Getting a Dutch Basic health insurance
Get a Dutch health insurance within 3 months after our letter
When you are required to have a Dutch basic health insurance. For instance when you:
- have the Dutch nationality, and you do not work abroad.
- are from abroad, and you work in the Netherlands.
Which Dutch health insurances can I choose from?
There are many Dutch health insurers that offer the Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering). The larger insurance companies often offer several health insurances. It will take about a week for us to see that you took out the insurance. We look at the starting date of your insurance, to see if it was on time.
Go to a list of Dutch health insurances.
Every insurer offers a Dutch basic health insurance
The health insurance always consists of the compulsory basic insurance. The government determines which medical care is covered by the basic insurance. Every basic health insurance must cover this medical care. Because of this, there is not a large difference between basic health insurances.
Which medical costs are covered in the Dutch basic health insurance?
- Basic medical care; including care provided by general practitioners, medical specialists and obstetricians
- Hospital treatment
- Medical prescriptions at the pharmacy (for some you pay a contribution)
- Dental care up to the age of 18
- Maternity care
- Limited therapies such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and dietary advice
- Medical devices and products
Difference between basic health insurances
Health insurers have contracts with hospitals, pharmacies and medical professionals. Health insurers themselves may set conditions for the basic insurance. For example, a health insurer may allow you to decide for yourself which hospital you attend. When you compare or get a Dutch health insurance, you can see the conditions of the basic health insurance.
Health insurance premium (zorgpremie)
You pay a monthly amount for the basic insurance, whether or not you have received any healthcare. This amount is called the contribution, or premium. The price of the basic insurance and which costs are covered vary for each health insurer. This is because health insurers themselves may set conditions for the basic insurance. For example, a health insurer may allow you to decide for yourself which hospital you attend, but you will pay a higher premium for this. Another health insurer may charge a lower premium, but you cannot choose which hospital you are treated at.
Own contribution (eigen risico)
Another compulsory part of the basic insurance is the own contribution. In Dutch this is called eigen risico. This is the amount you are charged if you incur healthcare costs. This amount is calculated and determined annually by the government. For 2024, the minimum amount is €385. This means that you first pay the first €385 yourself. The health insurer pays only the costs above this amount.
Health insurance benefit (zorgtoeslag)
You pay a premium for the Dutch health insurance. Do you have a low income? Then you can apply for the health care benefit at the Belastingdienst. This is called 'Zorgtoeslag' in Dutch. Go to www.toeslagen.nl to apply for the benefit.
Additional insurance (aanvullende verzekering)
Since the basic insurance does not cover the costs of all healthcare, you can take out additional insurance policies, for dental treatment, various therapies and glasses or contact lenses, for example. You pay an additional monthly premium for this. It is not compulsory to take out supplementary insurance.