Key numbers for 2026
How the system works
- 1Take out basic insurance
Everyone who lives or works here must have basic health insurance (basisverzekering). Insurers must accept you, whatever your health.
- 2Register with a GP (huisarts)
Pick a GP close to home. Some practices are full, so start early.
- 3Start at the GP
The GP is the gatekeeper. For a specialist or hospital you usually need a referral, otherwise insurance may not pay.
- 4Pay the deductible
The first €385 of most care each year is yours. GP visits, maternity care and care for under-18s do not count.
- 5Claim or let the provider bill
Most providers bill your insurer directly; you get a bill later for any deductible.
What is and is not covered
| Basic insurance | Only with supplementary insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| GP | ✔ covered, no deductible | |
| Hospital and specialist | ✔ with referral | |
| Prescription medicines | ✔ most | Some extras |
| Maternity care | ✔ covered | |
| Dentist (18+) | ✘ only special cases | ✔ partly |
| Physiotherapy | Limited, chronic conditions | ✔ set number of sessions |
| Glasses and lenses | ✘ | ✔ partly |
When it is urgent
Life-threatening emergency: ambulance, police or fire.
GP out-of-hours service for evenings, nights and weekends. Call first.
Usually you are referred by the GP post or arrive by ambulance. Hospital care counts towards the deductible.
For prescriptions. Simple medicines like paracetamol are sold at drugstores.
Help with the cost
On a low or middle income you can get healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the Dienst Toeslagen. Employers do not pay your premium, but they do pay the income-related Zvw contribution on your salary.
Self-employed? Read health insurance for ZZP'ers, and check allowances with the toeslagen calculator.
Sources
This article is based on these official pages. If anything here differs from them, the official page is right.
Ready to run your own numbers?
Health insurance cost calculator