Health Insurance in the Netherlands
Mandatory health insurance
When you move to the Netherlands to live or work, it's mandatory to obtain health insurance from a Dutch insurer starting from your arrival day. You have up to 4 months to arrange this insurance. Additionally, registering with a Dutch municipality is compulsory, regardless of whether you have secured health insurance yet.
Taking out health insurance after 4 months
If you wait more than 4 months to take out health insurance, your coverage will not be retroactive. You'll start paying premiums only from the date you sign up for the policy, and there won't be any additional retroactive charges. However, any medical expenses incurred between your arrival and the insurance start date will not be reimbursed.
Please be aware: If you have registered with a municipality but haven't arranged health insurance yet, the Central Administration Office (CAK) will notify you. They ensure that everyone in the Netherlands is covered by health insurance. It's important not to delay obtaining health insurance to avoid potential fines.
Foreign Students in the Netherlands
As an international student studying in the Netherlands, you might already have medical expense insurance from your home country. However, in certain situations, you must obtain health insurance from a Dutch provider. This requirement depends on your nationality and any additional activities you engage in besides studying. Visit the Nuffic website at Studyinholland.nl to ensure you have the appropriate insurance coverage.
Foreign insurance for medical expenses
If you already have medical expense insurance from another country, you still need to obtain health insurance from a Dutch provider unless your employer is based outside the Netherlands. In that situation, your existing foreign insurance may suffice, but specific regulations apply. For further details on working for an employer located abroad, you can contact the Social Insurance Bank (SVB).
EU civil servants working exclusively for an EU institution are covered by the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) and may extend this coverage to immediate family members in many cases. They do not need Dutch health insurance and can provide proof of JSIS coverage when necessary. If they engage in additional work in the Netherlands or if their family members have different insurance arrangements, Dutch health insurance is required.
Understanding Health Insurance in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, having health insurance is mandatory for all residents, and there are important aspects to consider when navigating the system. Here are some key points:
Healthcare allowance calculation and application
Healthcare benefit helps cover health insurance costs for low-income individuals. Eligibility begins when health insurance becomes mandatory. You can estimate and apply for healthcare benefit through Toeslagen.nl (in Dutch). You can also apply for it via ‘Mijn toeslagen’.
Additional insurance
In addition to basic insurance, you can also purchase supplemental insurance. This insures you for costs that the basic insurance does not reimburse. For example, dental insurance. The supplementary insurance is not mandatory.
Own Risk (Eigen Risico)
If you need care and incur healthcare costs, you do pay a deductible. You pay the first €385 yourself. Only after that will your health insurer pay the costs.
Cheap health insurance 2025
Are you looking for the cheapest health insurance in 2025? If so, we need to discuss a few points first. There is no easy way to say this is the "cheapest" or the "best" health insurance for 2025. Everyone is different and you have different healthcare needs than your neighbor. In general, though, it can be said that so-called "internet policies" are cheap.
Cheap health insurance is insurance with a low premium. In 2025, health care premiums have become more expensive again, so chances are you would like to have cheaper health insurance before 2025. There are 2 points that make health insurance cheap:
- Free health care choice
- Own risk
By 2025, more free choice of care means more expensive health care policies. For those with few healthcare costs, healthcare insurance without extensive choice will suffice. Own risk remains 385 euros. You can increase it per 100 euros for a discount on the premium, but beware: unexpected costs have to be paid by yourself. Always compare health insurance policies at the end of the year. Bekijk de volgende website om health insurances te vegelijken en meest recente updates te hebben: https://www.vergelijkerzorg.nl/vergelijker/
Most chosen health insurance
Cheapest with €385 deductible. Choose when your premium is debited.
Cheapest with €885 deductible. Broad healthcare choice, high customer satisfaction.
Good coverage. Claims paid out quickly.
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