Best health insurance in the Netherlands for expats (2026)

At a glance

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.

Quick comparison table

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

How Dutch health insurance works for expats

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.

The mandatory deductible (eigen risico)

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.

Insurer profiles

Ditzo - the budget option

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 - broad supplementary coverage

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 - simple and direct

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 - dental add-on specialist

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 - comprehensive dental options

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 - well-established with extras

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 - the market leader

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 - full household coverage

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.

Premium comparison table

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	-

What to consider as an expat

English-language support

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.

Dental and physiotherapy

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.

Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag)

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.

Switching insurers

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.

Which insurer may suit your situation

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.

How to sign up

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.

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Disclaimer

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.