What type of insurance do I need?

In Holland everyone who is resident or who is employed has the right (and also the obligation) to participate in the Dutch public healthcare insurance called the Zorgverzekering.

Do I need to take out a 'zorgverzekering'?

Everyone who is covered by Dutch social security is obliged to take out a public healthcare insurance. The situation, however, is different depending on whether you are in employment or not. If you are in employment, you will be covered by Dutch social security because you are subject to Dutch income and wage tax laws.

• In employment:
  If you are in employment (even casual employment, such as a part-time job next to your research activities), you are therefore required to have a public healthcare insurance from the day your employment starts.

• Not in employment:
  If you are not in employment, you will be covered by Dutch social security based on your residence status in the Netherlands. If you are not in employment, you are required to take out a public healthcare insurance from the moment that you become ordinarily resident in the Netherlands, and you are issued a residence permit if you require one. You become ordinarily resident if the Netherlands is your long-term home.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule for certain groups of people. Foreign nationals who come to the Netherlands solely for study purposes are one of the exempt groups. In many cases, PhD students with a scholarship will also be included in this exempt group.

The most common situation

As an international academic researcher, you will generally be required to take out a Dutch public healthcare insurance, because you are probably in employment and therefore subject to Dutch social security laws. If, however, you are not in employment, you will generally only be required to take out a Dutch public healthcare insurance once you become ordinarily resident in the Netherlands and have a residence permit (where applicable).

Flowchart

We have created a flowchart that will help you find out which type of insurance is required in your situation.
Download the health insurance flowchart.

More information

Read a detailed explanation of the healthcare insurance situation for foreign researchers 
Check out the list of relevant organisations and useful weblinks