Health Insurance
Health insurance in the Netherlands
is mandatory.
Everyone living here must have a policy. I explain what that means, what it costs, and who to choose.
What you are legally required to do
- 1
Register within 4 months of arriving ⚠️
Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living or working in the Netherlands. You must sign up within 4 months of registering at your gemeente. Missing this deadline results in a government-assigned policy and a fine (bestuurlijke boete).
- 2
Register at your gemeente first
To sign up for health insurance, you need a BSN. You get your BSN when you register at your local municipality (gemeente). Do this within 5 days of arriving.
- 3
Choose your basic policy (basisverzekering)
All basic policies cover the same things by law: GP visits, hospital care, specialist referrals, mental health, maternity care, and prescription medication. Dental is NOT included for adults over 18.
- 4
Understand the deductible (eigen risico)
Every year you pay the first €385 of healthcare costs yourself (the deductible). After that, your insurer covers everything. GP visits are always free and do NOT count toward your deductible.
- 5
You can switch once per year
Every year in November/December you can switch health insurer. The deadline to switch for the following year is December 31. Your new policy starts January 1.
- 6
Consider supplemental coverage
The basic policy is mandatory and legally identical at every insurer. Supplemental packages (aanvullende verzekering) cover things like dental, physiotherapy, glasses, and alternative medicine. These are optional and vary by provider.
Compare insurers
Basic policy (basisverzekering) premiums for 2026.
Premiums updated manually. Health insurance premiums are set once per year in November and are stable for the full calendar year. These premiums are valid for 2026. I verify them against official insurer websites.
⚠️ Don't forget to register.Health insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands. If you don't register within 4 months of arriving, the government will assign you a policy and charge you a fine. The deadline is not flexible.
CZ
+ €385 deductible (eigen risico)
- ✓English customer service available
- ✓Popular choice among expats and international workers
- ✓Premium unchanged from 2025
- ✓Good online portal
- ✓Wide hospital network across the Netherlands
Last verified: May 14, 2026
Zilveren Kruis
+ €385 deductible (eigen risico)
- ✓Largest health insurer in the Netherlands (3.5 million members)
- ✓English support available
- ✓Good hospital network
- ✓Multiple policy tiers available
- ✓Strong reputation for reliability
Last verified: May 14, 2026
Menzis
+ €385 deductible (eigen risico)
- ✓Premium unchanged from 2025
- ✓Strong regional presence (Groningen, Twente, Achterhoek)
- ✓Competitive pricing
- ✓Voluntary extra deductible saves up to €17.50/month
- ✓Good basic coverage
Last verified: May 14, 2026
VGZ
+ €385 deductible (eigen risico)
- ✓Lowered premiums in 2026 — rare among major insurers
- ✓Cheapest of the 4 major insurers
- ✓English support available
- ✓VGZ Basiskeuze is most affordable standard policy
- ✓Part of largest insurance group in NL
Last verified: May 14, 2026
Premiums shown are for the standard basic policy (basisverzekering) in 2026. Your actual premium may differ slightly depending on the policy tier you choose. Remember: you must register within 4 months of arriving in the Netherlands. This page is for informational purposes only and is not medical or financial advice.