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How much is kinderbijslag (child benefit) in the Netherlands?

Kinderbijslag is paid quarterly by SVB. For 2024 rates: €269.76 per quarter for children 0-5 years, €327.56 for 6-11 years, and €385.37 for 12-17 years. This equals approximately €90-130 per month depending on age. Payment is automatic if both parents have BSN numbers, and the first payment comes after one full quarter. Kinderbijslag is not means-tested - all families receive it regardless of income.

What is erkenning and do I need it?

Erkenning (paternity acknowledgment) is required for unmarried fathers to establish legal parenthood in the Netherlands. Without erkenning, the father has no legal rights or responsibilities for the child and cannot be listed on the birth certificate. Erkenning can be done before or after birth at the Gemeente, is free, and requires both parents' consent and presence. Married parents do not need erkenning - paternity is automatic.

How long is maternity leave in the Netherlands?

Zwangerschapsverlof (maternity leave) for birth parents is minimum 16 weeks at 100% salary, paid by UWV (not your employer). You can start 4-6 weeks before the due date with the remaining weeks after birth. At least 10 weeks must be taken after birth. This is separate from ouderschapsverlof (parental leave), which provides additional weeks. Your employer continues to pay salary and claims reimbursement from UWV.

What leave does my partner get in the Netherlands?

Partners (not the birth parent) receive geboorteverlof (birth leave): 1 week at 100% salary immediately after birth, plus aanvullend geboorteverlof (additional birth leave) of 5 weeks at 70% salary (paid by UWV). The 5 additional weeks must be taken within the first 6 months after birth and can be taken flexibly. Both partners can also take ouderschapsverlof (parental leave) - up to 26 weeks per parent, with the first 9 weeks paid at 70%.

Do I have to pay for my baby's health insurance?

Children under 18 in the Netherlands have NO health insurance premium - they are covered for free under the basic health insurance system. However, you must register your baby with a zorgverzekeraar (health insurer) within 4 months of birth. The baby needs their BSN for registration. While there is no premium, parents still pay their own premium and eigen risico (deductible). Failure to register can result in penalties.

What is kraamzorg and how do I get it?

Kraamzorg is professional maternity care provided at home by a trained kraamverzorgende (maternity nurse) during the first week after birth. They help with baby care, breastfeeding, monitor health, and assist with household tasks. Basic health insurance covers up to 49 hours (typically 8 days of 6 hours each). Your verloskundige (midwife) arranges kraamzorg during pregnancy, usually around 34 weeks. This unique Dutch system provides invaluable support during the crucial first days.

How do I apply for kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare allowance)?

Kinderopvangtoeslag is income-based government contribution to childcare costs, applied for through Belastingdienst Toeslagen using your DigiD. You need a contract with a registered childcare provider (kinderdagverblijf or gastouder). The allowance covers up to 96% of costs for low incomes, decreasing as income rises. You apply when you have a childcare contract, and payment is typically monthly. Both parents must work or study to qualify.

What documents do I need to register a birth in the Netherlands?

For geboorteaangifte (birth registration) at the Gemeente you need: both parents' valid ID (passport or ID card), the geboorteaangiftekaart (birth declaration form) from the hospital or verloskundige, and if married, your trouwboekje (marriage booklet). For unmarried parents, the father needs proof of erkenning if done beforehand. The hospital often helps with registration. Registration must be completed within 3 working days, and late registration may result in fines.

Having a Baby in Netherlands: Guide 2025

Quick Overview

When having a baby in the Netherlands, you must register the birth (geboorteaangifte) at the Gemeente within 3 working days to receive a BSN (Burgerservicenummer) and add the baby to your health insurance immediately at no premium for children under 18. Both parents receive generous leave - birth parents get 16 weeks zwangerschapsverlof at 100% salary, partners get 1 week geboorteverlof plus 5 additional weeks at 70% (aanvullend geboorteverlof). Unmarried fathers must complete erkenning (paternity acknowledgment) at the Gemeente to establish legal parenthood. Total administrative costs are minimal (€0-150) as most services including birth registration, BSN, kinderbijslag (child benefit), and healthcare are free.

Key Facts

Birth registration deadline

3 working days at Gemeente (geboorteaangifte)

Maternity leave

16 weeks at 100% salary (zwangerschapsverlof) - starts 4-6 weeks before due date

Partner leave

1 week paid + 5 weeks at 70% (geboorteverlof + aanvullend geboorteverlof)

Total costs

€0-150 (most services free including BSN, healthcare, child benefit)

Child benefit

Kinderbijslag: €269.76/quarter for children under 6 (2024)

Healthcare

Free health insurance premium for children under 18 (must be registered)

How It Works

Having a Baby in Netherlands

The Netherlands provides comprehensive support for new parents through universal free healthcare, generous parental leave, and automatic child benefits. The birth must be registered (geboorteaangifte) at the Gemeente within 3 working days - hospitals often assist with this process. The baby immediately receives a BSN (Burgerservicenummer, the Dutch social security number) at registration, which is needed for all subsequent registrations. For unmarried couples, fathers must complete erkenning (paternity acknowledgment) at the Gemeente, which can be done before or after birth but is required for the father to be listed on the birth certificate and have legal parental rights. The baby must be added to parents' health insurance within 4 months - children under 18 have no premium, though they must be registered. Kinderbijslag (child benefit) of €269.76 per quarter (for children under 6) is usually granted automatically by SVB if both parents have BSN numbers. Birth parents receive 16 weeks zwangerschapsverlof (maternity leave) at 100% salary paid by UWV, starting 4-6 weeks before the due date. Partners receive 1 week geboorteverlof (birth leave) immediately after birth, plus 5 additional weeks aanvullend geboorteverlof at 70% salary within the first 6 months. The Netherlands also provides free kraamzorg (maternity nurse home care) for the first week after birth through health insurance. Free preventive healthcare continues through the consultatiebureau (baby clinic) run by GGD, providing regular check-ups and the full rijksvaccinatieprogramma (national vaccination program). The unique Dutch advantages include automatic kinderbijslag, no health insurance premiums for children, free kraamzorg postnatal care, and the comprehensive consultatiebureau system.

