Dutch Health Insurance for Expats: Your Complete 2025 Guide
Navigate mandatory Dutch healthcare with confidence
⚠️ Mandatory Deadline
Health insurance is mandatory for all residents of the Netherlands, including expats. You have 4 months from registration to obtain Dutch health insurance. Failure to comply results in fines and backdated premiums.
Health insurance is mandatory for all residents of the Netherlands, including expats. This comprehensive guide covers everything expats need to know about Dutch health insurance, from requirements to provider comparisons, helping you make the best choice for your situation.
Health Insurance Requirements for Expats
🇪🇺 EU/EEA Citizens
You must get Dutch health insurance if:
- You work in the Netherlands (including part-time)
- You pay income tax in the Netherlands
- You are 30+ years old and your stay is not temporary
- You have been living in the Netherlands for 4+ months
🌍 Non-EU Citizens
You must get Dutch health insurance if:
- You have a residence permit for the Netherlands
- You live and work in the Netherlands
- You are registered with a Dutch municipality (BSN)
⚡ Important Deadlines
- 4 months maximum to obtain insurance after registration
- Failure to insure results in fines and backdated premiums
- No exemptions for existing foreign insurance policies
🚫 Who is NOT Required?
- Students from EU/EEA under 30 (with exceptions)
- Temporary workers under certain bilateral agreements
- Posted workers covered by home country insurance
- Diplomats and certain international organization staff
Types of Dutch Health Insurance
📋 Basic Insurance (Basisverzekering)
Mandatory for all residents
What's Covered:
- GP consultations and treatments
- Hospital stays and emergency care
- Prescription medications (on basic list)
- Specialist treatments (with GP referral)
- Maternity and childbirth care
- Mental healthcare (limited sessions)
- Emergency care abroad (Dutch rates)
- Ambulance services
- Medical aids and prosthetics
What's NOT Covered:
- Dental care (adults 18+)
- Physiotherapy (except chronic conditions)
- Alternative medicine
- Cosmetic procedures
- Non-emergency care abroad
- Glasses and contact lenses
🔄 Supplemental Insurance (Aanvullende Verzekering)
Optional additional coverage
Health Insurance Costs & Coverage
💰 2025 Insurance Costs
| Component | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Premium | €110-150/month | Varies by provider |
| Mandatory Deductible | €385/year | Government-set minimum |
| Income-Related Contribution | 5.65% salary | Paid via employer |
| Healthcare Allowance | Up to €111/month | Income-dependent subsidy |
✅ Always Covered (Basic Insurance):
- GP visits and consultations
- Hospital treatment and surgery
- Prescription drugs (basic list)
- Maternity care (pregnancy to 10 days post-birth)
- Mental health care (first sessions)
- Emergency care and ambulance
- Medical devices and aids
⚠️ Deductible Applies To:
- Hospital treatments
- Specialist care
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices
- Physiotherapy (when covered)
🚫 Deductible Does NOT Apply To:
- GP consultations
- Maternity care
- Children under 18 care
- Preventive care (vaccinations, screening)
🧮 Health Insurance Cost Calculator
Interactive calculator coming soon. For now, use the cost information below to estimate your health insurance expenses.
Quick Cost Estimate:
- • Basic Premium: €125-135/month
- • Mandatory Deductible: €385/year
- • Healthcare Allowance: Up to €111/month (income-dependent)
💡 Healthcare Allowance (Zorgtoeslag)
Income-based subsidy to help with insurance costs
Application: Apply via Toeslagen.nl after getting insurance
Best Health Insurance Providers for Expats
🌟 Top Recommended for Expats
CZ Health Insurance
✅ Most Expat-FriendlySpecial Features:
- Dedicated expat helpline
- English website and materials
- International student packages
- Easy online application
- Fast claims processing
Why Choose CZ:
Excellent English support, clear pricing structure, good digital services, extensive provider network
Zilveren Kruis International
✅ Premium ServiceSpecial Features:
- International coverage options
- Expat relocation packages
- Comprehensive supplemental plans
- 24/7 international helpline
Why Choose Zilveren:
Comprehensive international options, excellent customer service, strong hospital network, good supplemental packages
VGZ International
✅ Great ValueSpecial Features:
- Competitive pricing
- Good supplemental options
- Online account management
- Mobile app
Why Choose VGZ:
Competitive basic premiums, user-friendly digital services, good provider network, reasonable supplemental costs
💼 Corporate Health Insurance Options
OHRA Corporate Health
✅ Business PackagesBasic Premium: €118/month
- Group discounts available
- Corporate wellness programs
- Dedicated account management
- Flexible payment options
DSW Business Solutions
✅ SME FocusedBasic Premium: €122/month
- Small business packages
- Simplified administration
- Multi-language support
- Flexible contract terms
🎓 Student Health Insurance
StudentAssured (Various Providers)
✅ Student SpecialistsBasic Premium: €110-125/month
Languages: English, Dutch
Special Features:
- Student-specific packages
- Flexible payment terms
- International student support
- Campus health services
How to Choose the Right Insurance
🎯 Step 1: Assess Your Needs
Consider These Factors:
- Healthcare Usage:How often do you visit doctors?
