Expat Insurance Cost Netherlands 2026: Full Breakdown

The cost question I get asked more than any other: how much should I budget for health insurance in the Netherlands? Whether you have just accepted a job in Amsterdam, you are researching the move from London, or you are six months in and wondering why your bank account looks thinner than expected — the answer matters enormously for your budget planning.

Here is the short version: Dutch basic insurance (basisverzekering) costs €130–€175/month in 2026, plus a mandatory own-risk payment (eigen risico) of €385/year. If your income qualifies, a government allowance (zorgtoeslag) can reduce your net cost to under €100/month. International insurance from providers like SafetyWing is an option for specific situations, starting at around €45/month.

The longer version — with exact prices, scenarios, and money-saving tactics — is what this guide covers.

How much does Dutch basisverzekering cost in 2026?

Every person legally residing in the Netherlands and registered at a Dutch address is legally required to take out basisverzekering within four months of arrival. This is not optional and not something you can skip to save money. For a full explanation of how the system works, see the Dutch health insurance guide for expats 2026.

The basic package covers:

• GP visits (huisarts) — always free, no deductible
• Hospital treatment after GP referral
• Prescription medication (most drugs on the formulary)
• Mental health care (up to a limit)
• Maternity care and midwifery
• Basic physiotherapy (limited sessions)

What it does not cover for adults: dental care (except oral surgery), glasses and contact lenses, most physiotherapy beyond the covered sessions, and a range of “extras” that many people end up needing.

2026 premium overview by insurer

Premiums are set per calendar year and published in November for the following year. These are the 2026 monthly rates for a standard policy without additional cover:

The national average lands at roughly €150/month in 2026. Year-on-year, premiums have risen about 8–10%, a trend driven by rising healthcare costs and wage increases in the sector.

You can switch insurers every year before 31 December for a new policy starting 1 January. I have switched twice in four years — it takes about 20 minutes and can save you €200–€400 annually.

The eigen risico: the number people always underestimate

On top of your monthly premium, you pay a mandatory eigen risico (own-risk deductible) of €385 in 2026. This applies to most care — hospital visits, specialist consultations, most physiotherapy — but NOT to your GP, maternity care, or a handful of other basic services.

You can voluntarily raise your eigen risico to €485, €585, €685, €785, or €885. Each step up reduces your monthly premium by roughly €5–€15 depending on the insurer. At the maximum €885, you might save €70–€100/year in premiums — but you are taking on up to €500 more in potential costs. The math only works in your favor if you are reliably healthy and rarely need specialist care.

My rule of thumb: if you are under 35, have no chronic conditions, and did not use your full eigen risico last year, raising it to €585 or €685 is reasonable. For anyone else, stick to the mandatory minimum.

Annual eigen risico cost in practice:

• Best case (healthy year, only GP): €0 out of pocket
• Average expat year (1–2 specialist visits): €150–€385
• Higher utilisation (chronic issue, surgery): full €385

For budget planning, I tell people to set aside €32/month (€385 ÷ 12) as their eigen risico buffer.

Supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering): costs and what you get

Basic basisverzekering leaves significant gaps. Supplementary packages fill those gaps — for a price.

Dental insurance (tandartsverzekering)

Adult dental is almost entirely uncovered by the basic package. A check-up plus cleaning at a Dutch dentist costs €80–€130. A filling runs €60–€120. A crown can easily hit €700–€900.

Dental add-ons are priced by the annual reimbursement cap:

Is it worth it? If you go twice a year and have solid teeth, the basic €12/month dental add-on (€144/year) easily covers €200–€250 in annual dental costs. If you have older fillings or need orthodontic work, a higher tier quickly pays for itself.

Physiotherapy (fysiotherapie)

Basic basisverzekering covers only a limited number of physiotherapy sessions per year for chronic conditions. For everyone else, physiotherapy is out of pocket without supplementary cover.

