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Yes, all Lifetti crisis guides and checklists are 100% free. Access them without creating an account. Premium services like English-speaking professional matching are optional.

Which countries does Lifetti cover?

Lifetti covers Spain, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Italy with country-specific crisis guides and bureaucracy checklists for expats.

Do I really have to pay €135/month myself, or does my employer pay?

You pay 100% yourself - Dutch employers do NOT contribute to health insurance, unlike most EU countries. All insurers charge ~€135/month for basic coverage. However, if your gross income is below ~€40,000/year, you qualify for zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) of €100-150/month from the government, reducing your net cost to just €20-35/month. This is a major benefit for low/medium earners.

What is eigen risico and why do I pay €385 on top of €135/month?

Eigen risico (own risk) is a mandatory annual deductible of €385. You pay the first €385 of healthcare costs yourself each year before insurance starts covering. Example: hospital visit costs €1,000. You pay €385, insurance pays €615. After you spend €385 in a year, insurance covers 100% the rest of the year. GP visits are FREE and do NOT count toward the €385. Resets January 1. You cannot opt out - it is mandatory for all adults.

Can I see a specialist directly or do I need a GP referral?

You MUST get a referral from your huisarts (GP) for all specialists, except emergencies. Dutch system uses GP as gatekeeper. Cannot just book specialist appointment yourself. Process: (1) register with huisarts, (2) visit huisarts with issue, (3) huisarts refers you to specialist if needed, (4) specialist visit covered by insurance (counts toward €385 eigen risico). GP visits are always FREE. This system keeps costs down but requires patience.

What happens if I don't get health insurance within 4 months?

Heavy fines: €130/month backdated to your arrival date if you miss the 4-month deadline. Example: if you register 8 months late, you owe €130 × 8 = €1,040 in fines PLUS all the insurance premiums you should have paid. CAK (health insurance enforcement agency) will track you down via BSN. No exceptions. Get insurance within first month to be safe. It is your legal responsibility, not your employer's.

Netherlands Expat: Healthcare Registration in Netherlands: Guide 2025

Quick Overview

Health insurance mandatory from day 1 in Netherlands. Choose from 10+ insurers (Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, CZ, Menzis) at ~€135/month basic (basisverzekering). Employer does NOT pay. Zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) available for low/medium income (€100-150/month back). Register with huisarts (GP) required.

Key Facts

Basic insurance cost

~€135/month (you pay 100%, not employer)

Mandatory deadline

4 months from arrival (heavy fines if late)

Own risk (eigen risico)

€385/year mandatory deductible

Zorgtoeslag allowance

€100-150/month if income <~€40k

Best insurers

Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, CZ, Menzis

GP registration

Required - cannot see doctors without huisarts

How It Works

Netherlands Expat: Healthcare Registration in Netherlands

Health insurance mandatory from day 1. Choose from 10+ insurers (all cover same basic package). Cost ~€135/month from your salary - employer does NOT pay. €385 own risk (deductible) per year. Apply for zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) if income qualifies - can reduce net cost to €20-35/month. Register with local huisarts (GP) after getting insurance. Get DigiD for online access to healthcare services.

Mandatory health insurance and registration process

Understand Dutch healthcare system

Learn how Dutch insurance works before choosing.

Research and compare health insurers

Choose best insurer for your situation.

Apply for health insurance

Apply for zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance)

Get government healthcare subsidy if eligible.

Understand eigen risico (own risk deductible)

Learn about mandatory €385 annual deductible.

Register with huisarts (GP)

Set up DigiD for online healthcare access

Digital identity for accessing health services online.

Netherlands Expat: Healthcare Registration Costs in Netherlands (2025)

Basic health insurance (basisverzekering)~€135/month

Paid by you, not employer

Eigen risico (own risk deductible)€385/year

Mandatory - paid when you use care

GP visits€0

Always free, not counted toward deductible

Zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance)-€100-150/month

If income <~€40k/year

Supplemental insurance (optional)€10-50/month

Dental, physio, glasses

Late enrollment fine€130/month

If uninsured beyond 4-month deadline

Total

€135/month (or €20-35/month net with zorgtoeslag) + €385/year deductible

Service	Cost	Notes
Basic health insurance (basisverzekering)	~€135/month	Paid by you, not employer
Eigen risico (own risk deductible)	€385/year	Mandatory - paid when you use care
GP visits	€0	Always free, not counted toward deductible
Zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance)	-€100-150/month	If income <~€40k/year
Supplemental insurance (optional)	€10-50/month	Dental, physio, glasses
Late enrollment fine	€130/month	If uninsured beyond 4-month deadline
Total estimate	€135/month (or €20-35/month net with zorgtoeslag) + €385/year deductible

*Unlike most EU countries, Dutch employers do NOT contribute to health insurance - you pay 100% yourself (~€135/month). However, zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) for low/medium income reduces net cost to €20-35/month. GP visits always free. €385 own risk annual deductible applies to hospital/specialist care. Mandatory to have insurance within 4 months or face €130/month fines. Prices current as of January 2025.

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