Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Health insurance in the Netherlands - statistics & facts
Health insurance in the Netherlands is a complex matter. The Dutch health insurance system as it is now was introduced in 2006 and combines elements of both public as well as private insurance. It is mandatory to have at least a basic health insurance (in Dutch: basisverzekering) when you work in the Netherlands, because healthcare is funded through taxation of income. The Dutch government decides on the cover provided by this package, which covers medical costs from, for example, visits to a general practitioner, the hospital or prescription medication. Health insurance companies offer this package to consumer, but are obliged to accept everyone who meets the requirements, regardless of age or state of health. As not all care is covered by the basic insurance, one can opt to take out additional health insurance cover for physiotherapy and dental care. By 2016, the average reimbursement for dental care reached approximately 126 euros.
