When I arrived in the Netherlands and found out I was pregnant, the first thing my GP told me was: “I am not your care provider for this. You need to find a verloskundige.” I had no idea what that was, or why my doctor was effectively pointing me elsewhere for what felt like the most medically significant event of my life.
Three years later, having been through the Dutch maternity system and guided many expat clients through it too, I can tell you: it is genuinely good. Different from almost everywhere else in the world, occasionally maddening in its assumptions, but — for low-risk pregnancies — one of the better-designed maternity care systems I have encountered. You just need to know how it works before it starts working on you.
The Dutch Philosophy: Pregnancy Is Not an Illness
The foundational principle of Dutch maternity care is that pregnancy is a physiological process, not a medical condition — and that for healthy women with low-risk pregnancies, medical intervention should be reserved for situations where it is genuinely needed.
This is why the GP is not your primary care provider during pregnancy. It is why midwives (verloskundigen) manage the majority of Dutch pregnancies from start to finish, without any involvement from an obstetrician unless complications arise. It is also why home birth, which has all but disappeared in most Western countries, is still a supported, insured, and normalised option in the Netherlands.
International bodies including the WHO have cited the Dutch midwife-led model as evidence-based and cost-effective. Dutch perinatal outcomes are strong — though not uniformly, and the system is not without criticism (maternal mortality data has shown historical disparities that the Dutch healthcare system has worked to address in recent years).
What matters for you as an expat: the system will function very differently from what you are used to, and understanding it early removes a lot of anxiety.
Your Care Provider: The Verloskundige (Midwife)
What a Verloskundige Does
A Dutch verloskundige is a university-trained healthcare professional with a four-year bachelor’s degree in midwifery. They are autonomous practitioners, not assistants to doctors. They diagnose, prescribe relevant medications, conduct examinations, perform ultrasounds (at the practice level), manage labour, and deliver babies — all independently.
They do not work in isolation. Every midwife practice has protocols for when to refer to a gynecologist (gynaecologist/obstetrician in the Dutch context) or call for emergency medical assistance. The distinction between “first line” (eerstelijnszorg, midwife-led, low risk) and “second line” (tweedelijns, hospital/specialist, higher risk) is explicit and formally managed.
For you as an expat: find an English-speaking verloskundige practice. Many practices in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven have English-speaking midwives or at minimum a bilingual practice nurse. Ask explicitly when you call to register.
Finding a Midwife Practice
- Ask your English-speaking GP (huisarts) for a referral — they will typically have a list of local practices
- Search the national verloskundige finder at verloskundigen.nl
- IamExpat and expat community Facebook groups for your city will have personal recommendations
- Ask before your due date: popular practices in Amsterdam and Utrecht have waiting lists
Register with a midwife practice as soon as you know you are pregnant — ideally before 8-10 weeks for your first appointment. Do not wait until your GP refers you; you can self-refer.
The Pregnancy Timeline in the Netherlands
Weeks 1-12: First Trimester
Week 8-10: First midwife appointment (intake)
Your first appointment is typically 45-60 minutes. The midwife will:
- Review your medical history, family history, and any risk factors
- Confirm the pregnancy and calculate your due date
- Explain the Dutch screening programme and your options
- Take initial blood tests (blood type, rhesus factor, haemoglobin, HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis)
- Discuss your wishes for birth location
This is also the appointment where you discuss the 13-week dating and nuchal scan. In the Netherlands, this scan is done at a certified echoscopist or imaging centre — your midwife will refer you.
Week 10-13: Dating scan (echo)
The first ultrasound confirms gestational age, checks for multiple pregnancies, and measures nuchal translucency as part of first-trimester chromosomal screening. This scan is covered by your basisverzekering.
NIPT: Non-Invasive Prenatal Test
Since 2023, the NIPT (a blood test that screens for Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions) has been offered to all pregnant women in the Netherlands, regardless of age. Cost: approximately EUR 175, not covered by basic insurance. Some supplementary plans (aanvullende verzekering) contribute to the cost.
The older Combinatietest (blood test + nuchal measurement + risk calculation) is still available as an alternative. Discuss the options with your midwife — there is no right answer, only your informed preference.
