Best health insurance in the Netherlands for expats (2026)
Updated 19 May 2026
Every resident in the Netherlands is legally required to have basic health insurance (basisverzekering). For expats, navigating the Dutch health insurance system can feel overwhelming. This guide compares the major Dutch health insurers side by side, covering premiums, deductibles, supplementary options, and what matters most for international residents. All basic packages cover the same medical care by law, so the real differences come down to price, service quality, and supplementary add-ons.
Last verified: 2026-03-24.
| Insurer | Basic premium (approx.) | Standard deductible | Deductible options | Supplementary coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ditzo | ~EUR 131/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385, EUR 885 | Health, property, travel | Budget-conscious expats |
| Unive | ~EUR 137/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385, EUR 585, EUR 885 | Health, home, liability, travel, car | Broad supplementary needs |
| OHRA | ~EUR 136/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385, EUR 885 | Health, property | Simple, no-frills coverage |
| Menzis | ~EUR 138/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385 - EUR 885 | Health, dental | Dental add-on seekers |
| CZ | ~EUR 139/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385 - EUR 885 | Health, dental | Comprehensive dental options |
| VGZ | ~EUR 140/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385 - EUR 885 | Health, dental | Well-known brand with extras |
| Interpolis | ~EUR 140/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385, EUR 885 | Health, home, liability, car | Bundling with home/car insurance |
| Zilveren Kruis | ~EUR 141/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385 - EUR 885 | Health, dental | Largest insurer, wide network |
| Centraal Beheer | ~EUR 142/month | EUR 385 | EUR 385, EUR 585, EUR 885 | Health, life, home, liability, car | Full household coverage |
If you live or work in the Netherlands, you must take out a basic health insurance policy (basisverzekering) within four months of registering with the municipality. This is not optional. The basic package is defined by the Dutch government, meaning every insurer covers the same essential medical treatments, including GP visits, hospital care, mental health services, and prescription medication.
The key variables for expats are the monthly premium, the mandatory deductible (eigen risico), the option to voluntarily raise your deductible for a lower premium, and the supplementary packages you can add on top. Supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) covers things like dental care, physiotherapy, and alternative medicine, and varies significantly between insurers.
As an expat, you can switch insurers once per year during the open enrolment period in November and December, effective 1 January. Insurers cannot refuse you for the basic package regardless of your health status.
Every adult policyholder pays a standard deductible of EUR 385 per year before the insurer covers certain costs. GP visits and maternity care are exempt from the deductible. Some insurers let you voluntarily increase your deductible up to EUR 885 in exchange for a lower monthly premium.
If you rarely visit specialists or need hospital care, raising your deductible can save you EUR 200 or more per year. However, if you anticipate medical expenses, keeping the standard EUR 385 is usually the safer choice.
Ditzo consistently offers one of the lowest basic premiums in the Netherlands at approximately EUR 131 per month. It is a no-frills, online-only insurer that keeps costs low by operating primarily through digital channels. Ditzo is part of the Achmea group, one of the largest insurance conglomerates in the Netherlands. Deductible options are limited to EUR 385 or EUR 885, with supplementary packages covering health, property, and travel.
Ditzo may suit expats who want the cheapest basic coverage and are comfortable managing everything online.
Unive charges approximately EUR 137 per month for basic coverage. What sets Unive apart is the breadth of its supplementary offerings, which span health, home, liability, travel, and car insurance. This makes it convenient for expats who want to bundle multiple insurance types with a single provider. Deductible options include EUR 385, EUR 585, and EUR 885.
OHRA offers basic health insurance from approximately EUR 136 per month with a straightforward approach. Founded in 1925, OHRA focuses on health and property insurance without extensive supplementary packages. Deductible options are EUR 385 or EUR 885.
Menzis charges approximately EUR 138 per month for the basic package. It offers supplementary dental and physiotherapy add-ons starting from around EUR 9 per month, making it popular among those who want dental coverage. Menzis provides a full range of deductible options from EUR 385 to EUR 885.
