Dutch KNM Exam: questions and answers
All 82 practice questions with answers and explanations, grouped by official topic. Select a question to see the answer.
Work and income 10 questions
Finding work, employee rights, minimum wage and benefits.
Practise only: Work and income →
Which organisation pays unemployment benefit (WW)?
The UWV
The UWV handles unemployment and disability benefits.
Is there a minimum wage set by law in the Netherlands?
Yes
The statutory minimum wage applies to almost all employees.
You sign a permanent employment contract. What is the maximum trial period (proeftijd) the employer may agree with you?
Two months
A trial period must be agreed in writing and may never exceed two months. For a permanent contract the maximum is two months; for many temporary contracts it is one month.
Your employer pays holiday allowance (vakantiegeld). What is the legal minimum?
At least 8% of your gross annual salary
Employees are entitled to holiday allowance of at least 8% of their gross annual salary. Most employers pay it once a year, in May or June.
You fall ill and cannot work for a long time. What must your employer do?
Keep paying at least 70% of your wages for up to two years
An employer must continue to pay at least 70% of wages for up to two years of illness and help the employee return to work. After two years the employee may qualify for WIA benefit via UWV.
You are about to reach state pension age. Which organisation pays the AOW state pension?
The Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB)
The AOW is a basic government pension paid monthly by the SVB. The SVB sends you a letter about four months before you reach state pension age explaining how to apply.
You have a child under 18 and want to apply for child benefit (kinderbijslag). Whom do you contact?
The Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB)
Child benefit (kinderbijslag) for children under 18 is applied for at the SVB. If a later child is born in the Netherlands, the SVB adjusts the amount automatically.
The Belastingdienst invites you to file an income tax return (aangifte). By when must it normally be received?
Before 1 May
If you receive an invitation, the Tax Administration must receive your return before 1 May. You file online in Mijn Belastingdienst, logging in and signing with DigiD.
You receive unemployment benefit (WW) and want to start volunteer work. What must you do?
Ask UWV for permission before you start
WW recipients must request UWV's permission at least one month before starting voluntary work. Paid work always takes priority, and unapproved volunteering can lead to a lower benefit or a fine.
You have too little money to live on and no right to other benefits. Where do you apply for social assistance (bijstand)?
At your municipality (gemeente), or via werk.nl
Social assistance (bijstand) under the Participation Act is provided by municipalities. You apply through your gemeente or via werk.nl, UWV's online work platform.
Manners, values and norms 9 questions
How people treat each other, national days and customs.
Practise only: Manners, values and norms →
On which date is King’s Day (Koningsdag) celebrated?
27 April
It celebrates the King's birthday.
Is discrimination allowed in the Netherlands?
No, Article 1 of the Constitution forbids it
Everyone in the Netherlands must be treated equally in equal cases.
You feel you were treated unfairly because of your religion but are unsure whether to file a complaint. Where is a good first step?
The anti-discrimination service (antidiscriminatievoorziening) of your municipality
Every municipality has an anti-discrimination service that gives advice, helps you and registers your complaint. Contact details are on discriminatie.nl.
A journalist criticises a religion in an article. Is this allowed in the Netherlands?
Yes, but inciting hatred against its followers is not allowed
Article 7 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, but it is not absolute. You may criticise a religion, but you may not incite hatred against its followers (Article 1, equal treatment).
An employer rejects a job applicant only because she works part-time. Is this permitted?
No, discrimination based on working hours is prohibited
Dutch law prohibits discrimination on grounds including race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, nationality, and full-time or part-time working hours.
You want to marry in the Netherlands. How old must both partners be at least?
18 years
Both partners must be at least 18, may not already be married or in a registered partnership, and may not be closely related. A marriage abroad is only recognised if both were 18.
You want a religious wedding ceremony as well as a civil one. In which order must they take place?
The civil ceremony first, the religious ceremony afterwards
In the Netherlands marriage is concluded by the registrar (ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand). A religious ceremony may only take place after the civil marriage.
You believe an equal treatment law has been broken. Which body assesses this free of charge, giving non-binding decisions?
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (College voor de Rechten van de Mens) assesses complaints free of charge. Its decisions are not binding, but its recommendations are often followed.
Under which condition may a doctor perform euthanasia in the Netherlands?
Only at the patient's clear request, meeting strict due care criteria
Ending life is in principle a criminal offence. The exemption applies only when a patient suffers unbearably without prospect of improvement, has clearly asked to die, and the physician meets the statutory due care criteria.
Housing 10 questions
Renting, allowances, neighbours and waste.
Where do you apply for rent allowance (huurtoeslag)?
The Belastingdienst (Allowances)
Allowances such as rent and healthcare allowance are paid by the Belastingdienst.
What should you do with empty glass bottles and jars?
