Netherlands - Healthcare
You can read here about insurance for healthcare in the Netherlands
In what situation can I claim?
If you live or work in the Netherlands and pay tax, you are obliged to take out care insurance as stipulated in the Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet, Zvw) and are insured under the Long-term Care Act (Wet langdurige zorg, Wlz). You then have the right to reimbursement of the costs of your medical care from the basic package.
What conditions do I need to meet?
You must live or work in the Netherlands (and pay income tax) to be insured under the Long-term Care Act. All persons insured under the Long-term Care Act are obliged to take out health care insurance in the Netherlands as stipulated by the Health insurance Act.
What am I entitled to and how can I claim?
There are two main health insurance policies: policies based on benefits in kind, and policies based on reimbursement of medical costs. Coverage of the basic package is equal for all insured persons. The amount that is reimbursed depends on your insurance policy. Your healthcare insurer can tell you more about this.
The basic insurance under the Health Insurance Act covers a minimum number of reimbursable expenses, determined annually by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. See here for the list of reimbursements in 2023.
Dental care for children up to 18 years old including preventive maintenance work, fluoride applications up to twice a year from the age of six, sealing, periodontal care and surgical treatment are included in the legally defined coverage. Dental care for adults only covers dentures and specialist surgical treatments if it concerns a serious development disorder, growth disorder or an acquired defect of the dental/jaw/mouth system. Other dental treatments are only covered through voluntary supplemental insurance.
Care received from a general practitioner or medical specialist is paid for by the insurance company. A consultation with a medical specialist proceeds on the basis of a referral from a general practitioner.
Your insurer will give you a policy document and insurance number, which you can use as proof of insurance when you need medical care.
In kind and restitution policies
There are different kinds of insurance policies. With an in-kind policy, the full costs of care are reimbursed if the care is provided by a contracted care provider.
If you have an in-kind policy, but decide to go to a non-contracted care provider, your care insurer can apply a deduction to the reimbursement of the care costs. However, the deduction cannot be so high that it forms an obstacle in obtaining care.
With a restitution policy, you are free to choose the care providers yourself. In most cases, the costs incurred will be reimbursed after submitting the invoice.
‘Mandatory’ excess
Insured people of 18 and older have to pay the first EUR 385 of their healthcare costs per year themselves. The amount is updated annually and is collected by the healthcare insurer. This ‘mandatory’ excess does not apply to:
- the general practitioner;
- maternity care;
- obstetric care;
- care from a supplementary insurance policy;
- rental of medical aids on loan;
- any contributions or payments made by the insured.
In addition, the insurer may offer the insured the option of a higher ‘voluntary’ excess (on top of the mandatory excess) of EUR 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500, but lower premium. The higher the voluntary excess, the lower the premium.
People may qualify for compensation of the health insurance premiums. They can apply for this via Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). The supplementary compensation is called “Zorgtoeslag” (heath care allowance).
Jargon busters
- Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet, Zvw): Act that makes healthcare insurance mandatory for everyone living or working in the Netherlands.
- Care Insurance or basic insurance: mandatory health insurance for people living or working in the Netherlands to cover essential healthcare.
- Long-term Care Act (Wet langdurige zorg, Wlz): collective long term care insurance mandatory in the Netherlands for non-individually-insurable long-term care cost risks.
Know your rights
The links below set out your rights. They are not European Commission sites and do not represent the view of the European Commission.
European Commission publication and website:
Who do you need to contact?
There are various websites that allow you to compare the different health insurance providers.
If you are seeking advice or help with your EU rights, please apply for help from the EU.