Child Benefit Export: Receiving Child Benefit Abroad as a Den Haag Resident
Child Benefit Export allows Dutch citizens, including residents of Den Haag, to continue receiving child benefit if they move abroad with their family. This aligns with social security regulations and helps families in the Den Haag area – known for its international character and expat community – maintain their financial support for children. It is particularly useful for Den Haag residents emigrating as diplomats, cross-border workers, or retirees.
What is Child Benefit Export?
Child Benefit is a regular allowance for parents or guardians to cover the costs of raising and caring for children up to a specified age. In the Netherlands, this falls under the General Child Benefit Act (AKBW). As a Den Haag resident emigrating, you may be able to export child benefit under certain conditions, allowing payments to continue from the Netherlands. This way, you retain your entitlements despite moving outside the country's borders.
Exporting child benefit depends on your personal circumstances, the country of residence, and international agreements. Within the EU and EEA, the conditions are flexible, while countries outside the EU rely on bilateral agreements or additional requirements. For Den Haag residents with international ties, such as those connected to the Den Haag Court or international organizations, this is essential. This article explains how it works with examples and legal details, plus tips for local advice through the Juridisch Loket Den Haag.
Legal Basis of Child Benefit Export
The legal foundation for child benefit export stems from Dutch laws and global regulations. At its core is the General Child Benefit Act (AKBW), specifically Article 4, paragraph 2, which permits export when residing in another country, provided international social security requirements are met.
In the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, EU Regulation 883/2004 governs the coordination of social security. Article 67 states that child benefit is linked to the country of residence or work, but the Netherlands, as the country of origin, bears responsibility. For non-EU countries, rules are determined by bilateral treaties with places like the US, Australia, or Canada. Without a treaty, export is limited to one year (Article 18 AKBW). In Den Haag, you can seek assistance from the Municipality of Den Haag or the Juridisch Loket Den Haag to interpret these rules.
The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) handles the export process and evaluates applications according to these frameworks.
Conditions for Child Benefit Export
For child benefit export as a Den Haag resident, you must meet strict criteria. You need to have been previously insured for Dutch child benefit, for example, through employment or residence in the Netherlands. After relocating, you must prove that:
- The child is in your care and under 18 years old (or up to 20 if studying).
- You reside in an export-eligible country, such as an EU/EEA member or a treaty country.
- There is no double payment; the country of residence does not provide a higher allowance (aggregation principle).
For non-EU countries without agreements, export applies only to temporary stays, such as for assignments or studies. In cases of permanent emigration to such a country, child benefit ends after one year. Den Haag residents can obtain free advice on these conditions from the Juridisch Loket Den Haag.
Differences by Type of Residence
Rules vary by situation. Overview in table:
| Situation | Export Possible? | Duration/Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Residing in EU/EEA/Switzerland | Yes | Unlimited, after SVB application |
| Cross-border worker (working in NL, living in EU) | Yes | Unlimited, with preference for NL benefit |
| Emigration to treaty country (e.g., US) | Yes | According to treaty, often unlimited |
| Emigration to non-treaty country (e.g., Brazil) | Limited | Max. 1 year |
Practical Examples of Child Benefit Export
Consider a Den Haag family moving to Spain for a job at an international institution. They register with the SVB, providing their new address and Spanish registration. Under EU rules, export is approved, with monthly payments to a Dutch account, possibly adjusted to Spanish levels (pro-rata).
Or, a retired couple from Den Haag relocating to Thailand, a non-treaty country. For their studying child (ages 18-20), export applies for up to one year. It stops afterward, unless they return. Moving to Canada (a treaty country) allows unlimited export under the agreement. For cross-border workers, such as a Den Haag resident working in Rotterdam but living in Belgium, the Dutch benefit – often higher – takes precedence.
Rights and Obligations for Child Benefit Export
Your rights as a Den Haag resident include equal treatment with residents, such as adjusting amounts to local costs (EU rule). Emigration should not harm your benefits, and you can appeal SVB decisions under the General Administrative Law Act (Awb), Article 7:1, possibly with assistance from the Den Haag Court.
Obligations require you to promptly inform the SVB of address changes, income changes, or family updates (Article 22 AKBW). Submit documents like birth certificates or school records. Failure to comply can result in termination of the export.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.