Your house, your dividends and your interest: what the Netherlands keeps levying despite the 7%

The 7% scheme of article 5B is broad: it covers not only pension but all your foreign income — rent, dividends, interest, capital gains. That reads as "seven per cent on everything", and that is how it gets passed on.

But there are two sides to every euro that crosses the border. Article 5B governs what Greece levies. What the Netherlands may levy is in the tax treaty — and that is not nil.

Your rented-out house in the Netherlands: article 6

This is the sharpest of the three, and the most common. Whoever keeps their Dutch home and rents it out keeps a source of income in the Netherlands with it.

Article 6 of the treaty says that income from immovable property may be taxed in the state where that property is located. If the house is in the Netherlands, then the Netherlands may levy. Not limited to a percentage, not as a residual item — simply in full.

That the property can also fall under article 5B in the Greek return takes nothing away from that. They are two systems that both look at the same income; the treaty determines who takes precedence and how double taxation is removed.

So the question "do I keep my Dutch house?" is not only a housing question. It determines whether you keep a Dutch tax return after your move, and whether the return you calculated on paper actually remains.

Dividends from a Dutch company: article 10

If you hold shares in a Dutch bv or nv, the Netherlands as source state may withhold dividend tax — but to a limited extent. The treaty names two rates:

• 5% when you hold an interest of 25% or more
• 15% in the other cases

So that is not a full levy as with real estate, but it isn't nil either. Whoever keeps their bv after emigrating takes this into account — and also thinks about the protective assessment which, for a substantial shareholding, remains valid indefinitely.

Interest from a Dutch source: article 11

For interest the same pattern applies: the source state may levy, with a ceiling. The treaty caps that at 10% of the gross amount, and at 8% when the interest accrues to a bank or financial institution.

What this means together

Put the three side by side and the picture tilts:

Income	What the Netherlands may do
Rented-out real estate in the Netherlands	levy in full (article 6)
Dividends from a Dutch company	5% with an interest of 25%+, otherwise 15% (article 10)
Interest from a Dutch source	10%, or 8% for banks (article 11)

Article 5B remains attractive — for pension and for assets that are not in the Netherlands, it is one of the most favourable regimes in Europe. But whoever leaves their assets in the Netherlands doesn't move their taxation along with them.

The sum you do before you leave

Three questions, and they belong in the orientation phase because the answers can change your move:

1. Which part of my assets is in the Netherlands, and so remains partly taxed there?
2. What does article 5B bring me on the part that does move with me?
3. Does the difference outweigh the effort of a continuing Dutch return alongside a Greek one?

This article explains the treaty articles; it is not tax advice. How the crediting works out in your return, and whether you qualify for a refund of excess withholding tax, belongs with a tax adviser who knows both systems — see also when you need an adviser.