Health insurance in the Netherlands, also without a BSN
Looking for health insurance for expats in the Netherlands? We help you compare, and we can arrange cover even if you do not have a BSN (Citizen Service Number) yet. Once your BSN comes through, we help you switch to a regular Dutch policy.
If you live or work in the Netherlands you are normally required to take out Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering). The government sets what the basic package covers, so every insurer offers the same core cover; what differs is the premium, the provider network, the service in English and the additional packages. In 2026 the compulsory excess (eigen risico) is € 385 per year, and you can voluntarily raise it in five steps of € 100 up to € 500 in exchange for a lower premium (source: Rijksoverheid). Without a BSN you cannot yet take out a Dutch basic policy, but you can be insured through an international package in the meantime. Bouvy Advies is an independent adviser in Naarden and helps in English, from the first application to the switch after your BSN arrives. AFM licence 12046005.
Do I need Dutch health insurance?
In most cases, yes. If you live in the Netherlands, or you live abroad but work here and pay Dutch payroll tax, you are generally obliged to take out Dutch basic health insurance. The moment that obligation starts depends on your personal situation, and so does the answer for students, posted workers and people who keep an insurance policy in their home country. We check which rule applies to you before you sign anything, because arranging cover too late can lead to a fine and to medical bills you have to pay yourself.
What Dutch basic health insurance covers
The content of the basic package is set by the Dutch government and is identical at every insurer. It covers care from a GP, hospital treatment, most prescription medicines, maternity care and emergency care. Dental care for adults, physiotherapy beyond a limited number of sessions and glasses or lenses are not in the basic package; for those you need an additional package (aanvullende verzekering).
Two numbers matter for what you pay. The compulsory excess is € 385 in 2026: the first € 385 of most treatments is for your own account, although visits to your GP and maternity care fall outside it. On top of that you may choose a voluntary excess of € 100 up to € 500, in five steps, which lowers your monthly premium. That is a bet on your own health, so it only pays off if you expect little care. Both figures come from Rijksoverheid and apply to 2026.
Comparing health insurance in the Netherlands
Because the basic cover is the same everywhere, comparing is not about who covers more. It is about four things:
Premium and excess
The monthly premium differs per insurer, and the voluntary excess you choose changes it again. A low premium with a high excess is not automatically the cheapest year.
Contracted hospitals
A budget policy (budgetpolis) reimburses less if you go to a hospital the insurer has no contract with. If you want free choice, you need a restitutiepolis.
Service in English
Not every insurer answers the phone in English or sends English policy documents. For a first year in the Netherlands that matters more than a few euros of premium.
Additional packages
Dental care, physiotherapy and cover abroad sit in the additional package. Insurers may refuse you here or ask health questions, unlike the basic package.
Students and short stays
Students are the exception that catches most people out. If you come to the Netherlands only to study and you do not work here, you are usually not obliged to take out Dutch basic insurance and your European Health Insurance Card or a student policy may be enough. Take a side job, an internship with pay or a graduate position, however, and the obligation can start from that moment. The switch is easy to miss, so tell us if your situation changes during the year.
Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag)
The Dutch government contributes to the premium for people with a lower income, through an allowance called zorgtoeslag. Whether you qualify and how much you receive depends on your income, your assets and whether you have a partner, and you apply for it yourself at the Belastingdienst. Because the amounts change every year and depend entirely on your situation, we do not quote a figure here; check the current amount at the Belastingdienst before you count on it.
No BSN yet? You can still be insured
You need a BSN to take out a Dutch basic policy, and you only get one after you register with your municipality. That leaves a gap in your first weeks in the country, exactly when you are most likely to need a doctor. Our package offers complete cover with a competitive premium and good conditions in that period. Download the brochure for the details, or apply directly using the application form. After you receive your BSN we help you change to a regular Dutch health insurance.
We also arrange the rest of your cover, from expat insurances to a mortgage as an expat mortgage advisor.
Frequently asked
Can I get health insurance in the Netherlands without a BSN?+
Not a Dutch basic policy, because that requires a BSN. You can be insured through an international package until your BSN arrives, and we then help you switch to a regular Dutch policy.
How much is the excess on Dutch health insurance in 2026?+
The compulsory excess is € 385 per year in 2026. You can add a voluntary excess of € 100 up to € 500 in five steps, which lowers your monthly premium. Source: Rijksoverheid.
Which health insurance is best for expats?+
There is no single best one, because the basic cover is identical at every Dutch insurer. The right choice depends on your excess, the hospitals you want free access to, whether you need service in English and which additional package fits you. That is what we compare with you.
Do students need Dutch health insurance?+
Usually not while you only study and do not work in the Netherlands. As soon as you take a paid job or a paid internship, the obligation can start. Let us know when your situation changes, because the switch is easy to overlook.
Can I switch health insurer once I have a BSN?+
Yes, and we arrange it for you. Dutch policies also have an annual switching window at the end of the calendar year, so you are never locked in for good.
Questions about expat insurance?
We are happy to help you find the right cover for your stay in the Netherlands.