Are you a study-only student, or do you have a part-time job in the Netherlands?
Let’s find out which type of health insurance you legally need.
Student Health Insurance in the Netherlands
Planning to study, work, or intern in the Netherlands, or already living here but still figuring out the Dutch system? Either way, you need to be properly insured for medical care. In many situations, that means taking out a Dutch basic health insurance policy; in others, an international policy will suffice.
Do I need Dutch basic health insurance?
Your legal obligation to take out a Dutch basic health insurance policy (basisverzekering) depends entirely on your employment status, not your nationality.
Health Insurance Guide
Study-Only Students
- If you are exclusively studying and have no paid job or paid internship, you are generally not allowed to take out Dutch basic insurance.
- EU/EEA students should use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU students must rely on private international student insurance.
Working Students and Interns
- If you have a part-time job or zero-hour contract, you fall under the health insurance rules for working students. You are legally required to take out Dutch basic insurance from your first working day, regardless of how many hours you work or how much you earn.
- If you are doing a paid internship, this obligation only applies if your compensation equals at least the Dutch minimum wage.
Warning: If you work without Dutch insurance, the CAK (the Dutch regulatory body) can issue retroactive fines and force you to pay back missed premiums. These costs include a statutory fine of €496.25 per violation, plus retroactive premium collections.
Health insurance tips
If your situation requires you to take out Dutch health insurance, keep these points in mind to make an informed decision:
- Basic health care insurance: The coverage of the basic package is determined by the government and is identical across all providers. You do not get more comprehensive basic medical care by paying a higher premium.
- Healthcare premium: Premiums differ based on the insurer’s service level, whether they contract all hospitals, and if they operate entirely online.
- Supplementary health insurance: This is optional. It covers costs outside the basic package, such as extensive physiotherapy or alternative treatments.
- Dental insurance: For adults (18+), routine dental care is not in the basic package. Dental insurance is beneficial if you expect multiple treatments, but for just one check-up a year, paying out of pocket may be cheaper.
- Voluntary excess: You can increase your deductible to lower your monthly premium, but you must have enough savings to pay the higher amount if you suddenly need hospital care.
Compare and Find Your Health Insurance
Health insurance companies that focus on students:
While no single health insurance is the absolute match for everyone, some insurers specifically target students with digital-first services, lower premiums, and student-focused supplementary packages.
Switch to another health insurance
If you already have Dutch insurance, you are allowed to switch providers once a year. If you are newly arriving or just starting a job, you must take out insurance immediately and do not have to wait for the switching season.
Important 2026-2027 Dates
- September 15, 2026: On Budget Day (Prinsjesdag), the government announces the expected basic premium and changes to the basic package for 2027.
- November 12, 2026: The absolute deadline for all health insurers to announce their exact premiums for 2027.
- December 31, 2026: The final date to cancel your current health insurance policy.
- January 31, 2027: The deadline to take out a new policy (if you canceled by December 31). The new policy will apply retroactively from January 1.
Until your 18th birthday, you are co-insured for free under your parents’ or guardians’ Dutch policy. The month after you turn 18, you become liable to pay premiums yourself. You have the freedom to choose your own insurer and apply for healthcare allowance.
Understanding Costs: Deductibles and Allowances
The Deductible (Eigen Risico)
The mandatory deductible (eigen risico) is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance reimburses specialized healthcare costs (like hospital visits or lab tests). For 2026, the government has legally set the mandatory deductible at €385.
You can choose to increase this deductible voluntarily by up to €500 (totaling €885). Doing so can save you around €15 to €25 on your monthly premium. However, only do this if you have enough savings to pay €885 immediately in case of an emergency.
Exceptions: Visits to your General Practitioner (GP/huisarts) are exempt from the deductible. You do not pay out of pocket for a standard doctor’s appointment.
Healthcare Allowance (Zorgtoeslag)
To help students and low-income individuals afford the mandatory premium, the Dutch government offers a monthly subsidy. In 2026, the maximum healthcare allowance is approximately €123 per month for a single person.