A single physio session in the Netherlands costs €40–€75. If you run, cycle seriously, or sit at a desk all day (most of us), you will use physiotherapy at some point.

Physio add-ons typically cost:

Other common supplementary cover

• Glasses and lenses: €3–€8/month, reimburses €100–€200/year
• Alternative medicine (acupuncture, osteopathy): €5–€12/month
• Ambulance abroad: often bundled in travel add-ons, €2–€5/month
• Mental health (extended): €5–€15/month beyond basic package

Full supplementary package costs

When you bundle dental, physio, glasses, and alternative medicine into a full aanvullend pakket, expect to pay:

• Budget pakket: €15–€20/month
• Mid pakket: €25–€35/month
• Full pakket: €40–€50/month

For most working expats without dependants, a mid-range pakket around €25–€30/month is the sweet spot: solid dental and physio coverage without paying for things you will never use.

International health insurance: costs and when it makes sense

Dutch basisverzekering is the right choice once you are a full resident. But there are situations where international insurance is either necessary or genuinely better value.

When to consider international insurance

1. Pre-registration period: You have arrived but not yet received your BSN or completed municipal registration. You cannot take out basisverzekering without a BSN.
2. Digital nomad or part-time resident: You spend fewer than 4 months per year in the Netherlands and are not tax-registered here.
3. Employer requirement: Some international companies require global health coverage regardless of local policy.
4. Short-term assignment: You are here for under a year and returning to your home country.

SafetyWing — budget option for nomads and transitional expats

SafetyWing is designed for people who are between residencies, moving countries frequently, or in that awkward pre-registration gap. It is not a replacement for Dutch basisverzekering once you are a registered resident — but for the transition period, it fills the gap well. For a full roundup of all international options, see best expat insurance Netherlands 2026.

Prices (2026):

• Age 18–39: from €45–€55/month
• Age 40–49: from €70–€90/month
• Age 50–59: from €100–€130/month
• Family add-on (children): free for the first two children

SafetyWing covers emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and repatriation. It does not cover routine dental, pre-existing conditions, or non-emergency care — and it has a $250 deductible per policy period.

I used SafetyWing for my first 6 weeks in the Netherlands while sorting out my BSN and municipal registration. For that specific window, it was exactly what I needed at a price that did not sting.

See my SafetyWing vs Cigna comparison for a detailed look at how it stacks up for longer-term international coverage.

Cigna Global — premium international coverage

Cigna is the choice for expats who want full global coverage, including the Netherlands, without being tied to the Dutch healthcare network.

Cigna Global monthly costs (2026):

• Age 25: €150–€220/month
• Age 35: €180–€270/month
• Age 45: €250–€350/month
• Age 55: €320–€400/month

These prices are for the core plan excluding dental and optical add-ons. Full coverage with dental can reach €400–€500/month for someone in their 40s.

Cigna makes sense if: you travel heavily, you expect to move countries again within 1–2 years, or your employer subsidises the premium. For a permanent Dutch resident, it is significantly more expensive than basisverzekering for equivalent base coverage.

Aetna International

Aetna sits in a similar bracket to Cigna, with slightly more flexible plan structures.

Aetna monthly costs (2026):

• Age 25–34: €130–€200/month
• Age 35–44: €190–€280/month
• Age 45–54: €270–€350/month

Aetna’s plans include a range of deductible options ($500–$10,000) that can bring premiums down meaningfully if you are willing to carry more risk. Their network in the Netherlands includes most major hospitals.

For a full comparison of these two providers, see Cigna vs Aetna expat insurance 2026.

Zorgtoeslag: how the Dutch government reduces your bill

Zorgtoeslag is a monthly government subsidy paid directly to your bank account to help cover health insurance costs. It is one of the most valuable financial benefits available to expats in the Netherlands — and one of the most overlooked.

Who qualifies in 2026?

