Featured option
SafetyWing
Check the provider for current pricing and conditions
View SafetyWing
In this guide

Dutch basic insurance, supplementary insurance and travel cover solve different problems; assuming one replaces another can leave a coverage gap.

“That’s not covered, mevrouw,” said the woman on the phone.

“Yes, but dental care for adults is not part of the basispakket. You need aanvullende verzekering for that.”

If you want a broader overview of the Dutch health system itself, my complete Dutch health insurance guide for expats is a good starting point. But if you want to know specifically what gets covered and what does not — keep reading.


💡 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.

The basispakket: what everyone gets

The basisverzekering (basic health insurance) in the Netherlands is defined by the government, not by individual insurers. Every approved insurer must offer the same basispakket — the core package of covered treatments. What differs between insurers is the premium cost, the quality of their customer service, how quickly they process claims, and which healthcare providers are in their contracted network.

So when I compare, say, Zilveren Kruis versus CZ — as I do in my Zilveren Kruis vs CZ comparison for expats — the coverage is legally identical. The differences lie elsewhere.

Here is what the basispakket actually covers.

GP visits (huisarts)

This is the bedrock of Dutch healthcare and, in my opinion, one of the best parts of the system. Visits to your registered GP (huisarts) are fully covered with no eigen risico deductible. You pay nothing.

Your GP is your gatekeeper. You cannot simply walk into a hospital or book a specialist directly in the Netherlands (outside of emergencies). Your huisarts must refer you. This frustrates a lot of expats who are used to self-referring, but it actually works well once you understand it — your GP coordinates your care, keeps your records, and refers you precisely when it is needed.

You need to register with a specific GP practice in your neighbourhood. They will accept or decline based on capacity. If you are struggling to find an English-speaking GP, my guide to finding an English-speaking doctor in the Netherlands walks through exactly how to do this.

Telephone consultations and GP home visits are also covered under the basispakket.

Hospital care and specialist treatment

Once your GP refers you to a specialist or a hospital, the basisverzekering covers the treatment. This includes:

  • Specialist consultations (internist, dermatologist, cardiologist, etc.)
  • Surgery and inpatient hospital stays
  • Diagnostic tests ordered by a specialist (scans, blood tests, etc.)
  • Day treatments and outpatient procedures
  • Cancer treatment
  • Rehabilitation following surgery or illness

The eigen risico applies here. Your first €385 of specialist/hospital costs each calendar year comes out of your pocket. After that, your insurer covers the rest — subject to their contracted rates.

One thing that trips up many expats: if your insurer has a naturapolis (in-kind policy, which is the most common type), they have contracts with specific hospitals and specialists. Going outside that network does not mean you are not covered, but you may be reimbursed at a lower rate. If you have a restitutiepolis (reimbursement policy), you can go to any provider and are reimbursed at market rates. Restitutie policies cost more but give you more freedom — something worth considering if you want access to international or private clinics.

Prescription medication

Most prescription medications are covered under the basispakket, but not all. The government maintains a list called the Geneesmiddelenvergoedingssysteem (GVS) — the Drug Reimbursement System. Medications on this list are reimbursed; those not on the list are not.

Practically speaking, most standard medications are covered. Where it gets complicated:

  • Some medications are only covered if specific conditions are met (e.g., certain expensive biologics for autoimmune conditions require prior authorisation)
  • If there is a cheaper generic equivalent available and you insist on a branded medication, you may pay the price difference yourself
  • Some newer or specialised medications may not yet be on the reimbursement list

The eigen risico applies to prescription medications covered under the basispakket.

Mental healthcare (basis GGZ)

The basisverzekering does include mental healthcare:

  • Basis GGZ (basic mental healthcare): up to around 5 sessions for mild to moderate complaints like anxiety or mild depression, with a qualified mental health professional
  • Specialist GGZ: longer-term, more intensive treatment for more serious mental health conditions

The eigen risico applies to mental healthcare (both basis and specialist GGZ).

Here is the real problem: waiting lists.