Ensure your Dutch health insurance covers these tests adequately, particularly if you want supplementary coverage for the NIPT. Compare maternity coverage options on Independer →
Weeks 13-28: Second Trimester
Midwife appointments continue approximately every 4-6 weeks in the second trimester.
Week 20: Structural anomaly scan (GUO — Gefaseerd Uitgebreid Onderzoek)
The 20-week scan is the detailed structural examination to check fetal development. It is done at a certified ultrasound centre (not the midwife practice itself) and is fully covered by the basisverzekering. This scan is entirely standard and expected — there is no opt-out culture around it in the Netherlands.
From week 20, your midwife will also begin discussing birth preferences and birth location in more detail.
Weeks 28-40: Third Trimester
Appointments increase in frequency: every 2-4 weeks from week 28, then weekly from week 36. From week 32-34, your midwife will discuss:
- Birth location preference (home, birthing centre/polykliniek, or hospital)
- Pain management options (note: epidurals are available in hospital but not at home births and not in most birthing centres)
- Your birth plan (geboorteplan)
- Kraamzorg registration — see below, this needs to be done early
Group B Strep (GBS) test: The Netherlands does not routinely screen for GBS in the way the US and UK do. If you are concerned or have a prior history, raise it explicitly with your verloskundige.
Birth Options: Home, Birthing Centre, or Hospital
Home Birth
Approximately 13% of Dutch births occur at home — still the highest rate in Europe, though significantly lower than the 30-35% of previous decades.
How it works: Your midwife comes to you when labour begins. They bring equipment for monitoring, delivery, and any immediate newborn care. A second midwife or maternity nurse assistant (kraamverzorgende) is typically also present. If complications arise, transfer to hospital is arranged via ambulance.
Who is eligible: Home birth is the default option for low-risk pregnancies in the Netherlands. Your midwife will advise against it if you have risk factors including: pre-existing medical conditions, previous caesarean, multiple pregnancy, preterm risk, or specific obstetric history.
Pain management: Gas and air (lachgas, nitrous oxide) is sometimes available at home births; epidurals are not. This is the most significant limitation of home birth for expats accustomed to hospital-based anaesthesia options.
Costs: Fully covered by basisverzekering for low-risk, midwife-led births.
Birthing Centre / Polykliniek
A birthing centre (geboortecentrum) or polykliniek is based in or adjacent to a hospital, managed by midwives, but with immediate access to medical backup including an obstetrician and operating theatre.
This is the most popular choice for many expats who want the safety net of hospital proximity without the full medical environment of a regular delivery ward. Most Dutch hospitals offer this option. Gas and air is typically available; epidurals are available but may require transfer to the delivery ward.
Costs: Fully covered if you are referred or if your midwife is working in the polykliniek setting. Clarify with your midwife which setting they work in and whether there are additional fees.
Hospital Birth (Tweedelijns)
Direct admission to the hospital delivery ward occurs when:
- A medical indication exists (high-risk pregnancy, planned caesarean, twin birth, IVF pregnancy in some protocols)
- You are referred during labour due to complications
- You specifically request it (possible in some hospitals for a small additional fee)
If you are high-risk, your care will be transferred from the verloskundige to a gynaecologist (gynaecoloog) — the Dutch equivalent of an obstetrician. All prenatal appointments then take place at the hospital. Hospital birth under gynaecoloog-led care is covered by the basisverzekering.
Epidurals are fully available in hospital delivery settings. Request one early if you want one — anaesthesiologist availability varies and demand is high.
Kraamzorg: The Postnatal Home Care System
Kraamzorg is one of the most genuinely remarkable parts of the Dutch maternity system — and the one that surprises expats most positively.
What It Is
After birth, a trained maternity nurse (kraamverzorgende) comes to your home for approximately 8 days, typically for 6-8 hours per day. They:
- Monitor your physical recovery and flag anything that needs medical attention
- Care for your newborn — nappy changes, bathing, feeding support
- Support breastfeeding (or formula feeding) with hands-on practical help
- Take the baby at night so you can sleep (not universally, but common)
- Do light household tasks — laundry, cleaning, making meals
- Monitor the baby’s weight and feeding patterns
The kraamverzorgende is also the one who arranges registration paperwork, weight monitoring, and the first contact with the GGD consultatiebureau (the baby’s ongoing preventative health programme).
