Living abroad and working in the Netherlands

When you work in the Netherlands and earn an income, you have to pay income tax. Because of this, the Dutch social insurance legislation is also applicable to you. This obligates you to take out a health insurance in order to cover medical expenses. This health insurance must meet the requirements of the Health Insurance Act.

The most important pointers when you are working in the Netherlands and living abroad;

  • You have a health insurance in your home country, should you get one here?
  • To obtain a health insurance on your own
  • To insure family members abroad through a Dutch health insurance
  • Social Service Number (SSN) / Citizen Service Number (CSN)
  • You don’t have a CSN yet? Then you still can take out health insurance
  • Compulsory deductibles
  • Not taking out a health insurance or too late? The possible consequences
  • You quit working for your Dutch employer. Now what?
  • The Health Insurance Act for foreign employees

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.

Not taking out a health insurance or too late?

If you are not planning on taking out health insurance or if you are too late, you are risking a large fine. In addition, any medical expenses you incur during the uninsured period will have to be paid by yourself. An additional consequence is that any family members in your home country are faced with the same consequences.

Social Security Number (SSN)

You need a Social Security Number (SSN) in order to obtain health insurance. In most cases, you will receive your Social Security Number / Citizen Service Number through the Dutch employer for whom you are going to work. However, it may happen that an employer does not provide this for you. In that case you have to make an appointment with the IRS to get your Social Security Number.

For stays longer than four months in the Netherlands

If you will stay in the Netherlands longer than four months, you have to officially register with the municipality where you will live during your stay in the Netherlands. If you do this, you will get a SSN/ CSN through this municipality.

What is the difference between an “SSN” and a “BSN”

This is the same. The terms “Social Security Number” and “Citizen Service Number” (“BSN”), are often used interchangeably. In both cases, you are registered under this personal number with the government and other agencies (such as your health insurer and some health care providers). The term “social security number” is the old term. Since the 27th of November 2007 it is officially called “BSN”.