In this guide
The Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is genuinely good for medical care. Hospital treatment, specialist visits after GP referral, prescription medication — all covered. But several categories of care that expats commonly need are not included. Dental is the biggest one. Physiotherapy is another. Mental health, glasses, and travel coverage are others.
This guide covers the main supplementary insurance options (aanvullende verzekering), what they cost, what they actually cover, and my honest view on which are worth buying for expats.
💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026 — covers ABN, ING, Bunq, Wise, Revolut & 5 others by expat use case.
Quick answer: Which health insurance add-ons are worth it for expats in the Netherlands? Dental, physio, mental health, and travel extras reviewed for 2026 — real costs.
The basic package (basisverzekering) does not cover dental care for adults over 18 (except oral surgery), most physiotherapy sessions, glasses and contact lenses, most mental health care beyond a set number of sessions, alternative medicine, and many cosmetic or elective treatments. These are covered by optional supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering).
How Dutch Health Insurance Works
Before getting into add-ons, it’s useful to know the structure:
Basisverzekering (basic insurance) — mandatory for every Dutch resident. You choose a provider (there are about 25 insurers offering this, though many are subsidiaries of a few large groups). The package is legally standardised — every insurer must cover the same core treatments. The main variables are price (around €130–€165 per month in 2026) and the type of policy (restitutiepolis vs naturapolis).
Aanvullende verzekering (supplementary insurance) — optional. You can add this to your basic policy, often from the same insurer. Supplementary packages are not standardised — each insurer designs their own, with varying coverage levels and prices.
Tandartsverzekering (dental insurance) — sometimes bundled into supplementary packages, sometimes sold separately.
You can compare both basic and supplementary options using a comparison platform like Independer.
Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →
What the Basic Package Doesn’t Cover (That Matters for Expats)
- Dental care for adults (except oral surgery/hospital treatment)
- Physiotherapy — except for chronic conditions on the approved list
- Glasses and contact lenses
- Most mental health care after around 3–5 sessions per year
- Alternative medicine (acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, etc.)
- Vaccinations for travel
- Fertility treatment beyond limited IVF coverage
- Hearing aids (partial coverage only)
- Cosmetic and elective treatments
For expats who regularly use physiotherapy, wear glasses, or want solid dental coverage, these gaps are felt quickly.
Dental Insurance (Tandartsverzekering)
What It Covers
Most dental add-ons cover:
- Routine check-ups (controles) and cleaning
- Fillings and restorations
- Extractions
- Emergency dental care
- Often: crowns, bridges, and dentures (up to a percentage or annual maximum)
More expensive dental packages may cover:
- Orthodontics (braces) — usually with specific waiting periods and age restrictions
- Dental implants
- Periodontal treatment
What Dutch Dental Care Costs Without Insurance
To understand if dental insurance is worth it, here are typical out-of-pocket costs:
- Check-up: €30–€50
- X-rays: €20–€60 depending on type
- Filling: €80–€150
- Root canal: €300–€600
- Crown: €500–€1,000
- Dental implant: €1,500–€2,500
What Dental Insurance Costs
Basic dental add-ons: €8–€12 per month, typically covering routine care up to €250–€500 per year. Mid-range dental packages: €15–€25 per month, typically covering up to €750–€1,500 per year including some restorative work. Full dental packages: €30–€50 per month, often covering up to €2,000–€5,000 per year including crowns and major treatments.
My View
For most expats, a mid-range dental package is worth it. The break-even point is roughly one filling or check-up + cleaning per year. Given that dental care in the Netherlands is relatively expensive compared to many home countries, the add-on pays for itself quickly.
If you have good teeth and haven’t needed dental work in years, basic or no dental coverage might be reasonable. If you know you have ongoing dental needs (pending crowns, orthodontic treatment, etc.), get full coverage before the treatment, not after — most plans have waiting periods of 6–12 months for major treatments.
