When I advise expats on choosing Dutch health insurance, CZ comes up frequently. It sits in an interesting position: large enough to have a national contracted care network, but still more personalised in customer service than the very biggest players like VGZ. For expats who want a reliable, nationally available insurer without necessarily paying the top premium, CZ deserves a thorough look.
This review covers CZ’s premiums, coverage, English-language support, the claims process, supplementary packages, and how it compares to other Dutch insurers.
What Is CZ?
CZ (CZ Groep) is one of the four largest health insurers in the Netherlands, alongside VGZ, Menzis, and Zilveren Kruis. Based in Tilburg, CZ serves approximately 3.3 million members across the country. It is a non-profit insurer (onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij), meaning profits are reinvested rather than distributed to shareholders.
CZ also owns a number of budget labels that use its care network:
- Just (formerly CZdirect): A digital-first label with lower premiums
- Nationale Nederlanden Zorg: A CZ-branded product sold through Nationale Nederlanden
These labels are worth knowing about if you want CZ’s network at a lower price point.
| Fact | CZ |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1853 |
| Headquarters | Tilburg |
| Members | ~3.3 million |
| Type | National (non-profit) |
| English support | Moderate |
| Labels | CZ, Just, Nationale Nederlanden Zorg |
CZ Premiums 2026
| Policy Type | Monthly Premium (2026) |
|---|---|
| CZ Natura | ~EUR 148/month |
| CZ Restitutie | ~EUR 155/month |
| Just (budget label, natura) | ~EUR 143/month |
These figures are approximate — premiums can vary slightly depending on the exact package and any group discounts available through your employer.
Eigen Risico Options
The mandatory eigen risico in 2026 is EUR 385. CZ allows you to voluntarily increase this:
| Total Eigen Risico | Premium Reduction |
|---|---|
| EUR 385 (mandatory only) | No reduction |
| EUR 485 | ~EUR 5/month off |
| EUR 585 | ~EUR 9/month off |
| EUR 685 | ~EUR 13/month off |
| EUR 885 (maximum) | ~EUR 19/month off |
Natura vs Restitutie: The Critical Choice
CZ Natura Policy
With CZ’s natura policy, care at contracted providers is fully covered (subject to eigen risico). At non-contracted providers, CZ typically reimburses 75-80% of the Dutch market rate. Since CZ has a large national contracted network, most expats find that their preferred hospital or specialist is covered.
CZ Restitutie Policy
The restitutie policy covers care at any provider in the Netherlands, contracted or not, up to the Dutch market rate. The premium is around EUR 7/month higher than natura. For expats in cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Eindhoven where certain preferred clinics or specialists may not be contracted with CZ, restitutie gives peace of mind.
My take: CZ’s contracted network is large enough that many expats are comfortable with the natura option. If you plan to use a specific private clinic, check whether it is contracted before deciding.
Basic Insurance Coverage
The basisverzekering content is set by the Dutch government and is the same across all insurers. Here is what CZ’s basic policy covers:
| Treatment | Covered? | Eigen Risico Applies? |
|---|---|---|
| GP (huisarts) visits | Yes | No |
| Hospital care and surgery | Yes | Yes |
| Specialist referrals | Yes | Yes |
| Prescription drugs (formulary list) | Yes | Yes |
| Mental healthcare (with GP referral) | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity and prenatal care | Yes | No |
| Kraamzorg (postnatal home care) | Yes | No |
| Ambulance transport | Yes | Yes |
| Physiotherapy (chronic conditions, from session 1) | Yes | Yes |
| Physiotherapy (non-chronic conditions, sessions 21+) | Yes | Yes |
| Dental care (under 18) | Yes | No |
| Adult dental care | No | N/A |
CZ Supplementary Insurance Packages
CZ’s supplementary packages are among the better-developed in the Dutch market. The main options for expats:
CZ Aanvullend 1 (basic)
- 9 physiotherapy sessions/year
- Dental up to EUR 250/year
- Glasses contribution EUR 50 (every 2 years)
- ~EUR 13/month
CZ Aanvullend 2 (popular with expats)
- 18 physiotherapy sessions/year
- Dental up to EUR 500/year
- Glasses EUR 75 (every 2 years)
- Travel vaccinations (up to EUR 150/year)
- Alternative therapies (limited)
- ~EUR 23/month
CZ Aanvullend Plus / Uitgebreid
- Unlimited physiotherapy (with conditions)
- Dental up to EUR 1,000/year
- Orthodontics contribution
- Comprehensive travel vaccination coverage
- Better abroad coverage
- ~EUR 40-55/month
CZ Tandverzekering (Dental)
CZ offers dedicated dental insurance with annual limits from EUR 500 to EUR 2,500. This is particularly useful if you are moving from a country where dental care was free or heavily subsidised.
