How do I apply for incapacity benefit outside the Netherlands?
If you live abroad and become unable to work due to sickness or disability, apply for incapacity benefit from the benefits organisation in the country where you are insured. In most cases that is the country where you live or where you have most recently worked.
If you don’t know where you have incapacity insurance coverage or whether you are insured, first check where you are insured.
What is your situation?
If you have worked and are insured in the Netherlands, apply for benefit under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA) from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).
Apply for WIA benefit from the UWV (information in Dutch)
What you need to apply
- Your citizen service number (BSN)
- Your DigiD or a recognised form of eID from another European country
- Information about your employers during the past 5 years
- Information about your education and training
- Your bank account number
If you do not have incapacity insurance coverage in the Netherlands, apply for incapacity benefit from the benefits organisation in the country where you were last insured. In most cases that is the country where you have most recently worked.
Insured in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland
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 cannot apply for 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.