More Q&As about health insurance in the Netherlands

Yes. Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must take out basic health insurance. This covers the standard package of healthcare. For example visits to a family doctor, hospital or psychiatrist, and prescription medicines.

You can also take out supplementary insurance, but this is not mandatory. Supplementary insurance covers healthcare that is not in the standard package.

If you don’t have health insurance, you will get a letter from the CAK. You will then have 3 months to take out a health insurance policy yourself. If you don’t, you will be fined. After 2 fines, the CAK will register you with a health insurer. The CAK will deduct the premium from your income.

If you need medical care or treatment but don’t have health insurance, you will have to pay the costs yourself.

Supplementary insurance covers healthcare that is not in the standard package. For example prescription glasses, contact lenses or dental care. Or physiotherapy that is not covered by the standard package. Supplementary insurance is not mandatory.

If you want to switch to another health insurer, think about what you want and need:

• What does the policy cover?
• Does the insurer have contracts with your preferred care providers? For example, your dentist or a local physiotherapist.
• How much would you have to pay for care providers that the insurer hasn’t contracted?
• What customer service is important for you? Do you want to be able to contact your health insurer by phone?
• When and how can I change my health insurance?

Health insurers offer two types of policy: an in-kind policy and a combination policy.

In-kind policy (‘naturapolis’)

An in-kind policy covers care from care providers that have been contracted by your insurer. If you need care, you can choose from these care providers. They will charge the costs to your insurer. You do not have to pay anything up front. If you need hospital treatment, for example, your insurer will take care of all the financial matters. It is important to check if your doctor or hospital has a contract with your insurer. You can find this on the insurer’s website. 

If your care provider doesn’t have a contract with your insurer, you will have to pay some of the costs yourself. Go to the insurer’s website to find out which care providers they have contracted.

Combination policy (‘combinatiepolis’)

If you have a combination policy, the insurer will pay some healthcare costs directly. They usually pay the costs for care by contracted providers directly. If the insurer does not have a contract with your care provider, you will have to pay the costs up front. You can then claim all or part of the costs from the insurer.

Health insurers have to accept anyone who wants to take out basic health insurance. Even if you have a health condition or do extreme sports.

But insurers can refuse you supplementary insurance.

The standard package covers treatment and care provided by a family doctor or a hospital, for example. It also covers prescription medicines.

Go to the website of the Healthcare Institute of the Netherlands (in Dutch only) to find out exactly what the standard package covers.

If you are 18 or older, you pay a mandatory excess for care that falls under the standard package. The amount is €385 per year. This means you have to pay the first €385 of your total healthcare costs every year. After that, your insurer pays the rest.

When do I pay the health insurance excess?

If you are 18 or older, you pay a health insurance excess if you receive care under the standard package. Visits to a family doctor do not fall under the excess. You never have to pay to visit your family doctor.

A co-payment is a contribution towards the cost of certain types of care in the standard package. For example, maternity care and hearing aids. Ask your insurer, doctor or pharmacy if there is a co-payment for a specific treatment or medicine.

The health insurance excess and co-payments are different things. The mandatory excess applies to most care in the standard package. The amount is €385 per year. If you receive care, you must pay the first €385 every year. Your insurer pays the rest.

Co-payments are required for certain types of care. This means you pay part of the cost yourself. Your insurer pays the rest. The co-payment can be a fixed amount or a percentage of the total cost. You have to pay a co-payments for orthopaedic shoes, hearing aids and patient transport, for instance.

If you have a low income, you may be able to get healthcare benefit. This is a contribution towards the cost of health insurance and your mandatory excess. You can apply for healthcare benefit if you are 18 or older and your income is under a certain amount.

If you receive healthcare benefit, you need to stay alert. Inform the Tax Administration immediately if your situation changes, for instance if you start earning more money.