If you’re going to work abroad, you are generally no longer eligible for Dutch national health insurance. But there are exceptions.
I’m going to work abroad
On this page
- Working abroad: generally, no national health insurance
- Exception: you continue to live in the Netherlands
- Exception: seconded to an EU, EEA or treaty country
- Exception: you have been sent abroad as a civil servant/diplomat
- Family members
- Dutch national health insurance abroad
- Wat biedt OOM Verzekeringen?
- What if you are uncertain?
- More information
Working abroad: generally, no national health insurance
You are no longer eligible for Dutch national health insurance when you start working abroad, unless:
- you work abroad, but live in the Netherlands
- you have been temporarily seconded by a Dutch employer in the EU, EEA or treaty country
- you have been sent abroad as a civil servant or diplomat
Exception: you continue to live in the Netherlands
If you are going to work abroad, but will continue to live in the Netherlands, your personal situation will determine whether or not you have to keep your Dutch national health insurance. More information.
Exception: seconded to an EU, EEA or treaty country
If you have been temporarily seconded by a Dutch employer to an EU, EEA or treaty country, you will generally stay insured under your Dutch national health insurance. It is possible that during a long-term secondment you may still need insurance in the country of your secondment. For further details, contact the department of International secondment at the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB).
Exception: you have been sent abroad as a civil servant/diplomat
If you have been sent abroad by the Dutch government as a civil servant or diplomat, you must keep your Dutch national health insurance for medical expenses.
Family members
Other rules may apply to your partner and your children. We advise you to contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) for further information.
Dutch national health insurance abroad
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.
Wat biedt OOM Verzekeringen?
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 Temporary Residence Abroad Insurance (for a stay of up to 2 years)
- OOM Living Abroad Insurance (for an unlimited period)
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.
What if you are uncertain?
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).
More information
- More information regarding international secondment from the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB)
- Brochure Temporary employment outside the Netherlands (pdf: in Dutch)