Health insurance in the Netherlands - basic cover, deductible and healthcare benefit

Before you start

• A citizen service number (BSN), received when you register with the municipality
• A Dutch bank account is practical for paying premiums by direct debit

Documents you need

• Your citizen service number (BSN)

  required

• Passport or ID card

  required

• Policy confirmation from the insurer

  Keep it for your records and for the IND or your municipality if asked

  optional

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Check whether you are obliged to insure

   Employees and residents usually must take Dutch basic insurance. There are exceptions: for example, international students who do not work may use an international or student health insurance that covers the Netherlands, and EU or EEA citizens who are not obliged to take Dutch insurance can use their European Health Insurance Card for emergency medical costs. If you study but also work or receive an internship allowance, the obligation can apply. In doubtful cases the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can assess your insurance position, and SKGZ answers questions in English.

2. 2

   Step 2: Get your BSN first

   Insurers need your BSN, which you receive when you register with the municipality. Register first, then apply for insurance within the four-month window.

3. 3

   Step 3: Compare policies

   More than thirty insurers offer basic insurance. The cover is the same, but premiums and conditions differ. Two policy types are common:

   • In-kind policy (naturapolis): you go to providers that have a contract with your insurer. Non-contracted providers may cost you part of the bill.
   • Reimbursement policy (restitutiepolis): you can choose any provider and claim the costs.

   You can also choose additional insurance (aanvullende verzekering), for example for dental care for adults or physiotherapy, which are largely outside the basic package. Insurers may refuse you for additional insurance or ask health questions, and you do not need to take it from the same insurer. Independent comparison websites help; check that they show all policies you are interested in. Ask your employer whether it offers a collective policy.

4. 4

   Step 4: Understand the deductible

   Adults pay a compulsory deductible (eigen risico) of €385 in 2026: the first €385 of most basic-package costs in a calendar year are yours. Some care is exempt, including GP care (also the out-of-hours GP service, huisartsenpost), midwifery and maternity care (kraamzorg), community nursing, coordinated chain care for some chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and COPD, and the combined lifestyle intervention. Children under 18 have no deductible. Hospital care, including the emergency department, and prescription medicines do count towards it.

   You can voluntarily raise your deductible by €100 to €500 for a lower premium, which means you could pay up to €885 in 2026 before the insurer pays. Many insurers let you pay the deductible in instalments.

5. 5

   Step 5: Apply and pay

   Apply online with your BSN and personal details. Your cover runs from the date on your policy. IN Amsterdam's health insurance guide notes that newcomers pay from the day they registered with the municipality.

   Besides your premium, an income-related contribution (the Zvw-bijdrage) is due on your income. It is a percentage set under the Health Insurance Act; employers pay it to the Health Insurance Fund on your behalf.

6. 6

   Step 6: Register with a family doctor (huisarts)

   The GP is your first point of contact and refers you to specialists when needed. Choose a practice near your home and register soon after you move; you can search by postcode on Zorgkaart Nederland. If no practice accepts you, your insurer can help you find one. The guide on finding a doctor explains the steps.

   Outside opening hours, call the GP out-of-hours service (huisartsenpost); in Amsterdam the posts are reached on 088 00 30 600. Go to a hospital emergency department only in life-threatening situations or after the huisartsenpost refers you, and call 112 in an emergency.

7. 7

   Step 7: Check whether you can get healthcare benefit

   If your income and assets are below the limits, the Benefits Service (Dienst Toeslagen) may pay healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) towards your premium. In 2026 your income may be no more than €40,857 (€51,142 with a benefit partner) and your assets on 1 January 2026 no more than €146,011 (€184,633 with a partner). You must be 18 or older, have Dutch health insurance and be lawfully resident. Apply online with your DigiD and report changes, such as a new income, within four weeks. The benefits guide explains the details.

What the basic package does not cover

Children

Switching insurer

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Assuming insurance from your home country or a travel policy is enough once you work in the Netherlands.
• Choosing an in-kind policy without checking whether your preferred hospital or therapist has a contract with that insurer.
• Going straight to a hospital emergency department for a non-urgent problem, which counts towards the deductible, instead of calling the huisartsenpost.

Tips

• Ask whether your employer offers a collective policy, and compare it with other options before deciding.
• Keep your insurance card with your ID; pharmacies and hospitals ask for it.
• If you take regular medication, check your insurer's preference policy and the pharmacies it has contracts with.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Take out Dutch basic health insuranceAdd to plan
• Arrange health cover for your first weeksAdd to plan
• Review your health insurance before the new yearAdd to plan
• Estimate your Amsterdam budget, including move-in costsAdd to plan
• Register with a family doctor (huisarts)Add to plan
• Know the work rules on a student permitAdd to plan
• Check whether you can get healthcare benefitAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 4 Feb 2027.