If you live or work in the Netherlands, taking out Dutch health insurance is a legal requirement for everyone, including new arrivals from India. This guide covers mandatory rules, costs, deductibles, and allowances for 2026.
Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must take out basic health insurance (basisverzekering) with a Dutch insurer within 4 months of registering or starting work. Cover is backdated to the day your obligation begins, and you pay premiums from that exact date.
Please note that insurance from India or international travel insurance does not replace the compulsory Dutch policy if you live and work in the country. Relying solely on foreign policies after your registration can lead to heavy fines from the CAK, the administrative body that checks health insurance compliance.
The basic package covers essential medical care as set by law. This includes:
Dental care for adults and physiotherapy are mostly covered only by supplementary policies, which are optional and cost extra. Children under 18 are insured free of charge on a parent's policy, but you must register them with your chosen insurance company after they receive a citizen service number (BSN).
Insurers set their own premiums. For 2026, the basic package averages about €159 a month, with individual insurers ranging roughly from €142 to €185 a month depending on the policy type (such as naturapolis or restitutiepolis variants). You can also choose to voluntarily raise your deductible in exchange for a lower monthly premium, though this means you pay more out of pocket if you need medical care.
The compulsory deductible (eigen risico) for 2026 stays at €385 a year for adults. Crucially, GP visits and children's care are not subject to this deductible, meaning you do not pay out of pocket when seeing your family doctor.
If you are on a lower income, you may be eligible for financial help towards your monthly premium called healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag), issued by the Dienst Toeslagen.
For a single person in 2026, this allowance is at most about €131 a month. The exact amount depends strictly on your income and assets. You can apply for this via the official toeslagen portal using your DigiD once you are registered in your municipality and have a job or active insurance policy.
When you arrive, you must register with a local general practitioner, known as a huisarts. Your GP is your first point of contact for any health concerns and is the only person who can refer you to hospital specialists. GP consultations are fully covered by the basic insurance without touching your deductible.
When comparing insurers online, look at whether you want a budget policy with a restricted network of contracted hospitals or a broader policy that lets you visit any hospital. Make sure to check the policy conditions carefully before signing up.
On top of the basic package you can buy supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) for adult dental care, physiotherapy, glasses or care abroad. Insurers may ask health questions or refuse supplementary cover, but they must accept everyone for the basic package and charge them the same premium for the same policy.
You can switch insurer once a year: cancel before 1 January and take out the new policy by 1 February; the new insurer can usually cancel the old policy for you. Mid-year switching is only possible in special cases.
In your first months, keep proof of the date you registered or started work. Your insurer backdates cover to that date, and you pay the premiums for those months too. Ask your employer whether they offer a collective policy, which can give a small discount on the supplementary package. When you are treated, show your insurance card and ID; with an in-kind (natura) policy the insurer pays contracted providers directly, while with a restitution policy you can choose any provider and claim the costs.
New arrivals from India often make a few avoidable errors regarding Dutch healthcare:
No. If you live or work in the Netherlands, you must take out a Dutch basic health insurance policy within 4 months.
The compulsory deductible is €385 a year for adults, though GP visits and children's care are exempt from it.
Yes, children under 18 are insured free of charge on a parent's policy, but you must register them with your insurer.
The basic package averages about €159 a month in 2026, with insurers ranging roughly from €142 to €185 a month.
Zorgtoeslag is a healthcare allowance for people on lower incomes, providing up to about €131 a month for a single person in 2026.
