Dutch public health insurance

This page looks at Dutch health insurance providers. It may be possible to be covered from your home country if you do not plan to work in the Netherlands. Check our overview of health insurance options to see what best applies to you.

Coverage and costs

Student Dutch health insurance packages cover most basic medical costs. Please check the plan carefully to ensure what you need is covered. Dental procedures, for example, may cost extra. You can check these costs with your Dutch public health insurance company.

Dutch public health care insurance is probably more expensive than your current insurance with costs of around €1,200 a year. Do keep this in mind while looking for employment in the Netherlands in addition to your studies, for this it might make working less fruitful as you may be working solely to pay your insurance.

How to take out Dutch public health insurance

Please check the following five steps you need to undertake:

1. You must be registered with a municipality before you can take out a basic health insurance.
2. Choose your health insurance from one of the Dutch public health insurers(opens in new window). Fill out the application form and send it to the health insurer.
3. The registration is complete once you have received an insurance policy (in Dutch: polisblad).
4. If you stop working or if you leave the Netherlands, cancel your insurance. Do not forget to deregister from the municipality if you leave the Netherlands.

Avoid a fine and take action

If you fail to obtain Insurance in time and while already in employment you risk a substantial fee. In the case that you receive a letter in Dutch from the CAK about insurance, you ALWAYS need to undertake action. If you do not understand Dutch, seek out help. Even if you incorrectly received this letter you need to undertake action. More information about receiving this letter can be found here(opens in new window). You can always contact the International Office for help.

More information

For more information on Dutch public health care visit the website from the Zorgverzekeringslijn(opens in new window) or call them on 0800 64 64 644 when you are in the Netherlands, and from abroad +31 88 900 6960 (on weekdays 09:00-17:00 CEST).  Zorgverzekeringslijn is an organisation from the Dutch government which gives independent and reliable advice on health insurances in the Netherlands. They have hosted also an informative webinar on health insurance in the Netherlands recently.  In this webinar, they give more information on:

• How the healthcare system is regulated in the Netherlands
• How to apply
• EHIC card coverage for students from the EU
• Basic health insurance and necessary additional coverage
• Healthcare benefit (not applicable to exchange students)