National health insurance in the Netherlands or abroad

Going abroad

If you are going abroad, you will need to retain your compulsory Dutch health insurance (basic national health insurance, basisverzekering) in some cases. The regulations in this regard are very unclear. So OOM has outlined the basics for you. You can always consult your own health insurance company as well. They sometimes have special programmes for people going abroad. These differ from one health insurance company to the next.

To the Netherlands

You can also use these pages if you are coming to the Netherlands and would like to know in what circumstances you are required to take out insurance on national health.
OOM Verzekeringen does not provide national health insurance.

What's next

You can select the situation that best applies to you below: 

• Studying abroad 
• Studying in the Netherlands 
• Working abroad 
• Working abroad as an au pair 
• World travellers, backpackers and other temporary stays abroad 
• Pensioners abroad 
• Cross-border workers 
• Adopted children

It is not possible to describe every conceivable situation. If you do not recognise your own case in the situations described, or doubt whether the provided information applies to you, then explain your situation to the foreign department of the Health Care Insurance Board (CvZ) or your current health insurer.

Read more about:

• To find out more about our health insurance for abroad, visit Global Traveler insurance. 
• If you will be studying, working in a work placement or as an au pair, Young Global Traveler insurance may be right for you. 
• If you are coming to the Netherlands and are not entitled to national health insurance, Global Visitor insurance will suit you. 
• For students, au pairs and interns coming to the Netherlands, there is Young Global Traveler insurance. 
• If you already know you will have to retain national health insurance but would like additional insurance, OOM Verzekeringen can help.