As law students we are also interested in our rights and obligations within the Netherlands. In order for you to benefit the most from you staying in the Netherlands, HHS ILSA Chapter has prepared for you a pack of useful information.
Even if you came by yourself in the Netherlands, our members from HHS ILSA Chapter are always prepared to answer your questions and concerns. Feel free to send us an email at ilsachapter.hhs@gmail.com
From our experience, we believe it is important for you to know the following because “Knowledge is Power”.
Government State Aid
Definition of a Self-Standing Accommodation
A Self-Standing Accommodation should have at least:
2. Zorgtoeslag (State aid for Dutch Medical Insurance)In the Netherlands it is mandatory for everybody to have a Dutch Health Insurance, especially if you are employed. Fortunately, the Dutch State will pay for most of it, depending on your income.
Conditions:
How to apply for Huurtoeslag or Zorgtoeslag
Login on the website of the Government by using your DIGI-D: http://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/
You do not have a DIGI-D yet? The application takes a few minutes and you will have your DIGI-D ready within 5-8 working days. Apply at: https://digid.nl/aanvragen
You can apply retrospectively for the whole year of 2016. For example: if you submit your application on the 1st of November 2016, you can ask for Zorgtoeslag/Huurtoeslag from January 2016.
Loan from the Dutch Government
The Dutch Government offers to Dutch and international students the possibility to obtain a loan, either covering your tuition fee and/or your living expenses. You will have to pay back this loan after you graduate and obtain a job. For more information, we recommend you to look at: https://duo.nl/particulier/international-student/student-finance/how-does-it-work.jsp
Avoid Municipality and Water Taxes
As a student with a low or no income, you are exempted from the Municipality and Water Taxes. In case you receive a letter in which you have to pay these taxes, you can make a request for not paying.
First, you need to understand which institution issued the tax.
The Municipality(gemeente) issues the following taxes:
How to apply for a Waiver of Taxes ( kwijtschelding belastingen) ?
For taxes issued by the Municipality of The Hague access: http://www.denhaag.nl/en/residents/to/Tax-waiver.htm
For the taxes issued by the Regionale Belasting Groep acces: http://www.derbg.nl/general-tax-information
You only need to apply for an acquittal of taxes (kwijtschelding belastingen) if you received a letter in which you are requested to pay a tax.
Are you living in a student accommodation with DUWO, Staedion, Xior,The Student Hotel or other company offering accommodation for students? Then you will probably never receive a letter to pay these taxes since the Government already knows that you are a student.
Important to Know:
Mandatory Health Insurance and associated fees
As a student in the Netherlands, you need a Dutch Basic Health Insurance or a European Health Insurance Card (only covers the costs for emergency cases in hospitals).
After five/six months of staying in the Netherlands you might receive a letter stating that you do not have a health care insurance and that you need to immediately get a Dutch Standard health care insurance. You need to take action in three months or you else you’ll be fined with € 370.
More info on how to solve this: https://www.studyinholland.nl/about-study-in-holland/faq/faq-letter-from-zorginsituut-nederland/view
Rights & Obligations of the Tenant
According to Dutch Law, if you want to cancel your rental contract, you need to announce your landlord with 30 days in advance. Even if you see in your contract written down a specific ending date, make sure to announce your landlord with at least 30 days before the ending date. Otherwise, it might be considered that you still wish to continue the rental agreement.
To read more about the renting laws in the Netherlands,we recommend the following websites for more information in English:
http://www.rechtsbijstandverzekering.com/eng/rental-law/
http://www.iamexpat.nl/housing/renting/contracts-rights
Do you think that you are paying to much for your rent?
You can then contact the Rental Tribunal. They will check your accommodation and judge whether you are paying the proportionate rental price. By virtue of their decision, your landlord might lower the rent.
https://www.huurcommissie.nl/
What is an IncassoBureau
In the Netherlands it is very common for private or public instructions to recover their debts via an IncassoBureau. Basically an IncassoBureau is a debt collection agency which is hired by the creditor to obtain the money from the debtor.
In case you receive a letter from an IncassoBureau it means you have an outstanding bill towards an organization that you have neglected. Usually the organization itself will first send you 2-3 reminders regarding the payment of the bill. If they receive no answer from you, the organization will hire the IncassoBureau to extort the money from you.
The disadvantage for the debtor is that the amount of his invoice will grow, since he is now also billed up for the costs of the IncassoBureau. In case the debtor does not pay the money towards the IncassoBureau he/she will risk getting sued by the IncassoBureau.
Our advice, if you receive a letter from the IncassoBureau is to immediately contact them and inform yourself about the due payment. Do not neglect this letters as you will suffer big costs in the end.
The best way to avoid "Incasso Bureaus" is to pay your bills on time and always read your letters carefully. If you do not understand Dutch ask for help within our student society.
There are a lot of Dutch speaking students which will be able to help you.
Even if you came by yourself in the Netherlands, our members from HHS ILSA Chapter are always prepared to answer your questions and concerns. Feel free to send us an email at ilsachapter.hhs@gmail.com
From our experience, we believe it is important for you to know the following because “Knowledge is Power”.
