Insurance

In the Netherlands, you often need to have insurance to avoid high costs if something goes wrong. 

What is insurance? 

Insurance is an arrangement. You pay money to an insurer every month. If something you own is damaged or you are sick, the insurer will help you. Some insurance is compulsory, and some is voluntary. Many people in the Netherlands have several insurance policies. 

Compulsory and voluntary insurance 

Health insurance is compulsory for everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands. Other types of insurance, such as home contents insurance and liability insurance, are voluntary. They are not compulsory but they can still be very useful. 

Social insurance 

Everyone in the Netherlands is automatically covered by social insurance. There are two types: 

National insurance covers everyone: 

• AOW (for older people) 
• ANW (for surviving dependants) 
• WLZ (for long-term care) 
• AKW (for child benefit, you do not pay any contributions for this) 

Employee insurance covers people who are in paid employment: 

• Sickness benefit 
• WW (if you become unemployed) 
• WIA (if you are sick for long period) 

Your employer automatically deducts the contributions from your wages. If you are self-employed, you pay these contributions through your tax return. The contributions depend on your income. The amounts change every year. 

Exceptions 

Sometimes you do not have to pay social insurance contributions, for example because you receive benefit payments from another country or because you are a conscientious objector. The SVB can tell you more about this. 

How to take out insurance 

You can take out insurance from an insurer or by going online. You can compare the content and prices of different insurance policies. Choose the insurance that is best for your situation. Pay close attention to what the insurance covers and what it does not.