Dutch health insurance for expats: the basics in 2026

As of 29 September 2026: everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must have Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) (Government.nl). You have 4 months after arrival to take it out, and cover must start on the day you arrived; if you take it out later, you are not insured retroactively (Government.nl). Adults pay a compulsory deductible (eigen risico) of €385 in 2026 before the insurer pays; GP visits are exempt (CZ). The 2027 budget puts it at €400, which is not yet final (Zorgwijzer). Without insurance, the CAK can fine you €529.74 per fine in 2026 (CAK).

Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands. Children under 18 don't pay a premium (Government.nl). There are exceptions (Government.nl):

• International students who only study may be covered by insurance from home; if you take a paid job or internship, you generally need Dutch basic insurance (Radboud University).
• EU civil servants working only for EU institutions are covered by the EU's own scheme (JSIS) and cannot take out Dutch basic insurance, unless they also work in the Netherlands.
• People employed by an employer outside the Netherlands may be able to keep foreign cover under certain conditions; the SVB (Social Insurance Bank) decides.

A monthly premium plus the deductible when you use care. For its 2026 fine calculation the CAK uses an average premium of €157 a month (CAK). The basic package covers care such as GP, hospital, psychiatrist and pharmacy costs; its content is set by the government, so it is the same at every insurer. Additional insurance (aanvullende verzekering) is optional and covers extras such as dental check-ups for adults (Government.nl). Insurers must accept everyone for the basic package, but can turn you down for additional cover.

Sources: CZ, Zorgwijzer, Dienst Toeslagen. The 2027 figure follows from the budget presented around Prinsjesdag (15 September 2026); a larger rise to €455 from the coalition agreement has been moved to 2028. Background: the deductible explained (in Dutch) and premiums for 2027 (in Dutch).

Yes, through the healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag), if your income is low enough. In 2026 you can get it as a single person with an annual income of up to €40,857, or up to €51,142 combined with a partner (Dienst Toeslagen). The maximum for a single person is about €129 a month in 2026 (Zorgwijzer). You apply via Dienst Toeslagen with your DigiD, and you need Dutch basic insurance to qualify.

You get a letter, then fines, and eventually the CAK insures you. The CAK process in 2026 (CAK):

1. A letter saying you appear to be uninsured.
2. No insurance within 3 months of that letter: a fine of €529.74.
3. Still none 3 months after the first fine: a second fine.
4. After that, the CAK takes out insurance for you.

If you take out valid insurance within the 3 months, the fine is withdrawn. If you arrange insurance after the 4-month window, you are not insured retroactively and costs from before your policy start are not reimbursed (Government.nl).

Once a year: cancel by 31 December and take out a new policy by 1 February, and you are covered by the new insurer from 1 January (Rijksoverheid). Switching telecom contracts works differently; see Dutch contracts explained. The other things to arrange when you arrive are in the moving checklist.