DutchCalc

Health insurance in the Netherlands: what it really costs

Everyone who lives or works here needs a Dutch basic policy. See what yours costs after the government's zorgtoeslag.

Basic health insurance costs you, per month

€100

after €57 zorgtoeslag a month from the government.

Average basic premium€157

€157 per adult in 2026. Cheapest policy about €142.40.

Zorgtoeslag− €57

€690 for the year

You pay per month€100
Per year if you need no care€1,200

GP visits are always free of eigen risico.

Per year at most€1,585

Including the full €385 eigen risico per adult, for hospital care, medicines and specialists.

Children under 18 are insured free on a parent's policy and pay no eigen risico.

Compare every insurer for 2027

Basic cover is the same by law at every insurer; only the price and the choice of providers differ. Licensed comparison sites show all 2027 premiums from 12 November 2026.

Compare on Independer

How Dutch health insurance works

The basic policy (basisverzekering) covers GP care, hospitals, specialists, most medicines, maternity care and mental health care. The government sets what it covers, so it is identical at every insurer. You choose between a natura policy, where only contracted providers are fully paid, and a combinatie or free-choice policy that costs a bit more.

On top of your premium you pay the eigen risico: the first €385 a year of most non-GP care. Your employer also pays an income-related contribution on your salary, which you never see on your payslip.

Arriving in the Netherlands

  1. The obligation starts the day you live or start working here.
  2. Take out a basic policy within 4 months. It is backdated to day one, and so is the premium.
  3. Apply for zorgtoeslag at the Belastingdienst if your income is below the limit.
  4. Register your children with your insurer: they are covered free until 18.

Zorgtoeslag in 2026

Maximum, single€129 a month
Maximum, with a partner€246 a month
Income limit€40,857 single, €51,142 with a partner
Savings limit€146,011 single, €184,633 with a partner

What changes in 2027

The government expects the average premium to rise to about €169 a month, and the eigen risico goes up to €400. The plan to cut the eigen risico to €165 was dropped. Insurers publish their prices by 12 November 2026; compare them on Independer, ZorgKiezer or Pricewise, all licensed by the AFM.

DutchCalc does not compare or recommend individual insurers. We earn a fee if you take out a policy through a comparison site we link to.

Questions people ask

Is health insurance mandatory for expats in the Netherlands?

Yes, for everyone who lives or works here, unless you are a posted worker insured in your home country (with an A1 certificate) or a student who only studies. You have 4 months from the day the obligation starts to take out a Dutch basic policy, and it is then backdated to that day.

What happens if I do not take out insurance?

The CAK writes to you and gives you 3 months. After that you get a fine of €529.74, then a second one, and finally the CAK insures you and takes a higher premium straight from your salary for 12 months.

What is the eigen risico?

The first €385 of care each year that you pay yourself, for things like hospital care, specialists and most medicines. GP visits and care for children under 18 do not count towards it. It rises to €400 in 2027.

Who gets zorgtoeslag?

Anyone 18 or older with a Dutch basic policy and lawful residence whose income in 2026 stays below €40,857 (single) or €51,142 (with a partner), and whose savings stay below €146,011 or €184,633. You apply at the Belastingdienst (toeslagen.nl) and it is paid monthly in advance.

Does the 30% ruling affect zorgtoeslag?

Yes, in your favour: the tax-free part is not counted as income. But because the ruling’s salary norm is above the single income limit, most single people with the ruling still do not qualify. Under-30s on the lower norm and couples can.

When can I switch insurer?

Once a year. Cancel your policy by 31 December and take out a new one before 1 February, and your new cover starts on 1 January. Insurers publish their 2027 premiums by 12 November 2026. A new insurer can also cancel your old policy for you if you sign up before 31 December.

Sources, checked 9 October 2026