Health Insurance: The Confusing Dual System
Private insurance, public insurance, the working-student trap, the EUR 385 deductible and why you can't just walk into a hospital. The Dutch healthcare system explained honestly.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Which Insurance Do You Need?
Answer up to three questions to find out. Health insurance is mandatory for all residents.
1. Are you an EU/EEA citizen?
2. Will you be working (even part-time)?
3. Will you work more than a few hours per week?
€130–159 a month, €385 deductible a year, up to €129 a month zorgtoeslag (2026). Any paid employment (even part-time) legally requires Dutch public insurance. Apply for zorgtoeslag to offset costs. Providers: Zilveren Kruis, CZ, VGZ, Menzis. You have 4 months from the start of employment.
€30–60 a month; deductible varies. Required for your visa and must meet minimum coverage requirements. Providers: AON, OOM, Aetna International, Care Concept. No zorgtoeslag eligibility.
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may cover you for temporary stays. Check with your home country’s health authority. If you start working, you must switch to Dutch public insurance.
Insurance Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private student insurance | €30–60/mo (~€45) | Study-only students; no zorgtoeslag; varies by provider |
| Public insurance (basisverzekering) | €130–159/mo (~€145) | Working students; mandatory once you start any job; plus €385/yr deductible |
| Public insurance after zorgtoeslag | €0–28/mo net (~€14) | If you earn below the income limit (€40,857 a year for a single person in 2026); apply via Toeslagen.nl; requires BSN + DigiD |
| Eigen risico (annual deductible) | €385/year | Public insurance only. GP visits are free (they don’t count); specialist visits, medicines and lab tests do |
Coverage Details
Student-only (private) insurance
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital stays
- Repatriation
- Basic outpatient care
- Often not covered: dental care
- Often not covered: pre-existing conditions
- Often not covered: mental health (limited)
- Often not covered: physiotherapy
Providers: AON, OOM, Aetna International, Care Concept. Check your university’s recommended provider.
Working-student (public) insurance
- GP visits (free, no deductible)
- Hospital care and specialists
- Maternity (no deductible)
- Medication and lab tests
- Mental healthcare (with referral)
- Not covered without a supplement: adult dental care
- Not covered without a supplement: vision/glasses
- Not covered without a supplement: alternative medicine
- Not covered without a supplement: extra physio sessions
Starting a part-time job requires switching from private (€30–60) to public insurance (€130–159). Not switching risks fines and retroactive charges of €1,000+. Your university usually does not warn you about this.
Insurance FAQ
No. The GP (huisarts) is the gatekeeper. You must register with a GP first, then get a referral for specialists. Only genuine emergencies go directly to hospital. Call 112 for life-threatening emergencies, and 0800-1351 for the after-hours GP.
Basic insurance does NOT cover dental care for adults. A check-up costs €30–50 and a filling €50–100. You need separate supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) or must pay out of pocket.
Register in your first week. Call 3–5 practices near your home — many are full in student-heavy cities. Check your university’s website for recommended practices, and try practices further from the city centre.
Expect waits of 8–16 weeks for psychologist referrals. University counselling (3–5 free sessions) is the fastest option. 59% of international students struggle with mental health — start the referral process early.
A paid internship means Dutch public insurance is required; unpaid is fine on private insurance. Yes, this means switching for a 3-month paid internship and switching back afterwards. It is as annoying as it sounds.
Related Guides
Insurance in your budget
Insurance for the visa
BSN needed for insurance