Cost and Coverage
Kraamzorg is covered by the basisverzekering under the same no-eigen-risico rule that covers midwife care. You pay an eigen bijdrage (personal contribution) currently set at approximately EUR 4.80 per hour, for a maximum of 80 hours total — a maximum personal cost of around EUR 384.
Book early. Kraamzorg capacity — particularly in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague — is frequently stretched, especially in spring and summer. Book a kraamzorg bureau (agency) by the time you are 20 weeks pregnant, or earlier. If you book late, you may get reduced hours or a placement only from an agency with lower ratings.
Ask your verloskundige for recommended kraamzorg bureaus in your area. Your health insurer may also have a preferred provider list where the contribution is pre-arranged.
Vaccinations and the GGD Consultatiebureau
After birth, your baby enters the Dutch vaccination and development monitoring programme run through the GGD (Municipal Health Service) consultatiebureau.
What the consultatiebureau does:
- Regular weight, length, and developmental checks from birth to age 18
- Full Dutch vaccination schedule (Rijksvaccinatieprogramma — RVP)
- Vision and hearing screening
- Speech and language monitoring
Dutch vaccination schedule key appointments: 6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 11 months, 14 months, 4 years, 9 years, 14 years.
The consultatiebureau is free and covered under the public health system. You do not need health insurance coverage for it. You will be given an appointment within the first two weeks after your baby arrives, typically arranged by your kraamverzorgende.
If you have vaccination questions — including about vaccines from your home country that are not on the Dutch schedule, or catch-up vaccination — the consultatiebureau doctor (jeugdarts) can advise. They are accustomed to international families with different vaccination histories.
Registering the Birth at the Gemeente
Dutch law requires birth registration at the municipality (gemeente) of the place of birth within 3 working days.
What you need:
- Your identity document (passport)
- Your partner’s identity document (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate with certified translation if not in Dutch, French, German, or English (requirements vary by municipality)
- The hospital’s birth declaration form (verklaring geboorte) — provided automatically by the hospital or midwife
What you receive:
- Birth certificate (geboorteakte) — you will need multiple certified copies
- The baby’s BSN number, usually issued automatically
After registration, you need to:
- Add the baby to your health insurance (within 4 months, but do it immediately — coverage is backdated to birth)
- Apply for kinderbijslag (child benefit) via the SVB
- Apply for kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare allowance) if applicable — via Belastingdienst
- Register for consultatiebureau appointments (usually arranged by the kraamverzorgende)
For BSN and registration processes, see the BSN registration guide.
Costs Breakdown
| Service | Covered by basisverzekering? | Your cost |
|---|---|---|
| All midwife prenatal appointments | Yes, fully | EUR 0 |
| Dating scan (week 13) | Yes | EUR 0 |
| 20-week structural scan (GUO) | Yes | EUR 0 |
| NIPT test | No (optional) | ~EUR 175 |
| Blood tests at midwife practice | Yes | EUR 0 |
| Birth (home, polykliniek, or hospital — if midwife-led) | Yes | EUR 0 |
| Birth (gynaecoloog-led, medical indication) | Yes, after eigen risico | Eigen risico EUR 385 if not already spent |
| Epidural (hospital) | Yes, after eigen risico | Counted within eigen risico |
| Caesarean section | Yes, after eigen risico | Counted within eigen risico |
| Kraamzorg (postnatal home care, 80 hrs) | Yes (partially) | ~EUR 384 eigen bijdrage |
| Consultatiebureau / GGD | Yes (public health) | EUR 0 |
| Birth registration at gemeente | Government service | EUR 0 (certified copies: ~EUR 15 each) |
Supplementary insurance worth considering:
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, review your aanvullende verzekering before the open enrollment deadline (December 31). Useful additions:
- NIPT contribution (some plans cover EUR 100-175)
- Extended physiotherapy (for pelvic girdle pain, a common pregnancy issue — basispakket only covers from session 21 for chronic conditions)
- Dental care (increased risk during pregnancy)
- Psychological support (if pre-existing anxiety or depression)
Use the health insurance wizard to identify which supplementary plan adds the most relevant coverage for your situation.
