In the Netherlands, health insurance is legally required for everyone who lives or works here — including EU citizens, temporary workers, and expats. The system is based on the principle that everyone contributes to keep healthcare accessible and high quality.

Who Must Be Insured?

You must take out Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering) if:

You live or work in the Netherlands, even temporarily
You earn income from Dutch employment or freelance work
You are over 18 years old

Children under 18 are covered for free, but must be registered with a policy.

You are required to register for insurance within 4 months of arrival. If you don’t, you may receive a fine from the CAK (Central Administration Office).

What Happens If You’re Not Insured?

You may have to pay for all medical costs yourself — which can be very expensive
You risk a fine of over €400, and continued penalties if you remain uninsured
Some employers or agencies may delay payments or hiring if you cannot show proof of insurance

Getting insured is one of the first and most important steps after starting work.

How Does the System Work?

Dutch health insurance is provided by private companies, but the system is regulated by the government. Everyone must have at least the basic package (basisverzekering), which covers essential care like:

General practitioner (GP) visits
Hospital care
Emergency treatment
Maternity care
Medicines (partly)