Student health insurance

Are you planning to study, work or do an internship in the Netherlands? It is, in any case, important to ensure that you are sufficiently insured for the necessary care during your stay and, if applicable, to find a (Dutch) health insurance policy that suits you best.

Compare all health insurances

It only takes 2 minutes to compare and find the best health insurance for you!

All health insurance plans

All health insurance plans are included in one overview, making it easy to find the plan most suited to your needs. Use our comprehensive comparison tool! Choose your policy type, deductible and additional coverage and check your options with different health insurers. Take advantage of high discounts, especially for students!

Changes health insurance in 2023

The following will change this year:

• The premiums will increase, you will pay an average of €11 per month for your health insurance;
• The deductible does not change and remains the same with €385;
• The healthcare allowance will increase by an average of €3.58 per month (€43 per year);
• The contents of the basic package remain more or less the same: coverage will be expanded for covid patients requiring recovery care.

View all Changes in 2023

Dutch health insurance companies

Where can you take out public healthcare insurance in Holland? There are many public healthcare insurance companies in the Netherlands offering various insurances with different premiums.

Check out all Dutch health insurance companies

Best Health Care Insurance for 2023

What is the best health insurance policy for you? Every plan is different, and so are the health insurance needs. For most students, cheap health insurance is best (for their wallet ;-)). Please note that if you require special treatments that are not reimbursed in the basic insurance and only in the supplementary insurance, the cheapest solution is not always the most suitable.

Compare all health insurance plans

From the age of 18

When you turn 18, you are officially considered to be of adult age in the Netherlands. One of the obligations that comes with reaching adulthood is taking out medical health insurance yourself.

Have you just turned 18 years old? Then you are liable to pay contributions

Health insurance from the age of 18

Compare, switch & apply

First, you must determine if you are obliged to take out Dutch medical health insurance. If you are obligated to do so, the next three steps would be to compare insurances, switch (only if you already have Dutch insurance) and apply for new student health insurance.

Compare all health insurance plans

Healthcare allowance 2023

For lower-income groups, the Dutch government provides extra support through financial compensation to pay your insurance premium. The so-called ‘zorgtoeslag’ is a benefit issued by the Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst). The amount of healthcare allowance you can receive depends on your income and capital.

Read more about healthcare allowance

To apply for ‘zorgtoeslag’ or healthcare allowance, you first need a Citizen Service Number (BSN) by registering with your municipality. To determine whether you would qualify for a healthcare allowance (also called healthcare benefit), you can use our healthcare allowance calculator.
Healthcare allowance calculator

Supplementary health insurance

Besides the basic coverage of Dutch health care insurance, insurance companies offer a variety of supplementary coverage. Every insurance company offers the same basic medical coverage, as the Dutch government determines the contents of the basic insurance package. Do you need supplementary coverage for physiotherapy, additional health care coverage abroad, alternative health care or dental insurance? In that case, you will have to take out supplementary health insurance.

Read more about supplementary health insurance

Dutch healthcare system

You are probably not familiar with the ins and outs of the Dutch healthcare system. Dutch health insurance is mainly divided into basic health insurance (obliged for every Dutch citizen) and supplementary health insurance options.

On this page we will further introduce you to the Dutch healthcare system

Welcome to Holland Guide

We are happy to welcome you to Holland! If you’re moving here to study, work or do an internship, you’re probably figuring out all the necessary preparations. To help you get started and find all the necessary information, we’ve created a website section, especially for international students that want to study abroad in the Netherlands. All important information regarding, for example, student finance, insurance, housing, benefits & allowances and visa & permits is bundled here.

Visit our Welcome to Holland section for more detailed information.

In need of a clear, summarised overview of all preparations for your stay in the Netherlands? Directly download our Welcome to Holland: Student Financial Guide

Students & ex-pats in the Netherlands

Before arriving in Holland, it’s important to determine what kind of health care insurance you need. Furthermore, a clear overview of your specific situation’s different options and obligations might come in handy.

On this page you can find more information about the insurance options for foreign students

Public healthcare in The Netherlands

If you are planning to work during your studies or if you are planning to do a paid internship, you need to take out public healthcare insurance in the Netherlands. To take out Dutch public healthcare insurance, you must have a Dutch ID number (Citizen Service Number or BSN). You can apply for an ID number at your local municipality.

Private health insurance

If you are from a non-EU country, the public healthcare insurance from your home country might not be valid in the Netherlands. Are you from a non-EU country, temporarily staying in the Netherlands and not planning on working or doing a paid internship? In that case you can consider taking out private health insurance.

Health insurance in your home country

When is public medical health insurance in your home country sufficient?

• In case you are only planning to study in the Netherlands and you are not planning to work or do a paid internship.
• If you are planning a temporary stay in the Netherlands (see explanation above)
• If you are a citizen of the EU (including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway)

Make sure to check the coverage abroad of your current public health insurance. Don’t hesitate to contact the government or your public healthcare insurance company in your home country. You can also apply for an EU Health Insurance Card valid in the Netherlands if you need to visit a hospital.

Study limitations

As a student, you may suffer physical or psychological conditions that result in study limitations. Common examples are students dealing with burnout or depression. Other conditions might be dyslexia, visual impairment or hearing impairment. Your healthcare insurance may cover treatment or tools. Additionally, your educational institution might offer additional support.

Find out more about study limitations

Problems with health insurance

What actions can you take if you have problems with your health insurance company or (the payment of) your health insurance?

Find out your options on our page about problems with health insurance

FAQ Healthcare insurance

What are important points of attention when you move to the Netherlands and take out Dutch medical health insurance? Our tips & frequently asked questions can help you on your way to all necessary preparations.

Check out our tips & FAQ health insurance