Exam 5 of 5
KNM — Kennis Nederlandse Maatschappij
Practical knowledge of Dutch society, not history trivia. 40 questions about what you should do in everyday situations — and if you've lived here a while, you already know more of the answers than you think.
What to expect
Exam format
| Questions | 40, multiple choice |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Format | Digital — you watch a short video clip of an everyday Dutch situation, then answer what you should do. Practical, not theoretical. Simple Dutch (A2 level) throughout. |
| Pass mark | 26 / 40 (65%) |
| Margin for error | You can get up to 14 questions wrong and still pass |
| Time per question | ~1 minute — mark anything you're unsure about and come back to it |
| Wrong guess | No penalty — never leave a question blank |
Core strategy
Trust your daily-life common sense
Eliminate first. Don't overthink. Manage the clock.
1. Health → huisarts
Sick or need medicine? Huisarts, first, almost always. Huisartsenpost only after-hours. 112 only life-threatening.
2. Official request → gemeente
ID, permits, marriage, moving: gemeente. Taxes: Belastingdienst. A benefit: UWV or SVB. Online: DigiD.
3. Wrong answers skip a step
Going straight to a specialist, another country's system, removing someone's rights — rule those out first.
4. Unsure → pick the fairer option
Between two plausible answers, the one giving more rights, not less, is usually correct.
5. Trust what you already know
You've lived it. Go with your first instinct.
6. One minute per question
Mark and move on. Come back at the end. No penalty for guessing — never leave one blank.
Topics
The 8 topics, plus a bonus section
Click a topic to expand it. Ordered by how often it's tested — Health, Government, and Work show up the most.
Key facts
- Huisarts (GP) = ALWAYS your first contact. You cannot go directly to a specialist.
- Zorgverzekering (health insurance) is verplicht (mandatory) for everyone in NL.
- Eigen risico = €385 (2026). You pay this yourself before insurance kicks in. Does not apply to huisarts visits.
- Apotheek = prescription medicine (needs a recept). Drogist = over-the-counter products (no prescription).
- Basisverzekering = basic package, same at all insurers. Aanvullende verzekering = optional extras (dental, physio).
- Zorgtoeslag = government subsidy for low-income people to pay insurance. Apply via Belastingdienst.
- Tandarts (dentist): NOT covered by basisverzekering for adults. Kids under 18: covered.
- GGD = public health: vaccinations, infectious diseases, consultatiebureau (child health clinic).
- Zwangerschap (pregnancy): go to a verloskundige (midwife) or huisarts. Only the hospital if there are complications.
- Medisch beroepsgeheim: doctors cannot share your medical info without your permission (toestemming).
- You choose your own huisarts, tandarts, and apotheek yourself — nobody arranges this for you.
- Tolkentelefoon: if you don't speak Dutch, the huisarts can call a telephone interpreter.
Emergency numbers
| Number | When |
|---|---|
| 112 | Life-threatening emergencies ONLY |
| Huisartsenpost | After-hours / weekend care (not emergencies) |
| 0900-8844 | Politie, non-emergency |
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Someone is sick — what should they do first? | Huisarts |
| Where do you get prescription medicine? | Apotheek |
| It's Saturday night, child has a high fever | Huisartsenpost |
| What is the eigen risico? | Amount you pay yourself first |
| Is health insurance mandatory? | Yes, for everyone |
| What does the apotheek need for prescription medicine? | A recept (prescription) from the doctor |
| May the old huisarts share medical info with the new one? | Only with the patient's permission |
| Eva sees a big fire — what number? | 112 |
| New tandarts after moving — who arranges it? | You do it yourself (patient chooses) |
| Patient doesn't speak Dutch at huisarts — what to do? | Use tolkentelefoon (interpreter) |
| Headache for days — who to call first? | Huisarts |
Common traps
- "Go directly to the specialist" → WRONG (always huisarts first)
- "112 for non-emergencies" → WRONG (use huisartsenpost)
- "Health insurance is optional" → WRONG (verplicht)
Key facts
- Gemeente = your main government contact: registration, passport, rijbewijs, births, marriages, divorce.