One structural point worth knowing before you compare quotes: some insurers do not put dental in the supplementary package at all. a.s.r. states outright that dental care is not insured through an aanvullende verzekering, and sells it as a separate tandartsverzekering in five levels — TandBewust, TandGoed, TandBeter, TandBest and TandPlus — with annual ceilings of €250, €250, €250, €500 and €750 and reimbursement from age 18, from €10 a month (asr.nl/zorgverzekering/tandartsverzekering, checked 17 September 2026). Its supplementary packages (ZorgBasis to ZorgBest, from €4.95 a month) then cover the non-dental extras such as 3 to 18 physiotherapy treatments a year, with cover abroad and glasses/lenses again as separate modules (asr.nl/zorgverzekering/aanvullende-verzekering, checked 17 September 2026). That is not automatically worse — an unbundled dental policy is easier to drop or upgrade on its own — but it means a headline supplementary price at a.s.r. is not comparable to one that already includes a dental ceiling.
Check a.s.r. health insurance →
Physiotherapy (Fysiotherapie)
What the Basic Package Covers
The basic package covers physiotherapy for conditions on the chronic conditions list — including back and neck problems that persist beyond a certain number of visits, cerebrovascular accidents, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and others.
For most sports injuries, short-term back pain, post-surgery rehabilitation, and general physiotherapy needs — the basic package does not apply.
What Physiotherapy Costs Out of Pocket
A physiotherapy session in the Netherlands typically costs €35–€60. A common treatment course is 5–10 sessions. Total cost: €175–€600 per treatment episode.
What Physio Add-Ons Cover
Supplementary packages typically offer between 9 and 18 physiotherapy sessions per year, covered either fully or up to a percentage. Some packages cap the reimbursement per session (e.g., up to €40 per session).
Cost: roughly €3–€8 per month additional for 9–12 sessions coverage.
My View
If you’re physically active, play sports, or have a history of musculoskeletal issues, physiotherapy coverage is worth adding. It is one of the cheaper add-ons and the out-of-pocket cost of physiotherapy in the Netherlands makes it relatively easy to recoup.
Mental Health Coverage
What the Basic Package Covers
The basic package covers some mental health care (geestelijke gezondheidszorg, or GGZ), but the coverage is limited and the system is under strain. You can access:
- A set number of sessions with a basic GGZ professional after GP referral
- More extensive treatment through specialist GGZ for serious conditions
Waiting times for mental health referrals through the basic system can be significant — months in some areas.
What Supplementary Packages Offer
Some aanvullende packages include additional GGZ sessions, coaching, or counselling beyond what the basic package provides. This is particularly relevant for:
- Expats experiencing adjustment difficulties or isolation
- Those wanting to see an English-speaking therapist (often outside the standard referral network)
- People wanting faster access without long waiting lists
Cost: varies, but mental health add-ons or higher-tier full packages that include extended GGZ coverage typically cost €10–€20 per month more.
English-Speaking Therapists
One practical point: many English-speaking therapists in the Netherlands operate privately and are not covered by the standard referral system. A supplementary package or a restitutiepolis (which reimburses you for any registered provider rather than directing you to contracted providers) gives more flexibility here.
For our broader guide on mental health support, see Lonely Expat Netherlands: Finding Community.
Glasses and Contact Lenses
What the Basic Package Covers
Nothing for routine glasses or contact lenses for adults. Children under 18 get a contribution for their first pair of glasses.
What Add-Ons Cover
Glasses coverage in aanvullende packages typically provides:
- A contribution once every 1–2 years (commonly €100–€250 per pair)
- Sometimes coverage for contact lenses instead
Cost: approximately €2–€5 per month in a supplementary package with glasses coverage.
My View
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, this add-on is a no-brainer. A new pair of glasses in the Netherlands costs €100–€400+ for a decent pair with anti-reflective lenses. The add-on pays for itself quickly.
Travel Insurance and Vaccinations
Travel Add-Ons
Some higher-tier aanvullende packages include travel insurance (reisverzekering) or emergency medical coverage abroad. This can be useful for expats who travel frequently.
However, standalone travel insurance is often cheaper and more broader than what’s included in a health add-on. Compare both options.
Travel vaccinations (for destinations outside Europe) are typically not covered by the basic package. Some supplementary packages include a contribution, or you can pay directly at a travel clinic (reizigerspoli). Cost per vaccination is typically €20–€70.