• You are legally residing in the Netherlands
• You have taken out Dutch basisverzekering
• Your toetsingsinkomen (assessment income) is below:
  • Single person: €37,496/year
  • Partners (combined): €47,368/year
• Your assets do not exceed the threshold (roughly €140,000 for singles)

Most junior and mid-level employees earning under €37,000 qualify. Senior professionals on €60,000+ do not.

How much do you get?

The allowance is income-dependent and calculated monthly. In 2026:

• Maximum allowance (very low income): up to €150/month
• Income around €25,000: roughly €100–€120/month
• Income around €32,000: roughly €40–€70/month
• Income above €37,496: €0

The allowance is paid monthly in advance based on your estimated income. If your actual income differs, you settle the difference the following year.

How to apply

1. Go to toeslagen.nl (available in Dutch only, but browser translation works fine)
2. Log in with DigiD
3. Select “Zorgtoeslag” under toeslagen
4. Enter your estimated annual income and insurance details
5. Submit — allowance starts within 1–2 months

Apply as soon as you have your BSN and basic insurance in place. The allowance does not apply retroactively beyond 1 September of the current year for the previous year.

Realistic annual cost scenarios

Let me put numbers together in a way that is actually useful for budget planning. If you are also considering international insurance options, see the Cigna vs Aetna comparison for a detailed breakdown.

Scenario 1: Young, healthy, basic policy only

• Profile: 28-year-old, no chronic conditions, occasional GP visit
• Insurer: DSW (€131/month)
• Aanvullend: None
• Eigen risico spent: €0–€100 (mostly healthy)
• Zorgtoeslag: Not eligible (income €45,000)

Scenario 2: Mid-income expat with full package

• Profile: 36-year-old, running injuries, regular dentist visits
• Insurer: ONVZ (€140/month) + mid pakket (€30/month)
• Eigen risico spent: €385 (physio + specialist)
• Zorgtoeslag: Not eligible (income €55,000)

Scenario 3: Lower-income expat with zorgtoeslag

• Profile: 31-year-old, income €26,000, basic health
• Insurer: CZ (€138/month)
• Zorgtoeslag: €110/month
• Eigen risico spent: €100

Scenario 4: Family with two adults

• Profile: Two adults (35 + 33), one child, mid-range supplementary
• Insurer: Zilveren Kruis (€148/month each) + pakket €28/month each
• Children: Free (no premium for under 18s)
• Eigen risico: €385 each (€770 combined, assuming normal use)

Netherlands vs other countries: how costs compare

One of the first things I did when I moved here was compare what I was paying in the Netherlands against what I had paid in the UK, and what I knew friends paid in the US.

The Netherlands sits in a reasonable middle ground. It is not as “free” as the NHS, but the mandatory eigen risico is capped, predictable, and manageable in a way that US deductibles rarely are. For most expats coming from the US, the Dutch system feels like a significant improvement in both predictability and cost.

The comparison with Germany is more complicated — statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) ties your premium to your salary rather than a fixed rate, which can be cheaper at lower incomes and more expensive at higher ones.

How to save money on Dutch health insurance

1. Switch insurers every year

The Dutch government makes it easy to switch before 31 December for a 1 January start date. Most people stay with their insurer out of inertia. Use zorgwijzer.nl or independer.nl to run an annual comparison. Switching from a €168 insurer to a €131 one saves €444/year for identical basic coverage.

2. Raise the eigen risico if you are healthy

If you have not used your eigen risico in the last two years, raising it from €385 to €585 saves roughly €60–€90/year in premiums. The math only turns against you if you need specialist care.

3. Apply for zorgtoeslag immediately

Too many expats miss months of allowance because they do not apply until their first tax filing. Apply at toeslagen.nl the moment you have your BSN and active insurance. If your income is under €37,496, you are likely leaving money on the table.

4. Choose naturapolis over restitutiepoils if you use contracted providers

A naturapolis (in-network policy) is typically €10–€20/month cheaper than a restitutiepolis (any-provider policy). Unless you have a specific reason to see a non-contracted specialist, naturapolis delivers the same care at a lower price.

