The healthcare system in the Netherlands is a combination of private and public healthcare. This means that residents and citizens buy their health insurance from private Dutch companies while the government regulates and dictates the contents of a mandatory health insurance policy. As a result, all residents are legally required to buy this compulsory package ‘basisverzekering’ or ‘basispakket’ from a private insurer of their choice in the Netherlands. Then, when patients require medical care, the costs of the services are covered by their insurance. Expats are also legally required to purchase this mandatory policy when living long-term in the Netherlands.
The Healthcare System in the Netherlands
Health insurance in the Netherlands is regulated under the health insurance act (Zorgverzekeringswet- Zvw) and the long-term care act (Wet langdurige zorg-Wlz).
The healthcare act regulates how health insurance is distributed among citizens and states the following:
- The contents of the basic or standard health insurance package offered to everyone are determined by law.
- You have freedom of choice when picking out your insurance provider.
- Your insurance provider is legally obligated to accept your application for the standard medical insurance package no matter your age, health, social or economic status.
- Your insurance provider is legally obligated to provide you with the same premium price of the standard package regardless of your age, health or income status.
- Your standard health insurance package must have the same coverage as the health insurance act.
Those who want additional coverage beyond the basic mandatory insurance package can buy a voluntary medical insurance policy. In this case, you can pick a different provider than your basic package or buy from the same provider. When it comes to voluntary health insurance, providers are not legally obligated to accept all applicants and can choose not to insure you, depending on your age and health conditions.
Types of Health Insurance in the Netherlands for Expats
Generally speaking, the insurance companies in the Netherlands offer two kinds of insurance policies:
- In-kind policies (Naturapolis). This type of policy refers to contracted healthcare providers, i.e., those with an agreement with the health insurance company, where the insurance company pays the costs directly to the health provider. In this case, if you visit a doctor who is not in agreement with your health insurance provider, you have to pay for some of the costs on your own.
- Reimbursement policies (Restitutiepolis). With this type of policy, you have the freedom of choice to visit any healthcare provider regardless of whether they have an agreement with the insurance company. But, you must pay for the medical costs and then submit a request for reimbursement.
- Combination of both. Most health insurance companies in the Netherlands will offer you a combination of in-kind and reimbursement policies.
How Does Health Insurance for Expats Work in the Netherlands?
When you move to the Netherlands, you must sign up for Dutch health insurance and buy a basic mandatory insurance policy. You need to complete this step four months after arriving in the Netherlands. To access this package, you must pay a monthly premium to your insurance company. This monthly payment includes an annual deductible and a personal contribution fee determined by the law.
Click here to compare different policies and get a free health insurance quote for expats in the Netherlands at International Citizens Insurance.
If you are travelling to Holland for a holiday, a business trip, or another type of short-term visit which lasts less than 181 days, then you should get travel insurance for the Netherlands.
How Can Expats Sign Up for Dutch Health Insurance?
To sign up for the basic compulsory health insurance in the Netherlands, you need to follow these steps:
- Pick out your insurance provider. Private insurance companies in the Netherlands provide the mandatory health insurance policy, and you have the freedom to choose any of these companies as your provider. You can easily find any of these providers by typing “basis zorgverzekering” in a search engine and browsing through the results. Some expats also prefer using insurance brokers and comparison websites, so make sure you put those to use as well.
- Register with a municipality. Once you have chosen an insurance provider, you need to ensure that you have received your residence permit and registered with a municipality in the Netherlands. Remember, you need to register within four months of your arrival.
- Prepare your documents. You need to prepare several documents, which include your social security number, bank account number, and proof of registration with a municipality in the Netherlands.
- Buy your insurance policy. Finally, you can buy your insurance policy with your chosen provider. You’ll be responsible for contacting the insurance policy and taking out insurance which means you’ll also be paying a premium for the policy.
Don’t forget that insurance companies in the Netherlands cannot reject you because of your age, health, or income status if you’re applying for the standard compulsory package.