- BSN (Burgerservicenummer) = personal citizen number. You get it when you register at the gemeente.
- DigiD = digital identity for government websites (Belastingdienst, DUO, toeslagen).
- Koning Willem-Alexander = head of state, but NO political power. Ceremonial only.
- Tweede Kamer = 150 members, makes/accepts new laws. Eerste Kamer = 75 members, approves/rejects laws.
- Minister-president = head of government. Leads the ministerraad (cabinet).
- Grondwet = Constitution. Article 1: everyone is equal, discrimination is verboden.
- Actief kiesrecht = right to vote. Passief kiesrecht = right to be elected.
- Voting at 18: Tweede Kamer, gemeenteraad, provinciale staten, waterschap. EU citizens → only gemeenteraad.
- Belastingdienst = taxes + toeslagen (zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag, kinderopvangtoeslag).
- Den Haag = seat of government. Amsterdam = hoofdstad (capital).
- Rechter (judge) = determines punishment/straf. NOT the police.
- EU: Dutch citizens travel freely within EU countries — NO visum needed.
- Identificatieplicht: everyone 14+ must carry a valid ID (paspoort, ID-kaart, rijbewijs). Show it when police ask.
- Vrouwen in NL have exactly the same rights as men: work, vote, choose, divorce.
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where do you register when you move? | Gemeente |
| What do you need for government websites? | DigiD |
| Who makes/accepts new laws? | Tweede Kamer |
| What is BSN? | Personal citizen number |
| Does the King have political power? | No |
| How is Sam's right to vote called? | Actief kiesrecht |
| Need a visum within the EU? | No, free movement |
| Who determines the straf? | De rechter (the judge) |
| Must a 15-year-old show ID to police? | Yes (identificatieplicht from 14+) |
| May women do the same work as men? | Yes, equal rights |
Common traps
- "The King governs the country" → WRONG (Tweede Kamer + ministers govern)
- "Amsterdam is where the government sits" → WRONG (Den Haag)
Key facts
- Brutosalaris = salary before tax. Nettosalaris = what you get on your bank account (always LESS than bruto).
- Vast contract = permanent (onbepaalde tijd, no end date). Tijdelijk = temporary (bepaalde tijd). Oproep = on-call.
- UWV = unemployment benefits (WW-uitkering). Apply when your contract ends. Must actively job search.
- Bijstand = social assistance via gemeente, when you have NO income at all.
- Vakantiegeld = holiday allowance = 8% of annual salary, paid in May.
- Minimumloon = minimum wage, set by government. Full rate from age 21+.
- Solliciteren = applying for a job. Send a CV (resume) and motivatiebrief (cover letter) to the employer.
- Deeltijdbaan (part-time work) = very common and fully legal in NL. Many people work part-time.
- Eigen bedrijf starten = register at KvK (Kamer van Koophandel / Chamber of Commerce). Required by law.
- ZZP'er = self-employed. Must arrange own insurance + pension. Register at KvK.
- Discrimination at work is illegal (gender, age, religion, origin, sexuality).
- A werkgever (employer) MAY require language skills if needed for the job.
- Kinderopvangtoeslag = childcare subsidy. Higher income → less toeslag. Income goes up → toeslag goes down.
- Ondernemingsraad (OR) = employee council in companies with 50+ staff.
- Belastingaangifte (tax return) = everyone must file annually, before 1 May.
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Lost your job, where to go? | UWV |
| No income at all? | Gemeente (bijstand) |
| What is vakantiegeld? | 8% holiday allowance, paid in May |
| Bruto €2.900 — what lands on your account? | Less than €2.900 (netto < bruto) |
| What to send when applying for a job? | CV + motivatiebrief |
| Can you work part-time in NL? | Yes, deeltijdbaan is legal and common |
| Want to start your own business? | Register at KvK |
| Contract without an end date? | Vast contract (onbepaalde tijd) |
| When can Mark apply for uitkering? | When his contract ends (31 mei) |
| Income goes up — what happens to kinderopvangtoeslag? | It decreases |
| Can an employer require good Dutch? | Yes, if needed for the job |
Common traps
- Confusing UWV (lost job) with gemeente (no income) — different situations!
