Home Country Healthcare Insurance in the Netherlands

Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended as a general guide to navigating international student health insurance rules in the Netherlands. It does not constitute personal financial or legal advice. Regulations, premiums, and allowances are subject to annual changes.

When you move to the Netherlands for your studies, arranging proper health insurance is a strict legal requirement. A common point of confusion for international students is whether they can simply keep the healthcare coverage from their home country, or if they are legally obligated to switch to the Dutch system. This guide clarifies the rules, limits, and steps you need to take to ensure you are correctly insured and protected from government fines during your stay.

When Can I Keep My Home Country Healthcare Insurance?

The general rule is that if you reside in the Netherlands strictly for study purposes, you are exempt from taking out a Dutch policy. You can usually keep your home country healthcare insurance if you meet all of the following conditions:

• Your stay in the Netherlands is temporary and specifically for study purposes.
• You do not have a part-time job or a casual (zero-hour) contract.
• You are not undertaking a paid internship that pays a taxable salary.
• Your current home country policy or private international insurance provides sufficient coverage for medical expenses in the Netherlands.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU/EEA Students

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national and meet the conditions above, you can prove your coverage using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You request this card from your national health insurer before arriving. The EHIC entitles you to receive medically necessary care in the Netherlands under the same basic conditions as a Dutch resident.

Private International Insurance for Non-EU Students

If you are a non-EU/EEA student, you cannot use an EHIC. To meet your study visa and residence permit requirements, you must hold a private international healthcare policy. This policy must cover standard medical care, and ideally, it should also include repatriation and personal liability.

Coverage and Exclusions of Home Country Insurance

Relying on your home country insurance comes with specific limitations.

• The EHIC generally only covers medically necessary, immediate care. It typically does not cover routine dental care or non-urgent specialized treatments.
• Private international policies have specific coverage caps. Check your policy terms carefully to avoid unexpected bills.
• If you require extensive physiotherapy or specialized care, you may need to look into supplementary insurance options or private student packages.

When Do I Need to Switch to Dutch Insurance?

The legal situation changes the moment you start generating a Dutch income. You are legally obligated to take out Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) if:

• You take on any form of paid employment in the Netherlands, even if it is just a few hours a week.
• You start an internship that provides a taxable salary. (If you only receive an expense allowance, you may need an assessment from the SVB to determine your status).

A common mistake: Assuming you can wait a few months to arrange this. Your obligation begins on your very first working day. If the CAK (the Dutch regulatory body) determines you are uninsured while working, you risk receiving severe statutory fines of €496.25 per violation (in 2026), plus the forced retroactive payment of all missed premiums.

Cost Factors and Allowances

If you are required to switch to the Dutch system, you will face new costs, but you may also be eligible for substantial government support.

The Monthly Premium and Eigen Risico

If you must take out Dutch insurance, you will pay a monthly premium directly to a Dutch insurer. In 2026, standard basic premiums generally range from €140 to €160 per month.

Additionally, Dutch basic insurance includes a mandatory annual deductible called the eigen risico. For 2026, this is legally set at €385. You must pay the first €385 of most specialized medical care or prescription medications out of your own pocket before the insurance covers the rest. GP (huisarts) visits are exempt from this deductible.

Healthcare Allowance (Zorgtoeslag)

To assist lower-income residents and working students, the Dutch government offers a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag). If you are single, earn below a certain income threshold, and hold a Dutch basic policy, you may receive up to €131,- per month in 2026 to offset the vast majority of your premium costs.

Common Student Scenarios

To illustrate how these rules apply in real life, consider these examples:

• The Study-Only Student: Mateo from Spain is in Amsterdam for a one-year Master’s program. He does not work. He uses his Spanish EHIC for a doctor’s visit when he gets sick. He legally keeps his home country insurance and does not deal with the Dutch system.
• The Working Student: Aisha is a non-EU student who takes a weekend job at a restaurant. Even though she has private international student insurance, the Dutch government now views her as an employee. She must immediately take out Dutch basic health insurance and applies for zorgtoeslag to keep it affordable.

Step-by-Step Plan: Deciding Your Insurance Status

1. Assess your employment: Are you only studying, or do you receive a taxable Dutch salary from a job or internship?
2. Check your home policy: If you are study-only, confirm with your home insurer that your policy (or EHIC) covers international stays in the Netherlands.
3. Request an SVB check (if unsure): If your internship offers a grey-area stipend, request a Wlz assessment from the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) to get a formal, legally binding decision on your status.
4. Switch if required: If you start working, compare Dutch basic health insurers and sign up immediately to avoid CAK fines.
5. Apply for allowances: If you have a Dutch policy, apply for zorgtoeslag via the Belastingdienst.

What Happens After Graduation?

If you stay in the Netherlands after graduation for an orientation year (zoekjaar) or a full-time job, you are no longer considered a temporary student resident. You will typically be required to take out Dutch basic health insurance. If you leave the Netherlands permanently, you must actively cancel your Dutch policy and deregister from your local municipality.