Health insurance (zorgverzekering) is mandatory for everyone over 18 years old registered in the Netherlands. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Dutch national, an expat, or a recent arrival — if you live and work here, you must have it. The good news: once you understand how the system works, you can make a smart choice and potentially save hundreds of euros per year.
This guide covers everything you need to know for 2026: what the basic package includes, the four types of policies available, how the deductible (eigen risico) works, how to get financial support through zorgtoeslag, and how to use a comparator to find the best deal for your situation.
Key numbers at a glance — 2026
| Concept | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Average monthly premium | ~€170 – €185/month |
| Cheapest budget policy | from ~€130/month |
| Mandatory deductible (verplicht eigen risico) | €385/year |
| Maximum zorgtoeslag (single person) | €129/month |
| Annual switching window | 12 Nov – 31 Dec |
| New policy takes effect | 1 January |
What does the basic package cover?
The Dutch government defines the content of the basic package (basispakket) each year. Every insurer is legally required to offer exactly the same basic coverage — what varies between insurers is the price, the provider network, and the quality of customer service.
The basispakket 2026 covers:
- General practitioner (huisarts) — always free, regardless of your deductible
- Hospital care (consultations, surgery, emergency)
- Prescription medications (included in the national reimbursement list)
- Basic mental health care (basis GGZ)
- Physiotherapy for chronic conditions
- Maternity and childbirth care
- Emergency medical transport
Not included in the basic package: general physiotherapy, adult dental care, glasses or contact lenses, and specialist psychological treatment. For these, you need supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering), which is optional and varies widely in price and coverage between insurers.
The four types of health insurance policy
The difference between a cheap and an expensive policy is not the medical coverage — that is identical across all insurers. The difference is which providers you can visit and how reimbursement works.
| Type | Freedom of choice | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restitutie | Full — any provider | Most expensive | Those who want complete freedom to choose hospital or specialist |
| Combinatie | High — with limits for non-contracted | Medium-high | Good flexibility without paying the maximum price |
| Natura | Medium — broad contracted network | Medium | Regular users of the system who accept the insurer’s network |
| Budget (economical Natura) | Low — limited contracted network | Cheapest | Healthy people who rarely use healthcare |
Restitution policy (Restitutiepolis)
You can visit any medical provider in the Netherlands — hospital, clinic, specialist — without network restrictions. The insurer reimburses 100% of the standard cost. It’s the most expensive policy but offers the most freedom. Recommended if you have a specific doctor or specialist you want to stay with, or if you have a condition requiring regular care at a specific centre.
Combination policy (Combinatiepolis)
Combines freedom of choice with cost savings. You can visit contracted providers without limitations. For non-contracted providers, the insurer reimburses a percentage (typically 75–100% of the standard rate). A good balance between flexibility and price.
In-kind policy (Naturapolis)
You use providers within the insurer’s contracted network. Outside the network, reimbursement is partial (typically 60–75%). The insurer pays the provider directly. Most standard Dutch policies fall into this category.
Budget policy
The cheapest option, but with the most restrictions. The contracted network is smaller, and going outside it can result in very low reimbursement or none at all. Only suitable if you are young, healthy, and confident you won’t need specialist care.
The eigen risico: how the deductible works
The eigen risico is the annual amount you pay out of pocket before your insurer starts covering costs. In 2026, the mandatory deductible is €385 per year — the same as in 2025. It resets every 1 January.
Important things to know:
- GP visits are always free — the eigen risico does not apply to your huisarts
- It applies to: hospital care, specialist consultations, physiotherapy, prescription medication
- Children under 18 are exempt — their care is fully covered
- You can voluntarily increase your deductible (up to €885 total) in exchange for a lower monthly premium
Whether increasing your voluntary deductible makes financial sense depends on how much healthcare you actually use. If you are young and healthy, it can save you €200–€300 per year. If you have chronic conditions or regular treatments, it usually doesn’t pay off.
Zorgtoeslag: getting financial support for your premium
If your income is below a certain threshold, the Dutch government partially reimburses your health insurance premium through the zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance), paid monthly by the Belastingdienst (Tax Authority).
