# Who does what in the Netherlands?

Source: https://mykora.nl/blog/who-does-what-netherlands · Sources checked 2026-10-26

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

## 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).

## Sources

- [Government.nl: municipalities](https://www.government.nl/topics/municipalities)
- [DUO](https://www.duo.nl)
- [Belastingdienst](https://www.belastingdienst.nl)
- [UWV](https://www.uwv.nl)
- [SVB](https://www.svb.nl)
- [IND](https://ind.nl)
- [GGD GHOR Nederland](https://www.ggdghor.nl)
- [Juridisch Loket](https://www.juridischloket.nl)
- [Rijksoverheid](https://www.rijksoverheid.nl)

Kora is an independent practice app. It is not connected to DUO, CvTE or the IND. Your own letters from DUO and your municipality decide what applies to you.