- "ZZP'ers get vakantiegeld" → WRONG (only employees)
- "Netto is more than bruto" → WRONG (netto is always less)
Key facts
- Move → register at your new gemeente within 5 days.
- Sociale huurwoning = social housing, income limit, long waiting lists via woningcorporatie. Vrije sector = private (no limit).
- Huurtoeslag = rent subsidy from Belastingdienst for low-income renters.
- Huurcommissie = independent body for rent disputes.
- Woningcorporatie = manages social housing.
- Buying a house? → Use a makelaar (real estate agent) and/or hypotheekadviseur (mortgage advisor).
- Afvalscheiding = mandatory waste separation: paper, plastic, glass, GFT (food/garden), restafval.
- Statiegeld = deposit on bottles and cans. Return them at the supermarket to get money back.
- Energielabel: A (best) → G (worst).
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Rent too high, where to complain? | Huurcommissie |
| Low income, need affordable housing? | Sociale huurwoning |
| What is afvalscheiding? | Separating waste into categories |
| Where to return a blikje met statiegeld? | Supermarket |
| Want to buy a house, who helps? | Makelaar (real estate agent) |
Quick tip: housing problem → first talk to the landlord. No solution? → Huurcommissie. Need money help? → Huurtoeslag via Belastingdienst.
Key facts
- DigiD = your digital identity for ALL government websites (taxes, toeslagen, DUO, healthcare declarations).
- Gemeente = passport, ID, rijbewijs, birth registration, marriage, divorce, moving registration.
- SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) = kinderbijslag (child benefit) and AOW (state pension).
- Belastingdienst = file taxes + request toeslagen (zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag, kinderopvangtoeslag).
- Belastingaangifte = filing your tax return. Yes, it is VERPLICHT (mandatory) in NL.
- Belastinggeld (tax money) pays for: roads, schools, police, healthcare, defense, public transport.
- Belastinggeld does NOT pay for: your groceries, private purchases, your holiday.
- UWV = unemployment benefits when you lose your job.
- DUO = student finance (studiefinanciering) and inburgering administration.
- Rijbewijs (driving license) = apply at gemeente after passing your rijexamen.
- Divorced? → Register the divorce at the gemeente.
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What can you do with DigiD? | Access government websites online |
| Where to register a divorce? | Gemeente |
| What is NOT paid with tax money? | Private purchases (groceries, holidays) |
| Where to apply for kinderbijslag? | SVB |
| Where to get a rijbewijs? | Gemeente |
| Is belastingaangifte mandatory? | Yes |
| Must a 15-year-old show ID to police? | Yes (identificatieplicht from 14+) |
Key facts
- Leerplicht = compulsory education, age 5-16 (partial until 18).
- Basisschool = primary (age 4-12, groups 1-8).
- After basisschool: VMBO (4yr, practical) → HAVO (5yr) → VWO (6yr, university prep).
- Cito-toets / eindtoets at end of basisschool → determines middelbare school level.
- MBO = vocational. HBO = applied university. WO = research university.
- VMBO → MBO → HBO → (optional) WO. You CANNOT go directly from VMBO to university (WO).
- DUO = handles studiefinanciering (student loans/grants) and inburgering.
- Kinderopvang = daycare (0-4yr). BSO = after-school care. Kinderopvangtoeslag = childcare subsidy.
- Parents are aansprakelijk (liable) for damage caused by children under 14. Ages 14-16: shared liability.
