Health Insurance in the Netherlands (2024)

Where Expats Fit Into the Netherlands’ Health Insurance System

Are you about to visit or move to the Netherlands? Don’t let excitement make you forget about health coverage. Getting medical care in the Netherlands isn’t free, so it’s better to be prepared.

The best expat health insurance in the Netherlands probably won’t be official Dutch health insurance, as this system only enrolls permanent residents. Fortunately, if you’re an immigrant or traveler who doesn’t have a permanent residence permit, there are multiple other coverage options. You can protect yourself with international medical insurance, travel insurance or international student insurance.

What Kind of Insurance Do I Need in the Netherlands as an Expat?

If you have a permanent residence permit, you can join the Netherlands’ universal healthcare system. For digital and global nomads who can’t enroll in the Dutch system, international medical insurance is the best insurance option. This coverage is flexible and affordable and may allow you to access medical care more quickly than you can with standard Dutch health insurance. In addition, international health insurance policies can be set up to provide coverage beyond the Netherlands.

Does the Netherlands Have Universal Healthcare?

Yes, the Netherlands has a system to provide universal healthcare coverage! However, instead of a national health insurance system that’s operated by the government, in the Netherlands private insurers provide this coverage. Immigrants who have permanent residence permits for the Netherlands have to join this system.

Standard or basic health insurance in the Netherlands is known as “basisverzekering”. Multiple private insurers offer this coverage. The Dutch government selects the medical services that will be covered by standard insurance in the Netherlands. This means that no matter which insurer you go to, standard insurance will include the same basic services.

An insurer cannot refuse to enroll you in basic insurance, so don’t worry if you already have medical needs. You also have the option to switch to a different insurer at the end of every year.

Is Health Insurance Free in the Netherlands?

Unless you’re a child, health insurance isn’t free in the Netherlands. People who sign up for standard insurance must pay a monthly premium for this coverage. In addition, the country’s Health Insurance Fund receives income-based contributions. If you have a Dutch employer, they will send your contribution directly to the Health Insurance Fund.

You have four months to sign up for standard insurance once you arrive in the Netherlands. Make sure you’ve registered with a Dutch municipality before starting this process. If you don’t sign up in this four-month period, you’ll receive warnings and fines before the Central Administration Office (CAK) steps in and enrolls you with an insurer itself. If the CAK does this, you’ll have to pay 120% of the premium you otherwise would have owed.

Anyone who qualifies for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can use this if they need emergency medical care in the Netherlands. However, this card doesn’t cover other medical treatments. If you’ll be spending time in the Netherlands, you’ll need an international insurance or a plan that meets the Dutch government’s requirements to have the costs of your medical care covered.

How Much Is Health Insurance in the Netherlands?

Even with universal healthcare, people pay different amounts for Dutch health insurance. For one thing, premium amounts vary by insurer and policy. The average monthly premium in 2023 was 138 euros. People with fewer health concerns may choose to lower this amount by signing up for policies with higher deductibles (the amount of healthcare expenses they need to pay before insurance covers their expenses). Some policies allow enrollees to receive care at any health facility, while others have contracts with specific organizations. Premiums are not affected by a person’s age or health status.

With the Netherlands’ universal healthcare, you also pay an “eigen risico,” or own risk deductible. In 2022 and 2023, the lowest amount for the eigen risico was 385 euros. To pay lower premiums, some people choose to pay higher eigen risicos. The maximum is 885 euros.

Sometimes people also have to make an “eigen bijdrage,” or personal contribution, to their healthcare expenses. Hearing aids, some non-generic prescriptions and maternity care often require personal contributions beyond a person’s deductible and insurance premiums.

There is a healthcare allowance in the Netherlands to help poor people cover the cost of insurance. Enrollees under the age of 18 do not have to pay anything for health insurance.

What’s the Cost of Additional Private Health Insurance in the Netherlands?

Insurers charge different amounts for policies that go beyond standard insurance to cover things like dental care, eyeglasses and some physiotherapy. Private insurance companies can take a person’s age and health conditions into account when pricing these plans. The cost of this private insurance in the Netherlands might be covered by an employer, though some do pay for this coverage themselves.

Because people are not legally obligated to obtain additional insurance, insurers do not have to accept every prospective enrollee. But more than 80% of people in the Netherlands have this supplemental coverage. You can go to different insurers for your standard and additional insurance.

Can an American Get Health Insurance in the Netherlands?

Americans can only sign up for standard insurance if they have a permanent residence permit to live in the Netherlands. Otherwise, health insurance in the Netherlands for foreigners is available via an international insurance. With this coverage, foreigners can get great medical care while living in the Netherlands.

Best Health Insurance in the Netherlands for Non-Permanent Residents

If you’re not a permanent resident in the Netherlands and you want health coverage, don’t worry. You’ll be able to access care, and protect yourself in case of an emergency, by signing up for an international medical policy. The cost of this private health insurance in the Netherlands will vary based on your age and other circ*mstances, but there are affordable options.