How to Choose
The right combination depends on your personal situation. Here’s a quick guide:
Single expat, good health, few dental issues:
- Basic + dental (basic level) + physiotherapy
- Estimated additional cost: €15–€25 per month
Expat family with children:
- Basic + full dental (children have orthodontic coverage needs) + physiotherapy + glasses
- Estimated additional cost: €30–€50 per month per adult
Expat with chronic condition or active mental health needs:
- Basic (restitutiepolis for provider flexibility) + full supplementary with GGZ extension
- Estimated additional cost: €20–€35 per month
Expat with very low risk tolerance / wants everything covered:
- Premium full package covering dental, physio, GGZ, glasses, alternative medicine, and travel
- Estimated additional cost: €50–€80 per month
The Annual Switching Window
A critical practical point: you can only change your health insurance (basic and supplementary) between 1 November and 31 December, with changes taking effect on 1 January. Missing this window means you’re locked in for another year.
Mark this window in your calendar each October. Spend a few hours comparing packages on Independer before the deadline.
Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →
The Own Risk (Eigen Risico)
A reminder: the basic policy has a mandatory annual deductible of €385 in 2026. Before the insurer covers costs (above what the basic package always covers, like GP visits), you pay this amount yourself. You can voluntarily raise it to €885 for a small monthly premium discount — this is generally only worth it if you are very healthy and rarely need non-GP care.
Supplementary insurance does not count toward or reduce the eigen risico.
Alternative Medicine Coverage
If you use acupuncture, osteopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, or other alternative therapies, none of this is covered by the basic package. Some supplementary packages include a small contribution — typically €100–€300 per year — for recognised alternative medicine providers.
The practical reality: these contributions are worth including if you use alternative medicine regularly. A single acupuncture session in the Netherlands runs €60–€90. A few sessions per year quickly justifies the small additional monthly cost of a supplement that includes alternative therapy coverage.
Not all alternative medicine providers are recognised by all insurers. When you sign up, confirm that your preferred therapist or discipline is covered under the specific package.
Fertility Treatment and Pregnancy
The basic package covers IVF treatment for women under 43, up to three full IVF cycles under certain conditions. It also covers fertility investigation (blood tests, semen analysis, ultrasounds) and some hormonal treatments as part of the infertility investigation process.
What the basic package does not cover:
- Fertility medication in most circumstances (partially covered for some treatments, not others)
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) — often required before IVF is approved
- Second and third IVF cycles after the first has not resulted in a pregnancy (coverage has a specific structure)
- Donor sperm or egg treatment beyond a basic contribution
Some supplementary packages include contributions toward fertility investigation, IUI, or medication. If you are planning to start a family in the Netherlands, check these specifics before choosing a supplementary package.
Maternity care itself is very well covered by the basic package — prenatal checkups, delivery, and the kraamzorg (home postnatal care assistant for eight days after birth) are all included with no eigen risico applied. This is one of the genuinely excellent features of the Dutch system that surprises many expats arriving from countries where maternity care generates significant bills.
What to Do When You Arrive in the Netherlands
If you have just registered at the municipality and are choosing health insurance for the first time, here is the sequence that works:
Step 1: Register first. Your insurance registration date ties to your municipality (gemeente) registration date. You have four months to arrange insurance from that date. If you wait longer, the CAK can assign you an insurer automatically and charge a surcharge.
Step 2: Get your BSN. You need your burgerservicenummer to sign up with an insurer. The gemeente gives you this when you register.
Step 3: Compare before you pick. Spend an hour on Independer comparing current premiums side by side. Enter your age, the eigen risico you want, and whether you want supplementary coverage. The price differences between comparable policies can be €15–€30 per month — over a year that is €180–€360 in your pocket or out of it.
Step 4: Choose your insurer, basic policy type, and add-ons simultaneously. Supplementary insurance is sold by the same company as your basic insurance in most cases. Choosing them at the same time prevents gaps.
Step 5: Register with a GP. This is separate from insurance. You need to find a huisarts who is accepting new patients in your area and register with them. In Amsterdam this can take weeks — start immediately. Your insurer does not do this for you.
Real Examples: What Expats Actually Claim
The dental scenario: Anna, a 34-year-old software engineer from Spain, arrived in the Netherlands with two fillings that needed replacing and had put off getting done. She signed up for a mid-range dental supplement (CZ Aanvullend 2, €23/month) and within the first year claimed dental work worth €480. The policy covered €380 of that. Her total premium paid for the year was €276. Even accounting for the extra cost, she came out significantly ahead of paying out of pocket — and that was just year one.