For most expats, I suggest CZ Aanvullend 2 as the starting point. It covers the physiotherapy, dental basics, and vaccinations that come up most often in day-to-day expat life.
English Language Support at CZ
This is an area where CZ performs noticeably better than many Dutch-only insurers:
What CZ offers in English:
- English-language information on cz.nl (partial)
- English-speaking customer service representatives (not guaranteed, but common)
- MijnCZ member portal with English-language option
- English-language forms for certain processes
What is still in Dutch:
- All official insurance letters and policy documents
- Reimbursement decision letters
- Complex policy wording
CZ is not fully bilingual, but for expats who need to ask a straightforward question or understand their coverage, the English support is adequate for most situations. For disputes or complex matters, you may still need Dutch assistance.
How Claims Work at CZ
Natura Policy Claims
For natura policyholders, most care is direct-billed — the provider sends the claim to CZ, and you are charged only for the eigen risico portion you owe. You do not typically need to submit paperwork.
Restitutie Claims
If you paid for care directly, submit the claim via MijnCZ:
- Log in to mijn.cz.nl
- Go to “Declaraties” (claims)
- Upload the invoice
- Enter your IBAN for reimbursement
- Submit — reimbursement typically arrives within 5-10 working days
CZ’s digital claims portal works reasonably well. The upload process is straightforward and status updates are visible within the portal.
CZ’s Group Discounts
One underused benefit at CZ: group discounts. Many Dutch employers negotiate group contracts with CZ, giving employees a 3-10% discount on premiums. This can save EUR 50-200 per year compared to the standard individual rate. When you start a new job in the Netherlands, always ask your HR department whether the company has a group health insurance arrangement.
Professional associations and expat communities sometimes also arrange group discounts. Worth checking if you have a relevant membership.
CZ Customer Satisfaction
CZ’s customer satisfaction ratings in 2026:
| Rating Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall customer satisfaction (Zorgwijzer) | 7.6/10 |
| Digital services (app + portal) | 7.8/10 |
| Claims handling speed | 7.5/10 |
| Accessibility of customer service | 7.2/10 |
CZ performs consistently across most categories. The main customer complaints tend to be about waiting times for complex claim disputes and the phone queue during the November-December enrollment period.
CZ vs Competitors: Comparison Table
| Insurer | Premium (Basic Restitutie) | English Support | Network | Satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZ | ~EUR 155/month | Moderate | National | 7.6/10 |
| DSW | ~EUR 149/month | Limited | Regional (SW) | 7.8/10 |
| Zilveren Kruis | ~EUR 163/month | Good | National | 7.4/10 |
| VGZ | ~EUR 154/month | Moderate | National | 7.3/10 |
| Menzis | ~EUR 158/month | Limited | National | 7.5/10 |
CZ is mid-tier on price and solid on most other dimensions. It is not the cheapest and not the most English-friendly, but it is a dependable, nationally available option.
Using the Independer Comparison Tool
Before committing to CZ, I always recommend running a comparison. Premiums shift each year, CZ may or may not be the best value for your specific situation, and small differences add up over 12 months.
Compare CZ against all Dutch insurers on Independer →
Independer shows you exact 2026 premiums side by side, lets you filter by contracted care and supplementary options, and takes about five minutes. I use it every year during the open enrollment period.
How to Register with CZ
If CZ is the right fit, registration is fairly simple:
- Go to cz.nl (browser translation helps for non-Dutch speakers)
- Choose your policy type (natura or restitutie) and supplementary package
- Enter your BSN, date of birth, and municipality registration date
- Provide your IBAN for direct debit
- Review and submit
- Your insurance card arrives within 7-10 working days
CZ collects premiums by direct debit monthly. Coverage begins from your registration date if you apply within four months of registering in the Netherlands.
Internal Links
- Dutch health insurance for expats: complete guide 2026
- What Dutch health insurance covers (and what it doesn’t)
- DSW health insurance review for expats 2026
- Zilveren Kruis vs CZ for expats
- Best Dutch health insurance plans 2026
- Best health insurance add-ons for expats
- Physiotherapy in the Netherlands: expat guide
- Finding an English-speaking doctor in the Netherlands
- Dutch healthcare system explained for newcomers
My Verdict on CZ for Expats
CZ is a reliable, nationally available insurer that hits the middle of the market on price and quality. The partial English support makes it more approachable than some alternatives, and the group discount system can make it genuinely competitive if your employer is in the CZ network.
