Health insurance Netherlands 2026: expat comparison
VinkVink €142,40 cheapest · Univé · FBTO · ASR · Menzis · UnitedConsumers
Health insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands for all residents, including expats. The basic package (basisverzekering) is identical by law at every insurer - the only difference is the monthly premium and service quality. You must register within 4 months of arriving or face fines up to €1,584. See the full background in our health insurance guide. Want to filter by eigen risico level, dental and buitenland add-ons and see your live monthly total? Use our interactive health insurance comparison tool.
2026 key facts before you choose
(VinkVink basic)
(same at every insurer)
(if income qualifies)
What is the same at every insurer
- Basic package coverage (GP visits, hospital care, specialist referrals, medications)
- €385 eigen risico (deductible) - set by Dutch law, not the insurer
- GP visits always free (not part of eigen risico)
- All insurers must accept you - no medical underwriting for basic package
- Annual switching window: 1 Nov - 31 Dec, effective 1 Jan
Quick picks: our affiliate partners
All accept expats. All offer the same mandatory basic package. Click to check current premiums and supplementary options.
VinkVink
Digital-first · Menzis subsidiary
Basisverzekering. Chat-only support, no phone. Fully app-based. Backed by Menzis.
- ✓ Cheapest basic premium in our stack
- ✓ Clean app, easy online management
- ✓ Aanvullend Buitenland from €1,94/mo
- ⚠ No phone support
Univé
Member cooperative · Strong aanvullend
Basisverzekering. Well-established Dutch insurer with good supplementary packages.
- ✓ Competitive basic premium
- ✓ Strong aanvullend options
- ✓ Phone and online support
- ✓ Long-established Dutch insurer
FBTO
Direct insurer · Good service
Basisverzekering. Part of Achmea group. Good for expats needing reliable phone support.
- ✓ Part of large Achmea group
- ✓ Good customer service reputation
- ✓ Online and phone support
- ✓ Solid aanvullend packages
ASR Zorg
Large insurer · Broad coverage
Basisverzekering. One of the Netherlands' largest insurers. Good for expats wanting a full-service insurer.
- ✓ Large, established Dutch insurer
- ✓ Broad supplementary options
- ✓ Phone and online support
- ✓ Also offers car and home insurance
Menzis
Member cooperative · Multiple tiers
Basis Voordelig. Also offers Basis (€156,25) and Basis Vrij (€175,75). Dutch phone support only.
- ✓ Member-owned cooperative
- ✓ Multiple premium tiers to choose from
- ✓ Strong reputation in the Netherlands
- ⚠ Dutch phone support only
UnitedConsumers
Member cooperative · Also energy
Member cooperative offering health insurance alongside energy contracts. Competitive pricing.
- ✓ Competitive basic premium
- ✓ Also covers energy (gas + electricity)
- ✓ Member-owned, not profit-driven
- ✓ Bundle health and energy
Affiliate links. No extra cost to you. Keeps our expat guides free.
Quick comparison: all providers 2026
| Insurer | Basic premium | English support | Phone support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VinkVink | €142,40 | Limited | No (chat only) | Budget, digital-first |
| Univé | €147,40 | Limited | Yes | Price + good aanvullend |
| UnitedConsumers | €147,40 | Limited | Yes | Bundle with energy |
| FBTO | €148,75 | Limited | Yes | Reliable service |
| ASR Zorg | €149,80 | Limited | Yes | Full-service insurer |
| Menzis | €151,25 | Limited | Dutch only | Multiple tiers, cooperative |
Prices are 2026 basisverzekering monthly premiums. Eigen risico €385 applies at all insurers. Zorgtoeslag may reduce your effective cost significantly.
The bottom line
On a tight budget: VinkVink at €142,40/month is the cheapest option in the Netherlands. The trade-off is chat-only support and a fully Dutch app, but it is financially backed by Menzis and fully regulated.
For a balance of price and service: Univé (€147,40) and FBTO (€148,75) both offer phone support with competitive premiums. FBTO's Achmea backing gives added peace of mind.