Put them in a glass recycling container
Municipalities provide separate containers for glass, paper and other waste.
You think your rent is too high for a social rented home and your landlord will not lower it. Which body can decide?
The Huurcommissie (Rent Tribunal)
The Huurcommissie is an independent national body that settles disputes between tenants and landlords about rent levels, maintenance and service charges. It does not deal with nuisance.
How is the maximum rent of a social rented home (sociale huurwoning) determined?
By a points system based on the quality of the home
In social and mid-price housing the maximum rent depends on the quality of the home, calculated with the rent points system (puntensysteem). Liberalised homes have no points-based maximum.
You rent a single room in a shared house (non-self-contained accommodation). Does a maximum rent apply?
Yes, a room always has a points-based maximum rent
Only self-contained homes can be liberalised. Non-self-contained housing, such as a room, always has a maximum rent set by the points system.
You start renting a flat after 1 July 2023. In what form must the tenancy agreement be?
In writing
Under the Good Landlordship Act, tenancy agreements dated 1 July 2023 onwards must be in writing, and anything agreed orally must be confirmed by the landlord in writing.
Your landlord wants to enter your rented home while you are away. When may the landlord do this?
Only with your permission, except in emergencies
A landlord must inform tenants in writing about rules including entry: the landlord may enter the home only with the tenant's permission, except in emergencies.
Your landlord behaves badly and you cannot resolve the problem. Where can you report this?
The municipal reporting point (meldpunt) for landlord problems
Under the Good Landlordship Act, municipalities have a reporting point where tenants can report problems with landlords. For rent disputes you can go to the Huurcommissie or district court.
Who lets most social rented housing in the Netherlands?
Housing associations (woningcorporaties)
Housing associations own about three quarters of the rental homes in the Netherlands and are responsible, among other things, for letting social housing to lower-income households.
You apply for a social rented home from a housing association. What mainly determines whether you qualify?
Your household income must be below a set limit
Housing associations must let most vacant social homes to households with an income up to a yearly set limit. Only a small share may go to higher earners.
Health and healthcare 11 questions
GPs, health insurance and emergency services.
Practise only: Health and healthcare →
You feel ill and need a doctor. Whom do you contact first?
Your GP (huisarts)
The GP is the first point of contact and refers you to a specialist if needed.
Is basic health insurance compulsory for people who live in the Netherlands?
Yes
Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must take out basic health insurance.
Which number do you call in an emergency?
112
112 reaches the police, fire brigade and ambulance.
You want to see a medical specialist in a hospital. What do you normally need first?
A referral (verwijzing) from your GP (huisarts)
The GP is the gatekeeper of Dutch healthcare. Patients can only go to a hospital or medical specialist with a GP referral; only the emergency department (spoedeisende hulp) needs no referral.
Which of these care providers can you contact directly without a referral?
A dentist (tandarts), midwife or pharmacist
Primary care providers such as the GP, pharmacist, dentist and midwife can be contacted directly. Specialist hospital care requires a referral.
You apply for basic health insurance (basisverzekering) but have a chronic illness. Can the insurer refuse you?
No, insurers must accept everyone for the basic package at the same premium
Health insurers must accept anyone who applies for the standard package and must charge everyone the same premium, regardless of age or health.
Your child is born in the Netherlands. What must you do about health insurance?
Register the child with an insurer within four months; under-18s pay no premium
Children must have health insurance but pay no premium for the standard package. Parents must register a newborn with a health insurer within four months of birth.
You want to switch to another health insurer from 1 January. By when must you take out the new policy?
By 31 December
You can take out a new policy by 31 December; the new insurer then cancels the old one. Alternatively, cancel yourself by 31 December and take out a new policy by 1 February.
You are 18 or older with a low income and Dutch health insurance. What help with your premium may you get?
Healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) from Dienst Toeslagen
Healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) contributes towards your premium and compulsory excess (eigen risico). You apply via Mijn toeslagen; conditions include being 18 or older with a low income.
The basic health insurance does not cover a treatment you want. What can you do?
Take out supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering)
The government sets the basic package, which all insurers offer. For costs it does not cover, you can take out additional (supplementary) insurance with an insurer.
You visit your GP (huisarts) for the first time. Which number will the GP ask for to identify you?
Your citizen service number (BSN)
Recognised healthcare providers such as GPs and health insurers must use the BSN to identify you when you need care.
History and geography 12 questions
Key events and the geography of the Netherlands.
Practise only: History and geography →
What do the Dutch celebrate on 5 May?
Liberation Day
It marks the end of the German occupation in 1945.
On which day are those who died in war remembered?
4 May
On Remembrance of the Dead the country keeps two minutes of silence at 8 pm.
How many provinces does the Netherlands have?