- Existing Conditions:Do you need specialist care?
- Family Situation:Partner and children coverage needs
- Budget:Premium vs. deductible balance
- Travel Needs:International coverage requirements
🔍 Step 2: Compare Providers
🧮 Step 3: Calculate Total Costs
Annual Cost Formula:
Example Calculation:
- • Basic Premium: €130 × 12 = €1,560
- • Deductible: €385
- • Dental Supplement: €25 × 12 = €300
- • Total: €2,245/year
- • Healthcare Allowance: -€1,332 (if eligible)
- • Net Cost: €913/year
Application Process
📝 Step 1: Prepare Required Information
- BSN (Citizen Service Number)
- Dutch address
- Bank account details (for direct debit)
- Employment information
- Previous insurance details (if applicable)
🌐 Step 2: Choose Application Method
Online Application (Recommended):
- Visit insurer's website
- Complete application form
- Upload required documents
- Receive confirmation email
- Insurance starts next month
Phone Application:
- Call insurer's international helpline
- Complete application over phone
- Receive documents by email/post
- Return signed documents
- Insurance starts next month
In-Person Application:
- Visit local insurance office
- Bring all required documents
- Complete application with advisor
- Immediate confirmation
- Insurance starts next month
⏰ Step 3: Timeline and Activation
- Application Processing: 1-5 business days
- Insurance Start Date: 1st day of next month
- Payment Setup: Direct debit arrangement
- Insurance Card: Delivered within 1 week
- Digital Access: Available immediately after approval
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my home country health insurance?
No, if you're required to have Dutch insurance, foreign policies don't fulfill the legal requirement. You may keep international insurance as supplemental coverage.
What happens if I don't get insurance within 4 months?
You'll face fines and be required to pay premiums retroactively for uninsured periods. The government will automatically assign you to an insurer.
Can I change insurers?
Yes, you can change insurers annually during the open enrollment period (November-December) or when circumstances change (moving, marriage, etc.).
Do I need supplemental insurance?
Basic insurance covers essential care, but many expats choose supplemental coverage for dental care, physiotherapy, and international coverage.
How do I claim healthcare allowance?
Apply online at Toeslagen.nl after obtaining your insurance policy. You'll need your BSN, insurance details, and income information.
Can my family be covered under one policy?
Each person 18+ needs individual insurance. Children under 18 are automatically covered under a parent's policy at no extra cost.
What if I can't afford the premium?
Apply for healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) to reduce costs. In extreme cases, contact your municipality for additional support options.
Getting Started with Dutch Health Insurance
Quick Start Checklist
- Get your BSN (required for insurance application)
- Compare providers using our recommendations above
- Calculate total costs including supplements and allowances
- Apply for insurance within 4 months of registration
- Register with a GP after receiving insurance
- Apply for healthcare allowance if income-eligible
Recommended Path for New Expats
- Month 1: Get BSN and research insurance options
- Month 2: Apply for health insurance and GP registration
- Month 3: Apply for healthcare allowance and set up healthcare providers
- Month 4: Review coverage and add supplements if needed
BSN Registration
Complete guide to getting your citizen service number
Amsterdam Expat Services
Complete guide to living in Amsterdam as an expat
Healthcare Guide
Understanding the Dutch healthcare system