If you also need energy: UnitedConsumers (€147,40) matches Univé's price and lets you manage health insurance and gas/electricity in one place as a member cooperative.
If you want dental add-ons: All six offer tandarts supplementary coverage. Compare the aanvullend options on each insurer's website as prices and coverage vary significantly.
Compare all insurers including non-affiliates
The six insurers above are our affiliate partners. If you want to compare all Dutch health insurers in one overview (including Zilveren Kruis, CZ, Zorg en Zekerheid and others), use the independent comparison tool below.
Compare all Dutch health insurersAffiliate link. No extra cost to you.
VinkVink: cheapest basic insurance, digital-first
Official website: vinkvink.nl (affiliate link)
VinkVink is a digital-only health insurer and subsidiary of Menzis. It launched to target younger, app-savvy customers who rarely need customer support. At €142,40/month it is the cheapest basisverzekering in our affiliate stack. The downside: there is no phone line. All contact goes through chat or the online portal.
2026 premiums
- • Basisverzekering: €142,40/month
- • Aanvullend Buitenland + Tandongeval: €1,94/mo
- • Tand aanvullend: €14,45/mo
- • Eigen risico: €385 (standard)
Key details
- • Chat and online portal only (no phone)
- • Fully app-based management
- • Backed by Menzis (regulated, financially stable)
- • Dutch interface (limited English)
Who should choose VinkVink?
Expats comfortable with Dutch digital interfaces who rarely need to call their insurer. If you are generally healthy, digitally confident, and want to minimize your monthly premium, VinkVink is the clear price leader. Not suitable if you anticipate needing frequent customer support or prefer phone contact.
Affiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Univé: competitive price, strong supplementary coverage
Official website: unive.nl (affiliate link)
Univé is a member-owned Dutch cooperative insurer offering health, car, and home insurance. At €147,40/month for the basic package it sits at the competitive low end of the market, while offering phone support and a well-regarded aanvullend (supplementary) range. A good all-round choice for expats who want price and service.
2026 premiums
- • Basisverzekering: €147,40/month
- • Various aanvullend tiers available
- • Eigen risico: €385 (standard)
Key details
- • Phone and online support
- • Member-owned cooperative
- • Also offers car insurance
- • Dutch website
Who should choose Univé?
Expats who want a low premium with phone support, or who plan to add supplementary coverage (dental, physiotherapy). Also a convenient choice if you want to bundle health and car insurance with one Dutch cooperative insurer.
Affiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
FBTO: reliable service, Achmea group backing
Official website: fbto.nl (affiliate link)
FBTO is part of the Achmea group, the Netherlands' largest insurance group. At €148,75/month for the basic package, it sits in the competitive range and benefits from the financial stability and service infrastructure of a major insurer. FBTO is direct-only (no intermediaries), keeping costs low.
2026 premiums
- • Basisverzekering: €148,75/month
- • Aanvullend packages available
- • Eigen risico: €385 (standard)
Key details
- • Part of Achmea (largest Dutch insurer group)
- • Direct insurer (no intermediaries)
- • Phone and online support
- • Good customer service reputation
Who should choose FBTO?
Expats who value a large, financially stable insurer with direct customer service. FBTO strikes a balance between competitive pricing and the reassurance of Achmea group backing. Good for those new to Dutch healthcare who want responsive support during the adjustment period.
Affiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
ASR Zorg: full-service insurer, broad coverage options
Official website: asr.nl (affiliate link)
ASR is one of the Netherlands' largest insurance companies, offering health, car, home, and life insurance. At €149,80/month for the basic health package, ASR is competitive and brings the advantage of being a complete insurer -useful if you want to manage multiple insurance types under one roof.
2026 premiums
- • Basisverzekering: €149,80/month
- • Aanvullend packages available
- • Eigen risico: €385 (standard)
Key details
- • One of Netherlands' largest insurers
- • Also offers car and home insurance
- • Phone and online support
- • Broad supplementary options
Who should choose ASR?
