Health insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands. It covers high healthcare costs such as hospital visits and medication. In 2026, two basic insurance types are available: the 'natura' policy and the 'combinatie' policy.

With a 'natura' policy, you receive full reimbursement only from contracted healthcare providers. For non-contracted providers, you pay part of the cost yourself. The 'combinatie' policy reimburses more for non-contracted providers, which increases your choice and reduces your out-of-pocket expenses.

The average basic premium for 2026 is estimated at €159 per month. The mandatory excess remains €385. These figures have not yet been finalised. This text will be updated at the end of November 2025.

Supplementary insurances cover care outside the basic package, such as dental care and physiotherapy. Compare premiums, coverage and terms to determine which supplements are necessary.

People on lower incomes can apply for healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag). This is a government contribution that reduces the premium.

When choosing health insurance, the deductible amount is a factor alongside the insurer and coverage. The compulsory deductible for basic insurance is €385 per year. You pay the first €385 of healthcare costs yourself before the insurer contributes (partially).

You can increase the deductible voluntarily in increments of €100, up to an additional €500. The total deductible then becomes €885 (€385 compulsory + €500 voluntary). A higher deductible results in a lower premium. The premium discount at the maximum deductible varies per insurer between €200 and €300 per year.

A higher deductible is only financially advantageous when you expect low healthcare costs and can pay the increased amount for unexpected healthcare costs. Analysis of your healthcare usage in previous years provides insight into your expected costs. With chronic conditions or expected high healthcare costs, the compulsory minimum of €385 is generally more favourable.

Premiums and discounts differ per insurer. Compare these when determining the deductible. The choice depends on your health, expected healthcare usage and financial buffer for unforeseen medical costs.

Each year in November, you receive a new health policy from your current insurer for the coming year. Review this policy carefully, as insurers adjust their terms annually and your healthcare needs may change. Coverage and premiums can change, even if the new policy retains the same name.

Switching to another insurer may be advantageous with changed healthcare needs, modified policy terms or better value for money. Compare the available options annually.

Policy Types

The 'natura' policy reimburses fully for contracted healthcare providers. Limited reimbursement applies for non-contracted providers. The 'combinatie' policy offers full coverage for contracted providers and slightly higher reimbursement for non-contracted providers than the 'natura' policy.

Since 2025, the 'restitutie' policy is no longer available. This policy offered complete freedom of choice, including for non-contracted providers.

Deadlines

Sign up for a new insurance before 31st December and the new insurer will automatically cancel your old policy. If you cancel independently before 31st December, you have until 1st February to take out new insurance.

Switching Process

Create an overview of your expected healthcare needs for the coming year. Determine whether freedom of choice for non-contracted providers is relevant and choose between a 'natura' or 'combinatie' policy. Then compare premiums, coverage and terms from different insurers. For specific healthcare providers, check whether they are contracted. Determine whether supplementary insurances are necessary for care outside the basic package, such as dental care, physiotherapy or alternative treatments. After registration, the new insurer arranges cancellation of your old policy.

When choosing health insurance, premiums, coverage and service play a role. Insurers' investment policy is an additional aspect that can affect the environment and public health.

Health insurers invest financial reserves in companies and industries. Some insurers invest in sectors with negative health and environmental effects, such as fossil fuels or weapons manufacturing. This indirectly finances the causes of illnesses they insure and conflicts with prevention objectives.

Organisations such as the Fair Insurance Guide ('Eerlijke Verzekeringswijzer') publish data on insurers' sustainability policies. This information shows which sectors insurers invest in and which exclusions they apply. Transparency differs considerably: some insurers explicitly exclude specific sectors, others apply no or limited exclusions.

Investment policy forms a criterion alongside premiums, coverage and service when choosing a health insurer. The weighting of this is an individual consideration.

With a non-contracted healthcare provider, you pay a personal contribution when the insurer's reimbursement is lower than the provider's rate. This difference creates a financial barrier that can limit access to care.

The 'hinderpaalcriterium' (hindrance criterion) stipulates that reimbursement for non-contracted care must be high enough to guarantee freedom of choice. If the personal contribution forms a substantial barrier to accessing necessary care, a higher reimbursement can be requested from the insurer.

To apply based on the 'hinderpaalcriterium', contact the insurer. The insurer assesses whether the reimbursement meets the 'hinderpaalcriterium' based on your specific situation and the availability of alternatives. A written application explaining the necessity of the care and the financial barrier supports the assessment.

Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) is a government contribution towards health insurance premiums. The allowance is available to persons with Dutch health insurance whose income falls within the established limits.

Healthcare allowance can be applied for retrospectively until 1st September for the previous year. Earlier application results in faster payment.

The application is processed through the Dienst Toeslagen (Benefits Agency). This is free of charge. Commercial parties sometimes charge fees for submitting an application, but this is unnecessary as the application can be made free of charge via the official website.

Never pay to apply for healthcare allowance! Apply for free via the official website of the Dienst Toeslagen.

The premiums and reimbursements for 2026 are not available. Insurers typically publish this information in November 2025.

Access to mental healthcare (GGZ) has waiting times ranging from several weeks to several months. This is partly explained by problems in the risk equalisation system.

Health insurers must accept all applicants at a uniform premium. The risk equalisation system compensates for cost differences between insurers based on the risk profile of their insured members. In mental healthcare (GGZ), this compensation is less accurate because healthcare usage fluctuates significantly and a small number of users account for a disproportionate share of costs.

This inaccuracy leads to under- or overcompensation of insurers. Insurers with relatively many GGZ users may receive insufficient compensation, which creates a financial incentive to purchase GGZ care restrictively. Indications include the abolition of reimbursement options and reluctance to contract new healthcare providers.

The Care Institute Netherlands (Zorginstituut) has documented these shortcomings. Adjustments to the model are being investigated but are progressing gradually.

The medical qualifications and expertise of healthcare providers are not determined by contracts with health insurers. Medical training, specialisation and quality assurance are legally regulated via the BIG register (Individual Healthcare Professions Register) and professional associations. These systems are independent of contracting by insurers.

A psychiatrist who is not contracted by a health insurer has the same medical training and registration as a contracted psychiatrist. Contract status determines solely the reimbursement arrangement, not the quality of care you receive, nor the qualification or legal authority to provide care.