Health insurance (zorgverzekering)

Dutch health insurance is mandatory for most residents who work — and the rules for students are different enough to catch people out.

The basic rule

The Netherlands requires anyone who works here, or is otherwise covered by the Dutch social security system, to take out basic health insurance (basisverzekering) with a Dutch insurer, usually within four months of becoming liable. This applies from your first paid job, even part-time or a small student job — not just full-time employment.

If you are a student not working

If you are studying here without any paid work and are not otherwise covered by Dutch social security, you are generally not required to take Dutch basic insurance, and should instead keep valid insurance from your home country or a private international student policy. The moment that changes — you take a part-time job, an internship with pay, or graduate into work — the mandatory Dutch insurance clock starts.

How to get it

• Compare basisverzekering policies across Dutch insurers — the mandatory base coverage is standardised, but the price and optional add-ons (aanvullende verzekering, e.g. for dental or physiotherapy) vary. Several of the larger insurers run English-language sites worth starting with: Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, CZ, and Menzis. ONVZ is worth a specific mention too — it was the first Dutch insurer to run a fully bilingual platform (policy terms, service centre, and online portal all in English), which makes it a common pick among internationals.
• You will need your BSN to sign up.
• Sign-up is usually done online directly with the insurer.

Zorgtoeslag — the healthcare allowance

If your income is below a certain threshold, you can claim zorgtoeslag, a monthly allowance from the Belastingdienst that offsets part of your premium. You apply through the Belastingdienst using your DigiD, so get that sorted first. Thresholds and amounts change yearly — check the current numbers on the Belastingdienst site rather than assuming last year’s figures still apply.