A2 KNM: Public Services & Legal Help
Different Dutch organizations help with different problems. The municipality handles civil records and official documents, the police help with safety and...
Reviewed against official sources - Updated 2026-05-10
Different Dutch organizations help with different problems. The municipality handles civil records and official documents, the police help with safety and crime, the Belastingdienst handles taxes and allowances, and other public or social organizations can help with work, pensions, legal questions, victims of crime, or refugee support.
| Service | Dutch | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Police | Politie | Emergencies, crime reports, public safety |
| Local police officer | Wijkagent | Neighborhood safety questions or local problems |
| Victim Support | Slachtofferhulp | Support after a crime, accident, or violent event |
| Legal Desk | Juridisch Loket | Free first advice for legal questions |
| Refugee support | VluchtelingenWerk | Information and practical help for asylum seekers and refugees |
| Social Insurance Bank | SVB | AOW pension, child benefit, survivor benefit |
| Tax office | Belastingdienst | Taxes, tax returns, benefits, and objections |
| Office or Service | Dutch | Typical Question |
|---|---|---|
| Municipality | Gemeente | Moving address, permits, local taxes, and official documents |
| Citizen affairs | Burgerzaken | Passport, ID card, birth, marriage, and BRP registration |
| Municipal enforcement | Handhaving / stadswacht | Local nuisance, parking, and public-space rules |
| Immigration police | Vreemdelingenpolitie | Identity or residence checks involving non-Dutch nationals |
| Bank | Bank | Payment account, debit card, savings, or mortgage questions |
| Post and parcel service | PostNL / pakketpunt | Letters, parcels, and pick-up points |
Examples
- Ik wil aangifte doen bij de politie.
- I want to file a report with the police.
- Het Juridisch Loket geeft gratis advies.
- The Legal Desk gives free advice.
- De SVB betaalt kinderbijslag.
- The SVB pays child benefit.
- Bij de Belastingdienst kun je bezwaar maken.
- You can object at the Tax Office.
Study note
For exam questions, match the problem to the right organization: call 112 for emergencies, contact the police for crime, go to the gemeente for civil records and ID documents, use the Belastingdienst for taxes and allowances, contact UWV for unemployment, and contact SVB for AOW or child benefit.
Practice after reading
Train A2 knowledge of Dutch society with timed KNM practice questions.
