Which Insurance Do You Need?
Answer 3 questions to find out. Health insurance is mandatory for all residents.
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 start of employment.
Required for your visa. 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
Visual comparison of monthly insurance costs and the mandatory deductible.
Coverage Details
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital stays
- Repatriation
- Basic outpatient care
- Dental care
- Pre-existing conditions
- Mental health (limited)
- Physiotherapy
Providers: AON, OOM, Aetna International, Care Concept. Check your university's recommended provider.
- GP visits (FREE, no deductible)
- Hospital care + specialists
- Maternity (no deductible)
- Medication + lab tests
- Mental healthcare (with referral)
- Dental care (adults)
- Vision/glasses
- Alternative medicine
- Extra physio sessions
Working student trap: Starting a part-time job requires switching from private (€30–60) to public (€130–159). Not switching risks fines + 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, 0800-1351 for after-hours GP.
Basic insurance does NOT cover dental for adults. Check-up: €30–50. Filling: €50–100. You need separate supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) or pay out of pocket.
Register 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. Try practices further from the city centre.
Waiting times 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.
Paid internship = Dutch public insurance required. Unpaid = private is fine. Yes, this means switching for a 3-month paid internship and switching back after. It is as annoying as it sounds.