?

Many KNM questions ask which organization you contact in a situation. Here is a simple overview.

By the Kora team: Alex, Mariel and Abena, who did inburgering themselves. Written with help from AI. Every fact is checked against the official source. How we write our guides

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-26 · Plain text version to copy (.md)

Daily life and government

  • Gemeente (your municipality): you register your address there, apply for a passport or ID card, and ask for social support. It is your first stop for most life admin.
  • DUO: runs the inburgering exams and student finance. Your exam results and inburgering deadline are there too.
  • Belastingdienst: taxes and tax returns, plus allowances (toeslagen) like healthcare allowance and housing allowance.
  • IND: residence permits, extensions and naturalisation.
  • Rijksoverheid: the national government. It makes national laws and policy.

Work and income

  • UWV: unemployment benefit (WW), work disability benefits, and help finding work.
  • SVB: child benefit (kinderbijslag) and the state pension (AOW).

Health and safety

  • Huisarts (general practitioner): always your first medical contact. The huisarts treats you or refers you to a specialist.
  • GGD: public health, like vaccinations and health checks for children.
  • Politie: crime, safety and emergencies. Call 112 only when it is urgent.
  • Juridisch Loket: free first advice about legal problems, for example about work or housing.

How to learn this for KNM

KNM questions usually describe a situation and ask who you contact. Learn the situations, not only the names: 'I move house' means gemeente, 'I lose my job' means UWV.

Questions

Where do I register my new address?

At the gemeente (your municipality).

Who pays child benefit?

The SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank).

Who do I contact first when I'm sick but it's not an emergency?

Your huisarts (general practitioner).

Official sources

General information, not legal advice. Your letters from DUO and your municipality decide what applies to you.

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