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Healthcare and reimbursement with an EHIC


With the EHIC from the CAK, you and/or your family members are entitled to reimbursed care in the Netherlands, the other EU/EEA Member States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. What kind of care this is depends on the country.

Good to know

  • In the Netherlands, an EHIC entitles you to all healthcare included in the basic package.
  • In the other EU/EEA
  • Member States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, you are entitled to medically necessary care.
  • You show the EHIC to the healthcare provider.
  • The EHIC is not valid in your country of residence. In your country of residence, use the health insurance card issued by the local health insurer.

In the Netherlands

You and/or your family members are insured for all healthcare included in the basic package. You can find out what is and is not reimbursed by looking on the Zilveren Kruis website.

Claims should be submitted to the Zilveren Kruis (Groep Buitenlands Recht [Foreign Law Unit]). For example, if you have to pay a bill upfront yourself.

Are your family members travelling to the Netherlands specifically for medical treatment? Find out how it works here.

Tip

Residents of North Macedonia do not receive an EHIC, but are entitled to reimbursement of basic care in the Netherlands. They must pay the bill in advance and claim it afterwards from the Zilveren Kruis (groep Buitenlands recht).

Within Europe

You and/or your family members are insured for medically necessary care in EU/EEA Member States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. This is care that becomes medically necessary during your stay or holiday in one of these countries and cannot wait until you return home. What exactly falls under this definition varies from country to country. You can look this up on the European Commission website.

Claims should be submitted to the CAK. For example, if you have to pay a bill upfront yourself.

Are your family members travelling to one of these countries specifically for medical treatment? Find out how it works here.

Outside Europe

Your family members are not insured for healthcare in countries with which the Netherlands does not have an agreement. Take out supplementary or travel insurance for this purpose. One exception is Australia.

Tip

Are you insured through the CAK, but do you not live in the EU/EEA, Switzerland or the United Kingdom? In that case, you are not entitled to reimbursed care in the Netherlands and Europe. Nor will you receive an EHIC. We recommend taking out supplementary or travel insurance when you plan to travel.