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Health & health insurance

If you are aged 18 or older and living or working in the Netherlands, you are legally required to have health insurance. If you are not insured, the CAK (Dutch National Health Care Institute) can fine you.  

Different rules apply for international students. Read more about the compulsory health insurance for non-Dutch students.

Compulsory coverage with standard health insurance

A standard health insurance policy insures you against the most common healthcare costs, like a visit to your general practitioner (GP). The government decides what basic health insurance should cover. This is the same for every insurance company. If you are a resident, insurance companies are required to accept you.

Voluntary additional coverage

You can choose to add voluntary coverage for expenses not included in the basic health insurance package, such as dental care, physiotherapy or alternative medicine. Insurance companies offer different packages, so make sure to select one that meets your needs. Here are a few health insurance policies for comparison: 

Health insurance subsidy for low-income households

Students insured in the Netherlands may be eligible for a health insurance subsidy (zorgtoeslag), which is a contribution towards health insurance costs. Eligibility and the amount of the subsidy depend on your income.