Can I continue to receive sickness benefit if I go abroad?
If you receive sickness benefit from UWV and you move abroad or are planning to go abroad temporarily, you may be able to continue receiving sickness benefit. Whether that’s possible depends on the agreements the Netherlands has with the country you’re going to and on how long you will be abroad.
What is your situation?
Whether you can continue to receive sickness benefit abroad depends on the country you are moving to. The Netherlands has agreements about this with a number of countries.
Find out in which countries you can continue to receive sickness benefit.
I can continue receiving sickness benefit
- Find out what to do to continue receiving sickness benefit outside the Netherlands
- Find out what additional obligations apply if you live abroad and receive sickness benefit (information in Dutch)
I cannot continue receiving sickness benefit
If you move to a country with which the Netherlands does not have reciprocal agreements, your sickness benefit from UWV will stop. Consult the benefits organisation in that country to find out whether there are other options available for you.
If you do development work or are a civil servant, your situation may be an exception. Contact UWV (information in Dutch) to learn more.
If you are going abroad temporarily, for example on holiday, to study or for medical treatment, you can usually continue to receive your sickness benefit while you are abroad. It does not matter what country you go to. However, additional obligations apply if you receive benefit from UWV and you stay abroad for a longer period of time.
There is a difference between living and staying abroad (information in Dutch). Find out how UWV regards the time you are abroad.
If you go on holiday abroad and you receive sickness benefit from UWV, you may spend no more than 20 consecutive days outside the Netherlands each year.
Notify UWV of your departure
Notify UWV at least 2 weeks before your departure that you are going abroad. Do that by reporting a change.
On the basis of the information you provide, UWV may decide that the trip does not qualify as a temporary stay. You are then seen as moving abroad, in which case specific rules apply.
What you also need to arrange if you’re going to move abroad
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.