Health and Health Insurance Overview: The Netherlands (Nederland)
Objectives
General intro to Dutch health insurance
Roadmap for getting covered when you move
Overview of costs (single, partner, family)
Extra insurance options and when they make sense
Options of who to talk to when you need help
Currency note: €1 ≈ $1.10 USD
The Netherlands (Nederland)
Health insurance is mandatory for all residents, including expats
Governed by the Zorgverzekeringswet (Zvw)
Not tied to employment
Required if staying >4 months
Buy a basic insurance plan (basisverzekering) from a private company
Designed and regulated by the government
Covers most essential services
Deductible (Eigen Risico):
First €385 ($424) per year paid by you (exceptions: GP visits, maternity care)
Can increase deductible to reduce monthly premium
Policy Types (Polisvormen)
Restitutiepolis
Full freedom of provider choice
You pay upfront, insurer reimburses
Broadest coverage
⚠️ Discontinued starting 2025
Naturapolis
Must use contracted providers
Cheaper monthly premium
Usually insurer pays directly (no upfront payment)
Many expats prefer this
Combinatiepolis
Mix of natura and restitutie
Some services free choice, others limited
Budgetpolis
Lowest monthly premium
Very restricted provider network (only limited hospitals/clinics)
Often no coverage outside main contracted providers
Not recommended for people who want flexibility or travel often
What Insurance Covers
Included in Basic Insurance:
GP visits
Hospital care
Maternity care
Prescription medications
Not included unless with Supplemental Insurance (Aanvullende verzekering):
Adult dental
Glasses/contacts (vision)
Limited physiotherapy sessions
Alternative medicine treatments
Other optional extras:
Travel insurance
Additional dental
Expanded physiotherapy
Children under 18:
Free under parents’ plan
Average Costs
Single adult (basic insurance): €125–€150 per month
Couple (two adults): €250–€300 per month
Family (2 adults + children): €250–€300 per month (children free)
Deductible: €385 per year minimum (can be raised to max €885 to lower monthly costs)
Subsidy (Zorgtoeslag)
Government healthcare allowance via Belastingdienst
Helps low-income residents pay for health insurance
Apply via Mijn Toeslagen (DigiD required)
Eligibility:
18+ years old
Dutch health insurance in place
Resident in NL
How to Get Health Insurance
Register with municipality (gemeente)
Obtain BSN (Burgerservicenummer)
Choose and register with an insurer (zorgverzekeraar)
Register with a family doctor (huisarts)
Central role in system
Required for referrals to specialists
If You Don’t Have Insurance
CAK (Centraal Administratie Kantoor) warning after 1 month
Fine: up to €528 if uninsured after 3 months
Insurance may be automatically assigned with direct deductions
Must pay retroactive premiums for months you were uninsured
Step-by-Step: Healthcare Registration
Obtain Dutch health insurance (mandatory within 4 months)
Register with a GP (huisarts) in your postcode area
Register with a pharmacy (apotheek)
Optional: register with dentist, midwife if needed
Switching Insurance
Annual Switching Period (Open Enrollment):
November 12 – December 31 each year
You can:
Switch insurers
Change basic policy (basisverzekering) with same insurer
Adjust deductible (eigen risico)
Modify supplementary packages
Special Mid-Year Situations Where You Can Switch:
New expat → required to get Dutch insurance
Lose/gain entitlement (job loss, emigration, death of partner, etc.)
Leaving employer collective plan
Turning 18 (must get own insurance)
Divorce (if covered under partner’s plan)
Leaving military service
Insurer changes terms mid-year (rare)
What You Can Change Mid-Year Without Switching
Deductible (Eigen Risico): only in special cases
Supplementary coverage (Aanvullende verzekering):
Some allow upgrades/downgrades after major life events (pregnancy, accident, job change)
Downgrades easier; upgrades often require medical underwriting
Dental insurance: follows supplementary rules
Emergency Care
If you were not brought by ambulance, you must call first (usually GP or urgent care line)
GP is the gatekeeper to:
Specialist care
Urgent care
Medications
Lab tests
Common Pitfalls for Expats
Delaying GP registration
Assuming ER is the first stop
Not understanding the gatekeeper role of GPs
Other Expat Considerations
Must cancel insurance upon emigration
Compare via Independer.nl or Zorgwijzer.nl
Consider when choosing:
Big city vs small city (number of GP practices)
Provider client ceilings (zorgplafonds)
Number of chronic conditions
Switching possible only once per year
Tips
Register ASAP upon arrival
Don’t skip supplementary insurance if you need dental, vision, or mental health
GP is the key to most care
Dutch private insurance is cheaper vs USA
Apply for subsidies if eligible
Learn Dutch health system terminology
Use expat community advice
Key Players
Huisarts (GP): first point of contact
Specialists: only via GP referral
GGD (local public health): vaccinations, infectious disease, sexual/mental health, youth care, health promotion
Hospitals: both public and private accessible
Pharmacies: linked to your GP
Childbirth & Maternity (Zwangerschap & Bevalling)
Pregnancy and childbirth largely covered
Home birth via midwife: standard, free
Hospital birth (medically necessary): free, no deductible
Voluntary hospital stay (not medically required): partially covered, expect a personal contribution unless extra coverage
Kraamzorg (maternity home care): up to 8 days post-delivery, standard
Best Plans and Providers
Restitutiepolis historically best (broad access, fewer ceilings) → discontinued 2025
Examples of Insurers historically strong in certain areas:
ONVZ: high reimbursements, provider freedom
Zorg en Zekerheid (AV-ZZ): strong for alternative therapies
DSW: transparent pricing, good provider choice
Zilveren Kruis: widely accepted, though changing coverage
Menzis ExtraVerzorgd: strong chronic care support
⚠️ Caution:
Most naturapolis policies now have zorgplafonds (care ceilings) – max patients per provider per year
Particularly problematic in:
Mental health
Physiotherapy
Dermatology