Every person who lives or works in the Netherlands is required to take out health insurance to cover the cost of things like visiting the doctor, getting treatment in hospital, or getting prescription medication.
There are two main types of health insurance in the Netherlands, providing different levels of coverage. This section explains how the Dutch health insurance system works.
In general, if you come to live and/or work in the Netherlands, you are insured under the Long-Term Care Act (WLZ). If you are insured under this act, you are obliged to take out Dutch health insurance.
Expats from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland who arrive in the Netherlands must take out Dutch health insurance within four months of receiving their residence permit, even if they have an existing foreign policy.
EU, EEA or Swiss nationals who are working in the Netherlands must take out Dutch health insurance within four months of registering at their city hall. There are a few, specific exceptions to this mandatory health insurance rule - see below.
Below is a list of the main Dutch and international health insurance companies in the Netherlands:
To compare Dutch health insurances and prices visit Zorgwijzer (website in English) or Independer.
In contrast to many other European systems, the Dutch government is responsible for the accessibility and quality of the healthcare system in the Netherlands, but not in charge of its management. The Dutch health insurance system is a combination of private health plans with social conditions built on the principles of solidarity, efficiency and value for the patient. Healthcare in the Netherlands is funded through taxation: mandatory health insurance fees and income taxes.
Health insurance in the Netherlands is mandatory if you are here on a long-term stay and is designed to cover the cost of medical care. As a rule, all expats must have Dutch health insurance even if they are already insured for healthcare in their home country. There are some exceptions, which you can find at the bottom of this page.
Within four months of receiving your residence permit (or registering at the Dutch city hall for EU/EEA nationals) you are subject to Dutch social security legislation and thus must obtain at least a basic health insurance (basisverzekering) package.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of health insurance in the Netherlands:
Dutch basic health insurance is the standard minimum health insurance coverage that everyone living or working in the Netherlands is required to take out. The coverage provided by the standard package is determined by the Dutch government, and insurers are obliged to accept anyone who applies for a policy, regardless of their age or state of health.
Find out more about Dutch basic health insurance on our dedicated page.
Since not all forms of healthcare are covered by basic health insurance, plenty of people in the Netherlands opt to take out additional health insurance to cover things like dental care or physiotherapy.
While basic insurance is mandatory, additional health insurance is not, and so it is up to you what kind of package you would like. However, insurance companies are not obliged to accept all applications for additional health insurance; they have the right to refuse your application or ask you additional questions about your health.
You are also free to take out a basic health insurance package with one company, and an additional health insurance package with a different insurer.
International students are not always obliged to take out Dutch health insurance. Whether they are required to do so or not depends on several factors such as the duration of their stay, if they are doing an internship or working, and whether they have insurance in their home country.
For foreign students, especially those staying temporarily in the Netherlands, there are three main health insurance options:
LoonZorg offers two insurance options that will cover most of international students' unforeseen care expenses. Check out their student insurance policies!
Learn more about student health insurance in the Netherlands.
Children under 18 must also be insured, but their insurance cover is free. Children can usually be covered by the same insurer as their parents, but it’s also possible to choose a different provider. The first month after a child turns 18, they must start paying their monthly premium.
Newborn babies must be registered for health insurance within four months of birth.
If you become sick and you have no (Dutch or foreign) health insurance to cover treatment in the Netherlands, you must pay for your medical costs yourself.
There are some exceptions to the mandatory health insurance rule, as follows:
If your healthcare coverage (national or private insurance) in your home country is applicable and in compliance with the purpose of your stay, you may not be obliged to apply for Dutch health insurance. For more information visit the Sociale Verzekeringsbank website (SVB).
If you are in the Netherlands short-term, you may be able to use your EU health insurance card to access medical care. The EU health insurance card ensures that you enjoy the same health care privileges as citizens of the country you are visiting. The only requirement is that you come from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and that you are not working in the Netherlands. Learn more about the EU health insurance card here.
If you are a student or a non-salaried researcher in the Netherlands then you may not be obliged to take out Dutch health insurance. This depends on several factors, such as the duration of your stay, if you are doing work or an internship, and whether you have insurance in your home country. Sometimes insurance from your homeland, the EU health insurance card or various university packages may provide sufficient coverage for students.
In general, posted workers participate in the health insurance scheme of the employer’s country. If you have not been informed by your company what applies in your situation, contact SVB.
Posted workers from a non-EU/EEA country may be exempt from taking out Dutch health insurance if there is a social security treaty between the country in question and the Netherlands. You can find the countries with which the Netherlands has treaties here.
If you are not sure whether you are insured under the WLZ scheme, you can apply for an assessment of your WLZ insurance position via the website of the SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) or via mail. It may take SVB eight weeks or longer to make a decision.
After you have chosen your Dutch health insurance provider, you should register with a general practitioner. Once you have a GP, you can easily schedule an appointment to discuss any health issues you may have. If you need a specific examination you should first liaise with your doctor, who will then refer you to the right specialist, clinic or hospital.
You may also be required to register with your local pharmacy (apotheek) so they can keep a record of your medication history and so your GP can easily send prescriptions through.