What does the basic insurance cover?

The basic health insurance reimburses a visit to the general practitioner (GP), ambulance transport, hospital care and medicines. In addition to this:

  • Dental care up to 18 years of age
  • Maternity and obstetric care
  • Physiotherapy: Up to 18 years of age and for chronic conditions
  • Medications
  • Psychological help 
  • Community nursing
  • Pharmacy costs​

The basic health insurance reimburses the most important care. Would you like to be insured for more than just the care covered under the basic insurance? For example, for the physiotherapist or the dentist? If so, you can take out supplementary insurance.

In this video, our healthcare expert Youri explains what the basic health insurance means. Select subtitles in your preferred language.

What’s not covered by the basic health insurance?

Some common healthcare needs are not included in the basic Dutch health insurance:

  • Dental care for adults (18+ years)
  • Physiotherapy for non-chronic conditions
  • Orthodontics
  • Glasses and contact lenses
  • Maternity kits
  • Alternative treatments

Looking for more coverage like dental care or physiotherapy? Thenit might be a good idea to add a supplementary insurance. Use our comparison tool to find out.

What are the different kinds of basic insurance policies?

Every basic health insurance reimburses the same care, but there can be a difference in the number of affiliated care providers. You can choose a naturapolis (in-kind policy) or a combinatiepolis (combination policy).

What does basic insurance cost?

Although every basic insurance policy offers the same reimbursements, premiums can differ by up to a few hundred euros per year. This is because each insurer individually determines the level of the premium. But the price also differs because there are different types of basic insurance.

Healthcare benefit is a financial contribution towards the cost of your health insurance. Whether you’re eligible depends on your income and assets. Use our tool to find out: Calculate your healthcare allowance

What is the cheapest basic insurance in 2026?

The premiums of basic insurances vary greatly. The cheapest basic insurance this year is VinkVink. This costs € 142,40 per month in 2026. Compare health insurances to find the best one for you.

Compare health insurances

Contracted care

Do you need care? Then you can go to any hospital in the Netherlands. If you have a naturapolis (in-kind policy) unfortunately not all costs will be reimbursed at every hospital. This is due to the contracts that your health insurer has signed with specific healthcare providers.

Basic health insurance and deductible

Every Dutch person aged 18 and over has a compulsory eigen risico (literally meaning 'own risk'). This is the deductible or compulsory excess you must pay yourself before the basic insurance will reimburse your costs. In 2026 your deductible is € 385. The deductible does not apply to:

  • Children under 18 years of age;
  • Costs for the general practitioner (GP);
  • Costs for obstetric care and maternity care;
  • Facilities on loan for home care;
  • Follow-up care for living organ donors (kidney or liver transplant);
  • Integrated care (care in which different healthcare providers work together, for example in the case of diabetes treatment);
  • Community nursing.​

The deductible does not apply to psychologist care. There may also be an own contribution. Read more about the deductible.

Step-by-step plan: switching health insurance

Enter your date of birth and postcode in our health insurance comparison tool, then tell us what you’re looking for. For example: do you want a higher deductible? Or extra coverage for dental care or physiotherapy?

Once you've entered your details and preferences, you'll see the health insurance policies that suit you best. You can refine the results further, for example by filtering on sustainability score.

Start comparing health insurances

From 12 November, you can choose your new health insurance policy. If you do this before 1 January 2026, your new insurer will cancel your current policy for you. You don't need to do anything yourself.

Need a bit more time? Then cancel your current health insurance yourself before 31 December. Then you can take a a new policy until 1 February 2026.

FAQ

Starting January 1, 2026, the following care will be added to the basic package:

  • You’ll now be reimbursed for three quit-smoking programs per year instead of just one.
  • If you have axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), physiotherapy will be fully covered under your basic insurance.
  • There will be no deductible for consultations where your doctor seeks advice from another healthcare professional (known as “meekijkconsult” or “meedenkadvies”).

The most affordable basic insurance in 2026 is the combination policy from VinkVink, which costs € 142.40 per month.

In most cases, yes. If you live or work in the Netherlands, you’re legally required to take out basic health insurance.

This also applies to international students with a part-time job or paid internship, and to expats who work in the Netherlands.

Are you staying here temporarily without income or employment? Then you might be exempt. Not sure? You can check your situation on the CAK website.

The basic package covers essential healthcare like GP visits, hospital care, emergency services and medication. Everyone has the same basic coverage, no matter which insurer you choose. You'll pay a monthly premium and a mandatory deductible (in 2026, that’s € 385). Some types of care aren't fully covered. In those cases, you can take out additional insurance.

Bronnen en expertise

Bij het samenstellen van deze pagina zijn de volgende bronnen geraadpleegd:

Informatie gecontroleerd door expert

expert
Bas Knopperts
De informatie op deze pagina is gecontroleerd door Bas Knopperts. Hij is specialist op het gebied van zorgverzekeringen en een veelgevraagd expert in de media. Bijvoorbeeld bij AD.nl en NOS.
expert
Youri van der Avoird
De informatie op deze pagina is gecontroleerd door Youri van der Avoird. Hij is specialist op het gebied van zorgverzekeringen en expert in de media. Bijvoorbeeld bij Hart van Nederland.
De informatie op deze pagina is voor het laatst bijgewerkt op 18 december 2025.

Disclaimer

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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