Do you need Dutch health insurance?
Yes, if you live or work in the Netherlands. That also applies if you already have health insurance in your home country. You must take out a policy within four months of arrival; cover then starts on the day you arrived. If you wait longer, you are uninsured until then, you pay your own medical costs and you may be fined.
There are exceptions. If your employer has posted you to the Netherlands temporarily, or you live abroad and work in the Netherlands, check with the SVB how you must be insured. Students under 30 who are in the Netherlands only to study often do not need Dutch insurance, but usually do if they have a part-time job or a paid internship. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is meant for temporary stays and does not replace Dutch basic insurance.
How does Dutch health insurance work?
| Part | What it is |
|---|---|
| Basic insurance (basisverzekering) | Mandatory. Cover is set by law and the same at every insurer, such as the GP, hospital care, medicines and emergency care. Only the premium and service differ. |
| Supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) | Optional. For example for the dentist, physiotherapy, glasses or alternative care. This is where the collective discount applies. |
| Deductible (eigen risico) | The part of your medical costs you pay yourself first: €385 in 2026 and €400 in 2027. GP visits are not included. |
| GP (huisarts) | Your first point of contact. For most specialists you need a referral from your GP, so register with a GP near you soon after arrival. |
You also choose between an in-kind policy (naturapolis), which fully reimburses care from contracted providers, and a restitution policy (restitutiepolis), which gives you more freedom to choose where you go. A restitution policy is usually a little more expensive.
How much does health insurance cost?
The government estimates an average premium for basic insurance of about €159 a month in 2026 and about €169 a month in 2027. Any supplementary insurance comes on top. Children under 18 pay no premium for basic insurance, but you do need to register them.
If you are employed, your employer also deducts an income-related contribution from your salary. On a lower income, you can apply for healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) from the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst).
What happens if you do not take out insurance?
The CAK checks whether everyone who must be insured actually has health insurance. If you are not insured, you receive a letter and have three months to take out a policy. If you do not, fines follow. After two fines, the CAK takes out a policy for you and deducts a higher premium from your income. You pay any medical costs from the period you were uninsured yourself.
A discount through a collective
Since 2023, collective discounts on basic insurance are no longer allowed. They are still allowed on supplementary insurance. If your employer or your trade or professional organisation is part of one of our collectives, such as NOAB, VMO, RB, Vitras, childcare or MKB Nederland, you get a discount or extra cover on your supplementary insurance through Zorg&Vitaliteit, plus help from our helpdesk.
See collective health insurance or read how the collective discount works.
When can you switch insurer?
You can switch to another health insurer once a year. Cancel your current policy by 31 December and take out a new one by 31 January; it then starts on 1 January. If you have just arrived in the Netherlands, you choose your first insurer yourself on arrival.
Help in English or Chinese
The Dutch healthcare system differs from that in many other countries. We help you in English, Chinese and Dutch with choosing, signing up and switching, and with questions about your policy. Through our China Desk, we also help Chinese business owners and their staff. Contact us or use the sign-up form on the collective health insurance page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my health insurance from my home country?
You can keep it alongside Dutch basic insurance, but not instead of it. If you live or work in the Netherlands, you must take out Dutch basic insurance. If you are posted here or live abroad, the rules may differ; check with the SVB.
How soon must I take out Dutch health insurance?
Within four months of arriving in the Netherlands. Cover then starts on the day you arrived.
Are children insured for free?
Yes. Children under 18 pay no premium for basic insurance and have no deductible, but you must register them with a health insurer.
Does a GP visit count towards the deductible?
No. GP visits are not subject to the deductible (eigen risico). Hospital care and most medicines are.
Can you help me in English or Chinese?
Yes. We help you in English, Chinese and Dutch with choosing, signing up, switching and questions about your policy.
Read also
Sources
This page is general information, not personal advice. Terms and premiums differ by insurer and situation.