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| At what age must children go to school? | 5 years old (leerplicht) |
| What are VMBO, HAVO, VWO? | Levels of secondary education |
| Parents refuse to send child to school | Illegal, leerplicht |
| Can you go from VMBO directly to university? | No (VMBO → MBO → HBO → WO) |
| Child (12) breaks something in a shop — who pays? | The parents (aansprakelijk) |
Key facts
- Article 1 Grondwet: everyone equal. Discrimination forbidden.
- Freedom of speech, religion, press — all protected.
- Same-sex marriage legal since 2001 (first in the world!).
- LGBTQ+ fully protected. Discrimination on sexual orientation = illegal.
- Gender equality: men and women have identical rights.
- Dutch directness: saying what you think is normal, not rude.
- Your birthday → YOU bring cake/treats (not others for you).
- Op tijd (on time) is very important. Being late = rude.
- Handshake in business. Three kisses for close friends/family.
- Gedogen = not officially allowed but tolerated in practice (e.g., coffeeshops).
- Samenwonen (living together) without being married = completely legal and very common in NL.
- Kerstmis (Christmas) = 25 & 26 december. National holidays.
- Oud en Nieuw (New Year's Eve) = 31 december. Traditional food: oliebollen and appelbeignets.
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When is same-sex marriage legal? | Since 2001 |
| It's your birthday at work. What do you do? | You bring treats |
| What is considered rude? | Being late |
| Which holiday is on 25 december? | Kerstmis (Christmas) |
| What food belongs to Oud en Nieuw? | Oliebollen |
| Can an unmarried couple live together? | Yes, samenwonen is legal |
Quick tip: for values questions, the answer supporting more equality, freedom, and tolerance is correct.
Key facts
- Constitutional monarchy. 12 provinces. Capital: Amsterdam. Government: Den Haag.
- Amsterdam lies in the province of Noord-Holland, in the west of the Netherlands (the Randstad).
- Much of NL is below sea level → dijken (dikes), polders, Deltawerken.
- Deltawerken were built after the Watersnoodramp (1953 flood disaster) to protect against flooding.
- Waterschappen = oldest democratic institutions, manage water safety.
- VOC = Dutch East India Company, 17th century Golden Age (Gouden Eeuw).
- Het Wilhelmus = the national anthem of the Netherlands (het volkslied).
- Holocaust: during WWII (1940-1945), ~102,000 Dutch Jews were murdered by Nazi Germany.
- Netherlands is a member of the EU (European Union) and the VN (Verenigde Naties / United Nations).
- VN = promotes world peace, human rights, and cooperation between countries.
- EU = free movement of people, goods, and services between member states. No visum needed within EU.
Know these dates
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| 27 april | Koningsdag (King's Day) |
| 4 mei | Dodenherdenking (Remembrance of the Dead, incl. Holocaust) |
| 5 mei | Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day, end of WWII occupation) |
| 5 december | Sinterklaas |
| 25 december | Kerstmis (Christmas) |
| 31 december | Oud en Nieuw (New Year's Eve) — oliebollen! |
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why were the Deltawerken built? | To protect against flooding after the 1953 disaster |
| What is the Wilhelmus? | The Dutch national anthem |
| When was the Holocaust? | During WWII (1940-1945) |
| What is the goal of the VN? | World peace and human rights |
| Where is Amsterdam? | In the west, province Noord-Holland |
Added to the KNM exam in July 2025 as its own section, covering Holocaust knowledge and women's rights. Expect roughly 2-4 questions — these tend to be straightforward if you know the basics below.
Holocaust & antisemitism
- ~102,000 Dutch Jews were murdered during WWII.
- Antisemitism and all discrimination are forbidden in NL.
- 4 mei = Dodenherdenking, includes Holocaust remembrance.
- Anne Frank = Jewish girl, hid in Amsterdam, wrote a famous diary, died in Bergen-Belsen.
Women's rights
- Women have the full right to zelfbeschikking (self-determination): work, choose a partner, make their own decisions.
- Women's suffrage since 1919.
- Forced marriage is illegal. Women can divorce independently.
