As an 18-year-old, you'll have more freedom – and more responsibilities. You'll need to get your own DigiD, health insurance or student loan. We'd be happy to help you get started.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What you'll need to do when you turn 18"},{"componentType":"applicationProcess","steps":{"title":"Action plan for reaching the age of 18","stepList":[{"title":"Apply for DigiD","body":"You'll need DigiD to log in to government websites to manage things like student loans or benefits. You can apply for DigiD when you're 14 years old. Your parents may have also gotten DigiD set up for you when you were under 14. If you don't have DigiD yet, you should apply for it right away.","textLink":{"url":"https://digid.nl/aanvragen","text":"Apply for DigiD"}},{"title":"Take out health insurance","body":"In the Netherlands, everyone 18 and up are legally required to have health insurance. Explore your options online to learn which cover suits you best. Or take out CZdirect healthcare through ING! The premium is low, so it's something to consider.","textLink":{"url":"https://www.ing.nl/particulier/verzekeren/czdirect-zorgverzekering","text":"CZdirect Health Insurance"}},{"title":"Apply for healthcare benefit","body":"Your health insurance premium may come as a nasty surprise. That's why the Netherlands have healthcare benefit. This is financial contribution by the government towards your healthcare insurance premium and compulsory excess. You may be eligible for this benefit depending on your income.","textLink":{"url":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/zorgtoeslag/zorgtoeslag","text":"Healthcare benefit"}},{"title":"Other benefits","body":"Living on your own? Or planning to do so soon? You might be eligible for housing allowance. If you are? Make sure to inform the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) whenever your income changes. This affects how much allowance you receive and helps you avoid having to pay money back later.\r\n\r\nThere are other types of allowances too. Examples of financial support you might qualify for include student finance and the allowance for secondary school students.","textLink":{"url":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/toeslagen","text":"Benefits"}},{"title":"Insurance","body":"When you turn 18, you are officially an adult, and that comes with more personal responsibilities. For example, think about insurance. A liability insurance policy is useful, it covers damage you accidentally cause to others. A travel insurance or home contents insurance can also be smart choices, especially if you’re moving out or travel frequently.\r\n\r\nNot everything is mandatory, but it’s a good idea to read up on these topics. That way, you won’t be caught off guard.","textLink":{"url":"https://www.nibud.nl/onderwerpen/uitgaven/kosten-verzekering/","text":"Insurance"}}]}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What ING will take care of"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Some things to do with your bank account will change when you turn 18. For one, your account will no longer appear in your parents’ overview. If you have a youth account. we'll automatically convert it to a student account. We'll also move any savings to your orange savings account around your 18th birthday. And your card limits will be updated to the standard limit for adults.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Talk about money"},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Know what comes in, and what goes out","richBody":{"value":"Your parents will lose access to your current and savings accounts. Use smart tools like Look Ahead to see what comes in and what goes out. It also shows upcoming payments. This'll help you decide whether to pick up an extra shift or if you can afford to treat yourself to a new pair of trainers, for instance. You can also authorise your parents to access and manage your account.
"}},{"title":"When money is tight","richBody":{"value":"As soon as you turn 18, you can sign contracts and take out loans like DUO student finance. But remember you'll also be responsible for any resulting debt. That's why you should always think twice about borrowing money for that new iPhone, or using buy now, pay later services. If you can't make your payments, you'll quickly rack up late fees and end up in debt before you know it. Having debt or money worries is nothing to be ashamed of. But you should still take immediate action.
"}},{"title":"Cash buffer","richBody":{"value":"Now that you're in charge of your own money, you should consider a financial plan for the future. There's no time like the present to get started – by creating a cash buffer, for instance. The Nibud (National Institute for Family Finance Information) recommends putting aside 10% of your income for a rainy day. That way, you’ll have a bit of money in case the unexpected happens. Get more inspiration and saving tips here.
"}},{"title":"How to recognize a scam","richBody":{"value":"You're starting to manage more of your own finances. That makes you a potential target for scammers. Don’t get tricked, make sure you understand how they operate. Because recognizing fraud is the first step to preventing it.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/bank/safe-banking","text":"This is how scammers operate"}]},{"title":"Keeping track of your administration","richBody":{"value":"From the age of 18, you are responsible for arranging your own insurance and contracts. That’s why it’s very important to keep your administration organized, so you have a clear overview of your income and expenses.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-RCGdm6V6M","text":"Am I properly insured? (video)"}]}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Saving money for meaningful life events"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Turning 18? Time to hit the road! Start saving for your driver’s license and give yourself the freedom of four wheels.
Studying can be expensive. With a well-filled piggy bank, you’ll be prepared for the costs so you can fully focus on your studies and your future.
Fun Fund
Whether you're going on holiday with friends or to your first festival, solid savings ensures you can fully enjoy unforgettable moments without worrying about money.
First Place of Your Own
Moving out on your own takes some extra cash. Start saving now to make your step toward independent living a lot easier.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"left","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/6f7509ff-fc93-48b7-ad2f-ca21e9f7271b/ING-app-Spaardoel-cropped","altTextEN":"Screenshot: Savings account in ING App","altTextNL":"Screenshot: Spaarrekening in ING App","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/7f39093a7337ae1f/original/ING-app-Spaardoel-cropped.jpeg","extension":"jpeg"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The tools below make saving easier and more fun.
"}},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"serviceCard","cardType":"service","cardSize":"small","title":"Automatic savings","intro":"Save automatically with fixed transfers. Over 1.7 million users went before you.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/7e8a94bd-897d-4461-9b29-4a4f9dbef6af/handpointingcalendarpaymentnopadding","type":"image","width":0,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/d0fb69b6e13d671/original/handpointingcalendarpaymentnopadding.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/savings/automatic-savings"}},{"componentType":"serviceCard","cardType":"service","cardSize":"small","title":"Savings goals","intro":"Save easier with free savings goals on your savings account. What are you saving for?","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/91a0e433-727e-4564-8b9f-b0ab3d6fdf66/target","type":"image","width":160,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/1c4a47ef2fd112cb/original/target.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/savings/savings-goals"}},{"componentType":"serviceCard","cardType":"service","cardSize":"small","title":"Round up & Save","intro":"Round up every payment automatically. Save almost unnoticed. 700,000+ users.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/5651c852-7f55-4952-bb4d-cf4f9dd6d0d2/Terminal-phone-hand-4-spot","type":"image","width":160,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/57723fc18f2d359b/original/Terminal-phone-hand-4-spot.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/savings/round-up-and-save"}}]},{"componentType":"linkList","iconTitle":{"title":"Useful links"},"textLinks":[{"url":"https://www.digid.nl/","text":"All about DigiD"},{"url":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/werk_en_inkomen/jongeren/","text":"Taxes and your side job"},{"url":"https://www.nibud.nl/onderwerpen/uitgaven/kosten-verzekering/","text":"All about insurance"},{"url":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/toeslagen","text":"Applying for benefits"},{"url":"/particulier/digitaal-bankieren/app/kijk-vooruit","text":"Get insights with Look Ahead"},{"url":"/particulier/student/vermogen-opbouwen","text":"How to build wealth"},{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/user/INGnl","text":"ING on YouTube"},{"url":"/en/personal/students","text":"Information for students"},{"url":"/particulier/klantenservice/gegevens-wijzigen/beheer-bankzaken-ouderlijk-gezag","text":"Parental authorisation"}]}]}}}