How do I apply for an AOW pension outside the Netherlands?

If you live in an EU member state, you can apply to the organisation that administers pensions in:

• the country where you live, or
• the country where you were last insured under a state pension, health and unemployment scheme.

In France, for instance, you should apply to the Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Vieillesse (CNAV) in your region.

If you are not sure where to apply, contact the SVB.

If your application for Dutch state pension (AOW) is successful, it will be paid out by the SVB.

Who is insured under the Dutch social security scheme?

Being ‘insured’ means being entitled to social insurance benefits and services. In the Netherlands, this includes general old age pension (AOW), surviving dependants’ benefit (ANW) and child benefit. There is no need to take out an insurance policy, like you would for car insurance or health insurance. You are not usually insured under the Dutch social security scheme if you live or work outside the Netherlands.

Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein are members of the European Economic Area (EEA). There are 2 possibilities:

1. if you are insured under the basic state pension scheme in the country where you live, contact the pension administrator in your country;
2. if you are not insured under the basic state pension scheme in the country where you live, contact the pension administrator in the country where you were last insured under the state pension, health or unemployment scheme.

If you are not sure where to apply, contact the SVB.

If your application for Dutch state pension (AOW) is successful, it will be paid out by the SVB.

Who is insured under the Dutch social security scheme?

Being ‘insured’ means being entitled to social insurance benefits and services. In the Netherlands, this includes general old age pension (AOW), surviving dependants’ benefit (ANW) and child benefit. There is no need to take out an insurance policy, like you would for car insurance or health insurance. You are not usually insured under the Dutch social security scheme if you live or work outside the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has agreements on social insurance with a number of countries. If you live in a treaty country, there are 2 possibilities:

1. if you are insured under a basic state pension scheme in the country where you live, contact the pension administrator in your country;
2. if you are not insured under the basic state pension scheme in the country where you live, contact the pension administrator in the country where you were last insured under a state pension, health and unemployment scheme. 

In Canada, for instance, you should apply to Service Canada – International Operations.

If you are not sure where to apply, contact the SVB.

If your application for Dutch state pension (AOW) is successful, it will be paid out by the SVB.

Who is insured under the Dutch social security scheme?

Being ‘insured’ means being entitled to social insurance benefits and services. In the Netherlands, this includes general old age pension (AOW), surviving dependants’ benefit (ANW) and child benefit. There is no need to take out an insurance policy, like you would for car insurance or health insurance. You are not usually insured under the Dutch social security scheme if you live or work outside the Netherlands.

If you do not live in an EU or EEA country, or in a country with which the Netherlands has a reciprocal healthcare agreement, contact the SVB 6 months before you reach the age of retirement (AOW state pension age).

If you are already receiving a benefit from the SVB, such as a surviving dependant’s benefit or a remigration benefit, you do not need to take any action. The SVB will contact you.