Overview of Dutch health insurance for expats in the Netherlands, healthcare laws, legal minimum insurance required, how Holland’s health care system works and receiving treatment when abroad…
Beginning in 2006, health insurance in the Netherlands has been regulated by the Zvw (Health Insurance Act). Dutch law requires that every resident in the country (as well as non-residents who pay Dutch payroll tax) take out a basic health insurance policy provided by a private Dutch insurance company.
Dutch Health Insurance Act
For the two decades, the Dutch health insurance industry has operated as a collaborative effort between public and private entities that work together to ensure:
- every individual is guaranteed acceptance by every Dutch health insurance company that offers the national ‘basic’health insurance plan (regardless of pre-existing health conditions)
- each individual pays the same cost for a treatment covered by the basic plan
- the annual cost of the national basic health insurance plan is affordable
Most people register for their own health insurance plan, but it is also possible to take out a policy that covers someone else (such as a spouse, child/ren or someone whom is physically or mentally unable to handle the process themselves).
Exceptions to Health Insurance Legal Requirement
There are two exceptions to the legal requirement that every resident must take out a health insurance policy in the Netherlands:
- Dutch Military Personnel (who are provided with healthcare automatically during their enlistment)
- Conscientious Objectors (people who object to insurance on principle or religious belief). These individuals are allowed to not take out the basic insurance policy, but must still pay the same monthly amount that all other residents must pay for the national basic health insurance policy. The deduction is made from their monthly wages and noted on the pay slip as ‘substitute tax’.
Dutch Health ‘Care Insurers’
The Dutch government refers to Zvw-registered health insurance companies collectively as ‘care insurers‘, in order to stress the key role each plays as an effective, customer-driven organizer of care for the peoplethey insure.
Insurer Requirements
Before they are permitted to offer the national basic health insurance policy, an insurer must:
- Be Licensed by the Dutch Central Bank
- Health insurance companies in Netherlands are not obliged to offer the Dutch national ‘basic’ health insurance policy. If they choose to do so, they must agree to specific Zvw requirements, including being licensed to sell non-life insurance services in a specific sector. Licenses are issued by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) or the relevant regulatory body in another EU Member State.
- Register with the Netherlands Health Care Authority
- Health insurers also have to be registered with the Netherlands Health Care Authority (NZa) to facilitate supervision of the services they provide under the Zvw and to qualify for payments from the adjustment fund.
Insurer Coverage Area
Dutch health insurers must offer services and sell insurance policies country wide. Exceptions are granted to small insurers with less than 850,000 customers. This allows smaller insurance companies to break into the market, which in turn fosters competition and offers the consumer more health insurance options. The smallest geographic area an insurer can cover is a single province (i.e. it cannot operate in just one municipality).
Enrolling in a Dutch Health Insurance Policy
Health insurance must be taken out with a care insurer within four months of moving to the Netherlands. Because the requirement to have a Dutch health insurance policy begins at the time your register with your local municipal authorities, the cost will be the same whether you sign up with an insurer in the first second or third month (i.e. your first bill will include any prior months premium costs back to the date you registered with the municipality).
A resident is free to choose which Dutch insurance company they want to register with (but make sure the insurer offers services in the province you live). When deciding on an insurance policy, expats will want to look at treatment payments (full or partial), voluntary deductible, monthly premium and the availability of client services.
Penalty for Not Getting a Dutch Basic Health Insurance Policy
Anyone who fails to get a basic health insurance policy from a Dutch insurer within the the first four months of residency are charged a penalty equal to 130% of premium costs from the date of registration, with a maximum penalty of 5 years (60 months). The cost of any care that was obtained during the period without insurance remains the responsibility of the individual even after the back payment penalty has been paid.
Supplemental Health Insurance
To be covered for treatments that are not included in the basic health insurance policy (for example, dental or vision care), you will need a ‘supplemental health insurance’ policy. This extra insurance coverage remains separate from the basic national insurance policy so it is possible to have a different insurer. A supplemental insurance is not required by Dutch law.
Unlike a basic national health insurance policy, where insurers are obligated to accept any resident in the Netherlands that registers with their company, enrollment in a supplemental insurance plan is at the discretion of the insurance company. The extent of care coverage and the annual cost/monthly premiums for supplemental insurance plans are determined by the insurer itself and are not regulated by the government.
Some Dutch insurance companies that offer supplemental insurance policies are FBTO, United Consumers (through VGZ) and Unive.
International health insurance policies often provide coverage for treatments not covered in the Dutch basic national insurance and as such can be an alternative to Dutch supplemental insurance. Before taking out an international health insurance policy, it is highly recommended to review the company’s list of partnered local health care providers that accept the insurance. If there is not a provider within an acceptable distance, you may be better served with a Dutch supplemental insurance policy.
Health Insurance Information in English
Very few health insurance companies in the Netherlands have information in English for non-Dutch-speaking expats on their websites. Two that do are ONVZ and Zorg & Zekerheid.
Related information…
DUTCH HEALTH INSURANCE FAQ’s
SWITCHING DUTCH HEALTH INSURERS
