Mandatory health insurance for DAFT holders - providers, costs, and enrollment process
🏠 Back to Home | ⬅️ Previous: BSN Registration | ➡️ Next: DAFT Renewal
Health insurance is mandatory for all residents of the Netherlands, including DAFT holders. You must obtain coverage within 4 months of registration with your municipality (receiving BSN).
Mandatory Coverage
- Legal Obligation: Required by Dutch law (Zorgverzekeringswet)
- Timeline: Must enroll within 4 months of BSN registration
- Penalties: €130+ monthly fine for non-compliance
- No Exemptions: No exceptions for short-term stays
- Residence Permit: Must have valid DAFT status
- BSN Number: Required for insurance enrollment
- Dutch Address: Must have registered address
- Continuous Coverage: Must maintain throughout permit duration
Coverage Includes:
- General Practitioner (Huisarts): Primary care physician
- Specialist Care: Referral-based specialist treatment
- Hospital Care: Emergency and planned hospital treatment
- Medications: Essential medications covered
- Mental Health: Basic mental health services
- Maternity Care: Pregnancy and childbirth coverage
What's NOT Covered:
- Dental Care: Adult dental care (over 18)
- Physiotherapy: Beyond basic coverage
- Alternative Medicine: Homeopathy, acupuncture (unless supplementary)
- Cosmetic Surgery: Non-medical cosmetic procedures
- Glasses/Contacts: Vision correction (unless supplementary)
Optional Coverage:
- Dental Care: Comprehensive dental coverage
- Physiotherapy: Extended physiotherapy coverage
- Alternative Medicine: Homeopathy, acupuncture, etc.
- Abroad Coverage: Enhanced coverage outside Netherlands
- Vision Care: Glasses, contact lenses, eye exams
Market Position: Largest insurer in Netherlands
Coverage: Comprehensive nationwide network
English Support: Good English customer service
Online Services: User-friendly website and app
Basic Package: €145-160/month
Popular Supplementary: €15-25/month
Strengths: Extensive provider network, good claim processing
Market Position: Second largest insurer
Coverage: Strong network, especially in urban areas
English Support: Adequate English support
Online Services: Modern digital platform
Basic Package: €150-165/month
Popular Supplementary: €12-20/month
Strengths: Competitive pricing, good customer service
Market Position: Major national insurer
Coverage: Good national coverage
English Support: Reasonable English support
Online Services: Comprehensive online tools
Basic Package: €155-170/month
Popular Supplementary: €10-18/month
Strengths: Good value for money, strong rural coverage
Market Position: Strong regional player
Coverage: Excellent in northern/eastern Netherlands
English Support: Limited English support
Online Services: Basic online services
Basic Package: €148-163/month
Popular Supplementary: €8-15/month
Strengths: Competitive pricing, good regional coverage
Network Coverage:
- Provider Network: Check if your preferred doctors are covered
- Geographic Coverage: Ensure coverage in your area
- Specialist Access: Verify specialist availability
Cost Considerations:
- Monthly Premium: Basic insurance cost
- Deductible (Eigen Risico): €385 standard deductible (2026)
- Supplementary Costs: Additional coverage costs
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Maximum annual costs
Service Quality:
- English Support: Customer service in English
- Online Tools: Website and app functionality
- Claim Processing: Speed and efficiency of claims
- Customer Reviews: Satisfaction ratings
- Standard Amount: €385 per year (2026)
- Your Responsibility: First €385 of care costs
- Exceptions: GP visits, maternity care, some preventive care
- Reset Annual: Resets each calendar year
Research Tools:
- Zorgwijzer.nl: Official comparison website
- Independer.nl: Independent comparison service
- Insurance Websites: Direct comparison tools
- Expat Forums: Community recommendations
Decision Factors:
- Monthly Premium: Basic insurance cost
- Provider Network: Doctor and hospital access
- Supplementary Options: Additional coverage needs
- Customer Service: English support availability
Application Process:
- Visit Insurer Website: Go to chosen insurer's website
- Complete Application: Fill out online form
- Provide Information: BSN, address, contact details
- Choose Start Date: Coverage start date
Required Information:
- BSN Number: Dutch social security number
- Dutch Address: Registered address
- Contact Information: Phone, email
- Previous Insurance: If applicable
Documentation:
- Insurance Card: Physical insurance card
- Policy Documents: Coverage details
- Payment Instructions: Monthly payment setup
- Customer Portal Access: Online account setup
Payment and Costs
- Basic Insurance: €100-130/month
- Supplementary: €10-30/month additional
- Total Average: €120-160/month
- Bank Transfer: Most common method
- Direct Debit: Automatic monthly payment
- Online Payment: Through insurer website
- Cash Payment: Some insurers accept cash
Healthcare Allowance (Zorgtoeslag):
- Eligibility: Based on income and assets
- Amount: Up to €127/month (2026)
- Application: Through Belastingdienst
- Income Threshold: €31,000 annually for singles
Registration Process:
- Find Local GP: Search online or ask neighbors
