Even if you are already insured for healthcare costs in your own country, you must still take out health insurance in the Netherlands. There are a few exemptions (contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) for more information).
There are also a number of cases in which you are not subject to Dutch social security legislation, because of the purpose and duration of your stay.
Exceptions to mandatory Dutch health insurance
If you are not obliged to take out Dutch health insurance, you can, or in some cases must, arrange some other form of insurance. It is possible that based on your nationality or the purpose of your stay, you will still be covered under the national health insurance of your home country or a private insurance that you have taken out in your country of origin. Always make sure to check the coverage while in the Netherlands.
This may be applicable to cross-border workers within the EEA or a treaty country, posted employees, and students and non-salaried researchers.
Cross-border workers within the EEA or a treaty country
Check with the SVB how you need to be insured.
Posted employees
For posted employees, it depends on the duration of the assignment and which employer pays the salary. Contact the SVB or the national social security board in your home country for more information.
Students and non-salaried academic researchers
Students under the age of 30 who are in the Netherlands for the sole purpose of studying or doing research on a (study) grant and who stay in the Netherlands for less than 3 years are not considered to be residents and therefore do not fall under Dutch national social security regulations. However, if you have a part-time job alongside your study or research, or if you do a paid internship, you may have to take out Dutch health insurance. Contact the SVB for more information.
Taking out and renewing health insurance
You must take out health insurance from a health insurance provider yourself. You can compare different providers using the Zorgwijzer website. Some employers offer collective health insurance with a specified insurer at reduced rates.
Children under the age of 18 do not pay a premium. However, you must register them with a health insurance provider.
You are allowed to change your health insurance provider at the end of each calendar year. In November, your health insurer will send you your insurance policy for the following year. You should check the policy conditions carefully as they may have changed, meaning your coverage could change even if you keep the same policy.
If you decide to change provider, you must cancel your old insurance before 1 January and take out a new policy before 1 February. You will then be insured with retroactive effect from 1 January. Health insurers usually offer a transfer service, and they will cancel your old insurance for you if you take out a new policy with them before 31 December.
Policy types
There are two types of policy: an in-kind policy (naturapolis) and a combination policy (combinatiepolis).
In-kind policy
With an in-kind policy, the insurance company has contracts with specific healthcare providers. You need to use one of these providers for a full reimbursement of the costs. The insurer pays the bills, usually in full, directly to the healthcare provider. If you choose a healthcare provider that does not have a contract with your insurer, you have to pay a portion of the costs yourself. These policies are usually cheaper as you have limited choice.
Combination policy
A combination policy provides you with the freedom to choose your healthcare provider. This type of insurance combines contracted healthcare with the option to visit non-contracted healthcare providers. If you go to a contracted healthcare provider, the insurer pays the bills directly, usually in full. If you opt for a non-contracted healthcare provider, you pay the bill yourself and then submit a claim for all or part of the costs. This type of policy is more expensive because you have more choice.
Standard health insurance (basisverzekering)
Standard package
The healthcare covered by the standard (or basic) health insurance package is set by the government and is therefore the same for every health insurance provider. The standard package covers care by general practitioners and specialists, hospital care, medicines, ambulance transport, dental care up to the age of 18 and pregnancy care.
Healthcare insurers are obliged to accept anyone who applies for the standard insurance package.
Average monthly premium for the standard package
The average monthly premium for the standard package in 2025 is €158 per person (over 18). Each healthcare insurance company must charge all its policyholders the same premium for the standard insurance package. Premiums can, however, differ between different companies.
Compulsory excess
Each year the government sets a compulsory excess (eigen risico). In 2025 this is set at €385. This means that you have to pay the first €385 towards your healthcare costs yourself. This excess applies per person, except for children up to the age of 18, but does not apply for general practitioner care, natal care, maternity care and the dental care youth package for young people up to the age of 18.
You have the option to voluntarily increase this excess up to €885, in order to receive a reduction on the premium. It is a good idea to discuss the various options with your healthcare insurance company.
Statutory personal contribution
On top of the excess, you may be charged a statutory personal contribution (eigen bijdrage) for certain types of healthcare. The government decides which types of healthcare are included and the level of the contribution, which can be a fixed amount, a fixed percentage or the remaining amount.
Supplementary health insurance (aanvullende verzekering)
You can choose to take out additional insurance to cover things that are not covered in the standard package, such as extended physiotherapy care or dental care for over 18s. Supplementary insurance is not obligatory, and insurance companies are not obliged to accept everyone who applies. The options available and their cost can vary from one provider to another.
Healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag)
Depending on your income, you may be eligible for healthcare benefit to cover part of the monthly premium. Contact the Dutch tax office (belastingdienst) for more information.
What happens if you take out insurance too late?
By law, you must take out a health insurance policy with a Dutch insurer, with coverage from the day you arrive, no later than 4 months after arrival. If you take out a healthcare insurance too late, you will not be insured, and you will have to pay all medical costs yourself. Retrospectively, you will have to pay the premiums for the past period, and you may get a penalty as well. This also applies to family members living in a treaty country who do not register within the allowed time.
What happens if you resign or are dismissed from your job?
If you no longer reside in the Netherlands, or you no longer work in the Netherlands and live abroad, you are no longer covered by Dutch social security legislation. You will need to terminate the healthcare insurance yourself.
European Health Insurance Card
European citizens travelling within the European Economic Area, whether for private or professional reasons, have the right to be issued with a European Health Insurance Card by their healthcare insurer. This card simplifies the procedure for receiving any urgent medical assistance that might become necessary during a temporary stay in another EU/EEA country.