Algemene Nabestaandenwet (ANW) in the Netherlands

The Algemene Nabestaandenwet, usually abbreviated to Anw or ANW, is the Dutch National Survivor Benefits Act. It provides a basic survivor benefit in certain situations when a partner or ex-partner dies.

For expats living or working in the Netherlands, understanding the Algemene Nabestaandenwet can be particularly important. Whether you are insured can depend on where you live, where you work, and how your social security is arranged. Receiving an ANW benefit can also become relevant when you have a mortgage and your household income changes after the death of a partner.

The Dutch term for the payment is a nabestaandenuitkering. In English, it is usually described as an ANW survivor benefit or Dutch survivor benefit.

Not everyone whose partner dies automatically receives ANW. Your age, family situation, capacity for work, income, and your deceased partner’s ANW insurance position all matter.

What Is the Algemene Nabestaandenwet?

The Algemene Nabestaandenwet is part of the Dutch social security system.

Its purpose is to provide a basic income to certain surviving partners after the death of their partner. A separate orphan’s benefit can also be available to children who have lost their last surviving parent.

The Sociale Verzekeringsbank, usually referred to as the SVB, administers the scheme.

The ANW should not be confused with a survivor’s pension from an employer or pension fund. It is also different from private life insurance.

This distinction is particularly important when you have a mortgage. A household may potentially have several sources of financial protection after a partner dies, including an ANW survivor benefit, a partner’s pension, life insurance, savings and the surviving partner’s own income.

Are you concerned about whether your household could continue paying the mortgage if one income disappears? Contact Expat Mortgage Platform for a personal review. Your first consultation is free and non-binding.

Who Is Insured Under the ANW?

Someone who lives or works in the Netherlands is usually insured under the Algemene Nabestaandenwet.

However, this is not automatic in every international situation.

Your ANW insurance position can be different if, for example, you work abroad, have been posted to the Netherlands by a foreign employer, work in several countries, work for an international organisation, or live in one country while working in another.

This is especially relevant for expats because simply having a Dutch address does not always provide the full picture. Social security rules can determine which country’s system applies.

The insurance position of the deceased partner on the date of death is one of the main factors used to determine whether the surviving partner can receive ANW.

When Are You Entitled to an ANW Survivor Benefit?

If your partner dies, several conditions apply.

You must not yet have reached your Dutch AOW pension age. Your deceased partner must also have been insured under the Algemene Nabestaandenwet on the date of death.

In addition, you normally need to meet at least one of two important conditions.

You either care for a child under the age of 18 who belongs to your household, or you are at least 45% incapacitated for work.

If incapacity for work is the reason for your entitlement, UWV assesses whether you meet the required level.

This means that losing a partner by itself does not automatically give every surviving partner the right to an ANW payment.

If you are able to work and do not have a qualifying child under 18 living at home, you will generally not qualify for the standard survivor benefit.

For more information about incapacity for work and its financial consequences, read our guide to disability insurance and your mortgage in the Netherlands.

What If Your Ex-Partner Dies?

ANW can also apply following the death of an ex-partner, but additional rules apply.

An important condition is that the deceased ex-partner had an obligation to pay partner maintenance. It does not necessarily matter whether the payments were actually being made.

You must also be below AOW pension age and normally either care for a qualifying child under 18 or be at least 45% incapacitated for work.

The deceased ex-partner must have been insured for ANW on the date of death.

Because divorce, maintenance agreements, and international situations can make these cases more complicated, eligibility should always be assessed using the actual circumstances on the date of death.

How Much Is the ANW Benefit in 2026?

From 1 July 2026, the maximum full ANW survivor benefit for a person living in the Netherlands is €1,698.30 gross per month.

In addition, a holiday allowance of €127.25 gross per month is accrued.

With payroll tax credit applied, the maximum regular benefit corresponds to approximately €1,351.47 net per month. Without payroll tax credit, the current net amount is approximately €1,091.88 per month.

These are maximum figures. What you actually receive can be lower because the ANW is income-dependent.

The amounts are normally adjusted twice a year, so figures can change on 1 January and 1 July.

Does Your Income Reduce Your ANW Benefit?

Yes, some types of income reduce the amount of ANW you receive.

For employment income and various other forms of income that are partially deducted, the calculation from 1 July 2026 works as follows.

The first €1,168.50 of gross monthly income is disregarded. Of the income above that amount, two-thirds is deducted from the ANW survivor benefit.

