Benefits and co-parenting in the Netherlands: who gets what?
When you co-parent, none of the Dutch benefits is simply halved. Each scheme has its own desk and its own logic: one follows the child benefit registration, one a day threshold, one an hours cap. Here is who receives what, and what you have to arrange yourselves.
At a glance
| Scheme | Desk | When you co-parent |
|---|---|---|
| Child benefit (kinderbijslag) | SVB | Both parents are entitled to half; the SVB prefers to pay one parent |
| Child budget (kindgebonden budget) | Dienst Toeslagen | Goes to whichever parent is registered for the child benefit |
| Childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag) | Dienst Toeslagen | 230 hours per child per month between you |
| Combination tax credit (IACK) | Belastingdienst | Both parents can qualify, if each reaches 156 days |
Child benefit (kinderbijslag)
In a co-parenting arrangement the child belongs to both households, and each parent is entitled to half the child benefit. The SVB would rather pay one parent, leaving you to settle the amount between you. If you do want it split, you report that jointly.
That choice is not only about convenience, because the child budget is attached to it.
Child budget (kindgebonden budget)
The child budget follows the child benefit: whoever is registered as the applicant with the SVB receives it. With two or more children you can divide the registration — one parent as applicant for one child, the other for the other — so that both of you can receive child budget. With one child that is not possible; it goes to one of you.
Discuss this before you file anything. The two incomes usually differ and the budget is income-dependent, so the split that looks fairest on paper is not always the one that leaves the household best off.
Childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag)
Between you, you can claim childcare allowance for a maximum of 230 hours per child per month. Each parent claims the hours they contract and pay for themselves — you do not both claim the full contract.
Combination tax credit (IACK)
This one runs on the day threshold: the child has to be with you at least 156 days per calendar year and belong to your household for at least six months. As a co-parent, the child may be registered with the municipality at your ex-partner’s address — that is not an obstacle. There is also an age limit and an income condition, and those conditions change annually. Count your days first, then check the current conditions with the Belastingdienst.
What you have to report yourselves
- Report the co-parenting arrangement in writing, jointly, with the weekly pattern and both signatures — see the reporting guide below.
- Tell the SVB. The SVB passes child benefit changes on to Dienst Toeslagen, so the child budget follows.
- Adjust the childcare allowance to the hours you contract yourself.
- Allow around five weeks for processing, and expect back-payments or reclaims over the months already running.
See reporting your care division to the tax office for the full 156-day rule and a letter template.
Fix the days before you file anything
All four schemes come back to the same question: how many days is the child with whom? Get that pattern right once, and every form afterwards is a matter of copying it across.
This is not tax advice
We count days, not benefits. Amounts and conditions change every year; check your own situation with the SVB, Dienst Toeslagen or an adviser.
Still have questions?
Can we both receive child budget?
Only with two or more children, by registering the child benefit for each child in a different parent’s name.
Do we have to split the child benefit?
No. Many parents have it paid into one account and settle up between themselves. Do keep in mind that the registration decides who receives the child budget.
We do not both reach 156 days. What then?
The co-parent rules do not apply to the parent who falls short. Your child benefit and child budget arrangements can continue unchanged.
Does it matter if the child’s registered address changes?
Yes. Registration affects the child benefit and the child budget, among others. Always report an address change, even when the care division itself stays the same.
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