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How to register with the CAK

Last modified: 28 October 2024

Registering with the CAK is easy. This page provides a step-by-step overview of how it works and what you can expect afterwards.

Apply directly (Dutch only)

The conditions

You register with the CAK if you:

Tip

Do you have other income in addition to a pension or benefit from the Netherlands? For example, a pension from another country or a partial income? Then register with the CAK. We will then ask the health insurer in your country of residence for advice. They will decide how to insure themselves.

Registering: this is how it works

  1. Gather your supporting documents. Among other things, you will need:
    • a document confirming the granting of your pension(s) or benefit; and
    • b. a specification or copy of the payment of your pension(s) or benefit (ideally stating the monthly amount).
  2. Go to Applying for CAK insurance abroad (Dutch only).
  3. Answer the control questions. You will immediately see whether you are eligible for health insurance through the CAK.
  4. After the control questions, you can register directly with us by continuing to fill in the digital form. You can also do this at a later time.

Tip

Is your retirement or emigration date in the future? Then you can already register, but only if that date is no more than 5 months in the future.

Would you rather fill out a paper form with a pen? Download the Application for a document S1/121 (pdf, 555 kB). Please note: You will not be asked any control questions.

What can I expect after this?

You will receive a letter from us within 4 weeks. You can expect one of three possible answers:

Answer 1: We approve your application

  • We will send you a letter confirming your registration, the date on which your insurance takes effect through the CAK, and an explanation of the scheme.
  • Attached to this letter will be a document. This is called an S1 or 121 document (depending on your country of residence). This allows you to register with a designated health insurer in your country of residence. The name of the health insurer will be provided in the letter.

Tip

Do you live in the United Kingdom, Cabo Verde, North Macedonia or Tunisia? If so, we will send this document directly to the health insurer in your country of residence. This will also be mentioned in the letter that you receive from us. The health insurer will then contact you.

  • You will receive a health insurance card from the health insurer, and are thereby insured in the country where you live.
  • From the day on which your insurance starts through the CAK, we will deduct an amount from your pension(s) or benefit every month. This is called a healthcare contribution. This is how you pay for your health insurance. You don’t have to do anything yourself in this regard.

Tip

If the start date of your pension or benefit, or the date of your move, is in the past, you are usually insured from that date as well. However, we cannot retroactively deduct your healthcare contribution from your pension(s) or benefit from the start. You will pay afterwards for the months whose contributions we cannot deduct. This amount will be stated on your annual statement.

  • Do you live in an EU/EEA Member State, the United Kingdom or Switzerland? Then you will receive a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from us. We will send it as soon as your insurance starts. You need this card for healthcare and/or medicine in the Netherlands and other treaty countries.

Answer 2: We need more information from you

We may need more information to be able to assess your application. If this is the case, the CAK will contact you. You will receive a letter, email or phone call from us.

Answer 3: We reject your application

If we reject your application, you will not be entitled to health insurance through the CAK. The letter you receive from us will state why. Do you disagree with the rejection? If so, you can always lodge an objection.

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