The physiotherapy scenario: James, a 41-year-old consultant from the UK with recurring lower back pain, takes out supplementary insurance with 18 physio sessions per year. He uses around 12 sessions annually at €45 per session — that is €540 worth of physio. His supplement costs roughly €96 per year (€8/month). The maths is extremely clear.
Hypothetical glasses scenario: Compare the two-year premium with the policy’s two-year optical reimbursement, eligible providers and exclusions. Use a current quote for the lenses and frames; a reimbursement is only valuable when it exceeds the extra premium for care you would buy anyway.
These are not extraordinary scenarios. They are the ordinary reason why most expats who understand the system take supplementary coverage.
Switching Insurance: What Expats Often Get Wrong
The annual switching window (1 November – 31 December) is well-known. What is less well understood is the impact of switching on supplementary dental coverage.
Some supplementary dental packages have waiting periods for specific treatments. If you switch insurer in November and sign up for a new dental supplement, you may find that coverage for crowns, bridges, or orthodontic treatment does not kick in until you have been with the new insurer for 6–12 months.
The implication: if you know you have significant dental work coming in the next six months, do not switch your dental insurer. Stay with your current supplementary coverage until the treatment is complete, then switch at the following November window.
Comparing Supplementary Options: What to Actually Look At
When you compare supplementary packages on Independer or directly on insurer websites, here are the five things worth actually reading:
1. The annual dental maximum. The headline number — €500, €750, €1,000, €2,500 — is what matters. For routine maintenance a €500 limit is usually fine. For restorative work (crowns, root canals, bridges), you want at least €1,000.
2. The percentage vs the maximum. Some plans reimburse 75% of dental costs up to the annual maximum. Others reimburse 100% but have a lower maximum. Calculate which is better for your expected use.
3. Physiotherapy session count and cap per session. “18 sessions” sounds good, but if the package caps reimbursement at €38 per session and your physio charges €50, you cover the €12 difference yourself. Check both the session count and the per-session maximum.
4. Glasses contribution frequency. Every year vs every two years makes a meaningful difference. If you update your glasses yearly (common with changing prescriptions), a package that reimburses annually is worth paying a bit more for.
5. Alternative medicine inclusion. If you use this, check whether your specific discipline (chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.) is on the accepted list. The list varies by insurer.
Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →
A collective discount on the supplementary layer
One route prices this layer differently. UnitedConsumers is a Dutch consumer collective, not an insurer: it buys as a group and has worked with VGZ on health insurance since 2006. Its member benefit is 20% off every aanvullende verzekering and off the tandartsverzekering — a discount on exactly the layer this article is about, since the basic policies it sells under that partnership are listed at €147.40 to €154.25 a month (unitedconsumers.com/zorgverzekering, checked 18 September 2026). So the comparison to run is the discounted supplement at VGZ against the undiscounted supplement at whichever insurer won on cover. The obstacle is language: UnitedConsumers publishes no English-language information, checked 18 September 2026, and a policy document you cannot read is a bad purchase whatever the discount.
Hearing Aids, Orthopaedic Aids, and Prosthetics
These are areas where the basic package provides some coverage but expats often do not know the limits until they face a need.
Hearing aids: The basic package covers one hearing aid per ear every five years for adults with documented hearing loss above a set threshold. The reimbursement amount is capped — typically around EUR 500 per ear — which does not come close to the cost of modern hearing aids (EUR 1,500–4,000 per device). Some supplementary packages offer an additional contribution; others do not. If you or a family member wears hearing aids, check this specifically before choosing.
Orthopaedic insoles and shoes: Custom orthopaedic insoles (steunzolen) are partially covered by the basic package after GP and specialist referral. Off-the-shelf insoles are not covered. High-value custom orthopaedic shoes are covered under specific conditions. A supplementary package rarely improves this significantly.
Prosthetics: Prosthetic limbs and mobility aids are generally covered by the basic package under specific approval processes via the insurer. This is an area where direct contact with your insurer before any decision is made is important — amounts, approval requirements, and procedures vary.
Using Your Insurance as an Expat Returning Home to Visit
Your Dutch health insurance does not provide comprehensive coverage when you are visiting your home country. This catches many expats off guard.
