When and Where Dutch Citizens Need International Medical Insurance
The Dutch healthcare system makes sure that almost every Dutch resident has access to insurance and affordable medical care. But many other countries around the world don’t follow that model. A Dutch expat’s budget can be upended by having to cover all medical costs, from doctor visits to prescriptions to medical procedures. And, unlike in the Netherlands, other countries might not take steps to limit the cost of healthcare.
There are a few situations where you can keep your Dutch health insurance. The length of your stay abroad will affect this, as will your employer and employment status. If you receive a Dutch benefit, you could be eligible for reciprocal coverage in some countries. Otherwise, you’ll need to sign up for new health insurance for Dutch expats.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes and coverage options
- Work with an insurance expert at no additional cost
- Find the best plan for your needs and budget
Medical Insurance for Dutch Citizens Living Abroad
Picking the right health plan involves many factors. If you’re not eligible for local health insurance, you’ll need an international health insurance plan. Where you choose to live abroad will affect which policy you pick. Some policies are great for the United States, while others are best suited to other international locations.
One last thing: Before leaving the Netherlands, don’t forget to cancel your Dutch health insurance policy!
Health Insurance for Dutch Expats Outside the US
Cigna is a wonderful medical insurance plan that works in more than 200 countries. You can customize your deductible (what Dutch health plans call the “eigen risico”) and select benefits in order to lower your premium.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
IMG lets you choose your benefits package, so you only sign up for the coverage you need. You can also customize your deductible. Select a worldwide plan, or one that’s good everywhere except the U.S., Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Singapore and Taiwan.
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Four plan options and additional optional coverages
- Choice of the coverage area to reflect your geographical area of need
- Freedom to choose your health care provider wherever you are in the world
Health Insurance Plans for Dutch Citizens in the US
If there’s one location where you’ll want to have international medical insurance, it’s the United States. The U.S. healthcare system has very few cost control mechanisms, so healthcare prices are sky-high there. People who are uninsured are often charged higher rates for the same medical care. So having insurance can save you money even if you don’t meet your deductible.
Also Read: How Much Does Healthcare Cost in the USA?
The GeoBlue Xplorer Premier plan is a great health insurance choice for Dutch citizens living abroad. It’s designed to serve non-U.S. residents who are moving to the United States. You can customize your plan to have the coverage and deductibles that work best for your medical needs and your budget.
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad
If you are planning to reside in New York, Maryland, Washington, or South Dakota another option is IMG’s plan:
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Four plan options and additional optional coverages
- Choice of the coverage area to reflect your geographical area of need
- Freedom to choose your health care provider wherever you are in the world
The Importance of International Health Insurance for Dutch Citizens Living Abroad
Without some type of health insurance, you could be overwhelmed by medical expenses if you get sick or have an accident. What if your stomach pains turn out to be appendicitis? That means covering the cost of surgery and a hospital stay. A fall off a motorbike could require X-rays and multiple visits to an orthopedist. Getting international health insurance offers protection against having to pay for all these things on your own. Remember, medical treatments and medications can be much more expensive in other countries!
Does Health Insurance From the Netherlands Work Overseas?
If you’ll be working abroad, any stay of longer than three months means you’ll lose your Dutch health insurance, unless your job is with a Dutch company or government entity. If you’ll be living abroad for less than a year, and you won’t be working, you have to keep your Dutch health insurance. Dutch residents who get insurance via the Chronic Care Act (Wlz) can live abroad for up to three years and keep Dutch health insurance, as long as they aren’t employed. Check with your insurer to learn what your policy does and doesn’t cover outside the country.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Dutch citizens can get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that offers some coverage while visiting countries in the European Union. This card only provides a basic level of coverage, and it won’t cover planned medical expenses. It’s most useful in emergencies, such as if you twist your ankle or get the flu.
Countries With Reciprocal Healthcare for Citizens of the Netherlands
The Netherlands has reciprocal healthcare agreements with all countries in the European Union. Countries in the European Economic Area and the single market are also included. Other countries with such agreements include:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cabo Verde
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
These agreements mean that some Dutch citizens can get health insurance via the Dutch government while living abroad. Only those who receive a Dutch benefit can get this insurance. The following Dutch benefits make you eligible for insurance in a reciprocal agreement country:
- Bridging scheme (OBR)
- Incapacity Insurance (Self-employed persons) Act (WAZ)
- Invalidity Insurance Act (WAO)
- Redundancy pay scheme (WW+) for military personnel and civil servants
- Surviving Dependants Act (ANW)
- Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA)
- Work and Employment Support (Young Disabled Persons) Act (Wajong)
If you haven’t yet moved abroad, first check with your benefits provider to make sure your move won’t affect your benefits. Next, sign up with the CAK (the central office for health insurance) by filling out document S1/121. You will owe a monthly premium that’s based on your income. The premium amount is usually deducted directly from your benefit payment.
