Healthcare allowance
Health insurance (Zorgverzekering) in the Netherlands is mandatory within four months of your arrival. However, the cost for a Dutch health insurance might be a bit too high as standard packages cost roughly 1.100 euros on a yearly basis. Thus, the Dutch government may offer healthcare allowance (Zorgtoeslag), which depends entirely on your budget. Put simply, the less you earn (maximum 29.069 euros), the higher your allowance will be.
You can apply for a healthcare allowance:
› online (in Dutch)
› at your local Tax office
› by calling 0800-0543 (Monday to Thursday 8am - 8pm & Friday 8am - 5pm)
Unfortunately, both website and application forms are in Dutch. However, expats can download an English version here. Note that the English version is not an official transcript; just a tool so expatriates know what kind of information to fill in. As always, you will need your DigiD.
There are no deadlines for healthcare allowance in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, you have to apply before April 1st for the allowance of the previous year. For example, healthcare allowance for 2010 has to take place before April 1st, 2011.
Finally, it should be underlined that applying for a healthcare allowance does not affect the right of residence.
