KNM: Healthcare System In-Depth
Health insurance (zorgverzekering) is mandatory for people who live or work in the Netherlands. The basic package (basispakket) covers essential care. In...
Health insurance (zorgverzekering) is mandatory for people who live or work in the Netherlands. The basic package (basispakket) covers essential care. In 2026, adults pay a mandatory 'eigen risico' (deductible) of €385 for most care from the basic package, but huisarts care does not count toward this deductible. The huisarts remains your first point of contact for health issues.
| English | Dutch | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Basic package | Basispakket | Mandatory coverage, same for all |
| Supplementary insurance | Aanvullende verzekering | Optional, e.g., dental, physio |
| Deductible | Eigen risico | €385 in 2026 for most basic-package care |
| Premium | Premie | Monthly payment for insurance |
| GP/Family doctor | Huisarts | Gatekeeper to specialists |
| Referral letter | Verwijsbrief | Needed to see a specialist |
| Care Point | Dutch | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | Apotheek | Medicines and prescriptions from your doctor |
| Out-of-hours GP | Huisartsenpost | Urgent care in the evening, night, or weekend; call first |
| Specialist | Specialist | Hospital doctor, usually after a GP referral |
| Hospital | Ziekenhuis | Specialist care, operations, and emergency care |
| Dentist | Tandarts | Dental care; adult dental care is often extra insurance |
| Home care | Thuiszorg | Nursing or practical care at home |
| Practical Situation | Dutch | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Make or cancel appointment | Afspraak maken / afzeggen | Call the practice; cancel on time, often at least 24 hours before |
| Language help | Tolk / taalhulp | Ask for help if you cannot explain your health problem well |
| Telephone consultation | Telefonisch spreekuur | Many GP practices answer short medical questions by phone |
| Medicine label | Etiket en bijsluiter | Read how often to take medicine and how to store it |
| Hospital department | Polikliniek | Outpatient department for specialist appointments |
| Emergency | Spoedeisende hulp / 112 | Use 112 for life-threatening emergencies; for urgent but non-life-threatening problems call the GP or huisartsenpost first |
| Public health service | GGD | Public health, vaccinations, infectious disease information, and youth health |
| Pay and claim back | Declareren | Sometimes you pay first and claim the money back from your insurer |
| Organ donation choice | Donorregister | You choose yourself whether you want to be an organ donor |
Examples
- Hoeveel is je eigen risico?
- How much is your deductible?
- Mijn eigen risico is €385.
- My deductible is €385.
- Ik heb een verwijsbrief nodig.
- I need a referral letter.
- Heb je een aanvullende verzekering?
- Do you have supplementary insurance?
- Ik kies zelf of ik orgaandonor wil zijn.
- I choose myself whether I want to be an organ donor.
- Je kunt je keuze invullen in het Donorregister.
- You can enter your choice in the Donor Register.
Study note
Compare health insurance every year in November/December for the next calendar year. The basic package is set by the government, so compare insurers on price, service, and extra coverage. Students, low-income workers, and seniors may qualify for zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance). For organ donation, you make your own choice in the Donorregister.
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