Netherlands · Guide

How to find a Dutch pension without DigiD

If you are an expat trying to access your Dutch pension, the DigiD requirement is likely blocking you. The Netherlands uses DigiD, a digital authentication system, to access Mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl, the portal that shows your accumulated Dutch pension entitlements. The problem for expats? You need a Dutch address and BSN (citizen service number) to get a DigiD, and if you have left the Netherlands, you almost certainly no longer have either.

Why this matters

The Netherlands has one of the largest pension systems in the world relative to GDP. Dutch pension funds, including ABP, PFZW, PMT, PME and over 200 sector funds, manage hundreds of billions of euros. If you worked in the Netherlands for any period, your employer was legally required to contribute to a pension fund for you. These entitlements do not expire. They are yours. But without DigiD, you cannot even see what you have.

What expats typically experience

• Cannot log in to Mijnpensioenoverzicht without DigiD
• Cannot request a new DigiD without a Dutch address
• Cannot contact pension funds easily from abroad, many only communicate in Dutch
• Old letters lost after moving countries
• No idea which pension fund their employer used

How PensionHunter helps Dutch expats without DigiD

PensionHunter does not access DigiD-protected data. Instead, we use your employment history and personal details to identify likely pension funds among the 200+ Dutch pension funds, then prepare an authorised request pack under your signed Information Request Authority (IRA), written and ready for you to send. You send it, the fund replies to you, and we answer your questions about whatever comes back, including the fund name, your member reference, and next steps for claiming.

This is particularly valuable for expats who worked for multinational companies in the Netherlands and were enrolled in sector or company pension funds without ever receiving clear documentation about which fund held their contributions.

How to claim your Dutch pension from abroad

Once we identify your pension fund(s), we provide you with everything you need to make a claim, including direct contact details, required documentation, and guidance on the claims process. Some Dutch pensions can be claimed as a lump sum, while others pay out as a regular income from retirement age. The rules vary by fund.

If you also worked in other countries, our multi-country search covers all jurisdictions for a single fee.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

PensionHunter operates consumer pension search across 41 active countries, with worldwide expansion underway. We also trace lost pension members worldwide on behalf of pension schemes, funds and trustees, see /trustees.