Moving abroad
When you are in the process of emigrating to a foreign country, there is a lot on your mind. On this page, you can find out what steps you need to take to arrange health insurance in your new country of residence.
For people who:
- receive a pension or benefit from the Netherlands; and
- are moving to a treaty country.
Tip
Start preparing in good time, preferably 3 months before your move. This way, you will avoid being uninsured later.
Step-by-step guide
- First, report your move to your pension or benefits authority. Also state your moving date.
- Report your move to your Dutch health insurer. Your Dutch health insurance will cease as of the moving date.
- Deregister with your municipality as soon as you know the definitive moving date.
- Check with the embassy or consulate of your new country of residence to see which documents you need.
- Register with the CAK. You can do this by filling in the application form. We will process your application within 4 weeks.
- Register with the designated health insurer in your new country of residence. Give them the document that you receive from us. In some countries, we send this document directly to the health insurer.
Please note
Are you moving to Spain? If so, to be able to register with a Spanish health insurer, you will need, among other things, an NIE (Foreigner Identity Number – proof that you are an EU citizen). You get an NIE when you register as a resident. Take into account that waiting times may be long. Contact the Spanish consulate far in advance to find out which documents you will need when you emigrate, and book an appointment online.
More information
- Do you want to know what else you need to do if you are going to emigrate? Then check out the handy ‘Moving abroad checklist’ from Netherlands Worldwide.