November brings the annual opportunity to review your Dutch health insurance. With household budgets under pressure and healthcare costs rising, checking your policy could make a worthwhile difference. It is also a chance to review what your insurance covers before you need treatment.
Insurers must publish their premiums and policy conditions for 2027 by 12 November. The full picture is therefore still emerging. However, the government has already announced changes that will help you prepare.
What will healthcare cost in 2027?
The government’s current estimate puts the average basic health insurance premium at €169 per month, an increase of €12.50. This is a national estimate: the amount you actually pay will depend on your insurer and chosen policy.
The compulsory annual deductible, or eigen risico, will rise from €385 to €400. This is the amount adults pay towards healthcare subject to the deductible before their insurer pays the remaining covered costs. It comes on top of monthly premiums. A voluntary higher deductible may reduce your premium. Choose this only if you can comfortably pay the extra amount after an unexpected illness or accident.
To offset healthcare costs, the government offers healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) for those on lower incomes. Eligibility depends on factors including income and assets, and those of any benefits partner. Keep your details updated with Dienst Toeslagen to reduce the risk of having to repay an overpayment. The maximum allowance for eligible single households is set to increase to €140 per month.
Understand the various charges
A visit to your GP does not count towards the compulsory deductible. However, blood tests, prescription medicines or hospital treatment following a referral may do so. Do not assume everything arranged through your GP is exempt.
The deductible is also different from an eigen bijdrage: a statutory patient contribution charged for certain services or medicines. When budgeting, therefore, look beyond your monthly premium and consider which additional costs you might face.
Check your providers
The government determines the basic insurance package, but policies differ in how care is arranged and reimbursed. A cheaper premium can come with more restrictions on your choice of provider.
Before renewing, check whether your preferred hospital, clinic and other healthcare providers have contracts with the insurer for 2027. If you use a provider without a contract, you may have to pay part of the bill yourself. Check the reimbursement conditions carefully, particularly if you already receive specialist or mental healthcare. Even if you stay with your current insurer, provider agreements and policy conditions may change.
Choose extras carefully
Supplementary insurance is optional. It can help with expenses such as adult dental treatment or physiotherapy that are not covered, or only partly covered, by basic insurance.Compare the annual premium with the treatment you realistically expect to use. Check reimbursement limits, the number of sessions covered and any acceptance conditions. Insurers must accept eligible applicants for basic insurance regardless of their health, but different rules can apply to supplementary cover.
Think internationally
If you regularly visit family abroad, check your overseas medical cover. Basic insurance may leave a gap between reimbursement and the amount charged abroad. Repatriation can require additional cover. Compare supplementary health insurance and travel insurance to understand where protection is missing or duplicated.
English-language customer service and straightforward claims procedures are also useful considerations when comparing insurance companies.
Check financial support and act on time
To switch insurers, cancel your existing basic policy by 31 December 2026. If you arrange a new policy by that date, your new insurer can handle cancellation. After this date, you have until 31 January 2027 to change to a new insurer, backdated to 1 January.
Use November to compare, and December to decide.