If you come to live or work in the Netherlands you need to take out Dutch health insurance as quickly as possible. And no later than 4 months after arriving. You must do this even if you already have a medical insurance policyin another country.
The rules on insurance for medical expenses are different for asylum seekers(in Dutch).
Compulsory health insurance: start of coverage
If you come to live or work in the Netherlands, you are required to take out a health insurance policy with a Dutch insurer with coverage from the day you arrive. You have 4 months to take out the health insurance policy. You must also register with a Dutch municipality.You must do this even if you have not yet taken out health insurance.
Taking out health insurance after 4 months
If you take out health insurance after 4 months, then you will not be insured retroactively. You will only pay premiums from the date on which you take out the health insurance policy. You will not have to pay any premiums retroactively. But you will also not be reimbursed for any care you received in the period between your arrival and the date you took out insurance.
Please note: If you have already registered with a municipality but have not yet taken out health insurance, you will receive a letter about this from the central office for exceptional medical insurance (CAK). The CAK checks that everyone in the Netherlands has health insurance. Don’t wait too long before taking out health insurance, otherwise you may be fined.
Foreign insurance for medical expenses
You are required to take out health insurance with a Dutch insurer, even if you have insurance for medical expenses in the country you came from. The only exception is if your employer is outside the Netherlands. In that case, the insurance in the country you came from is enough. Certain rules do apply, however. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can provide more information onworking for an employer based outside the Netherlands.
Medical insurance for EU civil servants (JSIS)
People who work only for an EU institution cannot take out health insurance with a Dutch insurer. Instead, they are covered by the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) of the European Union. In many cases, the members of their immediate family are also covered under this system. Because they do not have Dutch health insurance, they are not always recognised as being insured. They can provide proof of insurance to show they are covered for medical expenses.
For more information about the EU Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) visit the European Union website:Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS)
If you do other work in the Netherlands in addition to your job with a European institution, you are required to take out Dutch health insurance. Even if your family member has health insurance through their work or receives a Dutch social insurance benefit.
Health insurance for foreign students
If you are a student from outside the Netherlands, you probably already have insurance for medical expenses that you took out in your own country. In some cases, however, you are required to take out health insurance with a Dutch insurer. How you can do that depends on where you are from and what else you do besides studying. Consult the Nuffic website Studyinholland.nl to see if you’reproperly insured.
Calculating and applying for healthcare benefit
Healthcare benefit is a contribution to the costs of health insurance for people on low incomes. If you are entitled to healthcare benefit, you can start receivingit from the time you are obliged to take out health insurance. You can calculate your healthcare benefit yourself on Toeslagen.nl (in Dutch). You can also apply for it on toeslagen.nl.
FAQs
Compulsory health insurance: start of coverage
Do I need health insurance to work in the Netherlands? ›
Everyone residing in the Netherlands is obliged to take out health insurance, even if you are only temporarily living and working in the country.
What happens if I don't have health insurance in the Netherlands? ›
If you fail to take out Dutch health insurance, you are likely to receive a fine. The payment of the fine is 130% of the insurance premium during the period that you were not insured.
How much is mandatory health insurance in the Netherlands? ›
The cost of compulsory basic insurance for medical care is set yearly by the Dutch government. The average basic Dutch health insurance premium in 2021 is approximately 120 euro per month. Basic health insurance in the Netherlands comes with a standard, obligatory deductible excess of 385 euro (in 2021).
How long can you live in the Netherlands without health insurance? ›
Requirements for Dutch health insurance
Insurance coverage should be obtained within 4 months of living in the Netherlands. The coverage will be retroactive to the validity date on the residence card (non-EU citizens) or from the date of registration with their local municipality (EU/EEA citizens).
Do I need health insurance to enter Netherlands? ›
What kind of insurance do I need when applying for a visa for the Netherlands? When you apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands you must have health insurance or travel insurance that covers any medical expenses you may incur while in the Schengen area.
Can I go to a hospital in the Netherlands without insurance? ›
Additionally, if you're traveling from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland to the Netherlands, have your European Health Insurance Card on hand. If you go to a hospital without any health insurance, however, you are responsible for paying the bill in full.
Does Netherlands have free healthcare for foreigners? ›
Healthcare for Immigrants in The Netherlands. As a foreigner, if you don't have health insurance in the Netherlands, you will have to pay for any treatment and medical costs you incur. If you are eligible to sign up for Dutch health insurance and do not do so, you will also have to pay a fine.
Do I need insurance to go to Netherlands? ›
Health insurance cards
To get medically necessary state healthcare in the Netherlands, you need a Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC ) or a European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ). The NHS's getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about: how to apply for a GHIC.
Who is eligible for Dutch health insurance? ›
Healthcare insurance is compulsory if you work in the Netherlands or do a paid internship here. You are also eligible for the healthcare benefit if you are registered with the CAK (opent nieuw venster).
The reason being that healthcare costs are becoming more expensive in The Netherlands, as the prices and wages are rising. Inflation and higher demand for care also contribute to the premium increase.
Is there a mandatory deductible for health insurance in the Netherlands? ›
You must first pay a portion yourself each year when you need special care. This is called the 'eigen risico' (deductible). It is a mandatory amount you have to pay yourself when you incur expenses for your healthcare. In 2023, the mandatory deductible for your health insurance is €385.
What are the mandatory benefits in the Netherlands? ›
Who is entitled to employee benefits in the Netherlands? Every person in the Netherlands with an employment contract is entitled to certain statutory benefits. These benefits ensure that employees can take paid time off, are entitled to sick leave, get maternity and paternity leave, and are paid a minimum wage.
Do employers pay for health insurance in the Netherlands? ›
All individuals living in the Netherlands have to participate in the health insurance scheme (zorgverzekering). For individuals who are employed, the employer will pay part of the insurance - 6.68% on income up to a maximum of €66,956, with a maximum of aprox.
How do I prove my health insurance in the Netherlands? ›
An S1 form is proof of your Dutch health insurance. You can use it to apply for health insurance cover in your home country.
Can you go to the hospital without insurance in Netherlands? ›
If you do not take out a standard insurance package, the Central Administration Office (CAK) will register you with an insurer and the premium will be withheld from your pay. If you need medical care but are not insured, you must pay the costs yourself.
Do you need employers liability insurance in Netherlands? ›
You must get WEGAS XL employers liability insurance in the Netherlands as soon as you become an employer. WEGAS XL Employers liability insurance insurance will help you pay compensation if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of the work they do for you.
