A Dutch health insurance is mandatory for everyone who is 18 years or older and lives or works in the Netherlands. You are legally obliged to have a basic health insurance in the Netherlands. With the basic health insurance you are insured for basic care. In addition to the basic insurance, you can take out an additional (dental) insurance.
The Dutch government determines the coverage of basic health insurances every year. In example, the basic health insurance covers consultation with a general practitioner (GP), hospital care and several medicines. If you're in need of extra health care, such as dental care or physiotherapy, you can take out an additional (dental) insurance for extra coverage.
Every year between November 12 and December 31 you can apply for a new Dutch health insurance. In this way you'll always choose a health insurance policy that suits your healthcare needs.
Every year, the government determines the coverage of the basic health insurances. The basic health insurance covers most of the basic medical expenses. It includes:
When you have a Dutch insurance, a deductible (excess) applies. The deductible means that there is a maximum amount of costs you have to pay per year for (basic) healthcare that you use that year. In 2025 the own risk is set at € 385 per year.
You'll only pay a deductible if you need healthcare from the basic insurance. You don't have to pay it in advance. The deductible is mandatory for everyone with a Dutch basic health insurance. It doesn't apply to the additional or dental health insurances.
Yes, it is mandatory to take out at least a basic health insurance. You can add additional health insurances of your own choice. Only in specific cases you're allowed to not have a Dutch health insurance (yet). In example:
If you work and live in the Netherlands, you are required to have a mandatory basic Dutch health insurance. It doesn't matter if you're from within or outside of the EU.
Make sure you are insured within 4 months after your Dutch residence permit commences. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact our healthcare professionals.
If you are studying abroad in the Netherlands for a while and don't work or live in the Netherlands, you are not obliged to have a mandaory basic Dutch health insurance.
In case you have a paid internship during your study, it’s important to check your insurance situation at the SVB. Also, if you start working in the Netherlands, you are obliged to take out a Dutch health insurance.
A Dutch health insurance is mandatory for everyone over the age of 18, including your children. As soon as your child turns 18, your child must have its own health insurance in the Netherlands. Until then your child is co-insured.
Nienke Wuits - Expert in health insurances
As the basis health insurance is legally obliged, you'll have to choose an insurance policy. We offer various affordable basic insurances, so there's always a health insurance that suits your healthcare needs.
For a number of medical aids and taxi transport, you can choose from a limited number of care providers with a contract.
With healthcare providers without a contract, you will be reimbursed 100% of the market rate, unless it concerns mental health care and nursing and care. In that case, you will be reimbursed a maximum of 85% of the average contracted rate.
In addition to your basic insurance, you can also take out additional insurance. This means you are insured for healthcare that is not included in the basic package, such as glasses and/or lenses, physiotherapy, alternative care or dental care.
The additional health insurance is not mandatory in the Netherlands. However, it can be very useful if you need for example extra physiotherapy or alternative healthcare. If you know what medical care you might need in the coming year, it can be wise to choose a supplemental health insurance.
A dental insurance is very commonly chosen in the Netherlands. This is because dental care for adults is not covered in the basic health insurance. By choosing a dental insurance, you are covering certain dentist costs. How much depends on which dental insurance you choose.
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You can choose a Dutch health insurance every year from November 12th till December 31st. You can apply changes on your health insurance from November 12th till January 31st.
Do you want to change your Dutch health insurance after the 31st of January? You can switch your health insurance halfway through the year in the following situations:
When you have a Dutch health insurance, you may be eligible for healthcare benefits. The healthcare benefits ('zorgtoeslag' in Dutch) is a contribution paid by the government. How much you might receive, depends on your income. Visit the website of the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Administration) to calculate whether you are eligible for healthcare benefits.
If you are obligated to have a health insurance in the Netherlands, but did not apply for one, then you will receive a letter from the Centraal Administratie Kantoor (CAK), reminding you to apply for the mandatory basic health insurance. If you do not apply for a health insurance within four months of your arrival, you will be ordered to pay a fine.
Whether or not it's smart to increase the mandatory deductible (excess), depends on your personal situation. You must be financially able to pay the deductible in one go if you need care.
Do you hardly ever need care and can you pay the deductible in one go? Then increasing your deductible may be worthwhile.
Good to know: If you choose for an increased deductible, you cannot pay it in installments.
You can choose to increase the mandatory deductible of € 385,00 with a voluntary deductible. This can be done with an amount of €100, €200, €300, €400 or €500. Increasing your deductible gives you a discount on the monthly premium. If you need care for which you have to pay the deductible, there is a chance that you will have to pay more than the mandatory € 385,00.
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