Dealing with Dutch authorities: letters, DigiD and objection

Keep the originals of important documents in one folder: passport, residence permit, birth and marriage certificates, rental and work contracts, insurance documents, payslips, tax and allowance letters.

• And create a safe digital copy.
• Activate DigiD and the Berichtenbox and take email notifications so that alerts reach you.
• Government bodies use Mijn portals such as Mijn Belastingdienst, Mijn UWV and Mijn DUO, and you can follow your applications in them.
• Check your email and message box every few days since some decisions reach you digitally only, and objection deadlines start from the date they are sent.
• And put reminders in your phone for renewal and submission dates.

An official letter usually carries a reference number (kenmerk), a date, a subject and a deadline.

• Read it on the day you receive it, and identify what is asked of you, by when and what the consequences are.
• If you do not understand ask for help from a friend, an advisory office or Sociaal Raadslieden.
• Reply in writing or via the portal quoting the reference number, keep a copy and send by registered post when needed.
• Do not ignore a letter because you do not understand it, since deadlines are short and you may lose rights or be fined.
• If you will be away tell the body or ask a trusted person to read your mail.
• It is acceptable to request an extra deadline in writing before the deadline expires.

When a public body takes a decision affecting you (beschikking) you have the right to object (bezwaar) within six weeks of the decision being sent, usually without fees.

• Write your objection and sign it and attach the decision copy, your reasons and evidence, or submit it via the body's website.
• You may be invited to a hearing, and the body issues a new decision.
• If it does not satisfy you, you can appeal (beroep) to the court also within six weeks, and court fees may be charged.
• If the decision is not taken within its legal time you can declare default (ingebrekestelling).
• Use a lawyer or subsidised legal aid if your income is low, and submit a short provisional objection before the deadline and complete the reasons later.

Many bodies request foreign documents that are legalised (gelegaliseerd) or bearing an apostille, and translated by a sworn translator (beëdigd vertaler) if not in Dutch, English, German or French.

• These procedures take time and cost, so start early and take several certified copies.
• Ask the body about the accepted form before starting, and check that your names are written in Latin letters the same way on every document, since difference causes refusal.
• If your documents were lost ask about alternative procedures, since some bodies accept declarations or certificates from the embassy.
• Keep the originals and give the bodies copies unless the original is requested.

Do not give your DigiD, BSN or card details to anyone who calls or writes claiming to be from the government, bank or tax authority, since these are common phishing messages.

• Do not click links in suspicious messages, and always enter through the official website yourself.
• Privacy laws (AVG) protect your data, and you have the right to see what bodies keep about you and correct it. For free help go to the Juridisch Loket for legal advice, Sociaal Raadslieden for social and financial matters, VluchtelingenWerk for refugees, your city library which provides an information point (Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid) to help you with digital services, and any community centre that offers support in your language.

What is the usual deadline to object to a government decision?