If you are planning to study, work or live in The Netherlands it is important to consider your health coverage as you are possibly required to apply for health insurance.
When is Dutch health insurance necessary?
A health insurance (in Dutch: zorgverzekering) in The Netherlands is mandatory as soon as you start working in Holland or when you emigrate to The Netherlands. Failing to apply for a health insurance within four months will likely result in a substantial fine, issued by the government.
However, applying for a Dutch health insurance is not allowed if you are only in The Netherlands temporally, for example, if you are in Holland for your studies and you don’t get a job on the side. In this case your home country insurance will suffice if you are from within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or another country (like Australia) that has a social treaty with the Netherlands. If you are from outside the EU/EEA you may need to check whether your home country or travel insurance covers the necessary healthcare when abroad.
In any case, it is wise to check and verify this sort of information with your current insurance company prior to entering the Netherlands.
If you are unsure whether or not you are obliged to apply for Dutch health insurance, you can contact zorgverzekeringslijn.nl on +31 88 900 6960 for free and unbiased advice.
How to apply?
If you do need Dutch health insurance you can easily apply for one online. An insurance broker, like ZorgWijzer.nl (English site), can help you find a suitable and affordable insurance.
Although the application process is quite straightforward, it is mostly in Dutch. So using Google translate or a Dutch speaking friend/co-worker to help you, might be a good idea.
What does it cover?
The minimum cover that a Dutch insurance company has to offer already covers a substantial amount of medical expenses, such as:
- Visiting a GP and treatments conducted by him/her
- Emergency medical care in The Netherlands and abroad
- Healthcare provided by (non-) physician specialists
- Physiotherapy for certain chronic diseases
- Treatments in a hospital or clinic
- Medication
- Midwifery
- Psychological healthcare
- Dental care (only up to 18 years of age)
How much does it cost?
Health insurance in The Netherlands is primarily funded by income tax. All other costs involve premiums (around 100 euros per month).
Furthermore, do note that using healthcare usually requires you to pay an excess which goes up to 385 euro a year. Once you have paid this amount, all further costs made by you will be reimbursed by the insurance company.
Residents with a limited income may apply for financial compensation (up to 88 euro per month) by the government. This can be done through the website of the Dutch tax authorities.
Need more information?
Do you need more information about a specific topic? Then it might be beneficial to visit or call ZorgWijzer for more information about health insurance in The Netherlands.
Dutch Australian 