Health insurance in the Netherlands

Health insurance in the Netherlands is
mandatory if you are on a long-term stay and is
designed to cover the cost of medical care. As a
rule, all expats must have a Dutch health
insurance even if they are insured for healthcare
in their homeland too (for exceptions read other
health insurances).

Healthcare in the Netherlands is funded through
taxation; mandatory health insurance fees and
taxation of income (pre-specified tax credits).
From the moment you start working, you are
subject to Dutch social security legislation and
thus, have to obtain (at least) the basic health
insurance (basisverzekering) package.

The basic package costs around 100 euros per
month and covers:

› General medical care (including medical
specialists, hospital care, GP appointments etc)
› Hospital stays
› Dentistry (for those under 18 years old)
› Limited dental care (for those over 18 years
old)
› Medicine prescriptions
› Patient transport (ambulance services)
› Paramedical care
› Pre-natal and post-natal care
› Midwifery services
› Rehab services (diet care, physic etc)

However, you may need extra coverage for
additional medical treatment such as extensive
dental care or physiotherapy and it is in these
additional areas where private health insurance
providers (zorgvezekeraar) compete.

After you have chosen your Dutch health
insurance provider you should register with a
general practitioner (huisarts) elaborate on
huisarts. Every time you need a specific
examination you should first liaise with your
family doctor and he/she will refer you to the
right hospital/clinic. A list with all nearby doctors
can be found in your local pharmacy shop.

Below you may find a list of the main health
insurance companies in the Netherlands:

Dutch
› Achmea Insurance
› Aegon
› Agis Zorgverzekeringen
› DSW Zorgerzekeraar
› Menzis Zorg en Inkomen
› Trias, Zorgverzekeraar
› VGZ Zorgverzekeraar Insurance
› Zilverenkruis

International
› Allianz
› Expatcare
› Good Health Worldwide
› Medibroker
› William Russell


Note that:
› A Dutch insurance company is obliged by
law to offer you the basic package. They can
not deny coverage because of gender, age or
health profile.
› You are not allowed to change your health
insurance provider more than once a year.
› Those without a basic insurance are facing
a fine worth 130% of the premium health
package.
› All those under 18 years old are insured for
free.
› Many firms arrange collective agreements
with insurance companies and offer a small
discount to their employees.
› Be aware that there may be long waiting
lists for certain services.
› Doctors can all be expected to speak
English.

Useful links
› To compare insurances and prices click
here (in Dutch)
› To apply for healthcare allowance
(zorgtoeslag) in the Netherlands click here
› The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
offers information about:
- Compulsory health insurance for those
working in the Netherlands (written in 11
languages) (download pdf)
- Dutch health care (download pdf)