Dutch Health Insurance (Zorgverzekering)
The Dutch health insurance system differs sharply from Korea's: it is a privately administered, mandatory model. Every resident (in principle, anyone aged 18+ with a BSN) is required under the Zorgverzekeringswet (Health Insurance Act, Zvw) to buy a basic health insurance policy (basisverzekering) directly from a private insurer (Zilveren Kruis, CZ, Menzis, VGZ, etc.). Because the government sets the standard coverage (basispakket) by law each year, premiums vary between insurers but the core benefits are identical.
Premium and deductible
- Monthly premium averages around €140–150/month (2024), typically falling between €130 and €175 depending on the insurer and policy.
- The eigen risico (annual deductible) is €385 (2024). You pay the first €385 of medical costs in a calendar year out of pocket, after which the insurer takes over. Visits to your GP (huisarts), antenatal care, and certain chronic-illness programs are exempt from the deductible.
- Aanvullende verzekering (top-up cover for dental, physiotherapy, travel, etc.) is optional and carries a separate premium.
Subsidy (Zorgtoeslag)
A health-insurance subsidy called zorgtoeslag is paid to lower- and middle-income households. As of 2024 a single person earning up to roughly €37,000/year is eligible, and the maximum benefit is around €120–130/month. You apply through Belastingdienst/Toeslagen using your BSN and DigiD.
Huisarts gatekeeper system
Like the UK NHS, the Netherlands uses the GP (huisarts) as the first-line gatekeeper. Outside emergencies you cannot see a specialist or visit a hospital directly — your huisarts must issue a referral letter (verwijsbrief). Huisarts visits are excluded from the deductible, so they are effectively free. It is generally recommended to register (inschrijven) with a local huisarts soon after arrival.
What Koreans often miss
- If you don't take out health insurance within roughly four months of arrival, the CAK (Central Administrative Office) typically auto-enrols you and may impose a fine.
- Students: EU/EEA students are partly covered by the EHIC, but non-EU students typically take out a separate private or student-specific policy (e.g. AON Student Insurance). Check your school's guidance.
- Under the Korea–Netherlands social security agreement, short-term posted workers may in some cases keep their Korean health coverage. Confirm with both SVB and Korea's National Health Insurance Service before you arrive.
Official guidance: government.nl: Health insurance, Zorgverzekeringslijn, Belastingdienst Toeslagen