Overview social security, provisions and insurance
The concept of social security is a collective term for benefits, provisions and forms of insurance. Some of these are obligatory and apply generally or to a specific group, others are voluntary. Social insurances can be divided into national insurance schemes, that apply to all Dutch inhabitants, and employed persons insurance schemes, that only apply to employed people.
Social security scheme
| Social security | Regulation | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| National insurance: for everyone living in the Netherlands | AOW, ANW, WLZ, AKW | Tax office |
| Employees insurance: for employees | WIA, WW, ZW, WAZO | through wages |
| Right to basic medical care | Zvw | Health care insurer + income-related contribution |
| Provisions | Regulation | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Social welfare: under certain conditions | WWB, Wajong, IOAZ, Bbz, TW | none |
| For employees | pension | through wages |
| For freelancers and self-employed | pension | self arranged |
Insurance
There are lots of other forms of insurance. Some are meant specifically for freelancers/self-employed persons, others for employees as well as freelancers/self-employed persons. Insurance is taken out by initiative of the policy holder, although it may be arranged by law in some cases (for a car for example), or by an institution (liability for school for example).
| General | Intended for |
|---|---|
| Motor vehicles: damage to third parties | arranged by law through WAM (Motor Insurance Liability Act) for owners of motorcycles |
| Damage to third parties (WA private persons) | Everyone |
| Damage as a result of fire or theft | House owners, tenants, companies, travellers |
| Damage to (structures) house/ship | House/boat owners and companies |
| Damage to, loss of musical instruments Instrument owners | Different for professional or amateur use |
| Legal assistance | Everyone, in case of legal dispute |
| Funeral expenses | Everyone, in case of death |
| For Freelancers/self-employed persons | For what? |
|---|---|
| Companies’ and professions’ liability insurance (WA Beroep en bedrijf) | Damage to third parties in the performance of one’s professional practice |
| AOV | Income in case of illness and occupational disability |
Income in case of illness and occupational disability
There are different provisions for freelancers/self-employed persons and employees. Here is a schematic comparison of provisions that apply in case of unemployment, illness and occupational disability
| Type of provision | Employer / artist working via 'artiestenregeling' | Self-employed persons |
|---|---|---|
| Income in case of unemployment, WW | Yes, if the eligibility requirement is met | No, must arrange themselves |
| Income in case of illness, ZW | Yes, continued payment of wages by the employer or through the ZW | No, must arrange themselves |
| Income in case of occupational disability, WIA | Yes, under certain conditions, through the WIA | No, must arrange themselves |