Health Insurance in the Netherlands for Expats

The Dutch healthcare system combines public health insurance and private health insurance in a novel way. By controlling the insurance industry, establishing minimum coverage requirements, and supplying funding through tax money and healthcare allowances, the government plays a critical role. It is mandatory for every resident to have a minimum level of health insurance from private providers.

In addition to the mandatory basic insurance, people can choose additional coverage for things like dental insurance, physical therapy, or alternative medicine. 

This Dutch health insurance two-tier system permits customised insurance choices while guaranteeing universal access to healthcare.

Dutch Health Insurance Comparison Table

Dutch Health Insurance Companies

The Netherlands health insurance industry boasts a variety of providers, including both domestic and international companies. For frequent travellers and expats, global coverage might be ideal. These companies provide some of the best health insurance in the Netherlands for expats:

• a.s.r., 
• Allianz Care, 
• Cigna Global, 
• FBTO, 
• ONVZ, 
• UnitedConsumers, 
• and Zilveren Kruis. 

However, with numerous options available, selecting the right expat health insurance plan can be challenging. Remember, you can only change your health insurance policy once a year, typically between November and December. 

To assist in your decision-making between insurance companies in the Netherlands, consider using online comparison tools. Factors such as the insurer’s network of healthcare providers and monthly premium can also influence your choice.

If you’re seeking additional coverage beyond the mandatory basic insurance, carefully compare different plans to find the best fit for your needs.

a.s.r. Health Insurance Company

a.s.r. is a well-known health insurance provider in the Netherlands. They offer both basic and supplementary insurance plans. With a.s.r., you get basic health insurance (Basisverzekering):

• Free hospital choice –  a.s.r. is known for offering free choice in selecting hospitals.   
• Comprehensive coverage – Covers essential healthcare services as mandated by the Dutch government.
• Competitive premiums – While specific prices fluctuate, a.s.r. generally offers competitive rates.
• Supplementary Insurance (Aanvullende Verzekering) with a.s.r.
• Wide range of options – a.s.r. provides various supplementary insurance plans to cater to different needs.
• Customisation: You can tailor your coverage to match your specific healthcare requirements.
• Potential for discounts – Depending on your circumstances, you might qualify for discounts on supplementary insurance.

Finding the cheapest health insurance in the Netherlands is not an easy task, as the health insurance premium fee can change annually. However, deductible (Eigen Risico) is a fixed amount you pay before insurance covers costs. The amount is standard across all insurers.

Allianz Care: International Health Insurance Company

Allianz Care is an international health insurance provider, part of the larger Allianz Group. They specialise in offering comprehensive basic insurance plans for individuals and families living or travelling abroad. Key features:

• Global Coverage – Designed for expats and international travellers, Allianz Care offers plans that cover you in various countries.
• Comprehensive Coverage – Their plans often include a wide range of benefits, such as inpatient and outpatient care, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation.   
• Global Network – Allianz Care has a vast network of healthcare providers worldwide, ensuring access to quality care.   
• Additional Services – Many plans include additional benefits like 24/7 multilingual support, travel assistance, and wellness programmes.   

Allianz Care typically offers several types of plans to cater to different needs and budgets:

• Core Plans – These plans provide essential coverage for inpatient and outpatient care, including hospital stays, surgeries, and doctor visits.   
• Optional Plans – You can enhance your core plan with optional coverage for specific needs, such as dental care, maternity, or repatriation.   
• Short-Term Plans – Designed for temporary stays abroad, these plans offer flexible coverage options.

The price of health insurance policies varies based on age, location, chosen plan, and level of coverage. Some plans may have deductibles, which are the amounts you pay before insurance kicks in. You must be aware of any conditions or treatments that contracted healthcare providers do not cover.

Cigna Global Health Insurance Company

Cigna Global is an international health insurer that offers plans specifically designed for expatriates. They provide coverage in numerous countries and territories. Key features of Cigna Global:

• Global Coverage – Offers plans with worldwide coverage, including or excluding the USA.   
• Comprehensive Coverage – Provides coverage for medical emergencies, inpatient and outpatient care, maternity care (for specific plans), mental health, and more.   
• Global Network – Access to a vast network of healthcare providers worldwide.   
• 24/7 Support – Offers multilingual support services.   
• Customisation: Provides various plan options to suit different needs and budgets.   
• Digital Platform – Online portal for managing claims, finding providers, and accessing policy information.   

