Health insurance

Basic health insurance is compulsory if you live or work in the Netherlands. This insurance covers you for most healthcare costs. 

Compulsory health insurance 

Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must have Dutch health insurance. This is laid down in the Dutch Health Insurance Act. This insurance reimburses healthcare covered by the basic package, such as healthcare provided by your GP, hospital or pharmacy. Maternity care is also covered by this insurance. 

What you need to arrange 

If you will be working in the Netherlands for an extended period, you must take out basic health insurance in the Netherlands within four months. To do this, you need to be registered in the BRP. You are insured from the day you start working. If you do not arrange your health insurance in time, you can be fined and you will have to pay any healthcare costs yourself. 

Supplementary insurance 

In addition to basic insurance, you can also take additional insurance to cover healthcare costs. This is called supplementary insurance. It is not compulsory. It insures you against additional costs that are not covered by basic insurance, such as the costs of seeing a dentist or physiotherapist. You pay an additional amount each month for this.  

Read more about the costs of health insurance. 

Excess and healthcare benefit 

In the Netherlands, you sometimes pay for part of your healthcare. This is called the excess. This is €385 in 2026. You do not pay any excess for children aged under 18. If you have a low income, check if you can get healthcare benefit. This is money you get from the government to help you pay for your insurance.