Changes healthcare insurance 2026

Basic healthcare insurance is obligatory for every Dutch citizen and covers the main, basic medical care. Every year the Dutch government changes the coverage of basic healthcare insurance. These changes are made public on ‘Prinsjesdag’ or Little Prince Day, on which the Dutch king gives the ‘troonrede’, an official throne speech revealing the future government policies for the coming year. The most important modifications for the basic healthcare insurance, which will apply to all healthcare insurances in 2026, are described in this article.

Because the policies change every year, it can be useful to compare different insurances before you take out a specific one. On this page, you will find the most important changes in health care insurance.

Every third Tuesday of September is ‘Prinsjesdag’ (Prince’s day, also known as budget day) in The Netherlands. This is an annual tradition which involves the king reading a speech. Among other things, this speech states what changes in the economic and financial field can be expected in the coming year. Additionally, the king will announce what changes will take place in the healthcare domain. You might wonder what changes you can expect as a student, with regard to healthcare and health insurance. You will find everything you need to know regarding these topics on this page.

Healthcare premium

The government has announced that healthcare premiums for 2026 will rise slightly. The indicative basic premium increases by about €3 per month, putting the monthly premium around €159. The reason being that healthcare costs are becoming more expensive in The Netherlands, as the prices and wages are rising. Inflation and higher demand for care also contribute to the premium increase. Although these are the expected premium amounts, health insurers will set the final premium no later than November (2025).

Healthcare allowance

The healthcare allowance will remain virtually unchanged in 2026. By implementing healthcare allowance, the Dutch government helps relatively low-income groups, such as students, meet the cost of the healthcare premium. Whether you are entitled to a care allowance, and the amount of it, depends on your income. The monthly amount of allowance you receive is meant to ensure healthcare is affordable and accessible for everyone. You can check your personal estimate with the healthcare allowance calculator.

Deductible excess

In 2026, the deductible excess will remain the same. This coming year, the deductible excess will therefore be €385,-. The deductible excess is compulsory, which is the amount of money you will have to pay yourself when you use a form of care covered by primary healthcare insurance. You can opt to increase the deductible, however, to reduce the cost of the premium.

Collective discount will be abolished

As of 2023, the collective discount on compulsory healthcare insurance will disappear. Earlier, groups, like students, for instance, could get a 5% discount on their healthcare insurance. In 2026, insurers are still not allowed to grant this group discount.

Changes to the primary healthcare insurance in 2026

The content of the primary healthcare insurance will largely remain the same. There will be some minor changes:

• From 2026, the first exploratory conversation in mental health care (GGZ) and certain GP–specialist “meekijk/meedenk” consultations will not count towards the deductible.
• Stop-smoking support is expanded: up to three reimbursed programs per calendar year (medication is typically covered when part of the program).

Important dates relating to healthcare

• November 12th, 2025: this is the latest date by which the healthcare premium amount for 2026 will be disclosed.
• December 31st, 2025: this is the ultimate date by which you can adjust your Compare Dutch Health Insurance to another insurer.
• January 31st, 2026: if you have cancelled your health insurance, this is the latest date by which you can switch your Compare Dutch Health Insurance.