The Dutch Healthcare System in Context
Maternity care sits within the broader Dutch healthcare structure. As an expat, you are legally required to have Dutch health insurance if you work or officially reside here. The Dutch healthcare system is built on regulated competition between insurers, which means the basic coverage package is identical across all providers — but supplementary packages differ.
Depending on your income, you may also qualify for zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance), a monthly government contribution to your insurance premium. Check eligibility and the application process in the zorgtoeslag and huurtoeslag guide.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Your leave rights are separate from your maternity care experience but equally important to plan around.
- Zwangerschapsverlof (maternity leave): Minimum 16 weeks total — typically 4-6 weeks before due date and the remainder after birth. Paid at 100% of salary (up to the maximum daily wage) via UWV (the Dutch employment insurance body)
- Geboorteverlof (partner leave): 1 week paid at 100% from employer immediately after birth, plus 5 weeks additional leave at 70% via UWV, within the first 6 months
- Ouderschapsverlof (parental leave): Up to 26 weeks per parent, with 9 weeks paid at 70% via UWV in the first year of the child’s life
See the maternity and paternity leave guide for eligibility conditions, how to apply, and what self-employed expats (ZZP/freelancers) are entitled to.
Raising Children in the Netherlands After Birth
The Dutch family environment is generally excellent for expats — good public schools (with international stream options in major cities), strong childcare infrastructure, safe streets, and a genuine cycle-everywhere culture that works well with young children.
The expat family guide to raising children in the Netherlands covers everything from international schools to kinderopvang (childcare) to the LBVSO expat school support system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Dutch for my maternity appointments?
Not necessarily, but planning for it makes everything easier. In Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven there are English-speaking verloskundige practices. In smaller towns, English may be limited. Bring a Dutch-speaking friend or partner to appointments if possible, use a translation app for written materials, and confirm English capability when you first call a practice. Dutch is always helpful — even basic phrases help your kraamverzorgende communicate with you about your newborn’s behaviour in those first exhausting days.
What if I am classified as high-risk?
Your verloskundige will refer you to a gynaecoloog (specialist) if risk factors are identified — these include pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions, prior caesarean, multiple pregnancy, IVF pregnancy in some protocols, or complications arising during the current pregnancy. High-risk care takes place entirely within the hospital system, with all costs covered by the basisverzekering (after eigen risico). You are not disadvantaged by being classified high-risk — you get more, not less, medical attention.
Can I refuse home birth and insist on a hospital birth?
The Dutch system does not force home birth on anyone. If you prefer a hospital or birthing centre birth and your pregnancy is low-risk, discuss this with your verloskundige. Some practices are more accommodating than others. In most cases, you can arrange a polykliniek (hospital-based, midwife-led) birth, which gives you the hospital environment with midwife-led care. A fully medicalised delivery suite birth without medical indication is harder to arrange and may require out-of-pocket payment, but it is not impossible.
How do I find an English-speaking verloskundige?
Ask your English-speaking huisarts (GP) for a referral — they will know local practices. Search the verloskundigen.nl directory and filter by location. Post in expat Facebook groups for your city — you will get personal recommendations within hours. IamExpat and Expatica also maintain directories. Book as early as possible: English-speaking practices in Amsterdam in particular fill quickly.
Is the NIPT test mandatory in the Netherlands?
No. All prenatal screening tests in the Netherlands are voluntary. The NIPT became available to all pregnant women in 2023, but participation is entirely your choice. The same applies to the 20-week structural scan — it is recommended, not compulsory. Your verloskundige will explain your options and the implications of each choice without pressure.
What happens if I give birth before arranging kraamzorg?
If you have not arranged kraamzorg in advance and give birth, the hospital social work team or your midwife can help arrange emergency kraamzorg placement. Coverage is typically reduced in this scenario and may be from a provider you have not vetted. This is why booking by week 20 is consistently advised — it is not bureaucratic excess, it reflects genuine supply constraints, particularly in urban areas.
