Dutch Health Insurance for Expats: How Zorgverzekering Works in 2026

One of the most important things to arrange within your first few weeks in the Netherlands is health insurance. The Dutch healthcare system is internationally regarded as one of the best in the world, but it works differently from what most internationals are used to. In the Netherlands, health insurance is mandatory for almost everyone who lives or works here, and it must be arranged through a private insurer — not the government directly.

This guide explains how the Dutch health insurance system works, who is required to get it, what it costs in 2026, and how to make sure you are not paying more than you should.

The Dutch Healthcare Model

The Netherlands uses a regulated private insurance model. Every resident must buy a basic health insurance policy (basisverzekering) from one of the private health insurers operating in the country. The Dutch government sets a minimum package of services that every insurer must provide — including GP visits, hospital care, prescription medications, and mental health services — but competition among insurers keeps premiums in check.

This is fundamentally different from a national health service where the government pays directly. In the Netherlands, you pay a monthly premium to your private insurer and you have a mandatory annual deductible called the eigen risico.

Who Must Have Dutch Health Insurance?

You are required to take out basic Dutch health insurance if:

• You are registered in the BRP and live in the Netherlands
• You work in the Netherlands and pay Dutch income tax, even if you live abroad
• You are a non-EU national with a Dutch residence permit

EU/EEA citizens with private international health insurance may in some cases use that coverage temporarily, but in practice the Dutch system requires local insurance once you are a registered resident.

You have four months from your first registration or the start of your employment to arrange basic insurance. After this deadline, the CAK (Central Administration Office) will send a warning, and if you still do not insure yourself, they will register you with an insurer automatically and charge you an extra fine on top of the standard premium.

The Basic Package: What Is Covered

All basic insurance policies in the Netherlands cover the same core services:

• GP (huisarts) consultations and referrals
• Specialist hospital care when referred by your GP
• Mental health and psychological care (limited)
• Prescription medication from the standard formulary
• Basic dental care for children under 18
• Maternity care and midwifery
• Emergency care in the Netherlands and within the EU

Additional coverage — like adult dental, physiotherapy, and eyewear — can be added as an aanvullende verzekering (supplementary insurance), which is optional and varies by provider.

What Does It Cost in 2026?

In 2026, the average premium for basic health insurance is approximately €150–€165 per month depending on your chosen insurer. Premiums vary because insurers compete on price, service quality, and network of contracted healthcare providers.

On top of the monthly premium, every adult has a mandatory eigen risico (deductible) of €385 per year. This means that before your insurer pays for care, you pay the first €385 of your medical costs yourself during the calendar year. GP visits are excluded from this deductible.

You can voluntarily raise your eigen risico by up to €500 extra (to a maximum of €885) in exchange for a lower monthly premium. This can be a good choice if you are young, healthy, and unlikely to use much healthcare.

The Healthcare Allowance (Zorgtoeslag)

If your income is low to moderate, you may be entitled to a zorgtoeslag — a monthly government allowance that partially covers your health insurance premium. In 2026, the maximum zorgtoeslag is approximately €129 per month for individuals and €246 for couples.

To qualify as a single person in 2026, your gross annual income must not exceed approximately €40,857. For couples, the combined threshold is around €51,142. You apply for zorgtoeslag through the Belastingdienst (toeslagen.nl) using your DigiD.

This allowance can significantly reduce your effective insurance cost — in some cases to under €30 per month — so it is worth checking your eligibility immediately after registering.

How to Choose a Health Insurer

The main Dutch health insurers include Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, Menzis, CZ, and DSW, as well as smaller providers like ONVZ and Zorg en Zekerheid. Every November and December, insurers publish their rates for the following year and you have the right to switch providers on 1 January.

When comparing plans, look beyond the premium:

• Gecontracteerd zorg — does your insurer have contracts with the hospitals and specialists near you? Non-contracted care is reimbursed at a lower rate.
• Restitutiepolis vs naturapolis — a restitutiepolis reimburses you fully at any provider; a naturapolis is cheaper but limits your choices.
• English-speaking support — if you do not speak Dutch, check whether the insurer has an international or English-speaking service line.

Websites like Zorgwijzer.nl (available in English) and Independer.nl let you compare all providers side by side.

How to Register With a GP

Your health insurer handles billing, but your first point of care is your huisarts (general practitioner). You must register with a GP near your home — they do not treat patients who are not on their list. GPs in popular areas like Amsterdam often have waiting lists, so register as soon as you arrive.

Bring your BSN and insurance details to the registration. Most GP practices have a simple online registration form on their website.

Dutch health insurance is not optional — but the zorgtoeslag can make it surprisingly affordable if you check your eligibility early.

WelkomNL Keeps You on Track

The WelkomNL app includes a step-by-step health insurance checklist, reminders about the four-month deadline, and a section explaining how to apply for zorgtoeslag. Our AI assistant can answer your questions about the Dutch healthcare system in your own language.