Internal coordination of social security in the Netherlands

Abstract

This article outlines the internal coordination of regional and local social security schemes in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a decentralised state with a strong central government. Social security is largely a matter for central government. The article therefore focuses on the area of social assistance and social care, characterised by a system of ‘regulated decentralisation’. It outlines the state of decentralisation, the conflict rules and the coordination mechanisms and, finally, describes the financial regime of the decentralised schemes.