Turning 18: put your money tasks in order

Apply for your own DigiD if you do not have one. You use it for online government services, including student finance and benefits. Keep the login details to yourself and check that the government has your correct address.

Create one email or paper folder for health insurance, Dienst Toeslagen, DUO and other official letters. This keeps decisions and deadlines together.

From age 18 you need your own Dutch health insurance and start paying a premium. Dutch government guidance says to arrange this within one month of your birthday. You may remain on a parent’s policy, but you are no longer insured free of charge.

You may qualify for healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag). Dienst Toeslagen says entitlement starts in the month after your eighteenth birthday, the same month you first pay the premium. You must apply yourself.

Living with your parents? Their income does not count towards your healthcare benefit. Your own income and assets, and possibly those of a benefit partner, may count. Always check the current conditions and use the official calculator.

Student finance depends on your course, age and circumstances. For MBO (school-based vocational education), the minimum age for a grant or interest-bearing loan is 18; a student travel product may be available earlier. DUO states that HBO and university have no minimum age.

Check with DUO whether you qualify for a basic grant, supplementary grant, student travel product or other elements. Borrowing is optional and must be repaid. Use the official calculator to compare income and spending.

Write down the income you receive each month: wages, student finance, benefits and any contribution at home. Compare this with fixed payments such as health insurance, phone, travel, course costs and subscriptions.

Reserve benefits for the costs they are intended to help cover. Then see what remains for variable spending and saving. A simple plan you update each month is better than a complex plan you stop opening.

Discuss at home who pays the health premium, phone, course costs and other expenses. Even if a parent keeps paying a bill, it helps if you know the amount and when the contract changes.

From age 18 you can enter contracts yourself and are responsible for payment agreements. Read the term, cancellation rules and total price before choosing a subscription, loan or buy-now-pay-later service.