12
The Netherlands has twelve provinces: Groningen, Fryslân, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland, Gelderland, Utrecht, Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Zeeland, Noord-Brabant and Limburg.
How was the province of Flevoland created?
By reclaiming polders from the former Zuiderzee
Flevoland was created by reclaiming the Noordoostpolder and the Flevopolder in the former Zuiderzee, which was closed off from the sea and became the freshwater IJsselmeer.
When did the great flood disaster (Watersnoodramp) strike Zeeland and the South Holland islands?
The night of 31 January to 1 February 1953
A storm surge burst many dykes in Zeeland, West Brabant and the South Holland islands, killing 1,836 people. The Delta Works were built in response.
In which year did Germany invade the Netherlands, starting the occupation?
1940
German troops crossed the Dutch border on 10 May 1940. After the bombing of Rotterdam on 14 May, the Dutch army surrendered; the country was liberated on 5 May 1945.
Who is called the ‘Father of the Fatherland’ (Vader des Vaderlands) for leading the revolt against Spain?
Willem van Oranje (William of Orange)
William of Orange (1533-1584) led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule and was assassinated in Delft in 1584. The national anthem, the Wilhelmus, began as a song supporting his cause.
Which constitutional revision of 1848, led by Thorbecke, is seen as the start of Dutch parliamentary democracy?
Ministers became responsible instead of the King; the Tweede Kamer was directly elected
In 1848 King Willem II accepted a revised constitution drafted by Thorbecke's commission. Ministers, not the King, became responsible for government, and citizens elected the Tweede Kamer directly.
In which year did women in the Netherlands gain the right to vote?
1919
All men gained the vote in 1917 and women in 1919. Aletta Jacobs, the first woman admitted to a Dutch university and the first female doctor, helped lead the women's suffrage movement.
From which countries did many ‘guest workers’ (gastarbeiders) come to the Netherlands in the 1960s?
Italy, Spain, Turkey and Morocco, among others
Guest workers first came from Italy, Spain, Greece and Yugoslavia; Turkish workers followed a 1964 recruitment agreement and Moroccan workers came about five years later. Many settled permanently.
On which date is Keti Koti, the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colonies, commemorated?
1 July
Slavery was abolished in the Dutch Atlantic colonies on 1 July 1863. Keti Koti ('chains broken') is commemorated on 1 July, including at the monument in Amsterdam's Oosterpark.
Which four countries make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands?
The Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten
Since the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved on 10 October 2010, the Kingdom consists of four countries. Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are public entities that form part of the Netherlands.
Institutions 9 questions
Government organisations such as the municipality, the Belastingdienst and the UWV.
Which organisation collects income tax?
The Belastingdienst
The Belastingdienst also pays allowances (toeslagen).
Where do you register a change of address?
At your municipality (gemeente)
Your address is recorded in the Personal Records Database (BRP).
You register with your municipality in the Personal Records Database (BRP). Which number do you automatically receive?
A citizen service number (BSN)
Everyone registered in the BRP is automatically given a BSN, a unique personal number used by government bodies, healthcare providers and schools so you need not repeat your details everywhere.
You want to arrange your tax return and allowances online with the government. What do you use to log in?
DigiD
DigiD lets you identify yourself online with the government, educational institutions, healthcare providers and pension funds. You can log in via the DigiD app, SMS code or username and password.
Your child is born. Within how many days must the birth be registered with the municipality?
Three days
Every child born in the Netherlands must be registered at a municipal population affairs office within three days. The registrar issues a birth certificate as legal proof.
Which body advises the government on all bills and is also the highest general administrative court?
The Raad van State (Council of State)
The Council of State's Advisory Division advises on all government bills; its Administrative Jurisdiction Division hears appeals against decisions of municipal, provincial and central government.
Which authority is responsible for maintaining dykes, managing water levels and purifying waste water in your region?
The water authority (waterschap)
The Netherlands has 21 water authorities. They maintain dykes and sluices, manage water levels and purify waste water. Their general boards are mostly elected by residents.
Who approves the annual budget and accounts of your municipality?
The provincial executive (province)
Provinces supervise municipalities: municipalities submit their annual budgets and accounts to the provincial executive for approval. Provinces also supervise regional water authorities.
Which body is the middle tier of government, responsible for spatial planning in rural areas, provincial roads and nature?
The province (provincie)
Provinces decide where towns may grow and business parks may be built, maintain provincial roads and cycle paths, create and maintain nature areas, and monitor environmental quality.
Government and the rule of law 12 questions
The monarchy, Parliament, the Constitution and the law.
Practise only: Government and the rule of law →
What is the capital of the Netherlands?
Amsterdam
The government and Parliament sit in The Hague.
Which two chambers form the Dutch Parliament (Staten-Generaal)?