If relevant gross monthly income exceeds approximately €3,683.30, no ANW survivor benefit will normally remain.

For example, earning some income from employment does not immediately mean that you lose your entire ANW payment. The payment gradually decreases as the relevant income increases.

The exact calculation depends on the type of income you receive.

Does a Survivor’s Pension Reduce ANW?

Not every source of income is treated in the same way.

A widow’s pension, widower’s pension or partner’s pension paid by a pension fund or insurer is generally not deducted from your ANW survivor benefit.

A survivor pension from your partner’s annuity is also generally disregarded.

This is important because ANW and a survivor’s pension are two different arrangements. You may potentially receive both.

Certain other benefits can be deducted fully or partially. These can include unemployment, sickness and incapacity-for-work benefits.

Do not therefore assume that two households with the same gross household income will automatically receive the same ANW amount. The source of that income matters.

What Is the Difference Between ANW and a Survivor’s Pension?

ANW is a statutory Dutch social security benefit.

A survivor’s pension, often called a partner pension or nabestaandenpensioen in Dutch, normally comes from an employer’s pension scheme, pension fund, or insurer.

You can potentially be entitled to one without being entitled to the other.

For example, someone who does not qualify for ANW because they do not have a child under 18 and are not at least 45% incapacitated for work could still qualify for a partner pension through their deceased partner’s employment.

This distinction is extremely important when assessing how financially protected a household really is.

What Is the Difference Between ANW and Life Insurance?

Life insurance is another separate form of protection.

ANW is provided through the Dutch social security system and is subject to statutory qualifying conditions.

Private life insurance is based on the insurance contract you have taken out.

A life insurance policy can, depending on the policy, pay a lump sum after the insured person dies. That money could be used to repay part or all of a mortgage, replace lost income or cover other household expenses.

An ANW payment, by comparison, is generally a monthly income payment and may stop when your situation changes.

Homeowners should therefore not assume that ANW provides the same protection as life insurance.

Is ANW Enough to Pay Your Mortgage?

That depends entirely on your household finances.

The maximum ANW payment is considerably lower than the income of many working professionals in the Netherlands. If a household depends heavily on two salaries, ANW alone may not be sufficient to replace the income lost when one partner dies.

Consider a household where both partners earn €4,000 gross per month and the mortgage and other expenses have been structured around two incomes. Losing one salary can have a much greater financial impact than the maximum statutory ANW benefit can compensate for.

This is why mortgage planning should consider more than whether a household technically qualifies for a benefit.

Relevant factors include the remaining partner’s income, mortgage payment, outstanding mortgage balance, survivor’s pension, life insurance, savings, childcare expenses and other financial commitments.

If you are currently considering buying, you can use our mortgage calculator for expats to get an initial indication of your borrowing capacity.

What Happens to Your Mortgage When Your Partner Dies?

A Dutch mortgage does not simply disappear when one of the borrowers dies.

The mortgage debt remains attached to the property and the agreed payments generally still need to be made.

What happens next depends on the ownership structure, mortgage agreement, inheritance situation, insurance policies, and whether the surviving partner can continue meeting the monthly payments.

A life insurance policy may provide money that can be used to reduce or repay the mortgage. A survivor’s pension, ANW payment, savings and the surviving partner’s salary can also affect affordability.

It is therefore important to review the complete financial position rather than looking only at the outstanding mortgage balance.

If you already own a property and your household situation changes significantly, contact your mortgage advisor as early as possible.

Can ANW Count as Income for a Mortgage?

Receiving an ANW survivor benefit does not automatically mean that every mortgage lender will include the full payment when calculating your borrowing capacity.

Mortgage providers assess whether income is stable and expected to continue for a sufficiently long period.

That matters with ANW because entitlement can stop, for example, when a child turns 18, when your work-capacity situation changes or when you reach AOW pension age.

The remaining duration of the benefit can therefore matter.

If you are applying for a new mortgage, refinancing or changing an existing mortgage after the death of a partner, the lender will need to assess the income that is sustainable in your individual situation.

This is one of the situations where a standard online mortgage calculator can give an incomplete picture.

When Does an ANW Benefit Stop?

An ANW survivor benefit does not necessarily continue until retirement.

It can stop when you reach your AOW pension age.

It can also stop when your youngest qualifying child reaches 18, and you do not independently qualify because of incapacity for work.