The medical insurance you receive will vary based on the country where you’re living. As this is a basic insurance package, you can also sign up for international health insurance if you’d like more extensive coverage.
The Dutch Government Recommends Its Expats Get Health Insurance
The Dutch government provides a website that helps Dutch citizens living abroad look at their local insurance options. These options may include public or private coverage. When local policies don’t offer enough coverage, getting international medical insurance while you live abroad is a great solution.
What To Look For in Dutch Citizens’ Expat Health Insurance
In the Dutch healthcare system, the government makes sure all available insurance plans offer at least the same basic services. In contrast, international health insurance offers a range of coverage options. The flexibility to tailor plans to meet your needs and budget is a good thing, but it also means you have to decide what you want in your coverage.
- Locations where the plan is valid: Will you be visiting other countries while living abroad? Will you frequently return to the Netherlands? Think about your travel plans to pick the right plan.
- Available providers and hospitals: Does the plan you’re considering have in-network healthcare facilities and providers close to where you’ll be living abroad?
- Premium amount: International health insurance plans ask that enrollees pay a monthly premium to enroll. As in the Netherlands, you’ll pay higher premiums for more comprehensive coverage; if you’re generally healthy, you can reduce premium payments by choosing a high deductible amount. With some plans, you can also save money by paying quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
- Deductible: A deductible is what you’ll pay out of pocket before your health insurance will cover medical costs, as you may have experienced back home. Pick an amount you know you can afford!
- Included coverage: Do you have an existing medical condition? Make sure it will be covered by your plan. You can also remove benefits you won’t use — if you don’t plan to have children, for example, you won’t need pregnancy coverage.
How to Use Dutch Expat Health Insurance and Access Healthcare Abroad
The process for accessing healthcare while living abroad will vary by country. But with one of our international insurance plans, you’ll have 24/7 support via helplines that offer assistance in English, Dutch and many other languages. You can also check with your insurer to find out which healthcare facilities and medical providers are in-network.
How Dutch Expats Can Get Healthcare When Visiting The Netherlands
Are you planning to live abroad in a country that’s part of the European Union or the European Economic Area, or in Switzerland or the United Kingdom? Then you can still receive healthcare should you return to the Netherlands for a visit. Under other circumstances, such as living abroad for less than one year and not working, you have to keep your Dutch health insurance — which also means you’ll be able to access care during visits.
What if you’re living abroad outside of the EU/EEA and you couldn’t keep your Dutch insurance? Then you’ll likely have a plan that’s local to where you’re living abroad, or you’ll have international health insurance. Some international medical plans will also cover you in the Netherlands. If you plan to make frequent visits home, look for a plan that offers coverage in both your residence abroad and in the Netherlands.
Do you plan to split your time between one location abroad and the Netherlands? Then consider Cigna’s Close Care plan, which lets you designate two countries for coverage.
Recommended Travel Medical Insurance for Dutch Expats Visiting The Netherlands
Perhaps you found an international health insurance plan that’s perfect for the country where you’re living, but its coverage doesn’t extend to the Netherlands. Unfortunately, setting up residence abroad usually means you can’t use the national health system when you visit the Netherlands. In this case, travel medical insurance is a great option. These travel plans are useful in case you’re in an accident or you have an unexpected medical emergency. But you can’t use them to visit your old primary care provider for a complete physical!
Safe Travels International
- Desinged for non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country (excluding the U.S.)
- Coverage for an unexpected recurrence of a Pre-Existing Condition
- Coverage from 5 days to 364 days - extensions are available
When Your Time Living Abroad Is Over
Don’t forget about health insurance coverage if your time abroad is coming to a close and you’re headed back home. Having Dutch citizenship means you can almost always enroll in the Dutch health insurance system. First you must register with a municipality, within five days of your arrival in the Netherlands. Once registered, you can immediately sign up for health insurance.
Your municipality may ask for documents that prove your Dutch nationality. It can take several months to assemble and process this paperwork, and you can’t sign up for health insurance until this is settled. In addition to your passport, you may have to provide your birth certificate, your immigration history or your Dutch identity card. If you experience this delay, you can keep your international medical insurance plan active, as long as the plan works in the Netherlands. You could also opt for travel medical insurance or another temporary insurance policy.
If you’re a dual national who lived abroad for a lengthy period, this could affect your citizenship. You can also lose Dutch citizenship if you obtained dual nationality, no matter how long you were living outside the country. You can apply to regain your citizenship, but the process can take up to a year — not including the time it will take to gather the necessary paperwork. In the meantime, you should make a plan for medical coverage. You can extend your international health insurance, or look for travel health insurance. You’ve protected your health while living abroad, so keep it up as you move back home!
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