Everyone is required by law to have healthcare insurance in the Netherlands. The type of health insurance for international students you need to get is depending on your situation and where you are coming from.
Are you a student in the Netherlands and you do not know what healthcare insurance to get? Or are you not sure if you even have to get a Dutch health insurance? Then this blog post is for you!
Factors determining the type of dutch health insurance for students
When you are getting healthcare insurance in the Netherlands keep this key factors in mind:
- Are you studying and working in the Netherlands or just studying?
- Are you insured in an EU/EEA country? Or are you from outside of the EU/EEA?
Dutch public health insurance when working
In the Netherlands, every student with a (part-time) job has to get a Dutch public health insurance. Even if you insured in your home country, you still have to get the Dutch health insurance.
The basic Dutch health insurance, (= Basisversekering) costs around 135€ per month. Additionally, the minimum own risk in the Netherlands is 385€ of some medical costs per year, but you can also choose a higher one. Own risk is the amount of health costs you have to cover yourself with certain rules to it. The own risk in does not count for the general practitioner (GP) appointment, for example. But, extra tests at the GP such as blood tests often have to be covered by your own risk in the Netherlands.
You have to get the Dutch health insurance within three months after signing your contract. Otherwise, you will risk a warning and getting a fine. We recommend you register for Dutch health insurance straight after signing your contract, because you will have to pay from the moment your contract starts anyways. By getting one as soon as possible you avoid paying a big amount of money at once.
Independer is an example of a website you can use to compare Dutch health care insurance based on your needs and budget.
Health insurance for students who are not working in The Netherlands
- Non-EU/EEA students health insurance Netherlands: As an international student from a non-EU/EEA country , who is not working in the Netherlands, you are not allowed to get Dutch public health insurance. You have to take a private health insurance or sometimes an insurance from your home country is also an option.
- EU/EEA students health insurance Netherlands: If you are an EU/EEA student in the Netherlands who is not working, you can most certainly make use of the insurance of your home country. You can apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and use it in the Netherlands.
Being uninsured in the Netherlands
What happens if you are uninsured in the Netherlands, but required to have a health insurance? You will receive a letter by CAK, because the records show you are not insured.
It is important to take actions: Get a Dutch health insurance or if you are unsure if you need to get one apply for a Wlz assessment at the SVB. Otherwise, uninsured working students risk fine of €437,25 if they do not take action.
Once you successfully sorted out your health insurance in the Netherlands it is important to sign up with a general practitioner. In non-emergency cases your GP is your first point of contact when you feel sick. Read our blog for a step by step guideline on how to register with a GP in the Netherlands.
