Inburgering Coach
Log In
KNM Topic

Government and Institutions in the Netherlands

Understand DigiD, BSN, gemeente, and all the key organizations you'll encounter in Dutch daily life — and on the KNM exam.

DigiD vs BSN

This is one of the most commonly confused topics on the KNM exam. Make sure you understand the difference:

DigiD

  • Your digital identity for government websites
  • Used to log in (inloggen) to official websites like UWV, Belastingdienst, and gemeente
  • Required for many online government services
  • Think of it as a username + password for government sites

BSN (Burgerservicenummer)

  • Your citizen service number (like a social security number)
  • A unique 9-digit number for identification
  • You receive it when you register in the Netherlands
  • BSN alone is NOT enough to log in to government websites — you need DigiD

Key Government Organizations

Organization What They Do
Gemeente Local government — passports, ID, marriage, divorce, driver's license
Belastingdienst Tax authority — tax returns, toeslagen (benefits/allowances)
UWV Unemployment and disability benefits, help finding work
SVB Child benefits (kinderbijslag), AOW pension
DUO Student finance (studiefinanciering)
KvK Business registration (Kamer van Koophandel)
COA Housing for asylum seekers (not for student finance)
NIBUD Budget advice institute (not for divorce or registration)

What to Report to Gemeente

You must report (melden) these life changes to the gemeente:

  • Moving / address change (verhuizen)
  • Getting married (trouwen)
  • Getting divorced (scheiden)
  • Moving in together (samenwonen) — Yes, this is mandatory!

Belastingdienst — Taxes and Benefits

Belastingaangifte (Tax Return)

  • Filing taxes is often mandatory (vaak verplicht)
  • Not just for businesses — individuals often need to file too

Toeslagen (Benefits/Allowances)

Apply at the Belastingdienst for:

  • Huurtoeslag — rent allowance
  • Kinderopvangtoeslag — childcare allowance
  • Zorgtoeslag — healthcare allowance

Important: If your income increases, your toeslagen typically decrease (gaat omlaag).

Uitkering (Benefits) and Life Changes

Your uitkering may change (verandert misschien) when your life situation changes — for example when you move in together (samenwonen), get married, or get a job. Always report these changes to the organization that pays your uitkering (usually UWV or gemeente).

What is Paid by Belastinggeld (Tax Money)?

Paid by tax money: WW-uitkeringen (unemployment benefits), building dikes (dijken), public roads, schools, hospitals, police, fire department, government employee salaries.

NOT paid by tax money: Salaries of bank employees (bankmedewerkers) — banks are private companies. Private company profits are also not paid by tax money.

From age 14, you must be able to show ID (identiteitsbewijs) when asked by the police. Even a 15-year-old must show ID.

Juridisch Loket provides free legal advice and helps with questions about your rights and obligations (rechten en plichten).

Aansprakelijkheid (Liability): Parents are liable (aansprakelijk) for damage caused by children under 14. If a 12-year-old breaks something in a store, the parents pay.

Want the complete guide?

Get the latest updated KNM resources — including vocabulary lists, exam tips, practice questions, and all remaining sections for Government & Institutions.

Open Inburgering Coach

Always up-to-date with the latest KNM exam content

← Back to KNM Guide