Health insurance
Everyone in the Netherlands is obliged to take out health insurance, even if you are only living and working temporarily in the country.
Foreign health insurance
It is often recommended that during the initial period of your stay in the Netherlands, you keep the insurance you had in your country of origin. This is on the condition it covers your possible costs here, so be sure to confirm that in advance.
If you are a resident of the Netherlands, you are, in principle, obliged to take out Dutch health insurance, even if you are already insured back home. This ensures that every person is protected against the financial risks of illness and hospital admission. You are free to chose your own health insurer (zorgverzekeraar)offering the basic package (basisverzekering) and are allowed to change insurers once a year. To register for health insurance, you will require a social security number (burgerservicenummer or BSN).
Please note: If you are not covered by Dutch health insurance, you risk being fined and billed retroactively for the months you were not insured.
Health coverage
The foundation of the Dutch healthcare system is the mandatory basic health insurance policy (basisverzekering). The coverage of this standard packageis determined by the government and includes medical care by specialists, GPs and midwives, hospital care, medication, rehabilitation, dental help for persons younger than 22, mental healthcare and necessary medical help during a holiday or business trip abroad.
Health insurance companies have an obligation to accept everyone for this package, irrespective of gender, age and health. Health insurance companies also offer additional premium plans (aanvullende verzekering). These may cover things such as physiotherapy, spectacles, dental care for persons 22 years and older, and alternative medicine. You will always have an excess or deductible (eigen risico) of at least 150 euro.
You can take out health insurance with any one of a number of insurance companies. Check whether your employer offers corporate health insurance. For a comparison of insurances and prices, consult the following website (only in Dutch): www.kiesbeter.nl.
If you would like to know more about your specific situation, please contact the:
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College for Health Insurances at +31 (0)20 797 8555 for questions relating to health insurance
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Sociale Verzekeringsbank at +31 (0)20 656 5352 for questions relating to social security
More information
For more information on the healthcare insurance system in the Netherlands, click here or download the Ministry of Health's English brochure.
Source: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport:, www.minvws.nl
Expatcenter's Partners: Insurance
For a full list of the Expatcenter's partners or for more information on the Partnership Program, please click here
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