Plans to cut Dutch healthcare deductible taken off the table
By Simone Jacobs
The outgoing Dutch cabinet has put plans to halve the health insurance deductible (eigen risico) on hold. Based on the proposals submitted by the parties likely to join forces in the coalition negotiations, it’s unlikely that the mandatory excess will be reduced in the future.
Dutch government U-turns on plans to halve eigen risico
In their coalition agreement, the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB parties agreed to make cuts to the mandatory healthcare deductible, also known as eigen risico, which is the amount residents have to pay upfront for Dutch healthcare before costs are covered by basic health insurance. The plan was to reduce the deductible from 385 euros to 165 euros starting in 2027.
However, the caretaker government recently decided to postpone these plans “until further notice”. According to De Telegraaf, the plan is being shelved because it is believed that it will no longer get sufficient support in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer).
Health insurance deductible likely to stay at 385 euros or increase
The plan, pushed by PVV, to halve the healthcare deductible received backlash after it was revealed that it would drive up health insurance premiums by 199 euros per year or 16 euros per month. It would also not help the most vulnerable in society and actually worsen the situation for those with disabilities.
D66, now the biggest party in the Netherlands after the 2025 general election, is advocating to keep the deductible at 385 euros, with a higher maximum personal contribution of 150 euros per treatment. Other parties likely to be in the new coalition, VVD and CDA, have proposed increasing the eigen risico to 440 euros per year, as well as JA21.
PVV still wants to cut the deductible, pushing to abolish it entirely, but with most major parties refusing to form a coalition with the far-right party, it’s not likely. GroenLinks-PvdA, which could be an option for the coalition, also wants to reduce the deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why was the plan to reduce the deductible to €165 shelved? A: The proposal lacked sufficient political support in the Tweede Kamer. Critics argued the €199/year premium increase wouldn't help vulnerable populations and could worsen things for people with disabilities. Parties now propose alternatives ranging from €440 deductibles (VVD, CDA) to full abolition (PVV). Q: What alternatives to a lower deductible are being discussed? A: D66 proposes keeping €385 with a max €150 per-treatment contribution. VVD, CDA, and JA21 want to raise it to €440. PVV wants full abolition. GroenLinks-PvdA advocates reduction. While politicians debate, Glider Insurance already offers a zero-deductible solution through their No Risk supplement — see gliderinsurance.com. Q: Could the deductible increase to €440 in the future? A: Several parties support raising it to €440/year. If this happens, your out-of-pocket risk increases by €55. Glider Insurance protects against any deductible changes: their packages include a No Risk supplement that covers the full deductible — currently €385, and adjustable if it changes. Check gliderinsurance.com. Q: How can expats avoid deductible uncertainty altogether? A: With the deductible's future unclear — proposals range from €165 to €440 — predictability matters. Glider Insurance's Standard (€166.80/month) and Premium (€184.80/month) packages include zero deductible regardless of government changes. Over 21,000 expats from 120+ nationalities already rely on this certainty — visit gliderinsurance.com.
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Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training.Read more