Menzis vs VinkVink 2026
Dutch health insurance: cooperative with phone support vs digital-only subsidiary
VinkVink and Menzis are the same company. VinkVink is Menzis's fully owned digital brand, backed by the same cooperative and the same insurance licence. The basisverzekering (basic package) is identical by Dutch law at both. What differs: VinkVink costs €142.40/month, Menzis Basis Voordelig costs €151.25/month, and the support model is completely different. This guide explains exactly what you give up for the €8.85/month saving, and which one is right for your situation as an expat.
For a broader comparison across all Dutch insurers, see the full health insurance comparison. For the registration process and what Dutch health insurance actually covers, see the health insurance for expats guide. You must register within 4 months of arriving in the Netherlands or face backdated premiums and fines.
Both Menzis and VinkVink are eligible for zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance), up to €1,572/year for single adults in 2026. The allowance applies identically regardless of which brand you choose. You will need your BSN number to register with either insurer.
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Table of contents
Quick verdict
VinkVink
€142.40/mo
- Cheapest basic premium in the market
- Identical basisverzekering coverage
- Backed by Menzis cooperative
- Chat-only support, Dutch only
- Limited aanvullend options
Menzis
€151.25/mo
- Phone support Mon-Fri 8:00-18:00
- Broader aanvullend package range
- Better abroad coverage options
- €8.85/mo more expensive than VinkVink
- Phone support Dutch-primary
Bottom line: If you are digitally confident and comfortable reading Dutch, VinkVink saves €106/year for identical medical coverage. If you anticipate needing phone support, have a complex medical situation, or want more aanvullend options, Menzis is worth the extra €8.85/month. The medical access and quality of care is the same either way.
Price comparison
The eigen risico (annual deductible) is €385 in 2026 at both insurers, set by the Dutch government and identical across the entire market. You pay this amount yourself each calendar year before your insurer covers most costs. GP visits, maternity care and management of chronic conditions registered with your GP are exempt from the eigen risico.
| Product | VinkVink | Menzis |
|---|---|---|
| Basisverzekering (standard) | €142.40/mo | €151.25/mo (Basis Voordelig) |
| Basisverzekering (standard tier) | Only one basic tier | €156.25/mo (Basis) |
| Basisverzekering (free choice) | N/A | €175.75/mo (Basis Vrij) |
| Eigen risico (mandatory) | €385/year | €385/year |
| Maximum voluntary eigen risico | €885/year | €885/year |
| Annual saving vs each other | Save €106/year vs Menzis Basis Voordelig | €106/year more than VinkVink |
Menzis has three basic tiers. Basis Voordelig (€151.25) means you must use contracted care providers (the insurer has negotiated preferred rates with specific hospitals and GPs). Basis Vrij (€175.75) lets you go to any provider. Most expats on Basis Voordelig never notice the difference in practice, but if you have a preferred specialist or hospital, verify they are contracted before choosing Basis Voordelig.
Support and English service
This is the most important practical difference for expats. Both insurers operate primarily in Dutch, but the channels available are completely different.
VinkVink support
- Chat support (online, within app)
- Clear digital app and portal
- No phone number (chat only)
- Dutch language only
- No branches or in-person service
Menzis support
- Phone: 088-222 40 40, Mon-Fri 8:00-18:00
- Online portal and app
- Chat also available
- Phone primarily in Dutch
- English possible but not guaranteed
Practical reality: Most routine insurance interactions (submitting a claim, checking reimbursement status, updating your address) are straightforward in a Dutch-language app even if your Dutch is limited. The situations where you genuinely need phone support in English are less common than they feel when you first arrive. That said, if you have a complex health situation or anticipate frequent contact with your insurer, Menzis's phone option is meaningfully better.
Aanvullend packages
The basisverzekering does not cover adult dental treatment, most physiotherapy sessions, or non-emergency care abroad. For these, you need an aanvullend (supplementary) package on top of the basic premium. This is where Menzis and VinkVink diverge most clearly.
VinkVink aanvullend options
VinkVink offers a deliberately simple add-on range:
| Package | Monthly cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Aanvullend Buitenland + Tandongeval | €1.94/mo | Emergency abroad cover + accidental dental damage |
| Tand (dental) | €14.45/mo | Routine dental checkups, fillings, extractions up to annual cap |
Menzis aanvullend options
Menzis offers a tiered range with more granular choices for physiotherapy, dental, and abroad coverage:
| Package tier | Dental coverage | Physio sessions | Abroad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aanvullend 1 | Basic (accidental + check-up) | 9 sessions | Emergency EU |
| Aanvullend 2 | Extended (treatments included) | 18 sessions | Worldwide emergency |
| Aanvullend 3 | Comprehensive (crowns, ortho) | Unlimited | Worldwide comprehensive |
Important for expats: Adult dental care is not covered at all by the basisverzekering at any Dutch insurer. If you want dental coverage, you must add an aanvullend dental package. Routine checkups in the Netherlands run €30-60 per visit, and a filling can cost €100-200 without insurance.
If you need physiotherapy, only the first 9-18 sessions per year (depending on package) are covered by aanvullend. The basic package alone covers zero physiotherapy sessions. Check the Dutch healthcare in practice guide for how the referral system works.
Abroad coverage
The basisverzekering covers emergency care abroad, but only up to what the same treatment would cost in the Netherlands (often far below the actual cost in countries like the US, UK or Australia). Within the EU, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers emergency care at local insured rates, which is usually adequate.