What the basic package covers abroad:
- Emergency medical care in EU/EEA countries at the same rate as in the Netherlands
- Non-EU countries: emergency care is covered but reimbursement rates may be lower
What it does not cover:
- Planned or routine care abroad (dental check-up at your home dentist, GP visit for ongoing condition while visiting family)
- Any care in countries outside the EU/EEA that exceeds the Dutch reimbursement rate
- USA: emergency care in the US is covered in principle but US medical bills are so high that the Dutch reimbursement rarely covers the full amount
Practical implications:
- If you visit family regularly in a non-EU country, consider a travel insurance add-on or supplementary international coverage
- If you visit the USA specifically, a supplementary travel insurance with US coverage is important — medical costs in the US can quickly exceed any Dutch reimbursement
Many expats who visit the US once or twice a year add SafetyWing or similar international travel insurance just for those trips, sitting alongside their Dutch basic insurance for the rest of the year.
Add-Ons for Expats With Children
Children under 18 are covered by the basic package without extra premium, and the eigen risico does not apply to them. But there are still supplementary considerations for families:
Orthodontic treatment: Children’s braces are not covered by the basic package. They are expensive (typically EUR 2,000–5,000 for a full orthodontic course). Some mid-to-high tier supplementary packages include a contribution toward orthodontic treatment, usually between EUR 750 and EUR 2,000. If you have children in the 8–15 age range, check whether your supplementary package includes an orthodontic contribution.
Speech therapy for children: Partially covered by the basic package for children under 18 with specific indications. Some supplementary packages extend coverage.
School sport and activity injuries: These are covered by the basic package for medical treatment. However, the eigen risico applies for parents (not the child) for hospital-related care. This is one reason some parents choose to maintain a slightly higher emergency buffer rather than raising their eigen risico.
Paediatric specialists: Children generally use the same referral pathway as adults (huisarts → specialist). Waiting times at some children’s specialists can be long. A restitutiepolis (reimbursement-type basic policy) gives more flexibility to choose providers outside the contracted network if you prefer a specific paediatric practice.
The Practical Impact of Not Having Add-Ons: Three Scenarios
Scenario 1: Moving to the Netherlands with dental work needed
Without dental coverage: A check-up (EUR 45), two fillings (EUR 150 each), and an x-ray (EUR 35) in your first year costs EUR 380.
With a mid-range dental add-on at EUR 20/month: Annual premium cost EUR 240. Covered amount EUR 380 × 75% = EUR 285. Out of pocket: EUR 95. Net saving: EUR 45 in year one, more in year two as dental maintenance costs recur.
Scenario 2: Sports injury requiring physiotherapy
Without physio coverage: 8 sessions at EUR 50 each = EUR 400.
With a physio add-on at EUR 6/month: Annual premium cost EUR 72. Covered amount 8 sessions at EUR 40/session cap = EUR 320. Out of pocket: EUR 80 treatment + EUR 72 premium = EUR 152 total. Net saving versus no coverage: EUR 248.
Scenario 3: Expat who never uses anything
Without any add-ons: No cost. Full out-of-pocket for any dental, physio, or glasses needs.
With a mid-range combined add-on at EUR 25/month: Annual cost EUR 300. If you use nothing — you are down EUR 300.
This is the insurance calculation everyone faces. The question is whether the expected cost of your potential needs exceeds the premium. For most expats who wear glasses and go to the dentist twice a year, the maths almost always favours taking a moderate supplementary package.
Internal Resources
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- Lonely Expat Netherlands: Finding Community
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How to Read an Aanvullende Verzekering Policy Before Buying
Dutch supplementary insurance policies have a reputation for complexity, but the key information is consistently presented in the same structure once you know where to look.
The polisblad (policy sheet): Every policy comes with a polisblad summarising the key coverage, exclusions, and premium. This is the one-page (or two-page) document that matters most. Read it before buying, not after.
The verzekeringskaart (insurance card): For supplementary dental, the verzekerinkaart shows exactly what percentage of each treatment is reimbursed and what the annual maximum is. This is the document to compare when choosing between insurers’ dental packages.
Wachttermijnen (waiting periods): Check the wachttermijnen section explicitly. This states how long you must be a member before specific treatments are covered. For dental work, a 12-month waiting period for crowns is common at the cheapest packages. For physiotherapy and glasses, waiting periods are usually shorter (0–3 months).
Vergoedingslijst (reimbursement list): A detailed list of treatments and their reimbursement rates or amounts. Most insurers publish this on their website. For anyone with specific healthcare needs — a particular medication, a specific type of therapy, a specialist treatment — this list is the definitive reference.