Expected questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is antisemitism allowed? | No, forbidden |
| Can women work without their husband's permission? | Yes, full self-determination |
| Is forced marriage legal? | No, forbidden |
| Who was Anne Frank? | Jewish girl, diary, WWII |
Every correct answer here supports equal rights and awareness — no exceptions.
Self-check practice
Test yourself: Health, Government & Work
Highest-frequency topics. Pick an answer, see why.
1
Headache (Health)
You've had a headache for three days. What should you do?
The huisarts is always your first contact. You can't go straight to a specialist, and 112 is for life-threatening emergencies only.
2
Saturday night fever (Health)
It's Saturday night and your child has a high fever. Where do you go?
Huisartsenpost handles after-hours and weekend care. 112 is for life-threatening situations only; a fever at night shouldn't wait until Monday.
3
Eigen risico (Health)
What is the "eigen risico" in Dutch health insurance?
Eigen risico is €385 (2026) — paid out of pocket before your basisverzekering kicks in. Doesn't apply to huisarts visits.
4
Making laws (Government)
Which body makes and accepts new laws?
Tweede Kamer (150 members) makes and accepts laws; Eerste Kamer (75) approves or rejects them. The King has no political power.
5
Government websites (Government)
What do you need to log in to Belastingdienst or DUO?
DigiD is your digital identity for every government website — Belastingdienst, DUO, toeslagen.
6
Showing ID (Government)
A 15-year-old is asked by police to show ID. What should they do?
Identificatieplicht: everyone 14+ must carry a valid ID (paspoort, ID-kaart, rijbewijs) and show it when police ask.
7
Contract ends (Work)
Mark's contract ends 31 May. When can he apply for WW-uitkering?
UWV handles WW-uitkering — apply as soon as your contract ends. You don't need to have been fired.
8
Bruto vs netto (Work)
Your bruto salary is €2.900/month. What lands in your bank account?
Netto (after tax) is always less than bruto (before tax) — never equal, never more.
9
No income at all (Work)
You have no income and don't qualify for WW-uitkering. Where do you go?
Bijstand is social assistance via the gemeente — for people with no income at all, a different case from UWV/WW.
Quick review
Last-minute cheat sheet
The single most useful thing to memorize: who you go to for what. Covers a large share of KNM questions.
| Situation | Go to |
|---|---|
| Sick, health problem | Huisarts |
| Emergency, life-threatening | 112 |
| Sick at night/weekend | Huisartsenpost |
| Prescription medicine | Apotheek (needs recept from doctor) |
| Don't speak Dutch at doctor | Tolkentelefoon (interpreter) |
| New tandarts after moving | You arrange it yourself |
| Move to a new city | Gemeente |
| Passport, ID, rijbewijs | Gemeente |
| Marriage or divorce | Gemeente |
| Online government service | DigiD |
| File taxes, get toeslagen | Belastingdienst |
| Kinderbijslag (child benefit) | SVB |
| Lost job | UWV |
| No income at all | Gemeente (bijstand) |
| Start your own business | KvK (Kamer van Koophandel) |
| Rent too high / dispute | Huurcommissie |
| Buy a house | Makelaar |
| Need affordable housing | Woningcorporatie |
| Student loan | DUO |
| Childcare subsidy | Belastingdienst (kinderopvangtoeslag) |
| Police, non-urgent | 0900-8844 |
| Who decides punishment? | Rechter (judge) |
| Return blikje with statiegeld | Supermarket |
Numbers to remember
| What | Number |
|---|---|
| Eigen risico (2026) | €385 |
| Vakantiegeld | 8% of salary, paid May |
| Tweede Kamer members | 150 |
| Eerste Kamer members | 75 |
| Voting age | 18 |
| Leerplicht starts | Age 5 |
| Full minimum wage age | 21+ |
| Register after moving | Within 5 days |
| Same-sex marriage since | 2001 |
| Women's suffrage since | 1919 |
| Dutch Jews killed in WWII | ~102,000 |
| Provinces | 12 |