What Does Mandatory Insurance Cover in the Netherlands?
The government reviews the mandatory insurance package each year, but it offers extensive care and usually includes the following benefits:
- Family doctor.
- Medical specialist.
- Hospital.
- Patient transport.
- Medicines.
- Maternity care.
- Blood tests.
- Mental healthcare.
- Physiotherapy.
- Paramedical care.
- Dentist.
- Nursing and caring.
Please note that you have to pay a personal contribution fee for some of these services.
Is Healthcare Free in the Netherlands?
Healthcare in the Netherlands is not free— there are several payments residents need to make to receive their health insurance.
- Firstly, residents pay tax income to fund social security. Usually, employers refund half of the amount paid for income tax.
- Secondly, all eligible for Dutch health insurance must pay a monthly premium on their mandatory medical insurance package— the premium goes around €120. Still, there are slight price variations depending on the insurance company.
- Thirdly, all residents must pay a mandatory contribution fee. Residents must pay a personal contribution for some services included in the mandatory health insurance policy.
Cost of Dutch Medical Insurance for Expats
The premium of the basic mandatory health insurance package goes between €120-€150, depending on which insurance provider you choose. However, in addition to paying for the premium, you must make the following payments:
- Mandatory deductible (Eigen risico). The mandatory deductible is set at €385 for everyone, and you must pay it to receive your insurance. This mandatory deductible amount is paid once per year. For example, the first time you need medical care in a year, you pay for the deductible first, and then your health insurance pays for the remaining amount. Then, when you visit the hospital again within the same year, you are no longer required to pay the deductible. In addition, some health insurance companies offer a voluntary deductible you can set on your own to lower your premium price.
- Personal contribution (Eigen bijdrage). Personal contribution is an additional fee you have to pay for some medical services included in the basic mandatory health insurance package. This usually includes care such as maternity, hearing aids, spectacles, dentures, etc. Personal contribution differs from mandatory deductible since it’s only required for a few specific medical services, i.e., it’s not required for everyone.
Here is an overview of how the payment process with and without personal contribution goes for health care costs in the Netherlands:
Example one; you need medical attention for a broken arm or leg, which might cost you €1500. |
|
| |
| |
Example two; you visit the hospital for vision problems, and you need glasses to see better. |
|
| |
| |
|
Dutch Health Insurance for Employed Expats
Unlike in other EU countries, registration with national healthcare insurance in the Netherlands is not automatically linked with employment. As a result, you are in charge of taking out your Dutch health insurance.
You must remember that different rules apply if your employer is based outside the Netherlands. You have to contact the Social Insurance Bank (Sociale Verzekeringsbank- SVK) for more information in this case.
If you work for a European institution, you’re not required to obtain Dutch health insurance; instead, you are covered by the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS). However, if you are also working somewhere else simultaneously, you must have Dutch health insurance.
Health Insurance in the Netherlands for Foreign Students
If you want to study in the Netherlands, you need health insurance, but depending on the length of your stay, there are some restrictions:
- If you’re staying short-term and only for study purposes— you cannot enrol with the Dutch healthcare act and purchase Dutch health insurance under the healthcare act (ZWI). In this case, you must take out separate private health insurance or health insurance from your home country.
- If you are working and doing an internship that pays equal to the minimum wage in the Netherlands— you must sign up for compulsory health insurance under the healthcare act ZWI.
- If you are studying and working part-time or as self-employed— you need to contact the Social Insurance Bank (Sociale Verzekeringsbank- SVK) to see whether you qualify for compulsory Dutch health insurance.
How Can Retired Expats Get Dutch Health Insurance?
If you’ve lived and worked in the Netherlands under a permanent residence permit, you can benefit from the state pension, including health insurance. However, if you’re simply planning to move to the Netherlands to retire, then other rules apply:
- First—you need to have a residence permit— unless you’re an EU/EEA citizen, in which case you simply need to register your new residence.
