My sickness benefit from UWV has stopped or will soon do so. What should I do?
You can receive sickness benefit from the Netherlands for a maximum of 2 years. Your benefit may stop before then, if you recover, for example. What you can do abroad if your benefit stops depends on your situation.
What is your situation?
If you have been ill for more than 2 years, see if you are entitled to benefits abroad under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA). This provides an income to people who are unable to work (either full time or part time) due to medical reasons.
If you have recovered in part or in full, report this using UWV’s recovery reporting tool (in Dutch). For this you will need your DigiD or a EU-approved login key. You will receive a letter from UWV by post stating how much sickness benefit you will still receive. Once you have recovered your sickness benefit will stop because you are able to work again.
If you cannot find work abroad, find out whether you are entitled to unemployment benefit outside the Netherlands. Apply for this 1 week before your sickness benefit stops. You can also check whether other options are available in the country where you live.
If you have reached the age of retirement (AOW state pension age), your sickness benefit will automatically stop. If you live outside the Netherlands, you are responsible for applying for Dutch state pension in good time. Do this 6 months before you reach the age of retirement.
Find out how to apply for Dutch state pension outside the Netherlands
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