In 2026, the maximum zorgtoeslag is:
- Single person: up to ~€129/month
- Couples / fiscal partners: up to ~€248/month combined
The allowance decreases as your income increases, and disappears entirely above a certain income ceiling. You must apply for it yourself via Mijn Toeslagen on the Belastingdienst website — it is not automatic. Apply as soon as you register in the Netherlands, as it can be applied retroactively for up to a year.
Supplementary insurance: what’s worth adding?
The basic package leaves several common expenses uncovered. Supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) fills these gaps. The most common additions are:
| Coverage | What it includes | Typical extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dental (basic) | Check-ups, simple fillings, cleaning | +€10–20/month |
| Dental (extensive) | Braces, crowns, implants (partial) | +€25–50/month |
| Physiotherapy | First 9–18 sessions per year | +€5–15/month |
| Mental health (extended) | Sessions beyond the basic GGZ coverage | +€5–10/month |
| Glasses / contact lenses | Partial reimbursement every 2 years | +€3–8/month |
Whether supplementary insurance is worth it depends entirely on your situation. If you visit the dentist regularly or wear glasses, it usually pays off. If you are healthy and rarely use these services, the basic package alone is often enough.
How to switch health insurance (and when)
Every year, between 12 November and 31 December, you can switch your health insurer. The new policy takes effect on 1 January. Outside this window, you can only switch if you have a specific life event (moving, getting a new job, turning 18).
The switching process takes about 10 minutes:
- Use a comparator (see below) to find a better deal
- Sign up directly with the new insurer online
- The new insurer notifies and cancels your old policy automatically
- No gap in coverage — your new policy starts the moment the old one ends
Many people in the Netherlands stay with the same insurer for years out of inertia. Studies show that switching can save €200–€400 per year without any change in quality or coverage.
How to find the best health insurance in the Netherlands
The easiest way to compare all insurers and packages side by side — including price, type of policy, provider network, and supplementary options — is to use a dedicated comparator.
Pricewise is one of the leading health insurance comparators in the Netherlands. It’s available in Dutch and lets you filter by policy type, supplementary coverage, and budget. The comparison is free and takes about 2 minutes.
💡 Want to find the cheapest insurance for your profile? Enter your age, current insurer, and desired coverage — and get a personalised list in under 2 minutes. → Compare health insurance on Pricewise
Common questions about Dutch health insurance
Do I need health insurance if I just arrived in the Netherlands?
Yes. As soon as you register at the municipality (gemeente), you are legally required to take out Dutch health insurance within 4 months. If you don’t, the government can sign you up with a default insurer and charge you a surcharge. Don’t wait — apply as soon as you have your BSN number.
Can I keep my home country insurance?
No. Once you are registered as a resident in the Netherlands, you must have Dutch health insurance. Your previous country’s insurance does not count. The only exceptions are certain posted workers and some EU cross-border workers — check with your employer if this applies to you.
What if I can’t afford the premium?
Apply for zorgtoeslag immediately. If your income is below the threshold, you can receive up to €129/month back, which covers most or all of the premium for cheaper policies. Apply via Mijn Toeslagen on the Belastingdienst website.
Is the cheapest insurance the worst?
Not necessarily. All policies cover exactly the same basic care. The cheaper ones have a more limited provider network — meaning you may not be able to go to any hospital you want. If you are healthy and don’t have ongoing specialist care, a budget policy often provides exactly the same practical coverage at a lower cost.
Summary: how to choose the right health insurance in the Netherlands
- All basic packages cover the same medical care — the price difference is about the network and policy type
- If you are healthy and use healthcare rarely: a budget or natura policy with the highest voluntary deductible is usually the cheapest option
- If you have ongoing treatments or specialist care: a restitution or combination policy gives you more freedom and is worth the extra cost
- Always check if you qualify for zorgtoeslag — many people in the Netherlands are entitled to it and don’t claim it
- Use a comparator every year before 31 December — switching takes 10 minutes and can save €200–400/year
🔍 Compare all insurers in one place: → Find the best health insurance on Pricewise