Eligibility is based on your gross income. Importantly, your student finance (DUO loans or grants) does not count as income for this calculation. If you have a Dutch policy, you should check if you qualify.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Student Policies
Insurers targeting students often operate entirely online, allowing them to offer lower premiums.
Advantages
- Lower monthly premiums compared to traditional policies.
- Supplementary packages tailored to young people (e.g., travel vaccinations, sports physiotherapy).
- Apps that allow for easy photo-declarations and English customer service.
Disadvantages
- Often “in-kind” (natura) policies, meaning you may have to pay a percentage if you visit a non-contracted hospital for planned care.
- Customer service is typically chat- or email-only.
- Fewer options for extensive supplementary packages (like heavy dental or orthodontics).
All health insurers
In the Netherlands, there are dozens of labels, but they all fall under a few large parent companies. Here is a selection of well-known Dutch health insurers you can compare:
Check out all Dutch Health Insurers
Coverage, Dental, and Care Abroad
What is covered by basic insurance?
The basic package (basisverzekering) is legally defined. It includes GP visits, hospital care, specialist treatments, psychological care (with referral), and standard medications. The exact premium you pay differs per insurer, but the medical coverage does not.
Dental insurance
Routine dental care is only free for individuals under 18. If you are older, you must pay your dentist out of pocket or take out supplementary dental insurance. Consider your dental health before purchasing a module that might cost more than a single check-up.
Health insurance abroad
Dutch basic insurance covers emergency care worldwide, but only up to the standard Dutch rate. If you travel to a country where medical care is very expensive (like the USA or Switzerland), a supplementary policy with global coverage or separate travel insurance is highly recommended.
Common Student Scenarios
How do these rules look in practice?
- Maria (Working Student): Maria is from Spain and works 8 hours a week at a cafe. Because she receives a salary, she is legally required to take out Dutch basic insurance. She chooses a policy for €145/month, but applies for zorgtoeslag and receives €123 back. Her net cost is €22/month.
- Chen (Study-Only Student): Chen is from China and focuses entirely on his degree. He is not allowed to enter the Dutch public system. He keeps his private international insurance, pays no Dutch premium, and does not interact with the CAK.
Step-by-Step Plan: Arranging Your Insurance
- Determine your status: Are you working or only studying?
- Get your BSN: Register at your local municipality.
- Compare policies: If you must insure yourself, use our tool to find a suitable student premium.
- Apply for allowance: Request your zorgtoeslag via the Belastingdienst using your DigiD.
- Cancel when leaving: Deregister and cancel your policy when you graduate or leave the country.
Changes in 2026
Key financial figures for this year:
- Standard premiums hover around €140 to €160 per month, depending on the insurer.
- The mandatory deductible (eigen risico) remains legally fixed at €385.
- The maximum healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) for a single person is approximately €123 per month.
Frequently asked questions about student health insurance
Expertise & Methodology
Studentinsurance.nl is an independent platform dedicated to clarifying complex insurance topics for students in the Netherlands.
Authoritative Sources Used
To maintain absolute accuracy, the compliance rules, limits, and exclusions detailed on this page are compiled directly from primary regulatory bodies:
- Rijksoverheid (Dutch Government) – Statutory rules determining the basic insurance package.
- Belastingdienst (Tax Administration) – Source for 2026 healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) thresholds.
- CAK – Regulatory framework for mandatory insurance enforcement and fines.
- Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) – Wlz assessments for international students.
Information Verified by Expert
The legal thresholds, enrollment timelines, and policy implications on this page have been strictly reviewed and verified by Linda van Reenen. Linda is a senior student insurance specialist with over five years of dedicated experience analyzing the Dutch insurance market.
Neutrality & Medical Advice Disclaimer
We operate strictly as an independent informational platform, not as an insurance provider or a medical facility. We do not provide medical advice. For health concerns, consult a qualified general practitioner (huisarts).
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