5. Be strategic with supplementary cover

Do not auto-renew your aanvullend pakket without checking what you actually used last year. Many people pay for physio cover they never use, or dental cover that barely breaks even. Cancelling unused supplementary insurance and self-insuring instead saves €120–€360/year.

6. Check your employer’s collective scheme

Many Dutch employers negotiate collective health insurance (collectiviteitskorting) that gives employees 3–10% off premiums. This is often not advertised proactively — ask your HR department.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average cost of health insurance in the Netherlands in 2026? The average premium for Dutch basisverzekering is around €150/month. Cheaper options like DSW start at €130/month, while more extensive policies reach €175/month. Add the mandatory eigen risico of €385/year and you are looking at roughly €2,185/year before any allowances.

Which is the cheapest health insurer in the Netherlands for expats? DSW, ONVZ, and CZ consistently offer the lowest basic premiums, typically in the €130–€140/month range. Always use zorgwijzer.nl or independer.nl to compare current rates for your specific situation, as prices change annually.

Can expats get zorgtoeslag in the Netherlands? Yes — if you are legally residing in the Netherlands, pay Dutch income tax, and earn below roughly €37,496/year (singles), you qualify. The allowance can reach up to €150/month.

Is it worth raising the eigen risico to save money? Raising it from €385 to €585 or €885 saves €5–€15/month in premium. It makes financial sense if you are young and healthy and rarely use specialist care. If you have chronic conditions or are starting a family, keep it at the mandatory minimum.

Is dental insurance worth it in the Netherlands? For adults who visit the dentist twice a year, a €12–€14/month dental add-on usually pays for itself within 12–18 months. A single filling or crown without insurance can cost €120–€700 — the maths shifts heavily in favour of cover.

How much does health insurance cost for a family? Children under 18 are free. For two adults with a mid-range supplementary package, budget €300–€450/month (€3,600–€5,400/year) including a realistic eigen risico buffer.

When do I need international insurance instead of Dutch basisverzekering? You need international insurance if you do not yet have a BSN, are a digital nomad spending under 4 months/year in the Netherlands, or have employer-mandated global coverage requirements. Once you are a registered resident, basisverzekering is both mandatory and typically the better financial choice.

Final numbers: what to actually budget

For budget planning, here is what I tell people:

• Minimum (basic, zorgtoeslag eligible): €36–€60/month net
• Standard (basic only, no zorgtoeslag): €130–€175/month
• Standard + supplementary: €160–€225/month
• Family of four (2 adults): €310–€450/month
• International insurance (pre-registration): €45–€130/month depending on age and provider

The Dutch system is predictable. Unlike the US, there are no surprise bills in the tens of thousands. Your maximum out-of-pocket for covered care is €385/year — full stop.

For everything else in your expat budget, see cost of living in the Netherlands 2026 and average salary Netherlands 2026.

If you are eligible for the 30% ruling, your taxable income drops significantly — check whether that affects your zorgtoeslag eligibility with the 30% ruling calculator guide.

For a deeper look at what the basic package actually covers, read what Dutch health insurance covers in 2026. When you are ready to choose a specific insurer, best Dutch health insurance plans 2026 walks through the main options side by side. For recommendations on which extras are actually worth paying for, best health insurance add-ons Netherlands 2026 covers the most useful supplementary packages. And if you want to see all the interactive tools that can help you compare costs and calculate your personal scenarios, those are available too.

The bottom line: Dutch health insurance is not cheap, but it is fair. Once you understand how the pieces fit together — premium, eigen risico, zorgtoeslag, aanvullend — you can plan for it accurately and avoid the surprises that catch most newcomers off guard.

Sarah van den Berg is an expat coach and writer at ExpatNetherlandsHub.com. She moved to the Netherlands in 2019 and has navigated the Dutch healthcare system firsthand — including three insurer switches, two zorgtoeslag applications, and one very educational dental crown.