It is not the cheapest option and it is not the best for English support. But for expats who want a solid national insurer without having to gamble on a smaller regional player, CZ does the job well.
As always: compare first. Your personal situation — location, health needs, employer, and budget — should drive the decision.
See CZ’s current premiums and compare all insurers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CZ good for expats in the Netherlands?
CZ is one of the larger Dutch health insurers and operates nationally, so the contracted care network covers the whole country. Customer satisfaction scores are solid. CZ offers moderate English support — better than purely regional insurers but not as robust as Zilveren Kruis. For most expacts without a strong preference for a specific regional insurer, CZ is a reliable middle-ground choice: competitive premiums, good coverage, and a reasonably accessible digital experience.
What is CZ’s basic insurance premium in 2026?
CZ’s basisverzekering premiums in 2026 are approximately EUR 148/month for the natura policy and EUR 155/month for the restitutie policy. CZ also sells budget labels such as Just and Nationale Nederlanden Zorg, which use the CZ care network but offer slightly lower premiums in exchange for a more limited service offering.
Does CZ offer English language support?
CZ has a partial English-language offer. Their main website (cz.nl) is in Dutch, but CZ operates an English-language information page and customer service representatives often speak English. For straightforward queries — signing up, checking coverage, submitting a claim — you can usually manage in English. CZ also has a functional English-language version of their MijnCZ member portal.
What supplementary insurance does CZ offer for expats?
CZ offers several supplementary (aanvullende) packages at different price points, covering physiotherapy sessions, dental care, glasses, travel vaccinations, and alternative therapies. The mid-range CZ Aanvullend 2 or CZ Aanvullend Plus packages are most popular with expats. CZ also sells a comprehensive dental package (tandverzekering) if you want significant dental coverage.
How does CZ handle care abroad for expats who travel?
Under CZ’s restitutie policy, medically necessary care received abroad is generally reimbursed up to Dutch market rates. Coverage for care outside the EU is more limited under the basic policy. If you travel frequently, consider adding a reisverzekering (travel insurance) or ensuring your supplementary package includes adequate abroad coverage. CZ’s higher supplementary tiers often include better abroad coverage.
Can I switch to CZ mid-year?
You can only switch your basic health insurer during the annual open enrollment period, which runs from mid-November to 31 December. The new policy takes effect on 1 January. If you are new to the Netherlands and registering for the first time, you can take out CZ at any point in the year — your coverage starts from your municipality registration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CZ good for expats in the Netherlands?
CZ is one of the larger Dutch health insurers and operates nationally, so the contracted care network covers the whole country. Customer satisfaction scores are solid. CZ offers moderate English support — better than purely regional insurers but not as robust as Zilveren Kruis. For most expats without a strong preference for a specific regional insurer, CZ is a reliable middle-ground choice: competitive premiums, good coverage, and a reasonably accessible digital experience.
What is CZ's basic insurance premium in 2026?
CZ's basisverzekering premiums in 2026 are approximately EUR 148/month for the natura policy and EUR 155/month for the restitutie policy. CZ also sells budget labels such as Just and Nationale Nederlanden Zorg, which use the CZ care network but offer slightly lower premiums in exchange for a more limited service offering.
Does CZ offer English language support?
CZ has a partial English-language offer. Their main website (cz.nl) is in Dutch, but CZ operates an English-language information page and customer service representatives often speak English. For straightforward queries — signing up, checking coverage, submitting a claim — you can usually manage in English. CZ also has a functional English-language version of their MijnCZ member portal.
What supplementary insurance does CZ offer for expats?
CZ offers several supplementary (aanvullende) packages at different price points, covering physiotherapy sessions, dental care, glasses, travel vaccinations, and alternative therapies. The mid-range CZ Aanvullend 2 or CZ Aanvullend Plus packages are most popular with expats. CZ also sells a comprehensive dental package (tandverzekering) if you want significant dental coverage.
How does CZ handle care abroad for expats who travel?
Under CZ's restitutie policy, medically necessary care received abroad is generally reimbursed up to Dutch market rates. Coverage for care outside the EU is more limited under the basic policy. If you travel frequently, consider adding a reisverzekering (travel insurance) or ensuring your supplementary package includes adequate abroad coverage. CZ's higher supplementary tiers often include better abroad coverage.
Can I switch to CZ mid-year?
You can only switch your basic health insurer during the annual open enrollment period, which runs from mid-November to 31 December. The new policy takes effect on 1 January. If you are new to the Netherlands and registering for the first time, you can take out CZ at any point in the year — your coverage starts from your municipality registration date.