If your entitlement is based on being at least 45% incapacitated for work, it can stop if you no longer meet that requirement.

Marriage, entering into a registered partnership or starting a new shared household can also affect or end entitlement.

Changes in income may reduce the payment, potentially to zero.

Moving to another country can also have consequences depending on where you live and which international social security rules apply.

ANW for Expats Living in the Netherlands

For many employees who move to the Netherlands and become part of the Dutch social security system, ANW insurance applies automatically.

However, expat households should pay extra attention when one partner has an unusual international employment situation.

Examples include working for a foreign employer, being temporarily posted to the Netherlands, working across several EU countries, working for an international organisation or regularly moving between countries.

In these cases, determining which social security system covers you can be more complicated.

Your mortgage and your ANW insurance position are separate questions. Being eligible for a Dutch mortgage does not automatically prove that you are insured under the Dutch ANW system.

Likewise, being insured for ANW does not automatically mean that your surviving partner would receive a benefit. The survivor still needs to meet the qualifying conditions.

What If You Move Away From the Netherlands?

Moving or working outside the Netherlands can cause compulsory Dutch ANW insurance to stop.

This is particularly important for international professionals who purchase a house in the Netherlands but later relocate abroad.

In certain situations, voluntary ANW insurance may be possible after compulsory Dutch coverage ends.

People who qualify generally need to apply for voluntary ANW insurance within one year after moving or starting work outside the Netherlands.

Do not automatically assume your Dutch social security protection continues after an international move.

This can be particularly important if your household still has a Dutch mortgage.

Can You Receive ANW If Your Partner Worked Abroad?

Possibly.

International social security rules can allow a surviving partner to receive Dutch ANW in some cross-border situations.

For example, eligibility may exist where the deceased partner previously lived or worked in the Netherlands and was insured for survivor benefits in an EU country, EEA country, or a country that has an applicable social security agreement with the Netherlands.

The Dutch portion can depend on the deceased person’s Dutch insurance or employment history.

This makes international ANW cases considerably more complex than situations where both partners have always lived and worked exclusively in the Netherlands.

Can You Receive ANW While Living Outside the Netherlands?

In some situations, yes.

Whether the benefit can be paid abroad depends on the country where you live and your circumstances.

EU and EEA rules and bilateral social security agreements can play an important role.

A person living abroad may also need to apply through the social security institution in the relevant country rather than following exactly the same process as someone living in the Netherlands.

For expats who have moved countries several times, it is important to check the complete employment and social security history of the deceased partner.

Is There an ANW Orphan’s Benefit?

The National Survivor Benefits Act also provides for an orphan’s benefit.

This is different from the ANW benefit for a surviving partner.

A child may qualify when their last surviving parent has died, and that parent was insured under the relevant Dutch survivor-benefit scheme.

The rules can continue beyond age 18 in some circumstances. For orphans aged 16 to 20, additional conditions can apply, for example, concerning education or the household situation.

From 1 July 2026, the maximum gross monthly orphan’s benefit is €558.26 for children up to age 9, €826.50 for ages 10 to 15, and €1,094.75 for ages 16 to 20.

This is another area where current information is important because both the conditions and amounts need to be checked against the current rules.

How Do You Apply for an ANW Survivor Benefit?

ANW benefits are administered by the SVB.

If you live in the Netherlands and meet the conditions, the benefit can normally be claimed through My SVB.

You should first establish whether the deceased partner was insured and whether you satisfy the qualifying conditions.

People living outside the Netherlands can face a different application process. Depending on the country and applicable international agreements, the application may need to go through the social security organisation in the country where the deceased partner was last insured.

Because entitlement depends on the situation on the date of death, it is important to provide accurate information about residence, employment, children, income and international insurance periods.

ANW and Buying a House in the Netherlands

Most people only start thinking about survivor benefits after something has happened. When buying a house, it makes more sense to consider the risk in advance.

A mortgage can run for 30 years. During that period, relationships, families, jobs and incomes can change.

When buying together, consider what would happen if one income suddenly disappeared.

Would the surviving partner still be able to pay the mortgage?

Is there a partner pension?

Is there life insurance?

Would the surviving partner actually qualify for ANW?

How much savings would remain?

Would childcare or other expenses increase?

These questions are particularly relevant when the maximum mortgage is based on two incomes.

If you are still preparing to purchase a property, our complete guide to buying a house in the Netherlands as an expat explains the broader mortgage process.

