I need to go to a hospital: How does this work?
Emergency care and specialist care in the hospital are reimbursed by the basic insurance. For emergency care, you can always go to the nearest hospital. In that situation, it doesn't matter what kind of insurance you have. Ambulance transportation to the hospital is also reimbursed. Would you like to make an appointment with a specialist? Then it's important to look at what type of insurance you have.
Combination or in-kind (natura) policy?
Do you have a combination policy? Then you have the most freedom of choice in healthcare providers. Do you go to a non-contracted healthcare provider? Then you almost always get a full reimbursement as well. With an in-kind policy, you have quite some choice in healthcare providers as well, but less than with a combination policy. Furthermore, if you go to a non-contracted healthcare provider, you often have to pay part of the bill yourself.
Can I always go to the hospital?
Even without health insurance, you can always receive care at the hospital for emergencies. The hospital cannot refuse the care you need. If you don't have insurance, you will have to pay the costs yourself. In theory, this shouldn't happen, because it is compulsory to have health insurance.
Do you come from abroad? In that case, it is important that you apply for health insurance within four months of registering in the Netherlands. The registration date is the application date of your insurance. All medical expenses incurred on or after this date will be reimbursed. If you need medical care before that date, you will have to pay the costs yourself.
For example: You registered in the Netherlands on 1 August. On 3 August, you have an accident, and have to go to the hospital. You have not yet applied for health insurance, so you have to pay the costs yourself. If you apply for health insurance before 1 December, the costs incurred will be reimbursed when your insurance application is approved. What happens if you don't apply for health insurance within four months after registration? Your insurance will commence on the day you applied for the insurance, not on the day you were registered in the Netherlands. So, any medical costs you incur prior to the commencement of insurance will not be reimbursed.
Do I have to pay a deductible/excess?
| Medical costs in hospital or ambulance transport to the hospital fall under deductible costs. The deductible in 2026 is € 385 |
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How do I know if a hospital has a contract with my health insurance company?
You can check with Independer whether your hospital has a contract with your health insurance provider.
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Het gebruik van de informatie is volledig de verantwoordelijkheid van de lezer. Independer staat niet in voor de medische correctheid, volledigheid en effectiviteit. Bekijk voor meer informatie ook ons redactioneel beleid.
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