Different health insurers

There are many health insurers in the Netherlands. These insurers have different products and profiles, so there are more than 900 different insurance policies to choose from. With this many choices it’s sometimes difficult to choose an insurance policy. That’s why with Independer, you’ll easily compare and find the best health insurance policy for you.

Buying and cancelling health insurance

Every year, health insurance companies may change the coverage and costs of their policies. Sometimes the Dutch government also makes changes that affect the coverage of the basic insurance. You can also change your insurance policy every year. So it’s wise to check every year whether your health insurance still suits you.

Coverage

The basic insurance covers a range of medical care, medicine and hospital stays. Do you need extra care, such as dentistry or physiotherapy? Then you can take out supplemental insurance. You pay more premium for supplemental insurance on top of the costs for your basic insurance.

Health insurance costs

The compulsory basic insurance costs approximately € 100 per month. The cost of supplemental insurance adds on between € 2 to € 150 per month depending on the policy coverage.

A deductible or excess also applies to health care costs under the basic insurance. This is € 385 in 2022. The deductible is a contribution you pay when you need care covered by the basic insurance. In other words, in 2022 you’ll pay the first EUR 385 of your health care costs from that year yourself. You can also choose to voluntarily increase the deductible.


Basic insurance is compulsory

The basic insurance is compulsory for everyone who lives and works in the Netherlands. The basic insurance covers, for example, general practitioner care, the ambulance and postnatal (in Dutch: kraamzorg) care. You can also opt for supplemental health insurance. But when you take out insurance, you can also choose between four different policies: restitution, combination, in-kind and budget. There are major differences between these policies. In particular, the premium and the number of contracted healthcare providers can vary greatly. 

Restitution policy

Restitution policy

With a restitution policy you have completely free choice of health care providers. This means that you can go to any health care provider under the basic insurance without having to pay extra. The care provider of your choice does not need to have a contract with the insurer. For most care covered by the basic insurance, you always have to pay the excess first.


For care via the supplemental insurance, such as physiotherapy or alternative medicine, it is important to check whether your health insurer has a contract with the care provider. Some health insurers who offer a restitution policy may not reimburse the full cost of that care otherwise.

Something to be aware of: If you go to an expensive private clinic with excessively high healthcare costs the insurer may decide not to reimburse the entire bill.

  • ​Free choice of hospital or care provider
  • Care under the basic insurance is always 100% reimbursed (except for the excess)
  • With the exception of bills that are unreasonably higher than average 
Combination policy

Combination policy

A combination policy is very similar to a restitution policy. This is because you have a free choice of care and in most cases you can go to any healthcare provider. This only differs for the type of care. For example: you can go to all hospitals, but not to all clinics. In the case of a combination policy, the health insurer has entered into contracts with care providers.

  • ​Always have free choice of health care provider 
  • Contracted care providers: 100% reimbursed 
  • Non-contracted care provider: Reimbursement up to a maximum rate. This rate differs per insurer
In-Kind policy

In-Kind policy

Do you have an in-kind (Dutch: Natura) policy? In that case, you should take a good look at which health care providers your health insurer has contracts with. For example, if you go to a non-contracted care provider, the insurer will not reimburse the entire bill. You will often have to pay 20% of the costs yourself. Insurers with an in-kind policy fortunately often have a large selection of contracted care providers.


  • ​Almost all hospitals are reimbursed 
  • Not all clinics and physiotherapists are reimbursed 
  • If you go to a care provider that is not contracted with your health insurer, you will pay part of the bill yourself 
Budget policy

Budget policy

As with the in-kind policy, an insurer with a budget policy has contracts with care providers. If you go to a contracted care provider, you will simply get your entire bill reimbursed. If you go to a non-contracted care provider, you often have to pay 20% of the bill yourself.In comparison with in-kind policies, the range of contracted health care providers is smaller with budget insurers. So consider this difference carefully before you take out health insurance.

  • ​Limited number of hospitals will be reimbursed 
  • Limited number of clinics and physiotherapists are reimbursed 
  • If you go to a care provider that is not contracted with your health insurer, you will pay part of the bill yourself 

Supplemental health insurance

Supplemental health insurance is not compulsory. Do you need a lot of medical care that is not covered by the basic insurance? Then you can choose for extra insurance, for example for the dentist or psychologist. The more comprehensive the coverage, the more premium you pay.