Health Insurance

Health insurance in the Netherlands

If you live or work in the Netherlands, you will normally need to take out Dutch basic health insurance. This mandatory insurance is known as the basisverzekering.

The Dutch government decides which healthcare services must be included in the basic package, while insurance companies set their own monthly premiums and offer different policies and supplementary packages.

If you have recently moved to Rotterdam, health insurance is one of the main administrative matters to arrange after obtaining your BSN number.

What does basic health insurance cover?

The Dutch basic health insurance package covers essential medical care. The exact package is determined by the Dutch government and can change from year to year.

Typical basic coverage includes:

• general practitioner (GP) care
• hospital and specialist care
• many prescription medicines
• mental healthcare
• maternity and midwifery care
• certain forms of physiotherapy and chronic care

Not every treatment is fully reimbursed, and some types of care may involve a deductible or personal contribution. The government determines what is included in the basic package.

What is the eigen risico?

The eigen risico is the mandatory annual deductible for adults with Dutch basic health insurance.

In 2026, the mandatory deductible is €385. This means that for many types of healthcare covered by the basic package, you pay the first €385 yourself before the insurer covers further eligible costs.

Not all healthcare counts towards the deductible. For example, GP consultations and GP out-of-hours care do not normally use your eigen risico.

You can voluntarily choose a higher deductible in exchange for a lower monthly premium, but this also means you may have to pay more yourself if you need healthcare.

Supplementary health insurance

In addition to the mandatory basic policy, you can choose supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering).

Depending on the insurer and package, supplementary insurance may cover services such as:

• additional physiotherapy
• dental care
• orthodontics
• alternative treatments
• extra healthcare services not included in the basic package

Supplementary insurance is optional, and insurers can set their own coverage and conditions.

How much does health insurance cost?

There is no single fixed price for Dutch health insurance. Each insurance company sets its own premium for the basic policy, and the price can change every year.

Your total monthly cost depends on factors such as:

• the insurer you choose
• the type of policy
• whether you choose supplementary coverage
• whether you voluntarily increase your deductible

It is therefore worth comparing policies every year rather than assuming your current insurer remains the best option.

Health insurance comparison websites

Insurance companies publish their premiums and policy conditions for the following year towards the end of each year.

You can compare Dutch health insurance through websites such as:

• Independer
• ZorgKiezer

When comparing policies, do not look only at the monthly premium. Also check which hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare providers have contracts with the insurer.

What do you need to take out health insurance?

The exact requirements can differ between insurers, but you will normally need personal and registration information such as:

• your BSN number
• your Dutch address
• identification details
• bank account information for premium payments

Once your insurance is active, you can also register with a GP in the Netherlands.

Health insurance for children

Children under the age of 18 also need Dutch basic health insurance, but no premium is charged for the basic policy.

Children under 18 also do not pay the mandatory eigen risico. Parents must register their child with a health insurer.

Health insurance for students and international residents

Whether an international student needs Dutch basic health insurance depends on their personal situation, particularly whether they are working in the Netherlands.

EU/EEA students who are temporarily studying in the Netherlands and are not working may in some situations continue to use health coverage from their home country, for example through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

If you start working in the Netherlands, Dutch health insurance may become mandatory. Because student and cross-border situations can vary, check your individual situation before choosing a policy.

Can you get help paying for health insurance?

If your income is relatively low, you may qualify for zorgtoeslag, a government healthcare allowance that helps towards the cost of your health insurance.

For 2026, your annual income must generally not exceed €40,857 if you do not have a benefits partner. If you have a benefits partner, your combined income must generally not exceed €51,142. Asset limits also apply.

You must already have Dutch health insurance before you can receive zorgtoeslag.

Check the latest conditions and apply through the Dutch tax authorities on the Belastingdienst website.

What happens if you do not arrange health insurance?

If Dutch health insurance is mandatory in your situation and you do not arrange it, you can receive warnings and eventually face financial penalties.

For that reason, do not delay arranging your insurance if you have moved to or started working in the Netherlands.

Tips for choosing health insurance

Things to arrange when moving to the Netherlands

Basic Dutch | BSN number | DigiD | Doctor | Finding a job | Job interview | Employment contract | Learning Dutch | Volunteering | Work agencies