If you live, work and pay income tax in the Netherlands, you are considered a Dutch resident and are therefore subject to Dutch social security legislation.
Amongst other things this means you will have to take out compulsory health insurance within four months of your registration in the Netherlands.
You are allowed to switch providers once per year, on the 1st of January. If you think that another provider will give you better coverage it is good to start comparing the various insurances before the end of the year. Your new provider will arrange for the old insurance to be cancelled.
Health insurance is offered in two parts; mandatory basic insurance and a voluntary supplementary insurance.
Basic Health Insurance (Basisverzekering)
The basic health insurance generally covers all the basic healthcare needs, such as:
- General practitioners, specialists and hospitals;
- Dentists for your children under 18;
- Specialized dental care and dentures;
- Medical equipment, such as medical stockings etc.;
- Medicine;
- Maternity care and obstetrics;
- Healthcare transportation, such as ambulances or wheelchair taxis;
- Advice on nutrition and diet.
Supplementary Insurance (Aanvullende verzekering)
The basic package does not reimburse all healthcare costs. Therefore, supplementary insurance may come in handy. Not all supplementary insurance is equal, so it is important to choose a plan most suited to your needs. Supplementary insurance can, for example, reimburse you for the cost of:
- Physiotherapy;
- Glasses;
- Dental fees for adults over 18;
- Contraceptives for adults;
- Complementary medicine, such as homeopathy.
Costs
You pay a fixed monthly amount to your insurance company. The premium varies per insurer but a standard package is approximately €125 per month. Family members who live with you and who do not work have to be insured as well. Children under the age of 18 have to be insured, and are usually covered free as part of their parents’ insurance policy.
Personal liability (eigen risico)
All basic insurance packages require a deductible amount which has to be paid by the insured. Every insured person will pay the first €385 towards their medical costs each year. The obligatory deductible does not apply to:
- Appointments with your GP
- Dental care for children under 18
- Maternity care
- Care provided under any supplementary insurance
You can opt for a higher personal liability to help reduce the monthly premium.
Useful websites
- Independent website to compare insurance providers (in English): Independer
- There are many types of healthcare insurances and providers in the Netherlands. To help you choose the insurance that would fit you best, you can use a so-called “zorgwijzer” (health care advisor, in English): zorgwijzer
