Health insurance

The health care system in The Netherlands has changed drastically in January 2007. Every Dutch citizen is obliged to have a "Basisverzekering" (basic health insurance).

If you pay taxes, and you are registered with the gemeente you need to take out a basic health insurance from the date your work contract starts.

The basis insurance is mandatory. If you don't take it out from the start you will have to pay the premium over the months that have passed already. It is important to arrange this insurance as soon as you arrive in The Netherlands, even if you are still covered on a different international insurance policy.

As an addition to the "basisverzekering" you can choose for different types of supplamentary cover. For example cover for dental care, physiotherapy or a single room in the hospital.