Health insurance in home country

Yes, you should take out a health insurance in the Netherlands even though you have a health insurance in your home country. It is obligatory in the Netherlands to take out a new health insurance.
Dutch law requires that everyone working in the Netherlands is obliged to use a Dutch health insurance to cover medical expenses. This obligation applies only to a so-called basic health insurance package.

Basic health insurance package

The basic health insurance package covers, among other things, appointments with the family doctor and medical specialists, prescription drugs and hospitalcare. Insured up to 22 years old, are also entitled to dental care. It is therefore not obligated to take out supplementary health insurance.

You pay monthly premiums to your insurer for the obtained health insurance package. If applicable, you also have to pay monthly premiums for the family members who have signed up with your health care provider.

Possible entitlement to healthcare allowance

Depending on the level of your income, you may be entitled to healthcare allowance. The healthcare allowance is a financial contribution for the monthly premium you pay for obligatory health insurance. Please check with the IRS if you are entitled to this allowance.