Expats who want a full-service Dutch insurer and may also need car or home insurance. Useful if you want to consolidate insurance products with a single large provider. Also a good choice for expats buying a car -see our car insurance comparison guide.
Affiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Menzis: member cooperative, multiple premium tiers
Official website: menzis.nl (affiliate link)
Menzis is a member-owned cooperative health insurer and one of the larger Dutch players. It offers three tiers of basic coverage at different price points. Phone support is Dutch-only, so this is better suited to expats who can navigate some Dutch or who primarily manage their insurance online. Menzis is also the parent company of VinkVink.
2026 premiums
- • Basis Voordelig: €151,25/month
- • Basis: €156,25/month
- • Basis Vrij: €175,75/month
- • Eigen risico: €385 (standard)
Key details
- • Member-owned cooperative
- • Phone: Dutch only (088-222 40 40)
- • Online portal available
- • Parent company of VinkVink
Basis Voordelig vs Basis vs Basis Vrij
The three tiers differ in flexibility of care. Basis Voordelig (cheapest) has more contracted-care restrictions. Basis Vrij (most expensive) gives you free choice of any healthcare provider in the Netherlands without referral constraints. For most expats, Basis Voordelig is sufficient.
Affiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
UnitedConsumers: health insurance and energy in one
Official website: unitedconsumers.com (affiliate link)
UnitedConsumers is a Dutch member cooperative offering health insurance, energy contracts (gas and electricity), and car insurance. At €147,40/month for the basic health package it matches Univé's price. The appeal for expats is consolidating both health insurance and energy supply under one cooperative membership, potentially simplifying your Dutch admin.
2026 premiums
- • Basisverzekering: €147,40/month
- • Aanvullend packages available
- • Also offers energy contracts
- • Eigen risico: €385 (standard)
Key details
- • Member-owned cooperative
- • Health + energy + car in one place
- • Phone and online support
- • No product deep links -use homepage URL
Who should choose UnitedConsumers?
Expats who want to simplify their Dutch admin by managing health insurance and energy with one provider. The cooperative model means no profit motive -savings are returned to members. Also worth considering if you need energy provider comparison alongside health insurance.
Affiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Zorgtoeslag: reduce your effective premium by up to €131/month
If your income is below €41,163 (single) or €51,630 (couple) in 2026, you qualify for zorgtoeslag -a monthly healthcare allowance from the Dutch government paid directly to your bank account.
| Household | Max allowance/month | Income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Single person | €131/month | Below €41,163/yr |
| Couple / household | €250/month | Below €51,630/yr combined |
How to apply
Apply via Mijn Toeslagen on the Belastingdienst website. You need a DigiD login. Apply as soon as you register in the Netherlands -zorgtoeslag can be claimed retroactively for the current year but not previous years. See our tax allowances and benefits guide for full eligibility details and asset limits.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Dutch health insurance for expats
Is health insurance mandatory in the Netherlands?
Yes. Health insurance (zorgverzekering) is mandatory for all residents including expats. You must register within 4 months of arriving. Failing to do so results in fines of €528 per violation (up to €1,584 total), after which the government (CAK) forcibly enrolls you in expensive insurance retroactively.
Are all Dutch health insurance packages the same?
The basic package (basisverzekering) is identical by law at every insurer. The same treatments, medications, and GP visits are covered regardless of which insurer you choose. The only differences are the monthly premium, supplementary (aanvullend) coverage options, and quality of customer service.
What is the eigen risico (deductible) in 2026?
The eigen risico is €385 per year in 2026, unchanged from 2025. This is the amount you pay yourself before your insurer covers costs. GP visits (huisarts) are exempt - those are always free. You can voluntarily raise your eigen risico to €885 for a lower premium, but this only makes sense if you rarely use healthcare.
Can I get zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance)?
Yes if your income is below €41,163 (single) or €51,630 (couple) in 2026. Maximum zorgtoeslag is €131/month for singles, €250/month for couples. Apply via the Belastingdienst (Tax Authority) website. Asset limits also apply: €145,586 singles, €184,095 couples. Most expats on average salaries qualify.
