Basic health insurance

For some international students it is obliged under Dutch law to take the Dutch basisverzekering, or basic healthcare insurance. It is compulsory for international students to take out this basic healthcare insurance:

• from the moment you start a (part-time) job (even if you are covered elsewhere), or
• if you are aged 30 and older and are planning to stay in the Netherlands for one year or longer.

Dutch basic healthcare insurance is more expensive than private insurance, costing around € 1100 a year. This might be more expensive than your current insurance. Keep this in mind if you want to seek employment in the Netherlands in addition to studying. The cost of basic healthcare insurance may make working less worthwhile as you would merely be working to pay your insurance.

Coverage
The Dutch basic health insurance gives limited coverage for medical expenses. It will cover the most basic healthcare costs and medical emergency expenses. For example:

• General Practitioner (GP)
• Maternity care
• Hospital care

If you have any questions about the EHIC coverage or reimbursement of medical costs, please contact Agis + 31 (0) 33 445 68 70.

Do realize that the basic health insurance does not cover dental costs if you over 18. Make sure your insurance company at home covers dental care costs abroad, or take out a supplemental medical insurance including dental care.

Supplemental medical insurance
It is strongly advised to take out a supplemental medical insurance to cover the medical (and dental) care costs that are not covered by the Dutch basic health insurance. You can take out a supplemental medical insurance from the same company you are insured with for the basic health insurance.

For more information on how to take out a basic health insurance and the coverage, click on the link ‘Taking out basic health insurance’.

Financial penalty

If you are required to take out a public healthcare insurance but fail to do so in time, you risk having to pay a penalty of around 130% of the nominal premium for each month that you are uninsured.