Pain Management During Labour: What Is Available
This is an area where the Dutch system differs most strikingly from UK, US, and Australian practices — and where expats frequently have questions.
Home Birth: Very Limited Options
At a home birth, pain management options are limited to:
- Tens machine (TENS): You rent this yourself, typically EUR 30-50 for the rental period. Ask your verloskundige for suppliers.
- Warm water (bath/shower): Most verloskundige practices encourage labouring in water at home.
- Nitrous oxide (lachgas): Available from some midwife practices that carry it — not universal. Ask your verloskundige explicitly.
- No epidural: This is not possible at a home birth under any circumstances.
Birthing Centre / Polykliniek
Options depend on the specific facility:
- Nitrous oxide: typically available
- Epidural: in most polykliniek settings, you can request transfer to the delivery suite for an epidural if needed, but this is not always a quick process
- Pethidine injection: available in some settings
Hospital Delivery Suite
Full pain management is available in hospital:
- Epidural (ruggenprik): Available at all hospitals. Request it early — anaesthesiologist availability can vary at peak times, and there is sometimes a wait. You cannot always get an epidural at the last minute if labour progresses quickly.
- Nitrous oxide: Available in most hospitals
- Pethidine / remifentanil: Available in most settings
- Spinal block for caesarean: Standard
The key message for expats: If you know you want an epidural, plan for a hospital birth from the start and discuss this clearly with your verloskundige at your first appointment. It is entirely valid to choose a hospital birth on this basis alone. The Dutch system does not penalise this preference — your verloskundige will work within your wishes.
Complications and High-Risk Pregnancy: What Changes
If your pregnancy is classified as high-risk, the care pathway changes significantly. High-risk does not mean anything has gone wrong — it means additional monitoring and specialist involvement is appropriate.
What Triggers High-Risk Classification
Your verloskundige will refer you to second-line (hospital/specialist) care for conditions including:
- Pre-existing conditions: diabetes (including gestational), hypertension, heart conditions, thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, kidney disease
- Obstetric history: prior caesarean, previous preterm birth, prior pregnancy loss after 16 weeks, prior foetal growth restriction
- Current pregnancy factors: multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets), IVF pregnancy (in some protocols), severe hyperemesis gravidarum requiring hospitalisation, suspected foetal anomaly
- Age factors: in the Netherlands, being 36+ at delivery does not automatically trigger high-risk classification, but certain screening is more actively discussed
Being referred to a gynaecoloog does not mean your care quality drops — it increases the medical oversight for situations that genuinely need it. The gynaecoloog takes over as your primary care provider. All hospital-based care costs are covered by the basisverzekering after the eigen risico applies.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes (zwangerschapsdiabetes) screening is not universal in the Netherlands — it is offered based on risk factors rather than routinely to all pregnant women. If you have risk factors (BMI over 30, family history, prior gestational diabetes, non-Western ethnicity in some protocols), ask your verloskundige explicitly about glucose tolerance testing. The Dutch approach is more selective than, for example, the UK or Australian systems.
Expat-Specific Considerations
Bringing Your Medical History
Bring as much of your medical history as you can to your first verloskundige appointment — GP records, prior pregnancy records, vaccination history, any specialist letters. Dutch practices keep thorough records, but they cannot access your foreign medical history electronically. A one-page medical summary translated into English (or Dutch) saves time and reduces the risk of relevant history being missed.
Vaccinations During Pregnancy
Two vaccinations are recommended during pregnancy in the Netherlands:
Whooping cough (kinkhoest/pertussis) vaccination: Offered between weeks 22-26 of pregnancy. This is a component of the Tdap vaccine and provides protection to your newborn before they can be vaccinated themselves. It is free and recommended by all Dutch health authorities.
Flu vaccination (griepvaccin): Offered in autumn to pregnant women in the second or third trimester. Free via your huisarts.
If you were vaccinated on a different schedule in your home country, the consultatiebureau jeugdarts (youth doctor) can advise on catch-up scheduling after birth.