If you’re interested, there are multiple international medical insurance policies for you to choose from. Our brokers would be happy to help you compare health insurance in the Netherlands so you can find the best private health insurance for the Netherlands for your budget.

Plans for Students at Colleges and Universities in the Netherlands

Congratulations on going to study in the Netherlands! In between packing and learning about where you’ll live, take the time to learn about student health insurance in the Netherlands.

Access to health insurance for the Netherlands varies for students. If you’ll be studying there for a year or less, you aren’t eligible for enrollment in the Dutch health system. However, if you work, even part-time, during this period, you are required to sign up for health insurance. If you have an internship that provides compensation via salary or covered expenses, and that compensation equals or exceeds the Dutch minimum wage, you have to join the official health insurance system. Students who study in the Netherlands for more than a year, even if they don’t work, have to enroll with a Dutch insurer.

If you don’t meet the requirements for Dutch health insurance, you can find great coverage via international student insurance. In fact, all students should consider this type of policy. Not only will it cover you in the Netherlands, you can find insurance that will protect you if you visit other countries. You’ll enjoy rock climbing in Spain or skiing in Switzerland a lot more when you don’t have to worry about what might happen if you unexpectedly need medical care.

There are many affordable health plans geared toward students. One of our brokers would be happy to tell you more about these options.

Travel Insurance for Short-Term Visitors to the Netherlands

Taking a trip to the Netherlands? Be aware that the Dutch National Health Service does not cover short-term visitors. European visitors will probably be able to rely on their country’s insurance in an emergency, particularly if they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However, if you don’t have an EHIC, or if you’re not experiencing a medical emergency, you’ll have to pay for your own medical care.

Illness and accidents can occur at any time. You might fall on the steps outside the Rijksmuseum. An undiagnosed heart condition could send you to the hospital. Travel medical insurance will cover these expenses so your vacation doesn’t come with a big bill. Some travel insurance policies will even pay for medical repatriation once your condition has stabilized, so you can return home and receive care in familiar surroundings.

Travel insurance is great for short-term trips. Our brokers are ready to help you find a wonderful policy. We’ll take your budget, age and medical needs into account to get you the right policy at an affordable price.

Also Read: Travel Insurance for The Netherlands

Group Medical Insurance in the Netherlands for International Employees

Healthcare in the Netherlands for expats is a concern for any international employer. Protect your employees by getting group medical insurance. Our brokers can help you find comprehensive coverage that will meet your employees’ needs at a reasonable price.

Can I Stay in the Netherlands Without Health Insurance?

You won’t get kicked out of the country for not having health insurance during your stay in the Netherlands. In fact, if you’re living in the Netherlands without a permanent residence permit, you aren’t even eligible to join the Netherlands’ health insurance system. However, you could face a big bill if you need medical care. You should sign up for travel insurance, international student insurance or international medical coverage to make sure any expenses will be covered.

If you have a residence permit, you can also remain in the Netherlands without signing up for health insurance. But you will end up with health coverage eventually! That’s because the Central Administration Office (CAK) tracks people with permanent residence permits. If you don’t sign up for a standard health policy, CAK will send a warning, followed by a fine. If you still don’t get insurance after multiple warnings and two fines, CAK will step in and register you with an insurer. The cost will be deducted from your paycheck.

If you have a religious or moral objection to signing up for health insurance as a permanent resident, you can ask the country’s Social Insurance Bank to exempt you from the health insurance requirement. Your employer will then send your payroll contribution to a fund for your medical expenses, should you have any. If your expenses go over the amount in the fund, it’s your responsibility to pay the rest of the fees.

Global Medical Care in the Netherlands

The Netherlands’ healthcare system has family doctors, capable nurses, highly trained specialists and more. Whether you require specialized treatment or a general checkup, you’ll receive excellent medical care. However, to avoid being overwhelmed by the price of that care, sign up for some kind of medical insurance in the Netherlands.

Also Read: Healthcare in The Netherlands

What Happens if I Don’t Have Health Insurance in the Netherlands?

If you don’t have insurance, you’ll still receive care and treatment in any emergency situations. However, healthcare in the Netherlands for foreigners isn’t free. You’ll be expected to pay for any medical care you receive. If you don’t have the financial ability to pay for your care, assistance may be available.

How to Find a Family Physician or GP in the Netherlands

You can find a physician by checking with your insurance provider, whether you have a Dutch insurance plan or international medical coverage. Registering with a general practitioner (“huisarts”) once you have health insurance is important. If you have standard insurance in the Netherlands, you’ll need to get a referral from your GP or primary care physician before you can see any specialists.

How to Get Hospital Care in the Netherlands

If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 112. Don’t worry about your Dutch language skills, as the operators on this line speak English and other languages. Hospitals in the Netherlands provide excellent care. There are many doctors and nurses who can speak English, so communication shouldn’t be a problem.

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