Other insurance options

Insurance from home

Either public or private healthcare insurance from your homecountry can cover you during your stay in the Netherlands. Make sure the cover provided is adequate. You can seek advice from CVZ (Dutch organisation overseeing the implementation of the healthcare insurance) if you are not sure.

Cross-border workers

If you work in the Netherlands and live abroad (i.e. in Belgium or Germany), specific EU-rules apply which designate the country where you are insured. Generally this means you will be insured in the country where you work, and the insurance provides you cover in the country where you live too. However there are many exceptions to this rule. It is advisable to inquire with the relevant authorities how you need to be insured. In the Netherlands the SVB - Internationale detacheringen will be able to help you solve this puzzle.

Posted employees

Employees posted by their employer to an organisation in the Netherlands are often still participating in the health insurance scheme of the country of their employer. This is not always the case though and depends on if there is a social security treaty between the other country and the Netherlands.

Download our factsheet on coverage by insurance bought abroad for more information. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please contact SVB - Internationale detacheringen.

EU Health Insurance card (EHIC)

European citizens travelling within the European Economic Area (European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, whether for private or professional reasons, have the right to be issued with a European Health Insurance Card by their public healthcare insurer. This new card simplifies the procedure for receiving any medical assistance that might become necessary during a temporary stay in another EU/EEA country.

You can apply for an EU Healthcard by your public healtcare insurer or other relevant authority in your home country. The issuer or the card decides for how long you can use the card, i.e. how long your stay abroad is still considered temporary.

Check out the information on the EU Healthcard on the website of the European Commission.

Please note that, if you are employed in the Netherlands, you have the obligation to take out Dutch public healthcare insurance. Even if you hold an EHIC.

Dutch private healthcare insurance

Several private insurance companies sell policies designed especially for students and researchers coming to the Netherlands.

Two of these insurance companies include: AON and Lippmann.

These insurance companies provide an insurance package including healthcare insurance, liability insurance, accident insurance, theft insurance, travel insurance, repatriation insurance and legal aid insurance. They provide adequate healthcare cover, and information in English. The latter is something that most Dutch healthcare insurance companies lack. The cost of the package is reasonable (about €45 per month).