Costs vary based on age, location, chosen plan, and coverage level. Keep in mind that you may have to pay a deductible before your insurance coverage kicks in. Unfortunately, certain conditions or treatments might not be covered.

FBTO Health Insurance Company

FBTO is a Dutch health insurer known for its competitive premiums and flexible policies. It’s part of the larger Achmea insurance group. The key features are:

• Competitive Premiums – FBTO often offers lower premiums compared to other insurers.   
• Flexible Plans – You can customise your insurance by choosing from different basic packages and additional modules.   
• Strong Customer Service – FBTO is known for its good customer service.
• Wide Range of Services – Offers various insurance products beyond health, such as home, car, and travel insurance.   

FBTO provides various types of insurance plans. You can choose from:

• Basic Dutch Health Insurance (Basisverzekering) – Covers essential medical care services like doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. FBTO offers different basic packages with varying levels of coverage.   
• Supplementary Insurance (Aanvullende Verzekering) – Covers additional healthcare services like dental care, physiotherapy, and alternative medicine. You can choose from various modules to customize your coverage.   
• Travel Insurance –  FBTO provides travel insurance options for both short-term and long-term trips. 

It’s essential to compare different health insurance in the Netherlands with FBTO’s offerings to find the best fit for your individual needs. Factors like age, health conditions, and desired coverage level will influence your choice and, ultimately, what you consider to be the best Dutch health insurance for expats.

ONVZ Health Insurance Company

ONVZ is a well-known health insurance provider in the Netherlands, known for its focus on customer choice and service. Key features are:

• Free Choice of Healthcare Providers – ONVZ offers a high degree of freedom in selecting your doctor and hospital.   
• Restitution Policy – This means you pay upfront for healthcare services and are reimbursed by ONVZ.
• Customer Satisfaction – ONVZ consistently receives positive feedback for its customer service.   
• Basic Dutch Health Insurance and Supplementary Insurance – Like other Dutch insurers, ONVZ offers both basic and supplementary insurance plans. 

While ONVZ is a reputable health insurer, the exact details of your coverage and premium will depend on the specific plan you choose. To find the best fit for your needs and budget, it’s essential to compare ONVZ with other insurers using online comparison tools.

UnitedConsumers Health Insurance

UnitedConsumers is a Dutch consumer cooperative that offers health insurance services. It’s important to note that UnitedConsumers doesn’t actually provide the insurance itself but works with other insurance providers to offer their members competitive deals.   

UnitedConsumers collaborates with established insurers like VGZ to provide health insurance packages. Their members often receive discounts on health insurance premiums. 

You can choose from different health insurance plans offered by VGZ, tailored to your needs and budget. The specific coverage offered by UnitedConsumers depends on the health insurance plan you choose. However, as a general rule, basic health insurance plans cover medical care costs like:

• Doctor visits;
• Hospitalisations;   
• Prescription medication;
• Certain medical treatments.

For more detailed information about specific coverages, premiums, and available plans, it’s recommended to visit the UnitedConsumers website or contact their customer service directly.

Zilveren Kruis Health Insurance Company

Zilveren Kruis is a prominent health insurance provider in the Netherlands. It offers both basic and supplementary insurance plans.

They provide several basic healthcare package options to cater to different needs and budgets. Depending on the chosen package, you can select from a limited or broader range of healthcare providers. In addition, the Basis Plus Module offers extra reimbursements for a small monthly fee.   

On the other hand, supplementary insurance options include a ZieZo package with options for both general and dental coverage. You can tailor your ZieZo plan to match your specific healthcare needs.

Zilveren Kruis provides online tools and an app for managing your insurance and submitting claims. The company offers various channels for customer support, including chat and WhatsApp.   

How Health Insurance Works in the Netherlands

All adults residing in the Netherlands, including students, expats, workers, and pensioners, must have basic health insurance. Children under 18 are insured under their parents’ or guardians’ policy.

In addition to the basic insurance, adults will pay an annual deductible (eigen risico) of €385. This amount must be paid out-of-pocket before insurance covers the remaining costs. However, there’s no deductible for general practitioner visits, maternity care, or district nursing.

While basic insurance covers primary care, in most cases, Dutch people also have supplementary health insurance for additional coverage. This supplemental insurance doesn’t cover the deductible or personal contributions.

What Does Dutch Basic Insurance Cover?

All Dutch residents are required to have basic health insurance. This is known as the “basic package,” and it is reviewed annually.

