Dutch Health Insurance for Expats: Complete Guide 2026

The Dutch healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in the world. It combines universal access with competition between private insurers, resulting in high-quality care for everyone. But for expats arriving in the Netherlands, the system can seem confusing at first, especially the mandatory insurance requirement, the terminology, and the process of choosing a provider.

This guide explains everything you need to know about Dutch health insurance as an expat in 2026, from the legal requirements to practical advice on choosing the right policy.

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.

How the Dutch Health Insurance System Works: Overview

The Basisverzekering: Your Mandatory Basic Insurance

The basisverzekering (basic insurance) is the foundation of Dutch healthcare. Every person who legally resides or works in the Netherlands must have one. There are no exceptions based on age, health status, or nationality.

What It Covers

The basic package is defined by the Dutch government and is identical across all insurers. This means no matter which insurer you choose, the basic coverage is the same. It includes:

• GP (huisarts) care: Fully covered with no eigen risico applied
• Hospital and specialist care: Covered after eigen risico
• Prescription medication: Covered after eigen risico (for medications on the approved list)
• Mental healthcare: Covered with GP referral, after eigen risico
• Maternity care: Fully covered, including prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal home care
• Ambulance and emergency transport: Covered after eigen risico
• Physiotherapy: Limited coverage for chronic conditions (from the 21st session onward, or from the 1st session for conditions on the chronic list)
• Medical devices and prosthetics: Covered as specified
• Dental care for children under 18: Fully covered
• Smoking cessation support: Covered once per year

What It Does NOT Cover

• Dental care for adults: Requires supplementary insurance or out-of-pocket payment
• Physiotherapy for non-chronic conditions: Not covered under basic insurance
• Alternative medicine: Homeopathy, acupuncture (unless specified for certain conditions), etc.
• Cosmetic procedures: Unless medically necessary
• Glasses and contact lenses: Requires supplementary insurance
• Extensive mental healthcare beyond the covered sessions

Choosing Your Insurer

While the basic coverage is the same everywhere, there are differences between insurers that matter:

The Main Dutch Health Insurers

How to Choose: What Matters

1. Premium: Premiums vary by approximately EUR 20-35 per month between the cheapest and most expensive option for the same basic coverage. Over a year, this adds up.

2. Contracted care (gecontracteerde zorg): Insurers negotiate contracts with hospitals, specialists, and therapists. If you use contracted providers, your care is fully covered (after eigen risico). If you use non-contracted providers, the insurer may only reimburse a percentage (typically 60-80%). Larger insurers like Zilveren Kruis tend to have the widest networks.

3. Supplementary insurance options: If you need dental, physiotherapy, or alternative medicine coverage, compare the supplementary packages offered by each insurer.

4. Collectiviteitskorting (group discount): Many employers, unions, and organizations offer group health insurance discounts. Check with your employer if they have a collective agreement with a specific insurer, which can save you 5-10% on your premium.

5. Customer service: Check reviews for claim handling speed, app quality, and responsiveness.

Comparison Tools

Use these Dutch comparison websites to find the best policy for your situation:

• Independer.nl: The most popular comparison site for health insurance
• Zorgwijzer.nl: Clear overviews and annual comparisons
• Consumentenbond.nl: Consumer association with detailed testing

The Eigen Risico Explained

The eigen risico (own risk) is the Dutch equivalent of a deductible. In 2026, the mandatory amount is EUR 385 per year.

How It Works

• Each calendar year, you pay the first EUR 385 of covered care costs out of your own pocket
• After reaching EUR 385, your insurer covers everything for the rest of the year
• The counter resets to zero on January 1

What Counts Toward Your Eigen Risico

• Specialist consultations and treatments
• Hospital stays and procedures
• Prescription medication
• Mental healthcare sessions
• Ambulance transport

What Does NOT Count

• GP visits (huisarts)
• Maternity and obstetric care
• Care for children under 18
• Certain preventive screenings

Voluntary Higher Eigen Risico

You can choose to increase your eigen risico by EUR 100, 200, 300, or 500 (to a maximum of EUR 885) in exchange for a lower monthly premium. This makes sense if you are young, healthy, and rarely visit specialists. However, if you do need care, you will pay more out of pocket.