Waiting times for basis GGZ in the Netherlands are officially supposed to be capped at 4 weeks for an intake assessment and 10 weeks to start treatment. In practice, many providers have waiting lists of 6 to 12 months. Some areas are worse than others. For expats dealing with adjustment difficulties, loneliness, or anxiety — which are genuinely common in the first year or two of relocation — this delay is not just inconvenient. It can be genuinely harmful.

I cover this in more depth in my guide to mental health support for expats in the Netherlands, including options for finding faster access through private providers, expat-focused therapists, and international coverage.

If mental health support is important to you, factor this into your insurance decision. Some insurers have shorter waiting lists with their contracted providers, and some aanvullende packages include a number of private therapy sessions.

Maternity care and midwife services

This is where the Dutch system genuinely shines. Maternity care is fully covered under the basisverzekering with no eigen risico.

Coverage includes:

  • All prenatal check-ups with a midwife (verloskundige)
  • Hospital birth or home birth (the Netherlands has a strong home birth culture — about 13% of births take place at home)
  • Birthing centre delivery
  • Postpartum care (kraamzorg) — this is a uniquely Dutch service where a maternity nurse visits your home for 8 to 10 days after the birth to help with baby care, breastfeeding, and recovery. It is covered under the basispakket.
  • Ultrasounds (the standard 13-week and 20-week scans)
  • NIPT prenatal testing (since 2023, fully covered for all pregnant women)

If you are planning to start a family or are already pregnant when you arrive in the Netherlands, this is one of the more generous parts of the Dutch system.

Ambulance and emergency care

Emergency care is covered under the basisverzekering. If you call 112 (the Dutch emergency number) and require an ambulance, the cost is covered. Emergency department treatment at a hospital is covered.

The eigen risico applies to emergency hospital treatment (it does not apply to the ambulance itself, but it does apply to the emergency department care you receive once there).

One practical note: the Dutch system strongly prefers that non-emergency situations go through your huisarts. Outside of working hours, you ring the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service) rather than going to A&E. If you turn up at a hospital emergency department with something that could have been handled by a GP, you may be redirected — and in some cases you could face a co-payment.

Physiotherapy

This is the second-biggest surprise for expats after dental coverage.

Physiotherapy for acute (non-chronic) conditions is NOT covered under the basispakket. If you sprain your ankle, pull a muscle, or have back pain that does not qualify as a chronic condition, you pay the full cost of physiotherapy yourself. Sessions typically cost €30–55 each.

The exception is chronic conditions. For officially recognised chronic conditions (there is a specific government list), the basispakket covers physiotherapy sessions after an initial number of sessions that you pay yourself. In 2026, the coverage structure is:

  • Sessions 1–20: you pay yourself (unless you have aanvullende insurance)
  • From session 21 onwards (for recognised chronic conditions): covered by the basispakket, subject to the eigen risico

So even for chronic conditions, the first 20 sessions come out of your own pocket. After that, you are covered for up to 37 sessions per year under the basispakket.

Recognised chronic conditions for physiotherapy purposes include things like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, COPD, and certain neurological conditions. General back pain does not qualify unless it meets specific diagnostic criteria.

If you see a physiotherapist regularly — for sports injuries, postural issues, or general musculoskeletal maintenance — aanvullende verzekering is almost certainly worth it.

Medical devices and aids

The basispakket covers medically necessary equipment and aids, including:

  • Wheelchairs
  • Prosthetics and orthopaedic devices
  • Hearing aids (partially — there is a fixed reimbursement amount)
  • CPAP machines for sleep apnoea
  • Incontinence aids (for certain conditions)
  • Compression stockings (for specific medical indications)

Coverage depends on medical necessity as assessed by your insurer, and prior authorisation is often required for more expensive items.

Paramedical care (limited)

Some paramedical services are included in the basispakket under specific conditions:

  • Dietitian consultations: up to 3 hours per year are covered (useful for managing diabetes, eating disorders, or other conditions where dietary guidance is medically indicated)
  • Speech therapy (logopedie): covered when medically necessary
  • Occupational therapy (ergotherapie): covered when medically necessary

These are covered subject to the eigen risico.


