Dutch healthcare system

The Netherlands has a healthcare system that is based on care that is accessible, affordable and of good quality. Everyone residing or paying income tax in the Netherlands is required by law to have basic health insurance. They are free to choose their own insurer.

The central government determines which reimbursements are included in the compulsory Dutch basic health insurance. It covers the most essential medical care. For example GP visits, hospital stays and specialist appointments. No premium has to be paid for children under 18 years of age. ONVZ offers two basic health-care plans: ONVZ Vrije Keuze and ONVZ Bewuste Keuze. 

In addition, people can opt for supplementary packages that offer reimbursement for healthcare costs not covered by the basic insurance. Such as physiotherapy, alternative medicine, glasses/contact lenses, dental care and orthodontics. 

All insured persons together contribute to the total costs of all care. In addition to the premium, they pay a compulsory excess (eigen risico) of €385 out of pocket before any costs are reimbursed under the basic health-care plan. Each year, the government determines the amount of the compulsory excess. Only persons
aged 18 and older pay excess.

Do you want to know more about the Dutch healthcare system? Download our brochure or watch the video below.

Publicatiedatum video: 17 april 2025

In this video we'll look at how health insurance is arranged in the Netherlands. You can use the chapters in the video description to quickly acces the specific information you're looking for.

[Text]: How is health insurance arranged in the Netherlands?

Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands is legally obliged to take out basis health insurance.

[Text]: Special rules apply for students and workers on secondment from aroad. Kids under the age of 18 can be insured free of charge.

This covers costs such as visits to your general practitioner, medication from the pharmacy and hospital care. It's important that you register with a Dutch health insurance company within 4 months of arrival.

[Text]: It is important that you apply for health insurance within four months of being entitled to it. You have this right if you live and/or work in the Netherlands.

[Text]: Dutch Healthcare System: Explained

The government determines exactly what is included in the basic healthcare plan which is designed to cover the bulk of your essential medical care.

In addition, insures can offer supplementary insurance packages that cover for example physiotherapy or dental care.

[Text]: Basic health insurance, Supplementary packages, physiotherapy, dental care, eye care, travel medical, alternative and extra services.

Insured care is equal for everyone. However, the way you receive it can vary greatly. You can choose either an in-kind or restitution policy, or a combination of both.

[Text]: In-kind policy (Naturapolis), Restitution policy (Restitutiepolis), Combination Policy (combinatiepolis).

With an in-kind policy, your health insurer reimburses the care costs fully, only if the care provider has a contract with your health insurer.

[Text]: In-kind policy: care provider costs are fully reimbursed if there is a contract and partially if there is no contract.

With a restitution policy, you'll be free to choose from any hospital or healthcare provider.

[Text]: Restitution policy: free choice of care provider, cost are fully reimbursed in conformity with market levels.

In-kind policies are generally cheaper than restitution policies.

[Text]: Combination policy: combination of in-kind coverage for some care costs and restitution for others.

What's more, ONVZ has contracts with many different healthcare providers, which means you can get the care you need quickly. We can help you with waiting lists, because we've contracted so many healthcare providers, we can more easily find one that's available.

Everyone with the same policy pays the same amount. Age or health status don't play a role. Every insurance has a mandatory policy excess. The excess is an annual amount for medical costs that adults have to pay out of pocket, before any costs are reimbursed under the basic healthcare insurance.

[Text]: Mandatory excess: € 385 a year.

If you don't expect healthcare costs and would like a discount on your premium. you can voluntarily increase the mandatory excess.

[Text]: Voluntary excess: € 885 a year.

But bear in mind that you will also have to pay more out of pocket if you do incur healthcare costs.

For some care covered by the basic insurance, you don't have to pay an excess. For example, general practicioner care or maternity care.

With your basic insurance sorted, the first thing you need to do is register with a general practitoner or GP known in Holland as the 'huisarts'.

Even if you don't need medical care right away. The role of the GP is central to the Dutch healthcare system. For many newcomers, this is the most important difference with back home.

[Text]: General Practitioner, Huisarts

Your GP is the first person you visit when you have health complaints, including mental health issues. This is called primary care, and you can arrange a visit without referral.

The  GP can refer you to a medical specialist if necessary. This is called secondary care, and you can only access it by means of a referral from your GP.

[Text]: 2. Medical specialist

All visits to the GP are covered. You don't pay an excess. However, if the GP refers you to a medical specialist or orders blood tests, or if you are prescribed medication, you will have to pay the excess for those services.

If you go on vacation or need to travel abroad for work, you can also receive care from healthcare providers abroad. The basic insurance reimburses the costs of emergency care abroad up to the amount that this care would cost in the Netherlands.

[Animation Text]: Emergency Care Abroad - Costs. Maximum Coverage NL - Costs. Animation shows the difference you have to pay if the costs abroad are higher.

If the costs abroad are higher, you will have to pay the difference yourself.

With ONVZ, you can also insure yourself for the part you otherwise would have had to pay with additional insurance called 'Wereldfit'. If you want to know more about the Dutch healthcare system, simply download our guide or contact our service center.

[Text]: ONVZ. This video explaines the Dutch healthcare system in a nutshell. Visit onvz.nl/en/dutch-healthcare. Or contact our Service Centre: +31 (0)30 639 62 22.