Health and practical essentials
If you live or work in the Netherlands, you will usually need Dutch basic health insurance. Before taking out a policy, make sure you know when your cover starts, which services it includes, and how much you will pay in premiums and towards treatment costs. You may also qualify for zorgtoeslag, a government allowance that helps with the cost of health insurance.
When do you need to take out Dutch health insurance?
According to the Dutch government, if you move to the Netherlands to live or work and are required to have Dutch health insurance, you should arrange it as soon as possible, no later than four months after arrival. If you take out a policy within that period, both your cover and your premiums generally apply from the date your insurance obligation began.
If you miss the deadline, your policy may only cover you from the day you take it out. Medical bills from the earlier, uninsured period may therefore not be reimbursed. Being uninsured can also lead to notices from CAK and further action.
Whether you need Dutch insurance depends on more than your address registration. Your place of work and residence, your employer, and the social security system that applies to you all matter. Two people doing similar jobs may therefore have different insurance obligations.
What does basisverzekering cover?
Basisverzekering is the Dutch mandatory basic health insurance. The government sets the benefits included in the basic package, so these are the same across insurers. What can differ are the premiums, the networks of contracted healthcare providers, customer service, and reimbursement rules for treatment outside those networks.
The basic package includes GP appointments, hospital treatment, certain prescription medicines, and maternity care, subject to the rules of the current statutory package.
Basic cover
Includes GP care, hospital treatment, certain medicines, and maternity care, in line with the statutory rules.
Supplementary insurance
Broader dental cover for adults, additional physiotherapy, or more extensive cover abroad may require aanvullende verzekering, an optional supplementary policy.
Acceptance rules
Insurers must accept applicants for basic insurance regardless of age or health. Different acceptance rules may apply to supplementary policies.
How much does health insurance cost in the Netherlands?
Your monthly premium is only part of the overall cost. When you use healthcare services, you may also have to pay a deductible and separate contributions for certain treatments or services.
| Type of cost | What does it mean? | What should you check? |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | The regular payment for your basic policy. The amount varies by insurer and changes each year. | When and how to pay, and whether there is a discount for paying for the whole year in advance. |
| Eigen risico (annual deductible) | The amount an adult pays towards certain healthcare costs each year. It does not apply to every service. | The current amount, which services are exempt, and whether the offer includes a voluntary increase in the deductible. |
| Separate personal contribution | A payment towards particular services, separate from the eigen risico. | The contribution required for the medicine, equipment, or service you need. |
| Supplementary insurance premium | The cost of optional cover beyond the basic package. | Benefit limits, waiting periods, and whether the policy offers better value than paying for those services yourself. |
If an agency or employer arranges your insurance, ask for the insurer's name, your policy number, the monthly or weekly cost, and the start date of your cover. Also find out how to get your insurance card and access the insurer's customer portal.
Choosing a policy: a step-by-step guide
- Confirm which country's insurance system applies to you. Check your contract, where your employer is based, and any A1 certificate you hold. Avoid taking out two policies simply “just in case”.
- Get your details and documents ready. You will usually need your BSN (citizen service number), an identity document, your address, your employment start date, and bank account details for premium payments.
- Compare both the price and how you can access care. Look at your choice of healthcare providers, reimbursement for treatment outside the insurer's network, and whether support is available in a language you understand.
- Check the deductible. Choosing a higher voluntary eigen risico can reduce your premium, but you will have to pay more yourself if you need treatment. Consider whether you have enough savings to cover it.
- Confirm when your cover starts. Make sure the policy covers you from the date your insurance obligation began. Keep your policy documents, payment confirmations, and correspondence.
- Find out how to get medical help. Check how to register with a GP, who to contact outside surgery hours, and where to go in an emergency.
Zorgtoeslag: help with the cost of health insurance
Zorgtoeslag is a government allowance that helps pay for health insurance. It may be available to adults who have Dutch health insurance and meet the eligibility requirements, including income and asset limits.
The allowance is paid by Dienst Toeslagen, the Dutch benefits service. Applications are usually made through Mijn toeslagen using DigiD to log in.
For 2026, Dienst Toeslagen gives the following income limits:
Without a benefit partner
€40,857 — the income limit for 2026.
With a benefit partner
€51,142 combined — the joint income limit for 2026.
Having an income below the limit does not automatically make you eligible. Asset limits and other conditions also apply. A “benefit partner” is someone whose circumstances are assessed together with yours for benefit purposes. Before applying, check the current rules and use the official calculator.
Frequently asked questions about Dutch health insurance
Is a Polish EHIC enough if I work in the Netherlands?
Do not assume that it is. An EHIC mainly gives you access to medically necessary care during a temporary stay. It does not automatically replace the insurance required because of your employment. Different rules may apply to posted workers, so check your A1 certificate and confirm which institution is responsible for your insurance.
Can an agency arrange my insurance?
Yes. Some agencies arrange group health insurance. Ask for written confirmation of the insurer's name, what the policy covers, its cost, and when cover begins. Also check the cancellation terms and the rules for deducting premiums from your wages.
Does basic insurance cover dental treatment?
For adults, routine dental care is generally not covered extensively by the basic package. Reimbursement depends on the type of treatment and the patient's age. Before starting treatment, check your basic policy and any supplementary cover.
What should I do when my job ends and I leave the Netherlands?
Find out when your obligation to hold Dutch insurance ends. Notify your insurer and Dienst Toeslagen of the change, and update your registered address. Do not cancel your policy until you have confirmed that you are no longer covered by the Dutch system.
Can my employer deduct the premium from my wages?
These deductions are subject to specific rules and usually require written authorisation. The amount should appear on your payslip, known as a loonstrook. If you do not understand an entry, ask for an explanation.
