Coming to the Netherlands

Studying in the Netherlands

You are coming to the Netherlands and would like to study here.

If you are only coming to the Netherlands to study, you are not eligible to take out Dutch health insurance. However, depending on your situation and nationality, you may have other options. We will explain your options below.

You would like to study in the Netherlands

  • Do you live in an EU /EEA or treaty country? And do you have health insurance in your country of origin? Then your health insurance may not reimburse all health care costs in the Netherlands.

    You can apply for a 'Verdragspolis' (treaty policy) with CZ. With this 'Verdragspolis' you will be reimbursed for health care in the Netherlands like an insured person in the Netherlands. Usually you do not pay additional premium. CZ is the organisation in the Netherlands responsible for the 'Verdragspolis'.

    Would you like to apply for the 'Verdragspolis'? Do as follows:

    • apply for an E106/S1 form from your health insurer in your country of origin
    • register with CZ using the E106/S1 form

    Read more on the website of CZ.

  • If you are not from an EU / EEA or treaty country, you may apply for a private health insurance policy with a Dutch health insurer. ONVZ offers Health Basic and Health Premium.

    Would you like to apply for Health basic or Health premium with ONVZ? Health Basic is a health-care plan that covers most of your necessary medical costs. Health Premium offers more extensive coverage for things like physical therapy (e.g. physiotherapy), dental care and general basic mental health care (GGZ).

    Health Basic and Health Premium are subject to a screening procedure to determine whether you are eligible. This means that you will be asked to answer some questions about your medical history when applying for Health Basic or Health Premium.

You will work in the Netherlands during your study

  • If you will be working in the Netherlands during your study, you are obliged to take out Dutch health insurance from the date you start working. Would you like to apply for the ONVZ basic health-care plan? Please send us the following information.

    In addition, we will check whether you are registered with a Dutch local council and on what grounds you were issued a residence permit. Once we have received your application for the basic health-care plan and statement of employer or statement of accountant, we will determine the commencement date of your health insurance with ONVZ. We may contact you to request additional documents.

  • If you will be doing an internship during your study, you can check with the Sociale Verzekeringsbank [Social Insurance Bank] (SVB) whether you are entitled to health insurance in the Netherlands. If you are eligible to take out a basic health-care plan, you are also obliged to do so.

    Would you like to apply for Dutch health insurance with ONVZ? Please send us the following information.

    In addition, we check whether you are registered with a Dutch local council and on what grounds you were issued a residence permit. Once we have received your application for the basic health-care plan and statement of employer or statement of accountant, we will determine the commencement date of your basic health-care plan. We may contact you to request additional documents.

Exchange programmes and ‘orientation year highly educated persons’

  • You are obliged to take out health insurance in the Netherlands during an orientation year.

    You are required to apply for Dutch health insurance if you are going to work for a Dutch employer:

    • under an exchange programme
    • as a scientific researcher
    • as a student

    You also must have a basic health-care plan during an orientation year highly educated persons. For more information, please contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

    If you will not be working during your stay, you are not eligible to take out a basic health-care plan. When you stop working, your entitlement to the basic health-care plan ends too.

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