Gecontracteerde zorgaanbieders (contracted care providers): For naturapolis-type supplementary insurance, this list shows which providers are covered at 100%. If you already have a specific dentist or physiotherapist you want to keep, check whether they are contracted with the insurer before switching.
One practical tip: when comparing two supplementary packages on Independer, click through to the actual policy documents rather than relying on the summary tables. The summary shows maximum amounts; the full policy shows the conditions attached to those amounts — including waiting periods, session limits, and provider restrictions that significantly affect the real value.
Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →
FAQ
What does the basic Dutch health insurance not cover?
The basic package (basisverzekering) does not cover dental care for adults over 18 (except oral surgery), most physiotherapy sessions, glasses and contact lenses, most mental health care beyond a set number of sessions, alternative medicine, and many cosmetic or elective treatments. These are covered by optional supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering).
Is dental insurance worth it for expats in the Netherlands?
For most expats, yes — especially if you have ongoing dental needs or anticipate needing work done. Dutch dental care is not cheap: a routine check-up is around €30–€50, a filling €80–€150, and a crown €500–€1,000. Dental add-ons typically cost €8–€25 per month and cover a percentage of costs up to an annual maximum.
Does basic Dutch health insurance cover physiotherapy?
The basic package covers physiotherapy only for certain chronic conditions listed on the so-called ‘chronic conditions list’ (chronische aandoeningenlijst). For other physiotherapy needs, you’ll pay out of pocket unless you have supplementary (aanvullende) insurance that includes physiotherapy sessions.
What is aanvullende verzekering?
Aanvullende verzekering means supplementary or additional insurance. It is optional insurance that you take alongside your mandatory basic health insurance (basisverzekering) to cover things not included in the basic package — most commonly dental care, physiotherapy, glasses, and mental health sessions.
Can I change my health insurance add-ons during the year?
No. In the Netherlands, health insurance (both basic and supplementary) can only be changed between 1 November and 31 December each year, with changes taking effect on 1 January the following year. The one exception is if you move to a new address or have a major life change that triggers a mid-year switch right.
Making Your Annual Insurance Switch Decision: A Checklist
Every November, Dutch health insurance comparisons open and you have until December 31 to switch. Here is how to approach the decision systematically rather than either ignoring it or switching automatically.
Step 1: Note your actual healthcare use in the past year. How many physiotherapy sessions did you use? How many dental appointments? Did you see a specialist? Use your insurer’s online portal to review your usage — most Dutch insurers provide a full claims history. This is the most important data point for next year’s decision.
Step 2: Check whether your current supplementary package paid out appropriately. If you paid €30/month for physiotherapy coverage and only used 3 of your 9 sessions, your plan may be over-insuring you. If you hit the maximum on dental coverage and paid out of pocket for additional treatment, you may be under-insured. Adjust accordingly.
Step 3: Run a Zorgpas or Independer comparison. Enter your planned healthcare use for next year and let the comparison tool calculate the total annual cost (premiums plus expected out-of-pocket) under each plan. The tool handles the complexity; your job is to input honest expected usage.
Step 4: Check for new entrant discounts. Insurers regularly offer welcome discounts or first-year premium reductions for new customers. These are often 5–15% off the annual premium. A switch that saves €200 in year one and then reverts to standard pricing may still be worth it — calculate the full-year value, not just the discount.
Step 5: Check your GP and specialist network. If you have a specific GP, dentist, physiotherapist, or specialist you want to keep, verify that they are contracted with the new insurer before switching. Insurers publish their contracted network online — check before you commit.
Step 6: Make the switch before December 31. Procrastinating into January means you stay on your current plan for another full year. Set a calendar reminder for November 15 to start the comparison and December 20 as the deadline for submitting any switch.
The combination that works for most expats is a sound basic policy with a moderate dental supplement and a physiotherapy add-on. This covers the two highest-probability expense categories for most working adults. Review it each November using Independer, adjusting based on what you actually claimed the previous year. Insurance is not set-and-forget — your healthcare needs change, insurer pricing changes annually, and the supplementary landscape shifts. A yearly review takes 30 minutes and consistently saves money or improves coverage for those who do it.
External source: Zorgverzekeringslijn — onafhankelijke info — independent information on this topic.