Questions and answers about being uninsured

Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands, is required by law to have a health insurance. In most cases a Dutch health insurance is required, but there are exceptions. If a Dutch health insurance is not required for you, it is not possible to get one. 

When you get our letter there are 2 possible actions: 

• Action A: Get a Dutch health insurance
• Action B: Apply for a Wlz assessment at the Social Insurance Bank (SVB), into whether or not you need Dutch health insurance. 

Further down this page you find more information on when to do action A or B. If you do nothing, you risk getting a fine of € 437,25 (€ 426,24 in 2021). 

What do I need to know about the Dutch health insurance?

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Every insurer offers a Dutch basic health insurance

The health insurance always consists of the compulsory basic insurance. The government determines what medical care is covered by the basic insurance. Every basic health insurance must cover this medical care. Because of this, there is not a large difference between basic health insurances. 

Which medical costs are covered in the Dutch basic health insurance? 

• Basic medical care; including care provided by general practitioners, medical specialists and obstetricians
• Hospital treatment
• Medical prescriptions at the pharmacy (for some you pay a contribution)
• Dental care up to the age of 18
• Maternity care
• Limited therapies such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and dietary advice
• Medical devices and products

Difference between basic health insurances

Health insurers have contracts with hospitals, pharmacies and medical professionals. Health insurers themselves may set conditions for the basic insurance. For example, a health insurer may allow you to decide for yourself which hospital you attend. When you compare or get a Dutch health insurance, you can see the conditions of the basic health insurance. 

Health insurance premium (zorgpremie) 

You pay a monthly amount for the basic insurance, whether or not you have received any healthcare. This amount is called the contribution. The price of the basic insurance and which costs are covered vary for each health insurer. This is because health insurers themselves may set conditions for the basic insurance. For example, a health insurer may allow you to decide for yourself which hospital you attend, but you will pay a higher contribution for this. Another health insurer may charge a lower contribution, but will stipulate which hospital you can be treated at.

Excess

Another compulsory part of the basic insurance is the excess. The excess is the amount you are charged if you incur healthcare costs. This amount is calculated and determined annually by the government. For 2021, the minimum amount of the excess is €385. This means that you first pay the first €385 yourself. The health insurer pays only the costs above this amount. In Dutch the excess is called ‘eigen risico’, which literally translates as own risk. 

Health insurance benefit

You pay a premium for the Dutch health insurance. Do you have a low income? Then you can apply for the health care benefit at the Belastingdienst. This is called ‘Zorgtoeslag’ in Dutch. Go to www.toeslagen.nl. 

Additional insurance

Since the basic insurance does not cover the costs of all healthcare, you can take out additional insurance policies, for dental treatment, various therapies and glasses or contact lenses, for example. You pay an additional monthly contribution for this. It is not compulsory to take out supplementary insurance.

Which Dutch health insurances can I choose from?

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There are many Dutch health insurers that you can choose from. The larger incurance companies often offer several health insurances. 

Click here for a list of Dutch health insurances. (this page is in Dutch) 

Important: There are also insurance companies, like Aon, that are authorized to sell Dutch basic health insurances from other health insurance concerns. This is called a volmacht or verzekeringsmakelaar. These companies are not Dutch basic health insurances. They sell Dutch basic health insurances from another insurer as an intermediate. Please make sure with them, that your insurance is a Dutch basic health insurance.

There are also insurance companies, like Aon, that are authorized to sell Dutch basic health insurances from other health insurance concerns. This is called a volmacht or verzekeringsmakelaar. These companies areDutch basic health insurances. They sell Dutch basic health insurances from another insurer as an intermediate. Please make sure with them, that your insurance is a Dutch basic health insurance.

Tip

Enter ‘compare Dutch basic health insurance’ into your web search engine. You will find several websites to help you compare and pick a Dutch basic health insurance.

I don’t think I need Dutch health insurance. What can I do?

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You have received a letter because our records show that you are not insured. It is important that you take action. There are 2 possible actions when you receive our letter. Choose the one that fits your situation. 

Action A: get a Dutch health insurance

You follow option A when you are required to have a Dutch health insurance. For instance when you:

• have the Dutch nationality, and you do not work abroad.
• are from abroad, and you work in the Netherlands.

Action B: Request a Wlz assessment if you think you do not need Dutch health insurance 

If you are in the Netherlands because you study here, or work for a foreign employer for example, this mandatory healthcare requirement may not apply to you. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can prove this for you, with a Wlz assessment. 

How do I apply for the Wlz assessment?

The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can do a Wlz assessment for you. Apply for the Wlz assessment on the SVB website. You can fill in the form online, if you have DigiD. Otherwise you need to print the form, fill it in, and send it by post. The address of the SVB is on the form. 

What happens next?

