Dutch health insurance


The Dutch health insurance is a compulsory basis insurance. Under the Dutch national insurance schemes all residents are insured against financial consequences of medical expenses. If you are not a resident, but for example an expat, it might be that you have to take out a Dutch health insurance too. Since 1997 ASV Advies is an expert in cross-border employment. We offer support to companies sending employees abroad, as well those employing foreign workers.

Living abroad and working in the Netherlands

Whether it is compulsory for you to take out a Dutch health insurance depends on your situation. 

If you work in the Netherlands and pay social security contributions in the Netherlands, the health insurance is mandatory. You have also take out a health insurance in the Netherlands when you are living abroad but you have to pay wage tax in the Netherlands. 

It could be that you pay wage tax in the Netherlands but paying social security contribution in the country where your employer is established. If your employer is established in one of the member states of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, it is most unlikely that you have to take out a Dutch health insurance. 

It is also not compulsory to you to take out a health insurance in the Netherlands when you are a citizen of one of the Contracting States and you have a certificate of covering for the social security scheme.

If the Dutch health insurance is mandatory for expats

If it is compulsory for you to take out a health insurance in the Netherlands you have to do so within a certain period of time. When your family is living abroad it is not possible to take out a health insurance for them in the Netherlands. However it might be that they are jointly insured. You have to apply for a E106 treaty form. The health insurer in the residence state decides if they are jointly insured or not.

Dutch health insurance for students

If you come to the Netherlands to study, your health insurance from your home country is not sufficient. If you are registered in The Netherlands you have to take out a health insurance. However, if you come to the Netherlands only temporarily to complete a course or study, it might be that the mandatory health insurances may not be applicable.

FAQ about health insurance
 in the Netherlands

Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus (Greek part), Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland (not EU or EEA-country, but EU laws are applicable)

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada (Quebec excluded), Chili, India, Japan, Cape Verde, Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm, Jethou), Kosovo, Macedonia, Isle of Man, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, South Korea

More information about the Dutch health insurance?

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