As an international student in the Netherlands, you are required to arrange your own health insurance. The Dutch healthcare system does not automatically cover you, and whether you need a Dutch health insurance policy (called zorgverzekering) depends on whether you are working alongside your studies. Understanding the system before you arrive saves both money and stress when you actually need medical care.
The sections below walk through the most important questions about Dutch healthcare for international students, from insurance requirements and BSN registration to GP visits and emergency care.
Do international students need health insurance in the Netherlands?
Whether international students need Dutch health insurance depends on their employment status. Students who are not employed in the Netherlands are not legally required to take out a Dutch zorgverzekering, but they must still have valid health coverage. Students who work more than eight hours per week are legally required to take out Dutch basic health insurance.
For most international students who are not working, the practical options are:
- Remain on a home country policy if it provides sufficient coverage in the Netherlands (check this carefully with your insurer before you travel).
- Take out an international student health insurance plan, which is often the most straightforward solution for non-EU students.
- Take out Dutch basic health insurance voluntarily, which gives you full access to the Dutch healthcare network on equal terms with Dutch residents.
EU and EEA students can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medically necessary care, but the EHIC is not designed as a substitute for comprehensive coverage during a multi-year stay. It covers urgent and necessary treatment, not routine GP visits or ongoing care. Regardless of which route you choose, arriving without any health coverage is both a financial and a legal risk.
How does the Dutch public health insurance system work?
The Dutch health insurance system is built around a mandatory basic insurance package (basisverzekering) that every legal resident who works in the Netherlands must purchase from a private insurer. The government regulates what the basic package must cover, so the core benefits are identical across all insurers, even though premiums and customer service vary.
The basic package covers GP consultations, hospital care, specialist referrals, mental health care, prescription medication, and maternity care, among other services. Alongside the monthly premium, insured individuals pay an annual deductible (eigen risico), which in 2026 is set at a fixed amount that applies to most specialist and hospital care (GP visits are exempt from the deductible).
People on low incomes, including many students, may qualify for a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst), which partially offsets the monthly premium. If you are registered with a BSN and meet the income criteria, it is worth applying for this allowance as soon as you set up your insurance.
In addition to the basic package, insurers offer supplementary plans (aanvullende verzekering) that cover things like dental care, physiotherapy, and glasses. These are optional but worth considering depending on your personal health needs.
What is a BSN and why do international students need one?
A BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is a unique personal identification number issued by the Dutch government to everyone who registers as a resident in the Netherlands. International students need a BSN to access almost every formal service in the country, including opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, registering with a GP, and taking out Dutch health insurance.
You receive your BSN when you register with the local municipality (gemeente). In Middelburg, this means registering at the Middelburg municipal office. Students at University College Roosevelt typically go through this process shortly after arriving on campus, and the university’s student services team can guide you through the steps.
The registration process requires your passport, proof of address (your campus housing contract counts), and in some cases proof of enrollment. Once registered, you receive your BSN either immediately or by post within a few weeks. Without a BSN, you cannot register with a GP or take out Dutch health insurance, so completing this step promptly after arrival is essential.
How do you register with a GP (huisarts) in the Netherlands?
To access non-emergency medical care in the Netherlands, you must register with a general practitioner, known in Dutch as a huisarts. The GP is the gateway to the entire Dutch healthcare system: specialists, referrals, and most follow-up care all flow through your GP first. You cannot simply walk into a hospital for routine care without a referral.
To register with a GP in the Netherlands, follow these steps:
- Get your BSN first — most GP practices require it for registration.
- Find a GP near your address — use the Zorgkaart Nederland website or ask your university’s student services for a recommendation in Middelburg.
- Contact the practice directly — call or email to ask if they are accepting new patients. Some practices have waiting lists, so contact them as soon as you arrive.
- Provide your details — you will typically need your BSN, address, date of birth, and insurance details (if applicable).
- Attend an intake appointment if the practice requires one, which is common for new registrations.
GP consultations are conducted in Dutch as a default, but many practices in university cities and towns have staff who speak English. It is worth asking when you call whether the practice has English-speaking doctors. In Middelburg, the student community is well established, and local healthcare providers are accustomed to working with international students.
What healthcare costs should international students budget for?
Healthcare costs for international students in the Netherlands vary depending on your insurance arrangement, but there are several predictable expenses worth planning for before you arrive.
If you take out Dutch health insurance
Expect to pay a monthly premium in the range of roughly 130 to 160 euros per month for basic coverage in 2026, though this varies by insurer. On top of this, you will pay the annual deductible (approximately 385 euros in 2026) for specialist and hospital care. If you qualify for the zorgtoeslag healthcare allowance, this can reduce your effective monthly cost significantly.
If you rely on international student insurance
International student health insurance plans vary widely in cost and coverage. Premiums tend to be lower than Dutch basic insurance, but coverage limits, exclusions, and out-of-pocket costs can be higher. Read the policy carefully, particularly regarding mental health coverage, repatriation, and pre-existing conditions.
Beyond insurance premiums, budget for:
- Dental care — basic dental care for adults is not included in the Dutch basic insurance package. A routine check-up can cost 30 to 60 euros or more out of pocket.
- Prescription medication — some medications require a co-payment even with insurance.
- Physiotherapy — covered only from the ninth session onward under basic insurance; earlier sessions are out of pocket unless you have supplementary coverage.
- Mental health care — the first few sessions with a mental health professional may not be covered depending on your plan.
What should international students do in a medical emergency in the Netherlands?
In a medical emergency in the Netherlands, call 112. This is the national emergency number for ambulance, fire, and police services, and operators speak English. You do not need a GP referral or insurance confirmation to receive emergency care; go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department (spoedeisende hulp) or call 112 immediately.
For urgent but non-life-threatening situations outside of GP opening hours, contact the out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenpost or HAP). These services operate evenings, nights, and weekends and are staffed by GPs who can assess and treat conditions that cannot wait until the next working day. Your registered GP practice will have information about the local HAP on their voicemail or website.
A few practical steps to prepare before an emergency occurs:
- Save 112 and the local HAP number in your phone before you need them.
- Carry your insurance card or policy number with you.
- Know your BSN by heart or keep it written somewhere accessible.
- Tell a friend or flatmate where your insurance documents are kept.
Emergency care is provided regardless of your insurance status, but costs will be billed to you or your insurer afterward. Having valid coverage in place before an emergency is far easier than dealing with large medical bills retroactively.
How UCR helps international students navigate Dutch healthcare
Settling into a new country’s healthcare system is one of the practical challenges every incoming international student faces. At University College Roosevelt, student services actively support new students through the administrative steps that make healthcare access possible.
- Guidance on BSN registration with the Middelburg municipality shortly after arrival
- Information on local GP practices that are familiar with the international student community
- Support through the Personal and Professional Development program, which includes practical skills for navigating life in the Netherlands
- Optional Dutch language courses to help international students communicate more confidently in everyday situations, including healthcare settings
- A close-knit campus community of around 500 students where peer experience and advice are always close at hand
If you have questions about student life, housing, or support services at UCR before you arrive, the admissions and student services teams are ready to help. Connect with the UCR team to get answers directly from people who know the campus and Middelburg well.
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