Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag)

Public health insurance (zorgverzekering) in the
Netherlands is mandatory within 4 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, which depends only 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 (option 1 and then 4) from
Monday to Thursday 8am - 8pm & Friday 8am -
5pm.

Unfortunately, both the website and the
application forms are in Dutch. However, expats
can download an English version here. Note that
this English version of the form 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 the 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 2009 has to take place before April
1st 2010.

Finally, it should be underlined that applying for a
healthcare allowance does not affect the right of
residence.