The eigen risico: how it actually works

The eigen risico is probably the single concept that causes the most confusion among expats — including among people who have been here for years.

In 2026, the mandatory eigen risico is €385.

Here is what that means in practice: each calendar year, before your insurer covers certain treatments, you pay the first €385 of costs yourself. Once you have paid that €385, your insurer covers the rest of the eligible treatment costs for the remainder of that year.

The eigen risico resets on 1 January every year.

What does and does not count towards it

Counts towards the eigen risico:

  • Specialist/hospital care (after GP referral)
  • Prescription medication covered by the GVS
  • Mental healthcare (basis and specialist GGZ)
  • Physiotherapy for chronic conditions (from session 21 onwards)
  • Medical devices and aids covered under the basispakket
  • Dietitian and other paramedical care under the basispakket

Does NOT count towards the eigen risico:

  • GP visits (huisarts) — fully free, full stop
  • Maternity care and midwife services
  • Kraamzorg (postpartum home nursing)
  • Care for children under 18 (children have no eigen risico — their care is fully covered)
  • Dental care for children under 18
  • Flu vaccination via your GP

This is why so many expats — particularly those who are young, healthy, and mainly see their GP rather than specialists — never actually hit their eigen risico in a given year. You pay your monthly premium and your GP visits cost you nothing extra, but if you never need specialist care or prescription medication, you never touch the €385 deductible at all.

Voluntary higher eigen risico

You can choose to voluntarily increase your eigen risico above €385, in steps of €100, up to a maximum of €885. In return, your insurer lowers your monthly premium.

The rough savings in 2026:

Voluntary eigen risicoTotal eigen risicoAnnual premium saving
€0 extra€385—
€100 extra€485~€25/year
€200 extra€585~€50/year
€300 extra€685~€75/year
€400 extra€785~€100/year
€500 extra€885~€125/year

the editorial assessment: the savings are modest, and the maths only works in your favour if you are confident you will not hit your deductible in a given year. If you do need specialist care or medication, you are paying more out of pocket to save a relatively small amount on premiums.

If you are pregnant, managing a chronic condition, or new to the country and unsure what medical needs might arise, stick to the mandatory minimum.


What is NOT covered: the surprises

Let me be direct about what the basispakket does not include, because these are the areas where expats get caught out.

Dental care for adults

This is the big one. Adult dental care — everything from a routine check-up and cleaning to fillings, crowns, root canals, and implants — is not included in the basisverzekering.

I will say it plainly: many Dutch people do not go to the dentist as regularly as people in the UK, Germany, or the US might, partly because of this gap. As an expat, you need to make a conscious choice about how to handle dental care.

If you have good teeth and need little more than a twice-yearly check-up, self-paying is manageable. If you need regular treatment, aanvullende dental coverage is worth calculating carefully.

Children under 18 have full dental coverage under the basisverzekering. No eigen risico, no supplementary needed.

Glasses and contact lenses

Corrective eyewear is not covered under the basispakket for adults (or children over 18). An eye examination by an optician is also not covered.

However, an eye examination by an ophthalmologist (oogarts, i.e., a medical eye specialist) is covered when referred by your GP.

Some aanvullende packages include a contribution towards glasses or contact lenses every one to two years — typically €100–200. If you wear glasses or contacts, this is worth checking when comparing supplementary packages.

Laser eye surgery is not covered under the basispakket or most supplementary packages. It is treated as elective.

Physiotherapy for non-chronic conditions (the first 20 sessions for chronic, and all for acute)

As covered above: if your condition is not on the chronic conditions list, you pay all physiotherapy costs yourself. Even if it is chronic, you pay for the first 20 sessions.

Alternative and complementary medicine

Homeopathy, acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, and similar treatments are not covered under the basisverzekering. Some aanvullende packages include a small contribution towards these — typically €150–250 per year — but coverage is limited and varies by insurer.

If you rely on complementary medicine regularly, check the aanvullende options carefully. Some insurers (notably ONVZ) are known for better alternative medicine coverage.

