Dutch Health Insurance: 2025 Deadlines and Changes

Moving to the Netherlands involves various processes, such as obtaining health insurance, and adhering to specific deadlines that everyone must be aware of.

At All About Expats, we recognize that adjusting to life as an expat, highly skilled migrant, or international student can be overwhelming. With the abundance of information available, it’s easy to overlook essential tasks and deadlines. Luckily, if you’re sorting out health insurance in 2025, there’s still a key deadline to take note of.

For 2025, you have until January 31st to finalize your health insurance coverage. Here’s what you need to know as you navigate the system and what to expect from Dutch health insurance in 2025.

The Netherlands simplifies health insurance with its annual “healthcare season”, where critical deadlines for plans and updates occur at the same time each year. Once you familiarize yourself with these deadlines, you’ll know what to expect annually.

Each year, all Dutch health insurance providers are mandated to announce their premiums and any policy updates.

Since premiums often increase, this information is essential for financial planning and budgeting. Additionally, providers disclose new policies alongside premium rates.

In November 2024, all health insurance providers unveiled their changes for 2025. This included updates to rates, coverage, and terms, officially kicking off the healthcare season on November 12, 2024.

This system of synchronized disclosures makes it easier for you, as a consumer, to compare plans and select the best option based on your needs and budget.

For 2025, the new rates and policies for 2026 will likely be released in early November 2025, continuing the established pattern.

Every year, individuals in the Netherlands have until December 31st to either switch to a new insurance provider or cancel their current insurance. However, it’s essential to understand the different processes for switching and cancelling.

If you’re dissatisfied with the announced changes for the upcoming year from your current provider, it’s advisable to switch providers during the “healthcare season” rather than simply cancelling.

Switching is made simple: when you sign up with a new health insurance provider before December 31st, your new provider handles the cancellation of your existing plan. This ensures a seamless transition without a gap in coverage.

If you choose to cancel your insurance outright, you must handle the cancellation yourself. While this gives you the flexibility to take time and compare options, you must be aware of the risks of being uninsured.

The start of the new year brings a critical deadline: January 31st is the final date to sign up for health insurance if you are uninsured.

Under Dutch law, everyone is required to have health insurance. Failure to do so can result in fines. For 2025, these fines are expected to increase slightly, consistent with prior trends.

If you’ve cancelled your insurance or recently moved to the Netherlands and haven’t yet secured a policy, you must purchase health insurance by this deadline.

Compare Policies: Take advantage of the premium and policy announcements in November to evaluate and select the best plan for your needs. Comparing policies early ensures you have access to all the information you need before the December 31st switching deadline.

Act Early: Switching providers early in the healthcare season minimizes stress and guarantees continuous coverage. Acting early also provides more time to consider different options and avoid last-minute bottlenecks.

Seek Advice: Platforms like ours offer updated comparisons of rates and coverage from major insurance providers for 2025, helping you make well-informed decisions.

When insurance providers released their new monthly rates for 2025 in November 2024, there was continued concern among residents about the increasing cost of health insurance. For 2025, the average increase across all providers is approximately 4.8%, slightly lower than the rise seen in 2024 but still impactful for budgeting. That brings the average premium in the Netherlands to around €158.72 per month.

Below is a comparison of monthly premiums between 2024 and 2025 from the most prominent health insurance providers in the Netherlands:

In addition to the rising monthly premiums, both government benefits and the coverage offered by health insurance providers are subject to annual adjustments. For 2025, there are notable changes that may affect your healthcare costs and access.

The Dutch government has announced further changes to the zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) for 2025. While it remains a crucial benefit to help lower-income individuals offset health insurance costs, the allowance will see slight reductions for some individuals. The amount you may lose depends on your specific income and household situation.
You can check your estimated allowance for 2025 by logging into the Belastingdienst website using your DigiD.

It is essential to review your insurance provider’s policy changes for 2025, especially if you plan to use non-contracted healthcare providers. Understanding these updates will help you avoid unexpected expenses and ensure you are covered where it matters most.

If you do not have a health insurance provider or have cancelled your insurance plan, remember that you have until January 31, 2025, to sign up for a new plan to avoid fines and ensure compliance with Dutch law.

Fortunately, many of the major health insurance providers in the Netherlands offer English-friendly services, including websites, customer support, and policy documents. You can find a list of these providers with English-language resources in our article Dutch Healthcare System.

At All About Expats, our goal is to keep you informed and assist you as you settle into Dutch life. Follow us on LinkedIn and explore our other blogs for more valuable insights on expat life in the Netherlands.