Critical registrations after birth

Register birth (geboorteaangifte)

Paternity acknowledgment if unmarried (erkenning)

Father must acknowledge paternity for legal parenthood.

Register baby with health insurance

Add baby to parent health insurance.

Benefits applications

Apply for kinderbijslag (child benefit)

Quarterly payment for children.

Apply for kinderopvangtoeslag if using childcare

Government contribution to childcare costs.

Register with consultatiebureau

Baby clinic for check-ups and vaccinations.

Register baby with huisarts (GP)

Family doctor registration.

Leave entitlements

Take geboorteverlof (birth leave) - partners

1 week paid + 5 weeks at 70% (aanvullend geboorteverlof).

Zwangerschapsverlof (maternity) - birth parent

Minimum 16 weeks: 4-6 before, rest after birth.

Consider ouderschapsverlof (parental leave)

Up to 26 weeks per parent (partially paid).

Other registrations

Apply for passport/ID

For international travel.

Register for kinderopvang (childcare)

Daycare waitlists can be long.

Having a Baby Costs in Netherlands (2025)

Hospital birth (basic insurance)Free

Covered by basic health insurance (eigen risico may apply)

Home birth with verloskundigeFree

Fully covered by basic health insurance - no eigen risico

Kraamzorg (maternity nurse)Free

Up to 49 hours covered by health insurance after birth

Birth registration (geboorteaangifte)Free

At Gemeente within 3 days

BSN for babyFree

Issued automatically at birth registration

Baby health insurance registrationFree

No premium for children under 18

Kinderbijslag applicationFree

Usually automatic from SVB

Consultatiebureau check-upsFree

All preventive care and vaccinations free

Baby passport/ID (optional)€61.55 (ID) / €75.80 (passport)

Only if needed for travel

Private hospital/clinic€3,000-8,000

If choosing private care not covered by insurance

Kinderopvang (daycare)€400-1,200/month

Kinderopvangtoeslag available based on income

Total

€0-150 for all administrative costs (most services free). Hospital birth and care fully covered by basic health insurance.

Service	Cost	Notes
Hospital birth (basic insurance)	Free	Covered by basic health insurance (eigen risico may apply)
Home birth with verloskundige	Free	Fully covered by basic health insurance - no eigen risico
Kraamzorg (maternity nurse)	Free	Up to 49 hours covered by health insurance after birth
Birth registration (geboorteaangifte)	Free	At Gemeente within 3 days
BSN for baby	Free	Issued automatically at birth registration
Baby health insurance registration	Free	No premium for children under 18
Kinderbijslag application	Free	Usually automatic from SVB
Consultatiebureau check-ups	Free	All preventive care and vaccinations free
Baby passport/ID (optional)	€61.55 (ID) / €75.80 (passport)	Only if needed for travel
Private hospital/clinic	€3,000-8,000	If choosing private care not covered by insurance
Kinderopvang (daycare)	€400-1,200/month	Kinderopvangtoeslag available based on income
Total estimate	€0-150 for all administrative costs (most services free). Hospital birth and care fully covered by basic health insurance.

*The Netherlands provides exceptional support for new parents with nearly all costs covered. Basic health insurance covers all medical care, kraamzorg is free, and children under 18 have no health insurance premium. Prices current as of January 2025.

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Verloskundige

Midwife - for pregnancy and birth

Kraamzorg

Maternity nurse - postnatal home care

Huisarts

GP for family healthcare

Having a Baby

Key Facts

How It Works

First Week

Register birth (geboorteaangifte)

Paternity acknowledgment if unmarried (erkenning)

Register baby with health insurance

First Month

Apply for kinderbijslag (child benefit)

Apply for kinderopvangtoeslag if using childcare

Register with consultatiebureau

Register baby with huisarts (GP)

Parental Leave

Take geboorteverlof (birth leave) - partners

Zwangerschapsverlof (maternity) - birth parent

Consider ouderschapsverlof (parental leave)

Additional Steps

Apply for passport/ID

Register for kinderopvang (childcare)

Having a Baby Costs in Netherlands (2025)

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Key Facts

How It Works

0%ImmediateFirst Week0 of 3 tasks completed

First Week

Register birth (geboorteaangifte)

Paternity acknowledgment if unmarried (erkenning)

Register baby with health insurance

0%Month 1-2First Month0 of 4 tasks completed

First Month

Apply for kinderbijslag (child benefit)

Apply for kinderopvangtoeslag if using childcare

Register with consultatiebureau

Register baby with huisarts (GP)

0%AdministrativeParental Leave0 of 3 tasks completed

Parental Leave

Take geboorteverlof (birth leave) - partners

Zwangerschapsverlof (maternity) - birth parent

Consider ouderschapsverlof (parental leave)

0%AdministrativeAdditional Steps0 of 2 tasks completed

Additional Steps

Apply for passport/ID

Register for kinderopvang (childcare)

Having a Baby Costs in Netherlands (2025)

Get Checklist via Email

Presence Partner

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