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Student health insurance
Do you have plans to study, work or do an internship in Holland? Anyway, make sure that you are sufficiently insured for healthcare. In some cases you are obliged to take out public healthcare insurance in Holland. In other cases a public healthcare insurance in your home country is sufficient or you have to take out a private healthcare insurance. This page will help you figure out which situation applies to you.
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Top 5 Health Insurances for Students
Health care insurance for foreign students in the Netherlands
Before arriving to Holland it’s important to determine what kind of health care insurance you need. Furthermore you need to have a clear overview of the different options and obligations, depending on your personal situation.
On this page you can find more information about the insurance options for foreign students
Public healthcare insurance in The Netherlands
If you are planning to work during your studies or if you are planning to do a paid internship, you need to take out public healthcare insurance in Holland. In order to take out a Dutch public healthcare insurance, you must have a Dutch ID-number (Citizen Service Number or BSN). You can apply for an ID-number at your local municipality.
Healthcare insurance companies
Where can you take out public healthcare insurance in Holland? There’s a large number of public healthcare insurance companies in Holland, with different premiums and a variety of insurances. If you are looking for public healthcare insurance companies in Holland, especially for students, please visit our top 5 public healthcare insurances.
Private healthcare insurance
If you are from a non-EU country, the public healthcare insurance from your home country is not valid in the Netherlands. Are you from a non-EU country, temporarily staying in the Netherlands and not planning on working or doing a paid internship? In that case you can consider taking out private healthcare insurance.
Public healthcare insurance in your home country
When is a public healthcare insurance in your home country sufficient?
- In case you are only planning to study in Holland and you are not planning to work or do a paid internship.
- If you are planning a temporary stay in Holland (see explanation above)
- If you are a citizen of the EU (including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway)
Make sure to check the coverage abroad of your current public healthcare insurance. Don’t hesitate to contact your public healthcare insurance company in your home country. Here you can also apply for an EU Health Insurance Card that is valid in Holland if you need to go to a hospital.
The COVID-19 pandemic is having an enormous impact worldwide on societies and human behaviour. In the Netherlands the government has taken measures to control the outbreak of the virus until there is a vaccin or treatment available. There were many international students in the Netherlands at the time of the coronavirus outbreak, while at the same time new students were about to arrive. We understand there are many questions regarding healthcare, insurance, residence permits, housing, educational institutions & admissions and travel restrictions.
Find up to date information on our page about Corona & studying in the Netherlands
Supplementary health insurance
Besides the basic coverage of the Dutch health insurance, insurance companies offer a variety of supplementary coverage. Every insurance company offers the same basic coverage as it is determined by the Dutch government. Do you need supplementary coverage for physiotherapy, additional health care coverage abroad, alternative health care or dental insurance? In that case you will have to take out supplementary health insurance.
Read more about supplementary health insurance
Dutch healthcare system
You are probably not familiar with the ins and outs of the Dutch healthcare system. It is mainly divided in basic health insurance (obliged for every Dutch citizen) and supplementary health insurance options.
On this page we will further introduce you to the dutch healthcare system
Health insurance from the age of 18
When you become 18 years old, you are officially considered an adult in the Netherlands. One of the obligations that comes with adulthood is having to take out your own healthcare insurance. You have one month to take out the insurance, if you don’t you risk a fine.
Read more about the health insurance from the age of 18
Study limitations
As a student you may suffer physical of psychological conditions that result into study limitations. Common examples are students dealing with a burn out or depression. Other conditions might be dyslexia, visual impairment or a hearing impairment. Your healthcare insurance may cover treatment or tools. Also your educational institution can offer additional support.
Find out more about study limitations
Tips & FAQ Health insurance
What are important points of attention when you move to the Netherlands and take out Dutch healthcare insurance? Our tips & frequently asked questions can help you on your way for all necessary preparations.
Check out our tips & FAQ health insurance
Compare, switch & apply
First of all, you need to determine if you are obliged to take out Dutch health insurance. In case you do, the next three steps would be to compare insurances, switch (only if you already have a Dutch insurance) and apply for a new health care insurance.
More information about how to compare, switch & apply
Problems with health insurance
What actions can you take if you have problems with your health insurance company or (the payment of) your health insurance?
Find out your options on our page about problems with health insurance