Having a Baby in the Netherlands: Money, Leave and Tax

Payments you can get

Child benefit (kinderbijslag)

Paid per quarter by the SVB for every child under 18, whatever your income. You usually get a letter after registering the birth.

Child-related budget (kindgebonden budget)

An extra monthly payment from Dienst Toeslagen that depends on your income and wealth. You get it automatically if you already receive another benefit or were entitled to it; otherwise apply.

Childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag)

Covers part of the cost of registered childcare if both parents work. Apply within three months of the start of childcare.

Leave around the birth

• Pregnancy and maternity leave: at least 16 weeks, paid through your employer via the UWV.
• Birth leave for the partner: one week at full pay, plus up to five weeks of additional birth leave at 70% of pay (capped), taken in the first six months.
• Paid parental leave: nine weeks at 70% of pay (capped) in the child's first year, per parent.

Tax changes

Working parents with a child under 12 who live with them can get the income-dependent combination credit (inkomensafhankelijke combinatiekorting), usually the parent with the lower income. It is included in your tax return.

If you are not married, having a child together makes you fiscal partners if you live at the same address. That lets you divide deductions and Box 3, but also combines your incomes for benefits.