- Secondly—you need to find out whether you are eligible for Dutch mandatory health insurance— so visit the Social Insurance Bank (Sociale Verzekeringsbank- SVK) for this information.
- Thirdly—you need to find out whether the Netherlands has a bilateral agreement with your home country and if you might be able to transfer your pension to the Netherlands.
When it comes to retiring in the Netherlands, you must remember that it does not issue retirement visas, so moving there for retirement can be quite difficult. The retirement process is easier if you’re from countries that don’t need a visa to enter the Netherlands, e.g., the US, Canada, Australia, etc.
Do EU Nationals Need Health Insurance in the Netherlands?
If you’re an expat from the EU/EEA, you are obligated to take out health insurance in the Netherlands in the following cases:
- You are working in the Netherlands, i.e., paying taxes.
- You will be living there long-term.
After registering with a local municipality, you must purchase health insurance for the rest of your stay in the country. But, please make sure to have your EHIC with you when you first enter so you can receive care just like a Dutch citizen.
Is It Mandatory to Have Health Insurance in the Netherlands?
If you plan on moving to the Netherlands long-term, i.e., to work and live there, you must take out your health insurance within four months of your residence permit becoming valid. This is a requirement even if you have health insurance coverage in another country.
Only a few specific categories can opt out of mandatory state insurance, e.g., students staying short-term in the country without working can buy a private or international policy without signing up for Dutch health insurance.
What Happens if You Don’t Have Health Insurance in the Netherlands?
If you have registered with a municipality but not with a health insurance company, after arriving in the Netherlands, you will receive a notice from the Central Office for Exceptional Medical Insurance (CAK). This office monitors uninsured persons in the country, and you will continue to receive notices from CAK until you register for health insurance or are fined as a penalty. Moreover, CAK can fine you for the period you stay in the country without valid health insurance. So, make sure you obtain your medical insurance as soon as possible.
Best Health Insurance for Expats in the Netherlands
Some of the best health insurance companies for expats in the Netherlands include the following:
- Univé Verzekeringen
- VGZ
- UnitedConsumers
- ONVZ
- FBTO
- LoonZorg
International health insurance companies:
Emergency Services in the Netherlands
For life-threatening emergencies in the Netherlands, you need to contact 112. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, you can text this number instead 0800 8112. Please remember these numbers are for only life-threatening emergencies, such as you’ve had an accident or someone has been shot.
If you experience a medical emergency, but it’s non-life-threatening, i.e., you experience sudden abdominal pain or have a sick child, you need to call your GP or ‘huisarts’.
In most cases, your GP will visit you for a home medical examination, and if the GP determines that it’s an emergency, they will call an ambulance and transport you to the hospital.
If you experience a medical emergency that is non-life-threatening during the night or the weekend, you need to contact your after-hours surgery ‘huisartsenpost’. The ‘huisartsenpost’ will put you into contact with the on-call GP, who will first assess you by phone, and then visit your home if required.
Obligatory Health Insurance Exemptions in the Netherlands
You can opt-out of the obligatory health insurance package if you have a “conscientious objection” to health insurance. For example, if you have a “moral objection” to having health insurance due to politics, religious and personal values and norms— you must submit a request to remain without medical insurance to the Social Insurance Bank (Sociale Verzekeringsbank- SVK)
This process is known as “dispensation”, and you must keep in mind that if you take out medical insurance, your dispensation is no longer valid. Also, since you’re no longer insured and don’t pay a premium, you have to pay additional taxes instead of your premium. Without health insurance, you pay for medical services.
How to Cancel Health Insurance Netherlands?
You can usually change or cancel your health insurance policy in the Netherlands between December 31st and January 31st. However, suppose you want to cancel your policy after this period. In that case, you must have a valid reason, such as you will no longer be living in the Netherlands and no longer possess a valid residence permit. You need to contact your insurance provider to inform them of the cancellation to cancel your policy. Please remember that your insurance is not automatically cancelled when you leave the country.
Did you find this page helpful?
Yes No
