KNM: geld, verzekeringen en schulden

In Nederland you pay almost everything by bank. Your wages, rent and bills go through your bank account (de bankrekening). Important: Keep your PIN code (de pincode) secret. Someone from the bank will never ask you for your PIN-code.

Two insurances are compulsory. Everyone from 18 needs health insurance (de zorgverzekering). If you have a car, scooter or motorbike, you need WA insurance. Other insurances (de verzekering) are not compulsory. The liability insurance (de aansprakelijkheidsverzekering) pays when you or your child damage something of someone else. The contents insurance (de inboedelverzekering) pays when your things are stolen or burnt.

If you can't pay a bill (de rekening) on time: call the company quickly and ask if you can pay in parts (een betalingsregeling). Don't ignore the reminder (de betalingsherinnering) or the final reminder (de aanmaning). Every new letter can add extra costs (de kosten).

If the bills pile up (de schulden): ask the gemeente for help (schuldhulp). This help is free. The sooner you ask, the better.

If someone says they are your bank and asks for your PIN code, or asks you to move your money: it is a scammer (de oplichter). Hang up and call your bank yourself.

If you borrow money (lenen) or use "buy now, pay later" (achteraf betalen), you make a debt. You often pay back more than you borrowed.

Don't need a subscription any more? Cancel it (een abonnement opzeggen). It doesn't stop by itself.

Component · KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij). Money questions sit inside the official themes Werk en inkomen and Instanties.

• Task type · Multiple choice: a short situation with a name, often a photo, and three answers. "Wat is waar?", "Wat doet X het beste?"
• The real task · On the computer, 45 minutes, simple Dutch. DUO does not publish a fixed number of questions or a raw pass mark; prep providers work with about 40 questions.

Most common mistakes

1. Thinking every insurance is compulsory. Only the zorgverzekering (from 18) and the WA-verzekering for a car, scooter or motorbike are.
2. Ignoring letters about a bill. Every new letter can bring extra costs.
3. Thinking help with debts costs money. Help from the gemeente is free.
4. Trusting a caller or text that says it is "your bank".