Within 8 weeks the SVB will send you a letter with the result. If you are insured under the Wlz, you need to get a Dutch health insurance. You will get 6 weeks after the result, to get a Dutch insurance. If you are not Wlz insured, you do not need a Dutch health insurance. The SVB will also inform us about the result. 

Did you already receive a fine? 

If you did not need Dutch health insurance at the time of the fine, we will cancel the fine. And the CJIB will reimburse you if you already paid (part of) the fine.

I am a student and have health insurance in my home country. Why have I received a letter saying I am uninsured?

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Do I need Dutch health insurance when I am a foreign student? 

Do you work next to your studies? Then you need a Dutch health insurance. Do you not have an income in the Netherlands? Then you need to apply for a Wlz assessment at the SVB. This will be your proof that you do not Dutch health insurance. 

Request a Wlz assessment if you think you do not need Dutch health insurance

If you are in the Netherlands temporarily to complete a course of study for example, this mandatory healthcare requirement may not apply to you. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can prove this for you, with a Wlz assessment.  

How do I apply for the Wlz assessment?

The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can do a Wlz assessment for you. Apply for the Wlz assessment on the SVB website. You can fill in the form online, if you have DigiD. Otherwise you need to print the form, fill it in, and send it by post. The address of the SVB is on the form. 

What happens next?

Within 8 weeks the SVB will send you a letter with the result. If you are insured under the Wlz, you need to get a Dutch health insurance. You will get 6 weeks after the result, to get a Dutch insurance. If you are not Wlz insured, you do not need a Dutch health insurance. The SVB will also inform us about the result. 

What happens if I do nothing?

If you have not had a Wlz assessment or taken out basic insurance within three months of receiving the letter from us, you will be fined by the CAK. You pay this fine to the CJIB by means of payment slip. The amount of the fine in 2021 is € 426,24. This amount is indexed annually.

I received a fine, but I do not think I need Dutch health insurance. What can i do?

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Request a Wlz assessment if you think you do not need Dutch health insurance

When you receive a fine, you need proof that you did not need Dutch health insurance at the time of the fine, or the time of our first letter. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can prove this for you, with a Wlz assessment.  

How do I apply for the Wlz assessment?

The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can do a Wlz assessment for you. Apply for the Wlz assessment on the SVB website. You can fill in the form online, if you have DigiD. Otherwise you need to print the form, fill it in, and send it by post. The address of the SVB is on the form. 

What happens next?

Within 8 weeks the SVB will send you a letter with the result. If you are insured under the Wlz, you need to get a Dutch health insurance. You will get 6 weeks after the result, to get a Dutch insurance. If you are not Wlz insured, you do not need a Dutch health insurance. The SVB will also inform us about the result. We will cancel the fine if you did not need Dutch health insurance at the time of the fine. 

Should I pay the fine?

Yes, you can pay the fine in installments. You get an invoice letter from the Centraal Justitieel Incasso Bureau (CJIB), to pay the fine. If we cancel the fine, you will get your money back from the CJIB. This happens automatically, to the bank account you paid with. 

I took out health insurance within three months but have still received a fine. What should I do?

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If the basic insurance started within three months of the date of our letter, the fine will automatically be revoked. You do not need to take any action. If you have already paid (part of) the fine, we will refund the amount paid. 

If your health insurance started three months after the date of our letter, you will still have to pay the fine to the CJIB.

Can I pay the fine in instalments?

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Yes, you can. A proposed payment schedule is set out in the letter you received from the CJIB. This is the letter informing that you must pay a fine. If you have any questions about this, please contact the CJIB.

I do not live in the Netherlands anymore. I live and/or work abroad. Why have I received a letter stating that I am uninsured?

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This can happen for a number of reasons. For example because you are (still) registered in the Netherlands, or work for a Dutch employer. This registration may require you to take out Dutch basic insurance. To avoid a fine and ascertain whether you need to take out health insurance, you need to apply for a Wlz assessment.

Request a Wlz assessment if you think you do not need Dutch health insurance

If you live or work abroad you might not need Dutch health insurance. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can prove this for you, with a Wlz assessment. This way you can avoid getting a fine from us.  

How do I apply for the Wlz assessment?

The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can do a Wlz assessment for you. Apply for the Wlz assessment on the SVB website. You can fill in the form online, if you have DigiD. Otherwise you need to print the form, fill it in, and send it by post. The address of the SVB is on the form. 

What happens next?

Within 8 weeks the SVB will send you a letter with the result. If you are insured under the Wlz, you need to get a Dutch health insurance. You will get 6 weeks after the result, to get a Dutch insurance. If you are not Wlz insured, you do not need a Dutch health insurance. The SVB will also inform us about the result. 

What happens if I do nothing?

If you have not had a Wlz assessment or taken out basic insurance within three months of receiving the letter from us, you will be fined by the CAK. You pay this fine to the CJIB by means of payment slip. The amount of the fine in 2021 is € 426,24. This amount is indexed annually.