Mental Health During Pregnancy
Perinatal mental health — including anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the postnatal period — is taken seriously by the Dutch healthcare system. If you are experiencing low mood, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts during pregnancy or after birth, raise it with your verloskundige or huisarts. You can be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist via the standard referral route, and mental health treatment is covered by the basisverzekering after eigen risico.
For expats, pregnancy in a new country away from family support networks can intensify feelings of isolation. The mental health support guide covers English-language psychological support options in the Netherlands.
Raising Children in the Netherlands
Once your child arrives, the Dutch system for children is generally welcoming to international families. International and bilingual schools, English-speaking consultatiebureau jeugdartsen in major cities, and an active expat parent community in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht mean that your child can grow up in the Netherlands with good support.
See the expat family guide to raising children in the Netherlands for the full picture including schools, childcare subsidies, and what it is actually like day-to-day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor or a midwife for pregnancy in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, a registered midwife (verloskundige) is the primary care provider for low-risk pregnancies, not an obstetrician or GP. You register directly with a midwife practice at around 8-10 weeks, and the midwife leads all your prenatal appointments, birth preparation, and postpartum monitoring. A gynecologist (gynaecoloog) is only involved if medical complications arise or if you are classified as high-risk. This is a deliberate policy choice unique in Europe.
Is the midwife (verloskundige) covered by Dutch health insurance?
Yes. Midwife-led care for low-risk pregnancies is part of the basic health insurance package (basisverzekering) and is fully covered with no eigen risico (deductible) applied. Prenatal consultations, scans managed by the midwife practice, and the birth itself are covered. The separate NIPT test for chromosomal screening costs approximately EUR 175 and is not covered by basic insurance, though some supplementary plans include a contribution.
What is kraamzorg and is it really free?
Kraamzorg is postnatal home care provided by a trained kraamverzorgende (maternity nurse) who comes to your home for approximately 8 days after birth — typically 8 hours per day. This includes newborn care, feeding support, monitoring your recovery, and light household help. Kraamzorg is covered by the basisverzekering. You pay only a small personal contribution (eigen bijdrage) currently set at approximately EUR 4.80 per hour, for a maximum of 80 hours total. Book well in advance — demand often exceeds supply, especially in urban areas.
Can I have a hospital birth instead of a home birth in the Netherlands?
Yes. Around 60-65% of births in the Netherlands now take place in a hospital or birthing centre (polykliniek), up from lower figures in earlier decades. Home birth remains an option and accounts for approximately 13% of births — still the highest rate in Europe. A birthing centre or polykliniek is a middle option: a hospital-based setting managed by midwives rather than obstetricians, with medical backup available if needed. Discuss your preferences with your verloskundige early — some practices have stronger home birth cultures than others.
What prenatal tests are offered in the Netherlands?
The standard prenatal screening package includes: the first-trimester ultrasound (between weeks 11-13, dating and nuchal translucency), the 20-week structural anomaly scan (uitgebreid onderzoek/GUO), and a blood test at booking. The NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test) for chromosomal conditions including Down syndrome is offered to all pregnant women in the Netherlands since 2023 and costs approximately EUR 175 unless covered by supplementary insurance or if indicated medically. The Combinatietest (first trimester blood test + nuchal scan) is an older alternative.
What does it cost to have a baby in the Netherlands as an expat?
For a low-risk pregnancy and birth in the Netherlands, your out-of-pocket costs are relatively low. Midwife care: fully covered. Scans at the midwife practice: covered. Hospital birth with medical indication: covered. Kraamzorg personal contribution: approximately EUR 384 (EUR 4.80 x 80 hours). NIPT test: approximately EUR 175 (optional, not covered by basic insurance). Supplementary insurance that covers NIPT and additional dental/physio during pregnancy: EUR 10-40/month. Total typical out-of-pocket: EUR 500-800 for a low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancy.
How do I register a birth in the Netherlands?
You must register the birth at the municipality (gemeente) where the birth took place, within 3 working days. In practice, hospitals often facilitate registration directly with the gemeente. You will need: proof of identity, your marriage certificate (if applicable, with a certified translation), and the hospital's birth declaration form. You will receive a birth certificate (geboorteakte) which you need for BSN registration for the baby, family health insurance, child benefit (kinderbijslag), and childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag) applications.