Cosmetic procedures

Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are not covered unless there is a clear medical necessity (e.g., reconstructive surgery after cancer treatment, or treatment of a condition causing functional impairment). Cosmetic motivation alone is not sufficient.

Adult orthodontics

Braces, aligners, and orthodontic treatment for adults are not covered under the basisverzekering. For children under 18, orthodontic treatment is covered if medically necessary (complex cases, not purely cosmetic alignment).

Some aanvullende packages offer a contribution towards adult orthodontics, but it is often limited and may not cover the full cost of treatment, which can run to several thousand euros.

Most over-the-counter medications

Paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, and other medications you can buy at the pharmacy without a prescription are not covered. Neither are vitamins or supplements, even if recommended by a doctor.


Aanvullende verzekering: the supplementary insurance question

The aanvullende verzekering is optional additional insurance that you buy on top of your basisverzekering. Unlike the basispakket, insurers can set their own coverage terms, prices, and acceptance criteria for supplementary packages.

This last point matters: while an insurer must accept anyone for the basisverzekering regardless of health, they can decline your application for aanvullende verzekering based on health screening. In practice, most insurers do not screen for standard packages, but for more extensive dental or specialist packages, rejections do happen. This is another reason to arrange aanvullende insurance when you first set up your Dutch coverage, rather than waiting until you need it.

What aanvullende verzekering typically adds

  • Dental care: partial reimbursement for check-ups, fillings, crowns, etc. Annual maximum typically €250–€1,000 depending on the package tier
  • Physiotherapy: covers the first 20 sessions for chronic conditions and often a set number of sessions for acute conditions too
  • Glasses and contact lenses: contribution every 1–2 years, typically €100–200
  • Alternative medicine: small annual budget for acupuncture, osteopathy, homeopathy, etc.
  • Travel vaccinations and travel health: some packages cover travel vaccinations (hepatitis A/B, typhoid, etc.) and some emergency travel health costs
  • Additional therapy sessions: some packages include a number of private psychology or coaching sessions
  • Abroad coverage: some extend your coverage when visiting family in your home country

The word “typically” is doing a lot of work in that list, because insurers draw the boundaries of the supplementary layer differently. a.s.r. is a clear example: it sells five supplementary packages (ZorgBasis, ZorgBewust, ZorgGoed, ZorgBeter, ZorgBest) from €4.95 a month, covering 3 to 18 physiotherapy treatments a year plus 3 online sessions depending on the level, contraception at 100%, and replacement informal care of €150 to €1,200 a year — but it states plainly that dental care is not insured through an aanvullende verzekering at all, and cover abroad and glasses/lenses sit outside the packages as separate modules (asr.nl/zorgverzekering/aanvullende-verzekering, checked 17 September 2026). At a.s.r. the dentist is a separate tandartsverzekering in five levels (TandBewust, TandGoed, TandBeter, TandBest, TandPlus) with annual ceilings of €250, €250, €250, €500 and €750, from €10 a month and reimbursing from age 18 (asr.nl/zorgverzekering/tandartsverzekering, checked 17 September 2026). So when you read “dental included up to €X”, check whether that ceiling sits in the package you are pricing or in a policy you still have to buy.

Check a.s.r. health insurance →

Typical costs in 2026

On top of your basic premium (roughly €140–175/month):

  • Basic aanvullend package: +€5–15/month (limited dental + physio)
  • Mid-range package: +€20–35/month (better dental, more physio, glasses contribution)
  • Extensive package: +€40–70/month (full dental, extensive physio, broad extras)

Practical assessment: is it worth it?

For most expats, a mid-range package is worth it. Here is my rule of thumb:

  • Do you go to the dentist at least once a year? If yes, a basic tandarts package usually pays for itself.
  • Do you play sport or have regular back/neck/shoulder issues? If yes, physio coverage is valuable.
  • Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? The glasses contribution helps, especially if you update your prescription regularly.
  • Are you pregnant or planning to be? Aanvullend isn’t needed for the pregnancy itself (covered), but may be useful for extra physio, pelvic floor treatment, etc.

