Country-of-residence factor
Healthcare differs in every country. We take this into account using the country-of-residence factor. This way, you pay neither too much nor too little for the healthcare you receive in your country of residence. Find out all about the country-of-residence factor on this page.
See the country-of-residence factors
Good to know
- The country-of-residence factor is different for each country.
- The country-of-residence factor in the Netherlands is 1.
- The country-of-residence factors are re-established each year.
- We apply the country-of-residence factor to your healthcare contribution.
- You will find the country-of-residence factor on your annual statement.
What is a country-of-residence factor?
The costs of healthcare abroad often differ from the costs in the Netherlands. What is and is not insured also varies from country to country. This sometimes makes healthcare more expensive. But healthcare in the country where you live is usually cheaper than in the Netherlands.
The country-of-residence factor is a number that we multiply by your healthcare contribution. This number represents the ratio of the costs of the healthcare package in the Netherlands to the costs of the healthcare package in the country where you live. For example, in 2024, the country-of-residence factor in Morocco is 0.0219.
How do we apply the country-of-residence factor?
The country-of-residence factor is a step in the calculation of your healthcare contribution. You will find the calculation on your annual statement. We calculate it as follows:
(lump sum per insured person + income-related amounts) x country-of-residence factor = healthcare contribution
Fixed amount
You pay a fixed amount for yourself and each co-insured family member aged 18 or over. This is called the Zvw (Healthcare Act) nominal contribution. This amount changes every year, but is the same for every country.
Income-dependent amounts
The healthcare contribution also includes two income-dependent amounts. These amounts correspond to the percentages you would pay in the Netherlands under the Zvw and Wlz (Long-Term Care Act). Do you have more than one pension? Then you pay these percentages for each pension.
You do not pay anything for co-insured family members under 18 years of age.
Who determines the country-of-residence factors?
Every year, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport sets the country-of-residence factors, the nominal Zvw premium (the fixed amount for you), and the percentages for the income-dependent Zvw and Wlz contributions (the amount related to your income). To do this, the Minister uses a calculation method with figures from A System of Health Accounts.
Country-of-residence factor when moving house
Are you moving to another country? Then we calculate the country-of-residence factor on a pro rata basis (a so-called ‘weighted country-of-residence factor’).
Example
You live in Belgium, before moving to Germany on 1 July. In that calendar year, you therefore lived in Belgium for 6 months and in Germany for 6 months. The country-of-residence factor in Belgium is 0.8, while in Germany it is 0.9.
Calculation: (6/12 months) x 0.8 + (6/12 months) x 0.9 = 0.85
Tip
Want to know what the country-of-residence factor is in your country of residence this year? Then take a look at our overview of country-of-residence factors and the Zvw and Wlz contributions.