Comparing health insurances in the Netherlands 2026

Have you just arrived in the Netherlands? Then you’ll need to apply for health insurance. You can use the step-by-step guide below for this.

1. Apply within 4 months

Once you’ve registered at your municipality, you have 4 months from your registration date to apply for health insurance, also called 'zorgverzekering' in Dutch. Your Dutch health insurance starts from the date on your policy. It will not be backdated. If you need medical care before that date, you will have to pay the costs yourself.

Are you new to the Netherlands, then you can apply for health insurance at any time. Do you already have a health insurance in the Netherlands? Then you can switch from 13 November until the 31st of December.

2. Compare health insurances

Compare health insurances to find the best one for you quickly and easily. You can use our comparison tool for this (in Dutch). Enter your details, and we'll show the best options for you. Pick the insurance that you want and complete your application. This takes just about 10 minutes.

Proof for requiring health insurance in the Netherlands

Your health insurer may ask for proof that you are required to have health insurance in the Netherlands. They need to confirm that you live or work here. When applying for health insurance, you may be asked to provide certain documents. The following are typically required:

• Passport
• Residence permit
• Employment contract

If you are moving to the Netherlands with your family, you will need to provide these documents for each family member as well.

3. Done!

Once you have submitted your health insurance application, you'll receive an email right away. After a few days, you’ll also get a confirmation from the health insurance company, along with the automatic cancellation of your old policy (if applicable).

Need medical attention right away?

You can get medical care immediately, even if you’re not insured yet. You can go to a GP or hospital, and they cannot refuse you necessary care. If you're not insured at the time, you might have to pay the costs yourself. However, once you receive your insurance number, you can send the bill to your insurer.

Choosing your health insurance through Independer has many benefits. With over 25 years of experience, we provide expert advice on the best health policies for you. Hundreds of thousands of people have already used our service to secure their health insurance.

We compare various health insurance options in just minutes. After comparing, you can save your results and email them to yourself or sign up for a policy directly. Your old insurance will be automatically canceled. No action is needed from you.

More reasons to use Independer for your health insurance:

• The largest health insurance comparison in the Netherlands: Last year, we had over 5 million health insurance comparisons on our website during November and December.
• Up to 10% discount: You’ll never pay more than you would directly with the insurance company.
• Rated 9.3/10: By over 200,000 customers.
• Support from health insurance experts: Our team is always available to assist you with questions about things like reimbursements.
• Complete range of options: Compare all available health insurance policies.
• Choice of care: Check which hospitals are contracted in your area.
• Free cancellation service: We take care of canceling your old health insurance for you.
• Quality seal for Objective Compare: We carry this seal because we meet the standards for reliable comparisons, transparent service, and customer-focused advice.