- Register: Contact GP office to register
- Appointment: Schedule initial appointment
- Insurance Card: Bring insurance card
GP Role:
- Primary Care: First point of contact
- Referrals: Required for specialist care
- Prescriptions: Can prescribe medications
- Preventive Care: Regular check-ups
Referral Required:
- GP Referral: Must be referred by GP
- Specialist Appointment: Schedule through referral
- Insurance Coverage: Covered under basic insurance
- Waiting Times: May have waiting periods
Emergency Services:
- Huisartsenpost: Out-of-hours GP service
- Hospital Emergency: Spoedeisende hulp (SEH)
- Ambulance: 112 emergency number
- Coverage: Fully covered under basic insurance
- English-Speaking Doctors: Limited availability
- Translation Services: Available in hospitals
- Medical Terminology: Learn basic Dutch medical terms
- Insurance Communication: Most insurers offer English support
- GP Gatekeeper: All care starts with GP
- Waiting Times: Longer waits for non-urgent care
- Referral Requirements: Specialist access requires referral
- Prescription Process: Different from U.S. system
Cost Understanding
- Deductible Confusion: Understanding eigen risico
- Supplementary Needs: Determining additional coverage
- Out-of-Network: Costs for non-contracted providers
- International Coverage: Limited coverage abroad
- Compare Thoroughly: Use comparison websites
- Consider Needs: Match coverage to personal needs
- Budget Planning: Include deductible in budget
- Annual Review: Review coverage annually
- Register Early: Find and register with GP quickly
- Learn System: Understand Dutch healthcare approach
- Preventive Care: Take advantage of covered screenings
- Emergency Planning: Know emergency procedures
- Budget Deductible: Plan for €385 annual deductible
- Supplement Wisely: Only buy needed supplementary coverage
- Generic Medications: Request generic alternatives
- Preventive Care: Use covered preventive services
Coverage Options:
- Basic: €150-300 coverage annually
- Comprehensive: €500-1,000+ coverage
- Orthodontics: Special coverage for braces
- Implants: Coverage for dental implants
Costs: €8-25/month additional
Coverage:
- Basic: 9 sessions covered
- Extended: 20-40 sessions covered
- Chronic Conditions: Unlimited coverage
- Sports Injuries: Specialized coverage
Costs: €5-15/month additional
Coverage:
- Homeopathy: €150-500 annually
- Acupuncture: €150-500 annually
- Osteopathy: €150-500 annually
- Massage Therapy: €150-300 annually
Costs: €3-10/month additional
- Independent Advice: Unbiased insurance recommendations
- Comparison Services: Professional comparison analysis
- Ongoing Support: Annual review and updates
- Claims Assistance: Help with insurance claims
- System Navigation: Help understanding Dutch healthcare
- Appointment Assistance: Help scheduling appointments
- Translation Services: Medical translation support
- Emergency Support: Assistance during medical emergencies
- Insurance Disputes: Help with insurance problems
- Medical Malpractice: Legal support for medical issues
- Rights Education: Understanding patient rights
- Regulatory Support: Help with insurance regulations
Americans are often surprised by these gaps:
- Basic insurance: ZERO dental coverage for adults
- Supplemental coverage: Available but limited (often €250-500/year max)
- Recommendation: Get dental work done before leaving US, or budget €100-200/year for checkups
- Basic insurance: Not covered
- Supplemental: May cover €50-150 toward glasses every 2-3 years
- Recommendation: Bring spare glasses; eye exams cost €40-80 out of pocket
- Basic insurance: Limited to chronic conditions (after 20+ sessions)
- First 20 sessions: Usually not covered; €40-60/session out of pocket
- Supplemental: Covers some physio sessions
- Basic insurance: Covered but with significant eigen risico (deductible) and referral needed
- Waiting lists: Often 6-12 weeks for GGZ appointments
- Private therapy: €80-150/session; some supplemental insurance helps
- 2026 mandatory deductible: €385
- Optional higher deductible: €485, €585, €685, or €885 for lower premium
- Strategy: If healthy, higher deductible saves money. If you expect medical care, stay at €385.
- Excludes: GP visits, maternity care, and some mental health not subject to deductible
- Dental heavy user: Yes, if you need regular work
- Physical active/injury prone: Physio coverage valuable
- Wear glasses: Minimal savings, usually not worth it
- Generally healthy: Basic insurance often sufficient
Health Insurance Emergency Contacts:
- Zilveren Kruis: 088-700-4000
- CZ: 0900-1002
- VGZ: 0900-8020
- Menzis: 088-222-2222
Key Websites:
Critical Deadlines:
- Enrollment: Within 4 months of BSN registration
- Annual Changes: By December 31st for next year
- Payment: Monthly by direct debit or transfer
Average Costs (2026):
- Basic Insurance: €100-130/month
- Deductible: €385/year
- Healthcare Allowance: Up to €127/month
This guide provides comprehensive information about Dutch health insurance for DAFT holders. For specific questions about your coverage options, consult with insurance providers directly.
📍 Current Location: Dutch Health Insurance Guide
🏠 Back to Home | ⬅️ Previous: BSN Registration | ➡️ Next: DAFT Renewal