Healthcare insurance and more
Get properly insured before you travel
Before you travel to the Netherlands, please make sure you are properly insured. Health insurance is required for your residence permit, and there are different options depending on the reason for your stay.
Healthcare insurance options
Study purposes only
If you are in the Netherlands for study purposes only, you cannot take out Dutch public health insurance. You can stay insured with your health insurer in your home country or take out private international student health insurance. Some insurance companies offer a student discount.
EU Health Insurance Card
If you are from the EU/EEA, you may be eligible for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which covers necessary medical care during your stay. Apply for your EHIC with your health insurer before departure.
Received a letter from CAK?
You may receive a letter from CAK (the Dutch Central Administration Office) about your insurance obligation. It is important to take action within 3 months to avoid a fine of around €380, even if you received the letter by mistake.
Contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) to request an investigation into your insurance situation under the Wlz scheme (this is free of charge). Send the SVB’s decision to CAK.
Internship during your studies
If you plan to do a paid internship, you may need to take out Dutch public health insurance. Please contact the SVB to check your insurance status under the Wlz scheme.
Working alongside your studies
If you take on a (part-time) job while studying, you are required by law to have Dutch public health insurance. This basic insurance covers hospital treatment and other essential healthcare.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Register with your local municipality.
- Choose a Dutch public health insurer and submit your application.
- Your registration is complete once you receive your insurance policy (polisblad) and health insurance card.
- Apply for healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) via www.belastingdienst.nl to help with your monthly costs.
- Cancel your insurance when your internship or job ends, when you leave the Netherlands, or when you complete your studies.
- If you stay in the Netherlands after your studies or during your Orientation Year, you need to take out Dutch public health insurance as soon as you start working.
What to do if you fall ill?
We recommend registering with a Dutch general practitioner (GP, or huisarts in Dutch) as soon as you arrive. If you feel unwell, you should always visit your GP first, instead of going directly to the hospital. Your GP will assess your situation and decide if you need to see a specialist or go to the hospital. If you need medication, your GP will give you a prescription to collect at a local pharmacy.
More information is available on mymaastricht.nl and the Expat Centre Maastricht Region website.
Questions
If you have any questions about Dutch public health insurance, go to the SKGZ website, call 0800 646 46 44 (free within the Netherlands), or +31 (0)88 900 69 60 from abroad.
Other insurance
Liability insurance
We strongly advise you to have liability insurance. If you accidentally injure someone or damage property, you may be responsible for covering the costs, which can be high. For example, you might damage something in your student room or workplace. You can arrange liability insurance in your home country or through Zuyd. More information is available on mymaastricht.nl.
Repatriation, theft, and accidents
We also recommend insurance to cover repatriation costs if you become seriously ill or pass away while in the Netherlands, allowing a family member to accompany you home. It is also wise to insure yourself against theft, accidents, and legal advice costs.
More information is available on mymaastricht.nl.