Life Insurance for Expats in Netherlands 2026

When I first arrived in the Netherlands, life insurance was not on my list of priorities. I was focused on getting my BSN, finding a GP, and working out the public transport system. It was only when I started looking at buying a flat that the topic came up — and I realised I’d been ignoring something that many expats need to think about earlier than they do.

This guide covers what life insurance means in the Dutch context, who needs it as an expat, how much it costs, and how to find a policy that works for your situation.

What is Life Insurance in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, the most common form of life insurance is called overlijdensrisicoverzekering (OVR) — literally “death risk insurance.” It is a term life insurance policy: you pay a monthly premium, and if you die during the policy term, the insurer pays a lump sum to your nominated beneficiaries.

This is distinct from whole-of-life insurance or investment-linked life products, which are less common in the Dutch market.

There is also uitvaartverzekering (funeral insurance), which covers the cost of your funeral specifically. This is widely held in the Netherlands — about half the population has some form of it — but it is separate from income replacement life insurance and has lower relevance for most expats.

Who Needs Life Insurance as an Expat?

You Probably Need It If:

You have a mortgage. Dutch mortgage lenders typically require you to take out a term life policy as a condition of the loan. The policy ensures that if you die, the mortgage is paid off and your partner or family doesn’t lose the property. This is the most common reason expats find themselves needing Dutch life insurance.

You have a partner or children dependent on your income. If your death would leave family members unable to maintain their living standards, a life insurance payout provides a financial buffer.

You are self-employed and have no employer life insurance. Employees in the Netherlands often have some level of life insurance through their employer’s pension scheme (pensioenfonds). Self-employed expats (ZZP-ers) have no such automatic coverage.

You have dependents back in your home country. Some expats send money home regularly to support parents, siblings, or children. Life insurance can protect these financial arrangements.

You Probably Don’t Need It If:

You are single with no dependents
You don’t have a mortgage or significant shared financial obligations
You have substantial savings that would cover any immediate needs
Your employer provides adequate life insurance through your employment contract

The Mortgage Link

The most common scenario I see among expats in the Netherlands is: they want to buy a property, they approach a mortgage lender, and they discover the lender requires a life insurance policy.

Dutch mortgage lenders typically want to see that:

The mortgage can be repaid if you die
If you have a partner on the mortgage, that they can continue servicing it if you die

The typical arrangement is a dalende overlijdensrisicoverzekering (decreasing term insurance), where the payout decreases over time in line with the outstanding mortgage balance. This is cheaper than a level-term policy and is often acceptable to lenders.

Alternatively, a gelijkblijvende overlijdensrisicoverzekering (level term insurance) maintains a fixed payout throughout the term, giving more flexibility for what the money can be used for.

For our full guide on mortgages for expats, see Finding a Mortgage Broker Netherlands: Expat Guide.

How Dutch Life Insurance Works

The Application Process

To apply for term life insurance in the Netherlands you will typically need:

Personal details. Name, date of birth, address, BSN.
Health declaration. Most applications involve a health questionnaire. You’ll be asked about smoking status, existing conditions, recent hospital stays, and family medical history.
Medical examination. For higher coverage amounts (typically above €300,000–€500,000) or for older applicants, insurers may require a medical examination by a doctor.
Residency documentation. Proof of Dutch residence. A valid residency permit if you’re a non-EU national.

Exclusions to Watch

Dutch life insurance policies typically exclude:

Death by suicide within the first two years of the policy
Death resulting from criminal activity by the insured
Death in certain high-risk activities (some extreme sports, some military deployment)

Read the policy wording carefully. Some policies exclude pre-existing conditions — meaning if you have a known health condition, it may not be covered unless specifically included.

Payout and Beneficiaries

You nominate beneficiaries when you take out the policy. In the case of a mortgage-linked policy, the bank may be the primary beneficiary (to cover the outstanding loan) with any excess going to your estate.

For policies without a mortgage link, you can nominate a partner, family member, or even a charity. Dutch law applies certain inheritance rules, so it’s worth getting legal advice if your estate situation is complicated.

What Does Life Insurance Cost in the Netherlands?

Premiums depend on:

Age. The younger you are, the lower the premium.
Smoking status. Smokers pay significantly more — often 2–3x the premium of non-smokers.
Health. Pre-existing conditions increase premiums or may lead to exclusions.
Coverage amount. Higher payout = higher premium.
Policy term. Longer terms cost more.

Indicative monthly premiums (2026 estimates):

Profile	Coverage	Term	Monthly premium
Non-smoking, age 30	€200,000	20 years	€12–€18
Non-smoking, age 35	€200,000	20 years	€15–€25
Non-smoking, age 40	€200,000	20 years	€22–€38
Non-smoking, age 45	€200,000	20 years	€38–€65
Smoker, age 35	€200,000	20 years	€35–€60

These are rough guides. Actual quotes vary by insurer. The only way to get accurate pricing is to request quotes.

Finding Life Insurance as an Expat in the Netherlands

Option 1: Via Your Mortgage Adviser

If you’re buying a property, your mortgage adviser will typically help you arrange life insurance as part of the process. They often have access to multiple insurers and can compare quotes.

