Do you pay Dutch healthcare insurance premiums or are you registered with the Central Administration Office (CAK)? If so, you may be entitled to the healthcare benefit. This is a contribution towards the costs of your Dutch healthcare insurance. Show
Conditions for the healthcare benefitThese are the conditions for you and your possible benefit partner:
Applying for benefits yourselfYou can apply for the healthcare benefit yourself. Information about how to do this can be found under I want to apply for a benefit. Submit changes on timePlease notify us of any changes in your situation that may impact our calculation of your benefits. This may be the case if your income changes, if your rent goes up (or down), and so on. In these cases, you have to notify us. Information about how to do this can be found under I want to submit a change. Health insurance is compulsory for all people who live or work in the Netherlands. Expats from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland who arrive in the Netherlands must take out Dutch health insurance within four months of receiving their residence permit, even if they have an existing foreign policy. EU, EEA or Swiss nationals who are working in the Netherlands must take out Dutch health insurance within four months of registering at their city hall. Main health insurance companies in the NetherlandsBelow a list of the main Dutch and international health insurance companies: Dutch health insurance companies
International health insurance companies
Dutch health insurance package comparisonTo compare Dutch health insurances and prices visit Zorgwijzer (website in English) or Independer. International students and Dutch health insuranceInternational students are not always obliged to take out Dutch health insurance. Whether they are required to or not depends on several factors such as the duration of their stay, if they are doing an internship or working, and whether they have insurance in their home country. Learn more about Dutch health insurance for international students. Health insurance options for foreign studentsFor foreign students, especially those staying temporarily, in the Netherlands there are three main health insurance options:
LoonZorg offers 2 insurance options that will cover most of international students' unforeseen care expenses. Check out their Student Insurance Policies! The Dutch health insurance systemIn contrast to many other European systems, the Dutch government is responsible for the accessibility and quality of the healthcare system in the Netherlands, but not in charge of its management. The Dutch health insurance system is a combination of private health plans with social conditions built on the principles of solidarity, efficiency and value for the patient. Healthcare in the Netherlands is funded through taxation: mandatory health insurance fees and taxation of income (pre-specified tax credits). Health insurance in the Netherlands is mandatory if you are here on a long-term stay and is designed to cover the cost of medical care. As a rule, all expats must have Dutch health insurance even if they are already insured for healthcare in their homeland (for exceptions see our other health insurances page). Within four months of receiving your residence permit (or registering at the Dutch city hall for EU/EEA nationals) you are subject to Dutch social security legislation and thus must obtain basic health insurance (basisverzekering) package. Premie and eigen risico costsThere are two main costs that you need to pay for your Dutch health insurance:
What happens if I don’t take out health insurance?
If you are uncertain about whether you need to take out health insurance in the Netherlands then you can contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank to check whether your circumstances require you to have Dutch health insurance. If you become sick and you have no (Dutch or foreign) health insurance to cover treatment in the Netherlands, then you must pay for medical costs yourself. Types of Dutch health insuranceThere are two types of health insurance in the Netherlands:
Basic health insurance in the Netherlands (basisverzekering)The basic package in the Netherlands is compulsory and provides the same basic health coverage across all insurers, as it is set by the government. Basic health insurance costs around 100 euros per month and covers things such as:
Basic insurance and eigen risicoIt is important to note that for most of the above services you will need to cover a portion of the costs via your annual eigen risico amount (up to a maximum of 385 euros). Services which do not require an eigen risico contribution include:
An up-to-date overview of basic insurance coverage can be found on the Dutch government website. Additional insurance coverage (aanvullende verzekering)You may also need to take out extra coverage for additional medical treatment. This is where private health insurance providers (zorgvezekeraars) compete to offer policies that are best tailored to your health needs and lifestyle. There are many health services that are (partially) covered by additional insurance, examples include:
Register with a GP (huisarts)After you have chosen your Dutch health insurance provider, you should register with a general practitioner. Once you have a GP you can easily schedule an appointment to discuss any health issues you may have. If you need a specific examination you should first liaise with your doctor, who will then refer you to the right specialist, clinic or hospital. You can find Dutch doctors in your area online, usually by searching for "huisarts" and your city name. Some websites also provide comparative listings of doctors based on patient reviews. You may also be required to register with your local pharmacy (apotheek) so they can keep a record of your medication history and so your GP can easily send prescriptions through. Children and Dutch health insuranceChildren under 18 must also be insured, however, their insurance cover is free, with no monthly premium and no eigen risico. Children can usually be covered by the insurer of their parents, however, it’s also possible to choose other providers. The first month after a child turns 18, they must start paying their monthly premium. Newborn babies must be registered for health insurance within four months of birth. Hints and tips about Dutch health insurance
How do I get health insurance allowance Netherlands?You can apply for healthcare benefit online, via Mijn toeslagen. This is your personal page on the Belastingdiest website. You will need your DigiD to do this.
Is health insurance in the Netherlands free?The Netherlands has universal healthcare, but the government requires all adults living or working in the Netherlands to have basic insurance. The basic plan will cost € 100-120 out of pocket. If you're employed, your employer will pay a small percentage towards medical coverage as well.
How much is health insurance in Holland?The average basic Dutch health insurance premium in 2021 is about 120 euro per month. Premiums are paid directly by each person to the chosen health insurance company. The amount depends on the chosen healthcare policy, deductible excess and selected supplemental coverages (if applicable).
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