The House of Representatives and the Senate
In Dutch they are the Tweede Kamer and the Eerste Kamer.
Who is the head of state of the Netherlands?
The King
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy.
How many members does the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) have, and how are they chosen?
150 members, directly elected by Dutch voters
The Tweede Kamer has 150 members directly elected every four years. It scrutinises the government, approves or rejects bills and may introduce or amend bills itself.
How are the 75 members of the Eerste Kamer (Senate) chosen?
Elected by the members of the Provincial Councils (Provinciale Staten)
Senate members are elected indirectly: soon after each provincial election, the Provincial Councils elect the 75 senators for a four-year term.
The Tweede Kamer has passed a bill. What can the Eerste Kamer do with it?
Approve or reject it, but not amend it
The Senate approves or rejects bills but cannot amend them. Legislation takes effect only after both houses of parliament have passed it.
What majority is needed in the second reading to amend the Constitution (Grondwet)?
A two-thirds majority in both the Tweede Kamer and the Eerste Kamer
Amending the Constitution takes two readings. In the second reading, a two-thirds majority is required in both houses, which makes the Constitution harder to change than ordinary laws.
You disagree with a judgment of a district court (rechtbank). Where can you appeal?
One of the four courts of appeal (gerechtshoven)
Most cases start at one of the 11 district courts. Appeals go to one of four courts of appeal; from there an appeal in cassation is possible to the Supreme Court (Hoge Raad).
Can the Minister of Justice and Security dismiss a judge whose rulings the government dislikes?
No, judges are independent and cannot be dismissed by the minister
The independence of the judiciary is a cornerstone of the rule of law: judges are independent and cannot be dismissed by the Minister of Justice and Security.
How does a Dutch municipality get its mayor (burgemeester)?
Appointed by Royal Decree for six years on the recommendation of the municipal council
The mayor is appointed by Royal Decree for a six-year term, nominated by the Minister of the Interior on the municipal council's recommendation. The mayor chairs the council and is responsible for public order.
You are a non-EU national who has lived legally in the Netherlands for over five years. In which elections may you vote?
Municipal council and water authority elections
Non-EU citizens aged 18+ who have legally lived in the Netherlands for at least five years may vote in municipal elections; all residents aged 18+ may vote in water authority elections.
On which day does the King read the Speech from the Throne (Troonrede) opening the parliamentary year?
Prinsjesdag, the third Tuesday in September
On Prinsjesdag, the third Tuesday in September, the King delivers the Speech from the Throne in The Hague, setting out the government's plans. The Minister of Finance then presents the budget.
Education and upbringing 9 questions
The school system and raising children.
Practise only: Education and upbringing →
From what age is school compulsory in the Netherlands?
5
Most children start school at 4, but it becomes compulsory at 5.
Your child is in group 8 of primary school (basisschool). Which test must all pupils take?
The doorstroomtoets (school leavers' attainment test)
All group 8 pupils take the doorstroomtoets, which measures Dutch and arithmetic. The school uses the result, with other information, to advise which type of secondary education suits the child.
Your child has a vwo advice. How long does vwo take and what does it prepare for?
Six years, preparing for university (wo)
Vwo (pre-university education) takes six years and prepares pupils for university. Havo takes five years and leads to hbo (higher professional education).
Your child receives a vmbo advice. What does vmbo lead to?
Secondary vocational education (mbo)
Vmbo (pre-vocational secondary education) is a four-year programme combining theory and practice. In years 3 and 4 pupils choose a profile preparing them for mbo.
Your 17-year-old wants to leave school without a diploma. Is this allowed?
No, young people must attend school until 18 unless they have a basic qualification
The qualification requirement means young people must stay in education until 18 or until they obtain a basic qualification (startkwalificatie): an mbo level 2, havo or vwo diploma.
The primary school asks you for a parental contribution (ouderbijdrage) for a school trip. Are you obliged to pay?
No, the parental contribution is always voluntary
Primary education is free of school fees. Schools may ask for a contribution for extra activities, but it is always voluntary and the parents' participation council must approve the amount.
You need childcare before and after school (BSO) and want help with the costs. Where do you apply?
Childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) at the Belastingdienst
Parents pay the childcare provider directly and can apply to the Belastingdienst for kinderopvangtoeslag to cover part of the costs.
You are not religious and want a school that does not teach on a religious basis. Which type do you choose?
A public-authority school (openbare school)
Public-authority schools are open to all children and do not teach on the basis of a religion or belief. Denominational schools (bijzondere scholen) teach from a religious or ideological conviction.
Your child has learning difficulties and needs extra support. What are schools obliged to do since 2014?
Offer an appropriate place (passend onderwijs) in mainstream or special education
Since August 2014 schools have a duty of care to offer every pupil an appropriate place, known as passend onderwijs, either in mainstream or in special education.
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