When to skip it or go minimal:

  • You rarely go to the dentist and have no ongoing issues
  • You are healthy, active, and rarely need physio
  • You do not wear glasses
  • You are very focused on keeping costs down in your first year

The tandarts (dental) component is the most consistently valuable for expats. I rarely advise a newly arrived expat to skip dental coverage entirely.

You can compare basisverzekering and aanvullende packages side by side on Independer:

Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →


For expats specifically: things that apply to you but not your Dutch colleagues

The 4-month rule

If you are new to the Netherlands, you have 4 months from your registration date (the date you register at your municipality and receive a BSN number) to arrange Dutch health insurance. If you miss this deadline, the CAK (Central Administration Office) will assign you a policy and you may face fines.

Make this a priority. You need your BSN before you can register for health insurance — getting your BSN sorted quickly matters more than you think. My BSN registration guide covers the registration process step by step.

While you are waiting to complete registration — if there is a gap between arriving and getting your BSN — temporary insurance from a provider like SafetyWing can cover you for unexpected medical costs in the meantime:

Check SafetyWing for temporary coverage →

Mental health: the waiting list reality

The Dutch healthcare system acknowledges this need. The coverage exists on paper. But in practice, if you need psychological support and you enter the GP-referral-waiting-list pathway, you may be waiting many months.

Options for faster access:

  1. Private psychologist or therapist — not covered by basispakket, typically €80–130 per session; some aanvullende packages contribute
  2. Online therapy platforms — some (like OpenUp) work with Dutch employers; worth checking if your employer offers this
  3. Expat-focused therapists — some specialise in expat adjustment and transition; tend to have shorter waiting lists than mainstream GGZ providers
  4. International private insurance as gap coverage — if mental health access is a priority, an international policy alongside your Dutch insurance can provide it

My mental health support guide for expats in the Netherlands lists specific resources and providers.

Going to your home country for treatment

Within the EU and EEA, your Dutch health insurance does provide coverage for urgent or necessary medical treatment. You should carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — yes, even if you are British, the Netherlands still issues a Dutch EHIC for EU purposes. For planned treatment in another EU country, you generally need prior authorisation from your Dutch insurer (this is called a machtiging).

Outside the EU — for example, if you are British and visit family in the UK, or if you are American visiting family in the US — Dutch health insurance coverage is very limited. It may cover life-threatening emergencies, but routine care, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment in a non-EU country is largely not covered.

If you travel frequently to your home country and want predictable coverage there, this is a genuine gap. Some aanvullende packages extend coverage abroad to a degree, but it is worth checking the specifics carefully. International insurers like Cigna and Aetna International offer policies designed to sit alongside Dutch insurance and provide better global coverage — I compare both in my ONVZ vs Aetna International comparison and my SafetyWing vs Cigna comparison for expats.

Zorgtoeslag: you may be entitled to a contribution

If your income is below a certain threshold, the Dutch government may contribute towards your health insurance premium through zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance). In 2026, single individuals earning below approximately €40,857 and couples below approximately €51,142 may be eligible for a monthly contribution of up to around €130.

You need a DigiD to apply via toeslagen.nl. I cover eligibility and application in detail in my zorgtoeslag and huurtoeslag guide for expats. If you are eligible and have not yet applied, you may be leaving a meaningful amount of money unclaimed.

What if you are self-employed?

Self-employed people (ZZP’ers) in the Netherlands are fully subject to the same health insurance rules as employees. You must arrange your own basisverzekering and pay the full monthly premium yourself. Unlike employees, you do not receive an employer contribution (which is a separate payroll contribution your employer makes directly to the government — it does not appear on your insurance policy directly).

Self-employed people also pay an income-dependent healthcare contribution (inkomensafhankelijke bijdrage, IAB) via their tax return, calculated as a percentage of their profit.


Practical tips: how to actually use your insurance

Switching providers

You can switch your basisverzekering once a year. The switching window is 1 November to 31 December, and your new policy starts on 1 January of the following year. You do not need to give a reason for switching, and the new insurer must accept you for the basispakket regardless of your health or claims history.