Protecting Your Household Before Taking Out a Mortgage

ANW can form part of your financial safety net, but it should not automatically be treated as complete income protection.

A proper mortgage assessment looks beyond the maximum amount a lender is willing to provide today.

It should also consider whether the mortgage remains manageable when circumstances change.

This is particularly relevant for households with one main earner, young children, a large mortgage relative to income, limited savings, international employment or limited survivor-pension arrangements.

At Expat Mortgage Platform, we can look at your mortgage and financial position from an expat perspective and explain the consequences in clear English.

Want to know what happens to your mortgage if one household income disappears? Schedule a free consultation with Expat Mortgage Platform. Your first consultation is free and non-binding.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Algemene Nabestaandenwet

What does Algemene Nabestaandenwet mean in English?

Algemene Nabestaandenwet is usually translated as the National Survivor Benefits Act or Surviving Dependants Act. The Dutch abbreviation is Anw or ANW.

What is an ANW benefit?

An ANW benefit is a Dutch survivor benefit for certain people whose partner or ex-partner has died. It is administered by the SVB and provides a basic income when the qualifying conditions are met.

Does everyone receive ANW when their partner dies?

No. You generally need to be below AOW pension age and either care for a qualifying child under 18 or be at least 45% incapacitated for work. The deceased partner must also have been insured for ANW.

Can expats receive an ANW benefit?

Yes. Expats can qualify. People who live or work in the Netherlands are usually insured under Dutch national insurance schemes, although exceptions can apply in international and cross-border situations.

How much is the ANW benefit in 2026?

From 1 July 2026, the maximum full ANW survivor benefit for someone living in the Netherlands is €1,698.30 gross per month. A gross holiday allowance of €127.25 per month is also accrued. Other income can reduce the benefit.

Can I work while receiving ANW?

Yes. Having income from employment does not automatically eliminate your entitlement. However, part of your employment income can be deducted from the ANW benefit.

How much can I earn while receiving ANW?

From 1 July 2026, the first €1,168.50 of relevant gross monthly income is disregarded for income that is partially deducted. Two-thirds of the amount above this threshold is deducted. At approximately €3,683.30 gross monthly income, no ANW payment will normally remain from this calculation.

Does a partner pension reduce my ANW benefit?

A widow’s pension, widower’s pension or partner pension from a pension fund or insurer is generally not deducted from the ANW survivor benefit. Other types of income can be treated differently.

Does ANW pay off my mortgage if my partner dies?

No. ANW is an income benefit and does not automatically repay your mortgage. Private life insurance may provide a lump sum that can be used to repay a mortgage if the policy provides that coverage.

What happens to a mortgage when one partner dies?

The mortgage debt remains. The effect depends on ownership, inheritance, insurance, the surviving partner’s income, and the mortgage agreement. The surviving household needs to determine whether the monthly costs remain affordable and whether insurance or other benefits are available.

Can ANW be used as mortgage income?

Possibly, but a lender needs to assess how stable the income is and how long the entitlement is expected to continue. ANW should not automatically be assumed to count as permanent income for the entire mortgage term.

Can I receive ANW if I live abroad?

In some cases, yes. The answer depends on where you live, where your deceased partner lived and worked, and which EU, EEA or international social security agreements apply.

Does ANW stop when my child turns 18?

If your entitlement is based on caring for a child under 18, the benefit generally stops when your youngest qualifying child reaches 18, unless you independently continue to meet another qualifying condition, such as being at least 45% incapacitated for work.

Is ANW the same as life insurance?

No. ANW is a statutory Dutch survivor benefit. Life insurance is private insurance based on the terms of an insurance policy. A household can potentially have both.

Who pays the ANW benefit?

The Sociale Verzekeringsbank, commonly known as the SVB, administers and pays the Dutch ANW survivor benefit.

Get Personal Mortgage Advice in English

The Algemene Nabestaandenwet can provide valuable financial protection, but whether you are insured, whether your partner would qualify, and how much would actually be paid depend on your personal circumstances.

For expats, international employment and residence history can make the situation more complicated.

If you are buying a home, refinancing, or reviewing whether your household could continue paying its mortgage after a major change in income, it is worth looking at the complete financial picture rather than relying on ANW alone.

Contact Expat Mortgage Platform for independent mortgage advice in English.

Your first consultation is free and non-binding.