Government State Aid
- Huurstoeslag ( State Aid for rent)
- You are older than 18 years
- You are renting a self-standing accommodation
- You are registered by the municipality with your address
- Your earnings/pocket money is less than €24.437/per year
- If you are under 23 years old, the price for your basic rent (excluding services such as water, gas electricity, internet etc) should be lower than €409,92.
- If you are older than 23 years old or if you have a child, the price for your basic rent should be lower than €710,68.
Definition of a Self-Standing Accommodation
A Self-Standing Accommodation should have at least:
- An own living room and/or bed-room
- An own kitchen with counter top which has a water drain and a connection point for a cooker
- An own toilet with water flushing.
2. Zorgtoeslag (State aid for Dutch Medical Insurance)In the Netherlands it is mandatory for everybody to have a Dutch Health Insurance, especially if you are employed. Fortunately, the Dutch State will pay for most of it, depending on your income.
Conditions:
- You are 18 years or older
- You have a Dutch health Insurance
- Your income is lower than €27.012/year or you have no income
- You have a Dutch Nationality or you are registered in the Netherlands.
How to apply for Huurtoeslag or Zorgtoeslag
Login on the website of the Government by using your DIGI-D: http://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/
You do not have a DIGI-D yet? The application takes a few minutes and you will have your DIGI-D ready within 5-8 working days. Apply at: https://digid.nl/aanvragen
- Time Limit for Application (ratione temporis)
You can apply retrospectively for the whole year of 2016. For example: if you submit your application on the 1st of November 2016, you can ask for Zorgtoeslag/Huurtoeslag from January 2016.
Loan from the Dutch Government
The Dutch Government offers to Dutch and international students the possibility to obtain a loan, either covering your tuition fee and/or your living expenses. You will have to pay back this loan after you graduate and obtain a job. For more information, we recommend you to look at: https://duo.nl/particulier/international-student/student-finance/how-does-it-work.jsp
Avoid Municipality and Water Taxes
As a student with a low or no income, you are exempted from the Municipality and Water Taxes. In case you receive a letter in which you have to pay these taxes, you can make a request for not paying.
First, you need to understand which institution issued the tax.
The Municipality(gemeente) issues the following taxes:
- Real estate-business taxes (onroerende zaakbelasting OZB)
- Garbage taxes (afvalstoffenheffing)
- Dog taxes (in case you own a dog) (hondelbelasting)
- Sewer taxes only for owners of the house (rioolheffing eigenaren)
How to apply for a Waiver of Taxes ( kwijtschelding belastingen) ?
For taxes issued by the Municipality of The Hague access: http://www.denhaag.nl/en/residents/to/Tax-waiver.htm
For the taxes issued by the Regionale Belasting Groep acces: http://www.derbg.nl/general-tax-information
You only need to apply for an acquittal of taxes (kwijtschelding belastingen) if you received a letter in which you are requested to pay a tax.
Are you living in a student accommodation with DUWO, Staedion, Xior,The Student Hotel or other company offering accommodation for students? Then you will probably never receive a letter to pay these taxes since the Government already knows that you are a student.
Important to Know:
Mandatory Health Insurance and associated fees
As a student in the Netherlands, you need a Dutch Basic Health Insurance or a European Health Insurance Card (only covers the costs for emergency cases in hospitals).
After five/six months of staying in the Netherlands you might receive a letter stating that you do not have a health care insurance and that you need to immediately get a Dutch Standard health care insurance. You need to take action in three months or you else you’ll be fined with € 370.
More info on how to solve this: https://www.studyinholland.nl/about-study-in-holland/faq/faq-letter-from-zorginsituut-nederland/view
Rights & Obligations of the Tenant
According to Dutch Law, if you want to cancel your rental contract, you need to announce your landlord with 30 days in advance. Even if you see in your contract written down a specific ending date, make sure to announce your landlord with at least 30 days before the ending date. Otherwise, it might be considered that you still wish to continue the rental agreement.
To read more about the renting laws in the Netherlands,we recommend the following websites for more information in English:
http://www.rechtsbijstandverzekering.com/eng/rental-law/
http://www.iamexpat.nl/housing/renting/contracts-rights
Do you think that you are paying to much for your rent?
You can then contact the Rental Tribunal. They will check your accommodation and judge whether you are paying the proportionate rental price. By virtue of their decision, your landlord might lower the rent.
https://www.huurcommissie.nl/
What is an IncassoBureau
In the Netherlands it is very common for private or public instructions to recover their debts via an IncassoBureau. Basically an IncassoBureau is a debt collection agency which is hired by the creditor to obtain the money from the debtor.
In case you receive a letter from an IncassoBureau it means you have an outstanding bill towards an organization that you have neglected. Usually the organization itself will first send you 2-3 reminders regarding the payment of the bill. If they receive no answer from you, the organization will hire the IncassoBureau to extort the money from you.
The disadvantage for the debtor is that the amount of his invoice will grow, since he is now also billed up for the costs of the IncassoBureau. In case the debtor does not pay the money towards the IncassoBureau he/she will risk getting sued by the IncassoBureau.
Our advice, if you receive a letter from the IncassoBureau is to immediately contact them and inform yourself about the due payment. Do not neglect this letters as you will suffer big costs in the end.
The best way to avoid "Incasso Bureaus" is to pay your bills on time and always read your letters carefully. If you do not understand Dutch ask for help within our student society.
There are a lot of Dutch speaking students which will be able to help you.