VinkVink abroad
- EHIC coverage within EU (standard)
- Aanvullend Buitenland add-on at €1.94/mo
- Basic abroad package, limited outside EU
- No comprehensive worldwide tier available
Menzis abroad
- EHIC coverage within EU (standard)
- Worldwide emergency available (Aanvullend 2)
- Comprehensive worldwide option (Aanvullend 3)
- Better for frequent non-EU travellers
Expats who regularly visit family outside the EU, or who travel for work to countries like the US, Canada, or Asia, should seriously consider Menzis for its broader abroad aanvullend options. VinkVink's €1.94/mo abroad add-on is adequate for occasional EU holidays but not sufficient for frequent non-EU travel.
Who should choose VinkVink
- You are comfortable reading Dutch (all communications, the app, and chat support are in Dutch).
- You are generally healthy and do not anticipate frequent contact with your insurer.
- You mainly need standard GP and hospital coverage, not extensive aanvullend packages.
- You primarily travel within the EU and the basic EHIC coverage is sufficient.
- You want the lowest possible monthly premium. €142.40 is the cheapest in the Dutch market.
- You are comfortable with digital-only service and do not need a phone number to fall back on.
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Who should choose Menzis
- You anticipate needing phone support for complex medical situations, claim disputes, or queries you cannot resolve by chat.
- You travel frequently outside the EU and need comprehensive worldwide abroad coverage.
- You want a broader range of aanvullend packages, particularly for physiotherapy or comprehensive dental.
- You have a complex health situation or ongoing treatment with a specific specialist. Verify they are in the Basis Voordelig contracted network.
- You prefer Menzis Basis Vrij (€175.75/mo) for complete freedom to choose any provider without referral constraints.
- You value the cooperative structure and want to be part of a member-owned insurer rather than a purely digital brand.
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Frequently asked questions
Is VinkVink really the same company as Menzis?
Yes. VinkVink is a fully owned digital subsidiary of Menzis, operating under the same insurance licence and backed by the same cooperative. The basisverzekering is identical by law at both brands. The differences are the monthly premium (VinkVink €142.40, Menzis Basis Voordelig €151.25), the support model (VinkVink chat-only, Menzis phone Monday to Friday), and the aanvullend packages available on top.
Why is VinkVink cheaper than Menzis if they are the same company?
VinkVink operates with lower overheads because it has no phone support team, no branches, and a fully automated digital onboarding process. Those cost savings are passed on as a lower premium. The basic coverage is identical - the €8.85 monthly saving is purely a reflection of the cheaper operating model, not lower coverage.
Does VinkVink offer any English-language support?
No. VinkVink is chat-only and Dutch-only. The website, app, and chat support all operate in Dutch. If you need to communicate in English, Menzis by phone is marginally better, but still primarily Dutch. For expats who are not comfortable reading Dutch, neither Menzis nor VinkVink is ideal for complex queries. FBTO and ASR tend to handle English better in practice.
Can I switch from Menzis to VinkVink mid-year?
No. Dutch law allows switching health insurers only once per year. The deadline is 31 December each year, and your new policy starts 1 January of the following year. Switching between Menzis and VinkVink follows the same rule, even though they are the same corporate family. You cannot switch mid-year regardless of which insurer you are with.
What aanvullend packages does VinkVink offer?
VinkVink offers a limited aanvullend range compared to Menzis. The main add-ons are Aanvullend Buitenland and Tandongeval (abroad and accidental dental) at €1.94/mo, and Tand (broader dental coverage) at €14.45/mo. Menzis offers more tiers of supplementary cover including physiotherapy, extended dental, and broader abroad packages. If you need comprehensive aanvullend, Menzis has more options.
Which is better for expats who travel frequently?
Menzis has broader abroad (buitenland) aanvullend packages that cover more treatments outside the Netherlands and at higher reimbursement rates. VinkVink's Aanvullend Buitenland is very basic at €1.94/mo and covers mainly emergency situations. If you regularly travel outside the EU or need comprehensive worldwide coverage, Menzis's higher-tier aanvullend or a dedicated travel insurance is the better choice.
Does Menzis cover dental treatment?
Not in the basisverzekering. Adult dental care is not covered by Dutch basic health insurance at any insurer. Menzis offers dental aanvullend packages starting from around €14-18/mo that cover routine checkups, fillings and extractions up to an annual cap. VinkVink offers a Tand aanvullend at €14.45/mo. Both require you to add the dental package separately from the basic premium.
What is the eigen risico and is it the same at both?
The eigen risico (annual deductible) is set by Dutch law at €385 in 2026, identical at every insurer including both Menzis and VinkVink. You pay this amount yourself each calendar year before your insurer covers most costs. GP visits, maternity care and some chronic condition management are exempt. You can voluntarily raise the eigen risico to up to €885 to reduce your monthly premium by roughly €12-18 per €100 increase.
Which should a new expat choose: Menzis or VinkVink?
For digitally confident expats comfortable reading Dutch, VinkVink saves €8.85 per month (€106/year) for identical basic coverage. That is a meaningful saving with no reduction in medical access. For expats who anticipate needing phone support, have complex health situations, or want broader aanvullend options, Menzis is the better fit. The worst outcome is being with VinkVink and needing urgent Dutch-language phone support you cannot use.
Can I get zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) with VinkVink or Menzis?
Yes. Zorgtoeslag eligibility depends on your income and household situation, not your insurer. In 2026 single adults can receive up to €1,572/year and couples up to €2,988/year if their income is below the threshold (roughly €38,000 single, €49,000 couple). You apply via Belastingdienst (Tax Authority) regardless of which insurer you choose. The allowance applies equally to Menzis and VinkVink.
Related health insurance guides
Everything you need to navigate Dutch health insurance as an expat.