Our advice for new expats: Stick with the standard EUR 385 eigen risico in your first year. You do not yet know the Dutch healthcare system, and unexpected medical needs can arise during a stressful relocation period.

Aanvullende Verzekering: Supplementary Insurance

Supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) covers what the basisverzekering does not. Unlike basic insurance, supplementary coverage differs between insurers and they can reject your application based on health questionnaires.

Common Supplementary Coverage

Do You Need Supplementary Insurance?

Consider it if you:

• Need regular dental care (adults)
• Want physiotherapy for non-chronic conditions
• Use alternative medicine
• Wear glasses or contacts and want partial reimbursement
• Travel frequently outside Europe

You may skip it if you:

• Are young and healthy with no regular healthcare needs beyond GP visits
• Have good dental health and minimal specialist needs
• Prefer to pay out-of-pocket for occasional dental visits (a basic cleaning costs approximately EUR 30-50, a filling EUR 50-100)

Zorgtoeslag: Getting Money Back

Zorgtoeslag is a monthly government allowance designed to help people on lower and moderate incomes afford health insurance. As an expat, you may be eligible, especially in your first partial year when your annual income may be lower.

Eligibility Criteria (2026 Approximate)

• Single: Annual income below approximately EUR 38,520
• Couple: Combined annual income below approximately EUR 48,224
• Assets: Below approximately EUR 130,000 (single) or EUR 260,000 (couple), excluding your primary home
• Age: 18 or older
• Insurance: You must have Dutch basic health insurance

How to Apply

1. Register for a DigiD at digid.nl (you need your BSN)
2. Go to toeslagen.nl (part of the Belastingdienst / Dutch Tax Authority)
3. Submit your application with income and personal details
4. Receive monthly payments directly to your bank account

The maximum zorgtoeslag in 2026 is approximately EUR 130 per month for a single person. The actual amount decreases as your income increases.

Important: Apply as soon as you have your DigiD. Zorgtoeslag can be claimed retroactively, but only up to a certain period. Do not leave money on the table.

The 4-Month Deadline: What Happens If You Are Late?

When you register at your gemeente and receive your BSN, a 4-month countdown begins. You must have basisverzekering arranged within this period.

If you miss the deadline:

1. The CAK sends a warning letter informing you that you are uninsured
2. If you remain uninsured after 3 months, the CAK issues a fine (approximately EUR 469 in 2026)
3. If still uninsured, the CAK will assign you to an insurer and start deducting premiums from your salary or benefits

Do not let this happen. Arrange your insurance within the first few weeks of arriving. It is straightforward and all major insurers have English-language sign-up processes.

Temporary Coverage: Before Your Dutch Insurance Starts

There is often a gap between arriving in the Netherlands and getting your Dutch health insurance set up. You might be waiting for your BSN, comparing insurers, or simply dealing with the chaos of relocation.

During this period, SafetyWing offers an excellent temporary solution. SafetyWing provides international health insurance designed for expats and digital nomads, with the following features:

• Monthly subscription starting from approximately USD 45 per month
• No commitment: Cancel anytime
• Coverage in the Netherlands and worldwide (including trips back to your home country)
• Hospital and doctor visits: Covered up to policy limits
• Emergency and urgent care: Fully covered
• Sign up online in minutes, no BSN or Dutch address required

SafetyWing is not a replacement for Dutch basisverzekering. Once you are registered and have arranged your Dutch health insurance, you should cancel SafetyWing. But as bridge coverage, it provides genuine peace of mind during the transition period.

This is especially relevant for:

• Expats who arrive a few weeks before their employment start date
• Partners or family members who may have a gap in coverage
• Anyone waiting for their BSN to process their Dutch insurance application

Get temporary expat coverage with SafetyWing

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Dutch Health Insurance

Here is the complete process from arrival to being fully insured:

Week 1: Arrival and Registration

1. Register at your gemeente and receive your BSN
2. If you do not yet have coverage, sign up for SafetyWing as temporary insurance

Week 2-3: Research and Compare

3. Use Independer.nl or Zorgwijzer.nl to compare basic insurance premiums
4. Check if your employer offers a group discount (collectiviteitskorting) with a specific insurer
5. Decide whether you need supplementary insurance (dental, physiotherapy, etc.)

