DUO administers the civic integration exams and the State Exam NT2 and handles the civic integration loan; the IND decides on residence permits, the MVV and naturalisation.
You register with the municipality (gemeente) where you live and get a BSN; for civic integration, the municipality does the broad intake and you draw up your PIP together.
Among other things, the UWV handles unemployment benefit (WW) if you lose your job and the SVB pays child benefit and the AOW; the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) collects taxes.
When you are ill, your GP (huisarts) is your first point of contact; 112 is the emergency number for when there is immediate danger to life or safety.
New to the Netherlands? Then you will deal with many organisations and abbreviations. This guide briefly explains who does what, and what the most important words mean. Useful for daily life, and for the KNM exam too.
Organisations: who does what?
Organisation
What do they do for you?
Municipality (gemeente)
You register with the municipality where you live; this is how you get a BSN. You report a move within 5 days. For civic integration, the municipality does the broad intake and you draw up your PIP together; the participation statement and the MAP are also at the municipality.
DUO
Administers the civic integration exams and the State Exam NT2, and handles the civic integration loan and student finance.
IND
Decides on residence permits, the MVV and naturalisation (becoming a Dutch citizen).
UWV
Handles, among other things, unemployment benefit (WW) if you lose your job, and helps you find work.
SVB
Pays, among other things, child benefit (kinderbijslag) and the AOW (the state pension).
Tax Administration (Belastingdienst)
Collects taxes. Via the Benefits Service (Dienst Toeslagen) you receive, if you are entitled to it, for example healthcare or rent allowance.
GP (huisarts)
Your first point of contact when you are ill. The GP refers you to a specialist or hospital if needed.
112
The emergency number: when there is immediate danger to life or safety.
KVK
Chamber of Commerce: where you register your own business.
CvTE
Board of Tests and Examinations: develops the State Exams NT2.
Important terms
Term
Meaning
BSN
Citizen service number: your personal number for the government, healthcare and work.
DigiD
Your digital identity for logging in to government services, such as DUO, the Tax Administration and your municipality. Never share your DigiD with anyone.
Health insurance
Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must have basic health insurance.
MVV
Provisional residence permit: a visa to come to the Netherlands for a longer period, for example to join your partner.
Personal integration and participation plan: your agreements with the municipality about your learning route.
KNM
Knowledge of Dutch Society: an exam about life in the Netherlands. Practise for free.
MAP
Labour Market and Participation Module: part of civic integration at the municipality.
Participation statement
A programme about Dutch core values, completed by signing a statement.
State Exam NT2
The official language exam at B1 (Program I) or B2 (Program II). See the guide.
Blik op Werk
Quality mark for civic integration schools. You can only use a DUO loan at such a school.
Tips
Keep your post. Letters from DUO, the IND and the municipality often contain deadlines.
Watch out for fake messages. DUO and other government bodies do not send emails with a link to their login page. In doubt? Read Is TaalPro trustworthy? for tips.
Ask for help. Don’t understand a letter? Feel free to send us a WhatsApp message: we explain it in Dutch, English, Farsi or Dari.