Be aware that advisers earn commission on insurance products. This doesn’t mean their recommendations are poor, but it’s worth comparing independently too.

Option 2: Via Independer or Vergelijk.nl

Comparison platforms like Independer allow you to compare insurance products in the Netherlands. Life insurance comparison is available alongside health insurance comparisons.

Compare Dutch insurance options on Independer

These platforms are in Dutch, but the interfaces are manageable and many expats use them successfully. Entering your details will generate comparison quotes from multiple providers.

Option 3: Specialist Expat Brokers

If your situation is more complex — temporary permit, unusual health history, international elements — specialist expat insurance brokers are worth using. They understand the Dutch market but have experience working with non-Dutch applicants. They can often access insurers that don’t appear on standard comparison sites.

Look for brokers who are registered with the AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten), the Dutch financial regulator, and who have relevant certifications.

Option 4: International Life Insurance

Some expats prefer to maintain a life insurance policy from their home country or through an international insurer. This can work, particularly if you already have coverage in place. However, Dutch mortgage lenders may require a Dutch policy, and cross-border portability varies. Check with your lender before assuming an international policy will be accepted.

Life Insurance and the 30% Tax Ruling

If you’re benefiting from the 30% tax ruling, your employment terms are more favourable than standard — but this doesn’t change your life insurance situation directly. Note that the 30% ruling ends (currently after 5 years under revised rules from 2024), and this may affect your overall financial planning including insurance needs.

Joint Life Insurance for Couples

If you and your partner are both on a Dutch mortgage, lenders typically require both of you to have coverage. You can take out separate policies or a gezamenlijke overlijdensrisicoverzekering (joint life policy), which covers both lives and pays out on the first death. Joint policies can be cheaper than two separate ones, but they only pay out once — if the survivor then needs coverage, they’d need a new policy.

For most expat couples I’ve spoken to, two separate policies is the more flexible choice.

Dutch Life Insurance and Tax

Life insurance premiums in the Netherlands are not tax-deductible for most individuals. However, if you have a mortgage-linked policy, there may be implications for how the mortgage interest deduction works.

Payouts from life insurance policies are generally not subject to income tax in the Netherlands. However, they may form part of your estate for inheritance tax (erfbelasting) purposes, depending on how the policy is structured and who the beneficiaries are.

For complex cross-border situations — for example, if you have beneficiaries in another country — it is worth consulting a tax adviser who understands both Dutch and your home country tax law.

What to Do When You Move Away

If you leave the Netherlands, contact your insurer before you go. Policies vary:

Some continue as normal regardless of your residence country
Some require you to remain resident in the EU
Some become void if you leave the Netherlands

If your policy is mortgage-linked and you’ve sold the property, you may be able to convert it to a standalone policy or cancel it (check if there is a surrender value, though most term policies have none).

Action Steps

Assess whether you need life insurance (see checklist above)
If yes, decide on coverage amount — a common rule of thumb is 10x your annual income, or enough to pay off your mortgage plus provide 3–5 years of your partner’s living expenses
Get quotes via a comparison site or broker
Check your employer’s benefits — you may already have some coverage
Apply, complete the health declaration honestly, and keep a copy of your policy documentation

Internal Resources

FAQ

Do expats in the Netherlands need life insurance?

It depends on your situation. If you have a mortgage, most lenders require a term life insurance policy (overlijdensrisicoverzekering). If you have dependents relying on your income, life insurance provides important protection. Single expats without dependents or mortgages often don’t need it.

What is overlijdensrisicoverzekering?

Overlijdensrisicoverzekering is the Dutch term for term life insurance. It pays out a lump sum to your beneficiaries if you die during the policy term. It is the most common form of life insurance in the Netherlands and is typically linked to a mortgage.

Can expats with temporary residence permits get life insurance in the Netherlands?

Yes, but options may be more limited. Some Dutch insurers require a permanent residence permit or Dutch citizenship. Others will insure expats with a valid temporary permit and a Dutch address. Brokers who work with expats can help you find willing providers.

How much does life insurance cost in the Netherlands?

Premiums depend on age, health, coverage amount, and policy term. A healthy 35-year-old can typically get €200,000 in coverage for 20 years for around €15–€30 per month. Smokers and those with pre-existing conditions pay higher premiums.

What happens to my Dutch life insurance policy if I leave the Netherlands?

This depends on the policy terms. Many Dutch policies allow you to maintain coverage if you move to another country, but you should check your insurer’s terms carefully. Some policies become void if you no longer reside in the Netherlands. Notify your insurer before relocating.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do expats in the Netherlands need life insurance?

What is overlijdensrisicoverzekering?

Can expats with temporary residence permits get life insurance in the Netherlands?

How much does life insurance cost in the Netherlands?

What happens to my Dutch life insurance policy if I leave the Netherlands?

This depends on the policy terms. Many Dutch policies allow you to maintain coverage if you move to another country, but you should check your insurer's terms carefully. Some policies become void if you no longer reside in the Netherlands. Notify your insurer before relocating.

Sarah van den Berg

Expat coach and relocation specialist at Expat Netherlands Hub.