Which insurer is best for expats?
For price: VinkVink (€142,40/mo) and Univé (€147,40/mo) are cheapest. For English support: FBTO and ASR have better international service. For supplementary coverage: Menzis and Univé have strong aanvullend packages. For digital simplicity: VinkVink (chat-only, app-first). All accept expats without restriction.
What is aanvullende verzekering (supplementary insurance)?
Supplementary packages cover treatments not in the basic package: dental care (tandarts), physiotherapy (fysiotherapie), glasses/contact lenses, travel vaccination, and more. Costs range from under €5/month (minimal) to €50+/month (comprehensive). Dental care is the most common reason expats add supplementary coverage.
Can I switch health insurer in the Netherlands?
Yes, once per year. The switching window is 1 November to 31 December, with the new contract starting 1 January. You can cancel your current insurer up to 31 December and your new insurer takes over seamlessly. No gaps in coverage are allowed by law.
Do I need a Dutch bank account to sign up?
Yes. All Dutch health insurers require a Dutch bank account (IBAN) for direct debit. Set up a Dutch bank account first - see our Dutch banking guide. Some insurers may accept an initial payment while you arrange this, but a Dutch IBAN is required for ongoing monthly payments.
What documents do I need to sign up?
You need: valid passport or EU ID card, BSN (Burger Service Nummer), Dutch address, and Dutch bank account (IBAN). Non-EU residents also need a valid residence permit. Your BSN is obtained from your local municipality (gemeente) when you register your address.
What is VinkVink and is it reliable?
VinkVink is a digital-first health insurer and subsidiary of Menzis (one of the largest Dutch health insurers). It offers the cheapest basic premium (€142,40/month) with a fully online/app-based model. Support is chat-only (no phone). Financially backed by Menzis, it is fully regulated and reliable - just not suitable if you prefer phone support.
Should I raise my eigen risico to save on my monthly premium?
It depends on how much healthcare you expect to use. At €885 eigen risico, Univé and UnitedConsumers save you €22/month compared to the mandatory €385 minimum. But you pay an extra €500 out-of-pocket if you need care. The break-even point is roughly: if you use less than €500 of non-GP care per year, a higher eigen risico saves money. Expats in good health who rarely see specialists often benefit. GP visits are always free regardless of eigen risico level.
Which insurer gives the biggest eigen risico discount?
Univé and UnitedConsumers give the largest discount: €22/month lower premium at €885 eigen risico compared to €385. Menzis saves €17,50/month at €885 but gives no discount at intermediate levels (€485, €585, €685). VinkVink gives the smallest discount: only €5/month at €885. FBTO only offers two voluntary tiers (+€200 and +€500), not the full four.
Do I need buitenland (worldwide) coverage as an expat?
Yes, for most expats. The basic basisverzekering only covers emergency care within the EU at the local rate. If you visit family outside the EU, travel for work, or want full worldwide emergency coverage, you need a buitenland add-on. It costs between €1,50/month (ASR) and €2,95/month (Univé) - one of the cheapest add-ons available. UnitedConsumers bundles buitenland together with physiotherapy in their ZorgZeker 1 package at €4,50/month total.
Is dental care covered by Dutch basic health insurance?
No. Dental care (tandarts) is not included in the basic basisverzekering for adults. You pay all dental costs out-of-pocket unless you add a supplementary dental package. Basic dental add-ons cost between €5,75/month (FBTO) and €14,45/month (VinkVink, which includes €10,000 accident cover). They typically cover 1-2 annual check-ups, basic cleaning, and simple fillings, but not crowns, implants, or orthodontics.
Can I filter health insurers by eigen risico and add-ons to see the total?
Yes - use our interactive health insurance comparison tool at nlcompass.com/tools/health-insurance-comparison. You can select your eigen risico level (€385 to €885), tick dental, physiotherapy and buitenland add-ons, and the tool shows the real monthly total per insurer live. Prices are sourced from official insurer pages for 2026.