The Dutch healthcare system is built on a "shared cost" model. It consists of three main components you need to know:
 

1. The Basic Package (Basisverzekering) (Approx. €145 – €165 - Mandatory)

This is the mandatory insurance required by law. The government defines exactly what is covered, ensuring everyone has access to essential care like GPs (free) , hospitals (deductible, see point 2), and pharmacies (deductible, see point 2).

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2. The Deductible (Eigen Risico) (€385 per year-   Mandatory)

In the Netherlands, everyone 18 and older has a compulsory deductible of €385 per year. Think of this as your "personal health bucket" that you must fill before the insurance company pays for everything else.

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2.1. How the "Bucket" (Eigen Risico) works:

- The First €385: Every time you have a medical cost (like a blood test or hospital visit), the cost goes into your bucket. You pay these bills yourself.

- After €385: Once your bucket is full (you’ve spent €385 in total for the year), the insurance company pays 100% of all remaining covered costs until December 31st.

- The Reset: On January 1st, your bucket is emptied, and you start again at €0.

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2.1.  What is "Free" (No Deductible)?

- Some things never come out of your €385. They are covered by your monthly premium from day one:

- The GP (Huisarts): Visiting your local doctor is always free.

- Children: Everything for under-18s is always free.

- Maternity Care: Midwife visits and standard pregnancy care.

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3. Supplementary Packages (Aanvullende verzekering)

These are optional extras. You choose these if you want coverage for things the basic plan doesn't fully cover, such as dental care (Tandarts), physiotherapy, or eyeglasses.

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4. Health Insurance Policy Types

4.1 Restitutie: You can go to any doctor or hospital and not only those contracted with the insurance company.

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4.2. Natura: You should use "contracted" providers by your insurance company. If you go elsewhere, you might pay 20-30% of the bill yourself. This includes children.

 

4.2. Combination: Acts like a Restitutie policy for most things (like hospitals and GPs), but acts like a Natura policy for specific, expensive care like Mental Healthcare (GGZ) or District Nursing.

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The Good news is that in the Netherlands, almost every single GP (Huisarts) has a contract with every major insurance company.

 

5. The Annual Switch: How to Get a Better Deal

In the Netherlands, you have the freedom to change your provider once a year. This is the best way to ensure you aren't overpaying as premiums change.

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