Basic health insurance covers things such as:

• Appointments with your GP doctor 
• Medical costs like hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency care 
• Ambulance services and patient transport 
• Medicine prescriptions
• Blood tests
• Dental care for children under 18 years 
• Adults over 18 only receive limited dental care, which is limited to oral surgery and x-rays. 
• Mental health care
• Consultations with internal specialists, dermatologists, allergists, and other medical specialists
• Pregnancy, birth care, and midwifery services
• Maternity care
• Handicapped care
• Aged care 
• Nursing on location 
• A few therapeutic services, including diet counselling, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• Physiotherapy for chronic disorders

Supplementary Insurance Coverage 

In order to pay for further medical costs, you might also need to purchase additional coverage. Here is where private health insurance companies compete to provide the best policies that suit your needs and way of life.

Supplementary insurance offers partial coverage for a variety of medical services; some examples are as follows:

• Adults over the age of 18 receive dental care, which includes cleanings, hygiene, dental implants, and fillings.
• Emergency health care for travel abroad
• Alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and homoeopathy 
• Vaccinations
• Contraception
• Glasses and contact lenses
• Hearing aids 
• Plastic surgery

Choosing an Insurance Healthcare Provider in the Netherlands

While all basic Dutch health insurance plans cover the same essential services, there are key factors to consider when choosing a provider:

• Premiums – Costs vary between insurers.
• Deductible (Eigen Risico) – This is a fixed amount you pay before insurance kicks in. All insurers offer the same standard deductible, but some might offer options for higher deductibles with lower premiums.   
• Hospital Choice –  A health insurer can offer “free hospital choice,” allowing you to select any hospital, while others have contracted networks.   
• Additional Health Insurance Coverage –  Consider if you need supplementary insurance for dental care, physiotherapy, or alternative treatments.   
• Customer Service – Read reviews and compare customer satisfaction ratings.

How do I register for Health Insurance in the Netherlands?

You can typically enrol in Dutch mandatory health insurance online or by phone. However, this includes a few steps.

Step 1: Register with a Dutch Municipality

The first step to accessing Dutch basic health insurance is to register with your local municipality (gemeente). This process is essential to obtaining a Citizen Service Number (BSN), which is required for various administrative procedures, including health insurance enrolment.

Step 2: Choose a Health Insurance Provider

Once you, as a Dutch expat, have a BSN, you can select a health insurance provider. The Netherlands offers several options, each with different coverage plans and premiums. It’s advisable to compare plans and choose one that best suits your needs and budget.

Step 3: Enrol in Dutch Basic Health Insurance

Enrolling in Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is mandatory for all residents in the Netherlands. This covers essential medical care services like doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications.

Step 4: Understand the Eigen Risico (Deductible)

The eigen risico is an annual amount you pay out-of-pocket before your health insurance starts covering healthcare costs. This amount is standard for all insurers. While it might seem like an extra expense, it often results in lower premiums.

Step 5: Apply for Healthcare Allowance (Zorgtoeslag)

If your income is below a certain threshold, you might be eligible for a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag). This is a financial contribution towards your health insurance premium. You can apply for this allowance through the Dutch Tax Office (Belastingdienst). 

Besides the healthcare allowance, you might need to interact with the Belastingdienst for other healthcare-related matters, such as tax deductions for specific medical expenses.

Premiums and Factors Affecting Costs

Health insurance premiums vary based on several factors, including:

• Age – Elderly individuals generally pay higher premiums for medical care.
• Chosen plan –  Different plans offer varying levels of coverage and cost accordingly.
• Deductible –  Opting for a higher deductible often results in lower premiums.
• Income – The healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) can significantly reduce your overall costs.

Tips on Dutch Health Insurance 

By healthcare law and insurance law, regardless of their health, gender, or age, all residents are obligated to have basic health insurance. All low-income earners can qualify for a healthcare allowance to help cover premiums.

Remember that many international companies offer discounted insurance through group plans; check that information within your company. Be aware of potential waiting times for certain treatments; you’ll need to schedule some examinations months ahead.

Final Words on Health Insurance in the Netherlands

To recap, all residents must have basic coverage, which insurers cannot deny based on health or personal factors. Choosing the right health insurance plan is essential for your well-being and financial security.

By carefully considering your needs and options, you can find the best coverage for you.

Are you ready to take the next step in your life? Why not choose to become a Dutch expat? If that sounds appealing to you, quickly explore exciting job opportunities on Robin.