CZ has a basic premium of approximately EUR 139 per month. Founded in 1930, CZ is one of the largest health insurers in the Netherlands. It offers dental and physiotherapy add-ons from approximately EUR 8 per month. CZ provides flexible deductible options ranging from EUR 385 to EUR 885 in multiple increments.
VGZ charges approximately EUR 140 per month for the basic package. It provides dental supplementary options and a full spectrum of deductible choices from EUR 385 to EUR 885. VGZ is one of the four largest health insurance groups in the Netherlands and has a strong reputation for customer service.
Zilveren Kruis is the largest health insurer in the Netherlands by number of policyholders. The basic premium is approximately EUR 141 per month. Zilveren Kruis offers dental add-ons and a full range of deductible options. Its large network of contracted healthcare providers can be an advantage for expats who want maximum flexibility in choosing doctors and hospitals.
Centraal Beheer has a basic premium of approximately EUR 142 per month, placing it at the higher end. However, it offers one of the widest ranges of supplementary insurance types, covering health, life, home, liability, and car insurance. Founded in 1909, Centraal Beheer provides deductible options of EUR 385, EUR 585, and EUR 885.
| Insurer | Monthly premium | Annual cost | Savings vs highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ditzo | EUR 131 | EUR 1,572 | EUR 132/year |
| OHRA | EUR 136 | EUR 1,632 | EUR 72/year |
| Unive | EUR 137 | EUR 1,644 | EUR 60/year |
| Menzis | EUR 138 | EUR 1,656 | EUR 48/year |
| CZ | EUR 139 | EUR 1,668 | EUR 36/year |
| VGZ | EUR 140 | EUR 1,680 | EUR 24/year |
| Interpolis | EUR 140 | EUR 1,680 | EUR 24/year |
| Zilveren Kruis | EUR 141 | EUR 1,692 | EUR 12/year |
| Centraal Beheer | EUR 142 | EUR 1,704 | - |
Not all Dutch health insurers offer full English-language customer service. Larger insurers like Zilveren Kruis, CZ, and VGZ tend to have better English-language websites and support lines. Smaller or budget insurers like Ditzo and OHRA may have more limited English options.
Basic Dutch health insurance does not cover dental care for adults (only children under 18). If you want dental coverage, you need a supplementary package. CZ, Menzis, and VGZ all offer dedicated dental add-ons starting from EUR 8 to EUR 10 per month.
If your income is below a certain threshold, you may be eligible for a monthly healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the Dutch tax authority. This can offset a significant portion of your premium costs. Eligibility depends on your income and household situation, not on which insurer you choose.
You can switch your basic health insurance every year during the open enrolment period (November to December). Supplementary insurance may have acceptance conditions if you switch. It is generally easiest to switch both basic and supplementary coverage at the same time.
If your primary goal is the lowest monthly premium, Ditzo at approximately EUR 131 per month offers the most affordable basic coverage. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive insurer on this list is about EUR 11 per month, or EUR 132 per year.
If you want dental coverage included, CZ or Menzis provide competitively priced dental add-ons. If you prefer bundling your health insurance with home, car, or liability coverage under one provider, Centraal Beheer or Unive offer the widest range.
If you value the largest provider network and brand recognition, Zilveren Kruis is the market leader. For a balance of price and service, VGZ and CZ sit in the middle range with strong reputations.
After registering at your local municipality (gemeente) and receiving your BSN number, you have four months to take out basic health insurance. You can compare plans on the Capmap insurance comparison page and then sign up directly with the insurer of your choice. Most insurers allow online applications, though some may require a Dutch bank account.
This article is educational content, not financial advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Fees and features may change - verify current details on the platform's official website. Last verified: 2026-03-24.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Capmap.eu is an independent comparison platform - we do not provide personal recommendations. Always verify current fees, rates, and regulations with the provider or a qualified adviser before making financial decisions. Information was accurate at the time of writing but may have changed.
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Compare Centraal Beheer and CZ and Ditzo and Menzis and OHRA and Univé and VGZ and Zilveren KruisWritten by Capmap Editorial · Independent financial guides for expats in Europe.