November is the time to:

  1. Check whether your current insurer has raised their premium
  2. Compare the market on Independer or a similar comparison site
  3. Decide whether your aanvullende package still fits your needs
  4. If switching aanvullende insurance, be aware the new insurer may screen for pre-existing conditions

Tips for switching:

  • Cancel your current policy before 31 December — most insurers let you do this online
  • Sign up with the new insurer — they handle the switch, you do not need to contact your old insurer first
  • Check that your preferred GP and any specialist you see regularly are in the new insurer’s contracted network (for naturapolis policies)

How to claim (declaratie vs natura)

Most Dutch insurance works on the natura system: your insurer pays the healthcare provider directly according to their contracted rates. You never see the bill; your insurer settles it with the provider.

In some cases — particularly for costs you paid upfront yourself (e.g., at a non-contracted provider, or for eligible costs abroad) — you submit a declaratie (claim form) to your insurer for reimbursement. You will need:

  • The invoice from the provider
  • Your insurance policy number
  • A completed declaratie form (available on your insurer’s website or app)

Most insurers have an app where you can photograph invoices and submit claims directly. Processing time is typically 1–4 weeks.

How to check coverage before getting treatment

This is something I emphasise to every client: always check before, not after.

Ways to check:

  1. Ring your insurer — most have dedicated helplines, and many have English-language support
  2. Check your insurer’s website — most have a coverage checker tool
  3. Ask your GP — they know the system and can tell you whether something is likely to be covered
  4. Check zorginstituutnederland.nl — the government body responsible for the basispakket publishes the official coverage decisions

For expensive or unusual treatments, ask your insurer for written confirmation before proceeding. This protects you if there is a dispute later.

For specialist treatment, check whether the hospital or specialist is in your insurer’s contracted network. Your insurer’s website will have a zorgzoeker (care finder) tool that lets you search by provider name or specialisation.

  • The health insurance wizard asks you a series of questions about your health, lifestyle, and budget and recommends a coverage approach
  • The insurance chooser tool helps you compare different insurer and package combinations based on your priorities
  • The cost of living calculator lets you factor insurance costs into your broader monthly budget for the Netherlands

Recommendation by expat profile

Every expat’s situation is different.

Recently arrived, healthy, no chronic conditions

Recommended setup: Standard basisverzekering (€385 eigen risico) + basic aanvullend package with dental and a few physio sessions.

Why: You have no immediate specialist needs, so you may not hit your eigen risico this year. But you do want dental coverage and the option to see a physiotherapist without large out-of-pocket costs. Do not raise your eigen risico in your first year — you do not yet know what medical needs might emerge.

Cost estimate: €150–175/month for basis + €15–25/month for aanvullend.

Expat with family (including young children)

Recommended setup: Good basisverzekering + mid-to-full aanvullend package, especially if any family members wear glasses or have physio needs. Children are fully covered for dental and most care, but adult family members need good aanvullend coverage.

Why: Young families often use the healthcare system more — children’s illness, maternity care, physio after birth, etc. A solid aanvullend package pays for itself.

If you are unsure which insurer offers the best family coverage, the best expat insurance guide for the Netherlands covers top-rated options with family-friendly features.

Expat with a chronic condition or regular specialist care

Recommended setup: Standard basisverzekering, possibly with a restitutiepolis for maximum provider freedom. Aanvullend focused on your specific needs (physio, medication, etc.). Keep eigen risico at €385 — you will almost certainly hit it, so do not volunteer to pay more.

Why: You will use your basispakket heavily. Provider choice matters. Make sure your current specialist is in-network or get a restitutie policy.

Highly mobile expat or frequent traveller

Recommended setup: Basisverzekering + aanvullend with good travel coverage. Possibly a gap policy from Cigna or SafetyWing if you spend significant time outside the EU.

Why: Dutch insurance has real limitations outside the EU. If you visit family in a non-EU country several times a year or work internationally, the gaps in standard coverage can be expensive.

