Wet langdurige zorg (Wlz): The Dutch Long-term Care Act

The Wlz is one of the Dutch national insurances (volksverzekeringen). You do not register for it: as a rule you are insured if you live in the Netherlands, or if you work in the Netherlands and pay Dutch wage tax on that work. Contributions are collected through income tax and payroll; in 2026 the Wlz premium is 9.65% of income up to €38,883.

Wlz insurance status matters long before anyone needs care, because it decides whether you must take out a Dutch basic health insurance policy (zorgverzekering). Everyone insured under the Wlz must have one, and a person who is not Wlz-insured cannot take one out. When your situation crosses borders, for example as an international student who starts a job or internship, a posted worker or a cross-border worker, the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can assess whether you are Wlz-insured. Students who only study are normally not insured.

Receiving Wlz care is a separate step. The Care Assessment Centre (CIZ) decides through an indication whether you need permanent supervision or 24-hour care close by. The care can then be provided in a nursing home, a disability or mental-health facility, or at home, arranged by a regional care office (zorgkantoor). The Central Administration Office (CAK) calculates and collects a monthly personal contribution based on income and assets.

The Wlz sits next to two other systems: basic health insurance (Zvw) covers most short-term care such as the GP and hospital, and the municipality arranges support under the Social Support Act (Wmo), such as home adaptations.