Welcome to the Netherlands! As a newcomer, you are faced with a lot of new impressions, rules and customs. One of the most important things you need to arrange if you live in the Netherlands for a long or short time, are insurances. Some insurances are compulsory, while others are optional but smart to take out. In this blog, we tell you everything you need to know about insurances in the Netherlands.
| Mandatory insurance | How do you take out health insurance? |
| Optional insurance | Healthcare benefit |
| Insurance for students | Other benefits |
| Insurance for expats | Common mistakes |
| Insurance for immigrants |
Mandatory insurance
In the Netherlands, 2 insurance policies are compulsory for everyone to take out:
Health insurance (zorgverzekering)
Basic healthcare insurance (zorgverzekering) is compulsory for everyone aged 18 and over who lives or works in the Netherlands, even if it’s only temporarily and even if you already have a medical insurance policy in another country. Arrange a health insurance as soon as possible and no later than 4 months after arriving. Basic health insurance covers the main care, including the GP, hospital care, necessary surgery and pharmacy.
If you live in the Netherlands but work (and are insured) in another country, exceptions to this obligation may be made.
Third-party motor vehicle insurance (WA-verzekering)
Do you have your own car or scooter? If a motor vehicle with a Dutch registration number is registered in your name, you are required to take out at least third-party insurance (WA-verzekering) for it when taking it on the road in the Netherlands. This compulsary insurance covers damages you cause to a third party.
Optional insurance
There are also insurances that are not required by law, but are strongly recommended if you live in the Netherlands:
Contents insurance (inboedelverzekering)
With contents insurance, you insure all items in your home. For example, your laptop, furniture, jewellery and clothes. There are a variety of content insurances, but generally they cover damage to these items caused by fire, water, storm, burglary, theft and vandalism. The value of your household contents can add up, so although this insurance is not compulsory, it’s wise to take it out.
Building insurance (opstalverzekering)
With building insurance, you insure everything in, on and around your house that is permanently attached. For example, your kitchen, fixed floor or shed that is damaged by water, storm or burglary damage. Almost everyone takes out this insurance when buying a house. This is often even a condition of the mortgage provider. If you buy an apartment, the homeowners’ association (VVE) has building insurance for your apartment. Are you renting a house? Then the building insurance is taken out by the owner or landlord of the property. Even in those cases you might be able to extend this insurance for specific features of your house that might not be covered on the VVE or landlord’s insurance, such as your renovated kitchen.
Liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering)
Liability insurance covers the damage you cause to another person, for instance if you knock over an expensive vase at a neighbour’s house or accidentally break someone’s phone. In such cases, liability insurance comes in very handy. For a few euros a month, you can be insured, which can save you a lot of money in case of damages.
Travel insurance (Reisverzekering)
Travel insurance is also not compulsory, but for those who travel regularly it is handy to take out. This insures you against unexpected damage during your holiday or family visit abroad. Think for example of repatriation, medical costs, lost or stolen luggage and compensation for a forced return to the Netherlands. Take a close look at the additional coverage options so you can be sure you’re covered to your needs. At Pricewise, you can only take out continuous travel insurance, because it’s almost always cheaper than short-term travel insurance, especially when you travel a lot.
Insurance for students
You are not allowed to take out a Dutch public health insurance if you are in the Netherlands for study purposes only or staying for less than 3 months. Make sure you have a health insurance from your home country with enough coverage or take out a private health insurance. But you are obliged to have a Dutch public health insurance if you have a (part-time) job, even on a zero-hour contract. If you want to keep the cost of this health insurance as low as possible, choose only the basic insurance. It may also be smart to take out home contents insurance for your phone, laptop and everything else in your student room, as well as liability insurance and continuous travel insurance if you are a frequent traveller. For the cheapest insurance policies, compare the rates of different insurers.
Insurance for expats
All adults over 18 – including expats with a residence permit – must take out basic health insurance. Minor children are insured for free by the policy of their parent, make sure to register them on your policy. Besides your compulsory basic health insurance, you can take out supplementary health insurance, based on your own (expected) healthcare needs. Think of extra coverage for the dentist, orthodontist, physiotherapy, for glasses or contact lenses or certain medicines. If you are on holiday or visiting family abroad, you remain insured for care, because the Dutch health insurance has world coverage. Be aware that most insurers only cover the cost up to the point that similar healthcare costs in The Netherlands. It may also be smart to take out contents insurance, liability insurance and travel insurance. For the insurance that suits you best, compare the rates of different insurers.
Insurance for immigrants
You must take out Dutch health insurance within 4 months of your permanent residence permit coming into force. If a decision has not been taken on your application for a residence permit, you cannot take out health insurance in the Netherlands, not even if you have an authorisation for temporary stay. Asylum seekers housed in asylum centres awaiting a final decision on their asylum applications are insured collectively under the Asylum Seekers Healthcare Scheme (RZA). But when you do have a residence permit, all adults over 18 must take out basic health insurance. Minor children are insured for free by the policy of their parent, make sure to register them on your policy. If you want to keep the cost of this health insurance as low as possible, choose only the basic insurance.
How do you take out health insurance?
Taking out health insurance in the Netherlands is easier than you might think. At Pricewise, you enter your date of birth and zipcode (postcode) of your Dutch home address. Then you choose your compulsory ‘deductible’ (eigen risico). This is the amount you pay before your health insurer reimburses costs. If you increase your deductible, your monthly fee goes down. Select the deductible and indicate whether you want additional health insurances, such as for dentistry or physiotherapy. Afterwards you will see several health insurers and you can choose the best deal for your situation. With just a click of a button, you can apply for this insurance directly with the insurer.
Additionally, for comparing contents insurance, liability insurance and travel insurance, find the best deals and choose the package that suits you best.
Healthcare benefit
Healthcare benefit is an allowance from the Dutch Tax Administration for the cost of your health insurance. The amount of this allowance is based on your income. The lower your income, the more care benefit you receive. To receive this benefit, you must have the Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit.
Other benefits
- Do you live in a rented house in the Netherlands? If so, you may be entitled to rent benefit. This is a contribution towards your rental costs.
- Do you have children up to the age of 18? Then you may be entitled to supplementary child benefit. This is a contribution towards the costs of your children.
- Does your child go to a childcare centre? If so, you may be entitled to childcare benefit. This is a government contribution towards the costs of childcare.
Common mistakes
Taking out insurance in the Netherlands is not complicated. Yet there are some things that go wrong for many people, which usually costs you more money.
- Not comparing. Don’t just choose the first insurance you see. Each insurer has different insurance premiums, conditions and coverage, and only by comparing insurances you can choose the best suitable deal for you. Pay attention, not only to the price, but also to what exactly is covered and how terms and conditions differ.
- Not communicating changes. When you move houses, family members join or leave, when your salary increases or you buy valuable items, it’s always smart to take another look at your insurance policies. Perhaps changes in your life will allow you to pay less insurance premium, or perhaps you are under-insured, putting you at risk.
- Not reading terms and conditions. Insurance policies can be complex and difficult to understand, especially in a new country. But really try to understand what you are signing up for or have the policy translated. Only in case of damage or emergency will it become clear that you might not be insured as good as you thought. Also check beforehand when the insurance does NOT pay out.
Stefan de Gooijer
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