Week 3-4: Sign Up

6. Apply online with your chosen insurer (you will need your BSN, Dutch address, and Dutch bank account or IBAN)
7. Set up the monthly direct debit (automatische incasso) from your bank account
8. Receive your insurance confirmation and policy number

After Insurance Starts

9. Register with a GP (huisarts) near your home. You will need your insurance details for this.
10. Apply for zorgtoeslag via toeslagen.nl if your income qualifies
11. Cancel your temporary SafetyWing coverage

How to Register with a GP (Huisarts)

In the Netherlands, the GP (huisarts) is your medical gatekeeper. You cannot see a specialist, go to the hospital (except emergencies), or access mental healthcare without a referral from your GP.

How to Find and Register

1. Search for GP practices near your home on Zorgkaartnederland.nl
2. Call or visit the practice to ask if they accept new patients (many popular practices have full patient lists)
3. Bring your insurance details and ID
4. Complete a registration form

Tip: Register with a GP as soon as you have your health insurance. In popular neighborhoods, especially in Amsterdam and other large cities, many GPs have waiting lists. Do not wait until you are sick to find one.

Special Situations

Expats with the 30% Ruling

The 30% ruling does not affect your health insurance requirements. You must still take out basisverzekering. However, because the ruling reduces your taxable income, you may qualify for zorgtoeslag even on a relatively high gross salary.

Self-Employed Expats (ZZP)

If you are self-employed (ZZP’er) in the Netherlands, you must arrange your own health insurance. There is no employer contribution. Your premiums are tax-deductible as a business expense. Carefully compare policies, as the full cost comes out of your own pocket.

Students

International students in the Netherlands who also work (even part-time) are generally required to have Dutch health insurance. If you only study and do not work, you may be exempt. Check with your university’s international office for guidance specific to your situation.

Children

Children under 18 are covered free of charge under their parent’s basic insurance. They have no separate premium and no eigen risico. Dental care is included in their basic coverage.

Common Mistakes Expats Make

1. Waiting too long to arrange insurance: Start the process in your first week, not your fourth month.

2. Choosing the cheapest premium without checking the network: A low premium means nothing if your preferred hospital or specialist is not in the insurer’s contracted network.

3. Ignoring supplementary dental insurance: A single root canal treatment can cost EUR 500-1,000 out of pocket. If you have any ongoing dental needs, supplementary dental insurance is usually worth it.

4. Forgetting to apply for zorgtoeslag: Free money that many expats do not claim simply because they do not know about it.

5. Not registering with a GP immediately: When you get sick, it is too late to find a GP with an open patient list.

6. Assuming home country insurance is sufficient: In almost all cases, Dutch law requires Dutch basisverzekering, regardless of what other insurance you hold.

Related Guides

• Complete Guide to Moving to the Netherlands in 2026 – your full relocation checklist including insurance timelines
• Best Bank Accounts for Expats in the Netherlands 2026 – you will need a bank account to pay your premiums
• 7 Best Apps to Learn Dutch in 2026 – useful for understanding healthcare correspondence

Final Thoughts

Dutch health insurance may seem complicated at first, but the system is logical once you understand its components. The basisverzekering provides a strong foundation of coverage that is the same regardless of which insurer you choose. Your main decisions are: which insurer offers the best premium and network for your situation, whether you need supplementary coverage, and whether to adjust your eigen risico.

For expats just arriving, the most important steps are:

1. Get temporary coverage through SafetyWing if there will be any gap before your Dutch insurance starts
2. Compare policies on Independer.nl once you have your BSN
3. Sign up within your first few weeks, well before the 4-month deadline
4. Register with a GP immediately after your insurance is active
5. Apply for zorgtoeslag if your income qualifies

The Dutch healthcare system is excellent. Once you are set up, you will have access to high-quality, affordable care that covers virtually all your medical needs. Take the time to get it right from the start, and it will serve you well throughout your time in the Netherlands.