I’m going to study or do an internship abroad

If you are going abroad for your studies, you generally have to keep your Dutch national health insurance for medical expenses. But that may be different if you are also working in addition to your study, or if you are over 30 years old.

If you are going abroad for your studies and are younger than 30 years old, you must keep your Dutch national health insurance for medical expenses.

If you are 30 years or older and are going abroad for your studies, the following applies:

• If your stay abroad is shorter than one year, you remain insured with Dutch national health insurance.
• If your stay abroad is longer than one year, you are no longer eligible for Dutch national health insurance, unless your stay abroad is not regarded as being permanent or semi-permanent.

You are no longer eligible for Dutch national health insurance if you are abroad on an internship or if you are working in addition to your studies. Your age does not make a difference.

Dutch national health insurance refunds emergency care worldwide. However, you will never be refunded more than the treatment would cost in the Netherlands. You may, therefore, have to pay extra if you are staying in a country where medical care is expensive. 

Repatriation (return to the Netherlands due to illness, an accident or death) is not covered by Dutch national health insurance. You will therefore not receive any reimbursement if you have to return to the Netherlands or go to another country for medical treatment.

OOM Verzekeringen does not offer Dutch national health insurance. Our insurance offers a solution  for those who are not (or no longer) eligible for Dutch national health insurance. For such situations, we offer the following options:

• OOM Studying Abroad Insurance (if you are a student under 30 years of age)
• OOM Temporary Residence Abroad Insurance (if you are a student 30 years or older)

Our insurance can also be a supplement to your mandatory Dutch national health insurance. For example, to insure you for repatriation (return to the Netherlands due to illness, an accident or death) or other costs that are not covered by Dutch national health insurance.

We have put together this information with great care. However, the rules are complicated and are subject to change. To be certain of whether or not you have to keep your Dutch national health insurance, please contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB).

1. Nuffic information on health insurance for students abroad