Health & Insurance Guides for Expats in the Netherlands 2026 (16 guides)

How the Dutch Healthcare System Works

The Netherlands operates a regulated private insurance system. There is no NHS equivalent. Instead, every resident is legally required to take out a basic health insurance policy — called a basisverzekering — from one of the approved Dutch insurers. The government sets what the basic package must cover. Insurers compete on price and additional coverage.

You have four months from arrival to arrange your zorgverzekering, and a policy taken out in that window is backdated to the day you arrived. If you stay uninsured, the CAK sends a letter, then fines you (€529.74 in 2026, twice if needed) and eventually takes out a policy for you.

Eigen Risico: Understanding Your Deductible

Every adult pays an eigen risico — a mandatory annual deductible — before the insurer covers most costs. In 2026 the mandatory deductible is €385. GP visits are covered without applying the deductible, which is why most Dutch residents visit their huisarts first for almost every health issue.

Choosing a Zorgverzekering

The difference between the cheapest and most expensive basic policies in 2026 is around €50 per month. But price is not the only factor. Some policies limit your choice of hospital or specialist (naturapolis, budget policy), while a combinatiepolis gives you more freedom at a higher premium (the restitutiepolis has not been sold since 2025). If you want to see a specific doctor or use a specific hospital, checking the policy type before you sign up is a must.

Use the health insurance wizard to compare the main options based on your personal situation — family size, preferred hospitals, budget, and whether you have specific ongoing treatments.

The basic package is the same at every insurer; compare premium and policy type to see the actual spread before choosing.

Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →

Supplementary and Expat Insurance

The basic package does not cover dental care for adults, physiotherapy beyond a limited number of sessions, or care outside the government-set package (basic and specialist mental health care are included). Supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) fills some of these gaps.

If you are in the Netherlands on a short-term assignment or not yet registered as a resident, international expat insurance may be a better option than the Dutch system. We compare the main expat insurance providers and explain exactly when each option makes sense.

SafetyWing is one of the options in that comparison. It is a travel medical policy rather than a Dutch basisverzekering, so it does not satisfy the Dutch insurance obligation once you are a resident — but it is a common choice for the weeks between arriving and having your BSN and Dutch policy in place.

Check SafetyWing coverage and pricing →

The Huisarts System