Glossary of Dutch Healthcare Insurance Terms

Disclaimer: This glossary is intended as a general guide to help you understand common Dutch healthcare insurance terms. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Policy conditions, legal obligations, and exact costs depend on current government regulations and your specific insurance provider.

When you arrive in the Netherlands to study, you will encounter various Dutch terms related to healthcare and insurance. Dutch health insurance policies and government websites frequently use these concepts. To help you navigate the system with confidence, we have compiled a glossary explaining the most important terminology.

Legal and Administrative Terms

BSN (Burgerservicenummer)
The Citizen Service Number. This is a unique personal number assigned to everyone registered in a Dutch municipality. You need a BSN to apply for Dutch health insurance, open a bank account, or receive a salary from a part-time job.

Verzekeringsplicht (Insurance Obligation)
This term refers to the legal obligation to take out a Dutch basic health insurance policy. For international students, this obligation typically applies the moment you start a part-time job or a paid internship. If you only study and do not work, you are generally exempt from this obligation.

Wlz-assessment (Wet langdurige zorg)
The Long-term Care Act. If there is doubt about whether an international student must take out Dutch health insurance, the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) performs a Wlz-assessment. This official evaluation determines your residency and employment status to establish if you are legally required to be insured under the Dutch system.

Financial Terms and Costs

Eigen risico (Deductible / Excess)
The eigen risico translates to ‘own risk’ and functions as a mandatory deductible excess. It is the amount you must pay out of pocket for specialized medical care before your basic insurance begins to cover the costs. For 2026, the statutory mandatory deductible is generally set at €385 per calendar year. Note that consultations with your General Practitioner (GP) are normally exempt from this deductible. You can also opt for a voluntary deductible (vrijwillig eigen risico) to lower your monthly premium.

Eigen bijdrage (Personal Contribution)
Not to be confused with the deductible, the eigen bijdrage is a statutory co-payment required by the government for certain specific types of healthcare, medications, or medical aids (such as hearing aids or certain maternity care). If both apply, you usually pay the personal contribution first, and the remaining cost is applied to your deductible.

Zorgtoeslag (Healthcare Allowance)
To support lower-income individuals, such as working students, the Dutch government offers a monthly subsidy called zorgtoeslag or healthcare allowance. It helps offset the cost of the monthly insurance premium. Eligibility and the exact amount depend on your annual income and savings.

Types of Policies and Coverage

Basispakket (Basic Package)
The mandatory basic health insurance package. The Dutch government determines the exact medical coverage included in this package every year. It typically includes GP visits, hospital care, and most prescription medications. Every insurance provider must offer this identical coverage and cannot refuse applicants based on medical history.

Aanvullend pakket (Supplemental Package)
An optional supplementary insurance policy. You can add this to cover medical care not included in the basic package, such as dental care for adults, physiotherapy, or alternative medicine. Insurers set their own coverage limits and prices for these packages.

Naturapolis vs. Restitutiepolis
These terms describe how you access care and how it is billed:

• Naturapolis (In-kind policy): You receive full coverage if you use healthcare providers contracted by your insurer. The bill is usually sent directly to the insurance company. If you use a non-contracted provider, you may have to pay a percentage of the bill yourself.
• Restitutiepolis (Refund policy): You have more freedom to choose any healthcare provider. You may have to pay the bill upfront and claim a refund from your insurer. Pure restitutie policies are becoming increasingly rare in the Netherlands.

Medische acceptatie (Medical Acceptance)
While insurers must accept you for the basic package, they may apply medische acceptatie for extensive supplementary packages (like orthodontics). This means they can ask you to complete a medical questionnaire and reserve the right to deny you coverage for those specific optional extras.

Collectiviteitskorting (Collectivity Discount)
A group discount negotiated by an employer, university, or association. Important note: As of 2023, the Dutch government abolished the collectivity discount on the basic insurance package (basispakket). Collectivity discounts may now only be legally applied to supplemental insurance packages.

Step-by-Step Plan: Navigating Your Insurance

Understanding these terms is the first step. When you are ready to arrange your healthcare, follow these steps:

1. Determine your Verzekeringsplicht: Check if you work or have a paid internship that makes you insured under the Wlz scheme to see if you need Dutch basic insurance.
2. Obtain your BSN: Register at your local municipality.
3. Compare policies: Evaluate whether you prefer a Naturapolis or need an Aanvullend pakket. Take a moment to compare Dutch healthcare insurance options to find a suitable match.
4. Apply for Zorgtoeslag: If eligible, apply via the Belastingdienst using your DigiD.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing eigen risico with eigen bijdrage: Assuming that reaching your €385 deductible means you never have to pay for any medication. Some specific medicines still require a statutory personal contribution (eigen bijdrage).
• Expecting a discount on basic insurance: Searching for a student discount on the basic premium. Remember that collectivity discounts on the basic package are no longer permitted by Dutch law.