Expat on a limited budget

Recommended setup: Cheapest approved basisverzekering (premiums vary by ~€30/month between cheapest and most expensive for the same coverage). Check zorgtoeslag eligibility immediately — you may get back €100+/month. Skip aanvullend or get only basic dental.

Why: The basispakket is legally identical regardless of insurer. There is no reason to pay for a premium brand name if your priority is cost. Apply for zorgtoeslag if eligible.

Use Independer to compare — it shows the cheapest options clearly alongside the coverage details.


A final word

The Dutch healthcare system, once you understand how it works, is genuinely good. The basispakket covers the things that matter most — serious illness, hospital care, maternity services, your GP — at a reasonable cost. The eigen risico makes you think before rushing to specialists for minor complaints, which is actually fine once you trust your huisarts.

The frustrations are real too: mental health waiting lists are a genuine problem, the physiotherapy coverage is stingier than most people expect, and the dental exclusion for adults is an ongoing source of mild shock for newly arrived expats. These are known gaps, and they are addressable with the right aanvullende package.

What A practical rule who has just arrived: book a GP registration appointment within your first two weeks, sort your basisverzekering before the 4-month deadline, and spend half an hour on Independer comparing aanvullende packages before you assume you either need everything or nothing.

You have got this. The Dutch healthcare system is genuinely on your side once you know how to work with it.


Last reviewed: April 2026. Healthcare policy and eigen risico amounts are confirmed for the 2026 policy year. Coverage details are based on the official basispakket as defined by Zorginstituut Nederland. Always check with your individual insurer for policy-specific terms.

This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn · How our comparisons are made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dutch health insurance cover dental care?

Only for children under 18. Adult dental care is not included in the standard basisverzekering. You need aanvullende verzekering (supplementary insurance) with a tandarts package to get partial reimbursement for dental treatment. Most expats who go to the dentist regularly find this add-on worth the cost.

Does Dutch health insurance cover GP visits?

Yes, GP (huisarts) visits are fully covered and do NOT count towards your eigen risico deductible. You can see your registered GP as often as needed without any out-of-pocket cost. You must register with a specific GP practice — you cannot just walk into any practice.

What is the eigen risico in 2026?

The eigen risico (own risk deductible) is €385 in 2026. This is the amount you pay out of pocket each year before your insurance covers certain treatments. It applies to specialist care, hospital visits, prescription medication, and mental healthcare — but NOT to GP visits, maternity care, or care for children under 18.

Is physiotherapy covered by Dutch health insurance?

Only in limited circumstances. For acute (non-chronic) conditions, physiotherapy is not covered under the basisverzekering — you pay the full cost yourself. For officially recognised chronic conditions, 37 sessions per year are covered after your eigen risico is met. Aanvullende verzekering can cover additional sessions.

Is mental health care covered by Dutch health insurance?

Yes, basis GGZ (basic mental healthcare) is included in the basisverzekering, including up to about 5 sessions for mild complaints and specialist GGZ for more serious conditions. However, waiting lists are very long — often 6 to 12 months — which is a real problem many expats face. Private or international insurance can provide faster access.

Can I raise my eigen risico to pay lower premiums?

Yes. You can voluntarily raise your eigen risico above the mandatory €385, in steps up to €885. Each extra €100 typically saves you around €25 per year on your premium. This only makes financial sense if you are generally healthy and rarely need specialist care or medication.

Does Dutch health insurance cover treatment in my home country?

Within the EU/EEA, your Dutch insurance covers emergency care and sometimes planned treatment, but you generally need prior authorisation for non-emergency care abroad. Outside the EU/EEA, coverage is very limited. If you travel home frequently or want predictable coverage abroad, a supplementary international policy or gap coverage from a provider like SafetyWing can make sense.

Featured option from this guide
SafetyWing
Compare the current price, eligibility rules and conditions before signing up
View SafetyWing
WT
Editorial review
Publisher and editor at Expat Netherlands Hub. Checks high-impact guidance against current official Dutch sources; not a licensed tax, legal, immigration or insurance adviser. Read our methodology and corrections policy.