Contact the Dutch municipality where you are registered if you do not live here anymore

Please contact the municipality where you are registered. They can inform you about your registration, and whether or not you need to change it. Also you need to apply for a Wlz assessment. 
 

I have already taken out Dutch health insurance. Why am I registered as uninsured with the CAK?

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If you have already taken out Dutch basic health insurance, please contact your health insurer. Ask them if your insurance is indeed a Dutch basis health insurance. If it is, your insurance must be registered in the insured persons database. In Dutch this is called Referentiebestand Verzekerden Zorgverzekeringswet (RBVZ). Your health insurer must make sure of this. If they do, you will not hear from us anymore.

I have applied for a Wlz assessment. When will I receive the results?

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The Wlz assessment takes up to eight weeks. There are 2 possible results: 

You are insured under the Wlz scheme

This means you need to have Dutch basic health insurance. You need to get one as soon as possible.

You are not insured for the Wlz

This means you do not need to take out insurance. We will send you a letter within three weeks of receiving the results. Please contact us using the contact form or phone us on 0800 – 5028 if you have not received this letter.

According to the SVB, I am not insured under the Wlz scheme. What should I do?

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If you are not insured under the WLZ scheme according to the SVB and therefore not required to take out Dutch basic health insurance, the CAK and the SVB will send you a letter to confirm this.

Have you already received an incorrect fine from us, because you were not WLZ insured at the time? We will send you a letter revoking the fine. If you paid the fine, you will get you money back from the CJIB.

Did you not get a letter from us? Please contact us on 0800 – 5028, or +31 88 711 5989 from abroad. Or use our contact form. Please enclose the result of the Wlz assessment with your message. At the first question on the contact form you choose ‘Regeling Onverzekerden’. 

The CAK took out a health insurance for me. What happens next?

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You did not respond to our letters to get a health insurance

When you do not take out a health insurance within a year, we do it on your behalf. You receive a letter from us that we took out a health insurance. You will also receive your health insurance policy from your health insurer. 

You pay this insurance to us for 12 months. 

Do you have an income in the Netherlands? Then we will deduct the health insurance premium from your salary. If not, the Centraal Justitieel Incasso Bureau (CJIB) will send you an invoice letter every month. This way your pay for your insurance premium.

Can I choose for a different Dutch health insurance? 
No, you have this health insurance for at least 12 months. After the 12 months you can apply for a different health insurance, at the end of the year, before the 1st of january. 
 

Request a Wlz assessment if you think you do not need Dutch health insurance

Do you suspect that a Dutch health insurance is not required for you? Then you need proof that you do not need Dutch health insurance. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can prove this for you, with a Wlz assessment.  

How do I apply for the Wlz assessment?

The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can do a Wlz assessment for you.

What happens next?

Within 8 weeks the SVB will send you a letter with the result. If you are insured under the Wlz, you need to get a Dutch health insurance. You will get 6 weeks after the result, to get a Dutch insurance. If you are not Wlz insured, you do not need a Dutch health insurance. We can cancel the insurance when we get the result of the SVB. 

Send the result to us

When you receive the result, please send it to us. You can use the

Or send a copy of the result by post, to:
CAK
Antwoordnummer 91034
2509 VC Den Haag

Let op

Be aware when you used the insurance for medical costs. If we cancel the insurance after the assessment, you need to pay back medical costs that were compensated by the insurance. 

When you do not take out a health insurance within a year, we do it on your behalf. You receive a letter from us that we took out a health insurance. You will also receive your health insurance policy from your health insurer.Do you have an income in the Netherlands? Then we will deduct the health insurance premium from your salary. If not, the Centraal Justitieel Incasso Bureau (CJIB) will send you an invoice letter every month. This way your pay for your insurance premium.No, you have this health insurance for at least 12 months. After the 12 months you can apply for a different health insurance, at the end of the year, before the 1st of january.Do you suspect that a Dutch health insurance is not required for you? Then you need proof that you do not need Dutch health insurance. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can prove this for you, with a Wlz assessment.The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can do a Wlz assessment for you. Apply for the Wlz assessment on the SVB website. You can fill in the form online, if you have DigiD. Otherwise you need to print the form, fill it in, and send it by post. The address of the SVB is on the form.Within 8 weeks the SVB will send you a letter with the result. If you are insured under the Wlz, you need to get a Dutch health insurance. You will get 6 weeks after the result, to get a Dutch insurance. If you are not Wlz insured, you do not need a Dutch health insurance. We can cancel the insurance when we get the result of the SVB.When you receive the result, please send it to us. You can use the contact form on our website . Choose ‘Regeling Onverzekerden’, at the first question of the form.Or send a copy of the result by post, to:CAKAntwoordnummer 910342509 VC Den Haag