Dutch Insurances

The basic Dutch health insurance covers general medical care (visits to the huisarts, for example), hospital stays, dental care for children up to age 18, most prescription medicine and various appliances. Costs start at approximately EUR 100 a month. The government tweaks this package on a yearly basis.

 You will need extra coverage for extensive dental treatment, physiotherapy or anything else the government considers to be your own responsibility, and it is in these additional areas where companies compete. You can change the extras each year, effective 1 January, so let your provider know before then if you would like make a change. Some insurance companies have policy documents in English. It is also worth checking with your colleagues, if you work at a company, as to whether there is a collective scheme that provides health insurance at a discount. Some employers cover (some) costs. If you are self-employed, you may want to take out extra cover. Always check that the healthcare supplier (such as a physiotherapist) is registered with your particular insurer before starting treatment.

It is possible to purchase the additional coverage (aanvullende packet) from a different insurer than your basic insurer. This may make things more complicated when processing bills, but it can sometimes lower your overall costs, or allow you to purchase additional coverage tailored for the needs of international persons residing in Netherlands.

The standard insurance package includes a mandatory excess or deductible. This is a contribution made by the policyholder towards the cost of an insurance claim. Family doctor visits, obstetric and postnatal care, and children's dental services are exempted from the deductible, so those expenses are ordinarily paid in full by the insurer. In 2012, the deductible amount you must pay is EUR 220 per adult.  This means that you will pay the first EUR 220 of bills each year, in addition to your health insurance premiums. You can choose a higher ‘own risk' (deductible) amount, in which case your monthly health insurance premiums will be lower. Based on statements from the Dutch government, this amount is expected to continue to rise, and additional fees or co-payments are likely to be added.

You must take out insurance with a Dutch insurer within four months of arrival even if you already have an existing policy that gives you cover in the Netherlands. Certain employers and work arrangements can be exempt from this requirement, but you should check carefully whether your situation qualifies.  In the Dutch healthcare scheme, children under 18 are included in their parents' insurance at no additional cost. A Dutch insurance company cannot refuse to cover for you for the basic package, regardless of your age or state of health. The standard basic package is pretty much the same from all providers except that costs may vary. If your income is under a fixed minimum level, you can apply for a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the tax authorities (belastingdienst). Visit website www.toeslagen.nl (in Dutch) for more details. The Dutch trade association of health insurance providers includes some information in English and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sportoffers information in several languages including English (see top left of website for more languages). At www.kiesbeter.nl (‘choose better') and www.independer.nl you can compare health insurance (zorgverzekeringen) policy costs and find the cheapest (goedkoopste) basispakket.

Both websites are in Dutch.

Tip: You can cut your monthly costs by around EUR 8 through taking out an internet-based package. Online working reduces admin costs for the insurer. This is popular with students but is available to anyone.