Practical Guide for Students

Health Insurance for Students

Having valid health insurance is mandatory for international students in the Netherlands — but the type you need depends on what you do here: studying only, working, or doing a paid internship.

Section 1

Studying Only: No Dutch Basic Insurance

If you are in the Netherlands for study purposes only, you are not legally allowed to take out Dutch public / basic health insurance (basisverzekering). In that case, you must arrange adequate coverage via:

Your home-country insurance (if it covers care in the Netherlands)
Private international student insurance
Section 2

EU/EEA/Swiss Students: EHIC

If you are an EU/EEA student (and often Switzerland, depending on your insurer), you can usually use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medically necessary care during a temporary study stay.

Important Limitations

  • EHIC covers medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during your stay
  • EHIC does not replace travel insurance (e.g., it doesn't cover repatriation or private care)
Section 3

Working? Dutch Basic Insurance Is Mandatory

If you have a part-time job while studying, you are generally required to take out Dutch basic health insurance with a Dutch insurer. This applies broadly to international students (EU and non-EU).

4-Month Rule

If you come to live or work in the Netherlands, you must take out Dutch health insurance as soon as possible — and no later than 4 months after arrival.

Paid Internships Can Trigger the Same Obligation

A paid internship, especially if it meets conditions like (at or above) minimum wage, can mean you fall under the Dutch social-insurance rules and may need Dutch basic insurance.

Section 4

Wlz Assessment via SVB & CAK Letters

If you're unsure whether you must take Dutch basic insurance (common cases: self-employment/ZZP, certain internships, working for a foreign employer, cross-border situations), you can request a Wlz insurance position assessment from the SVB.

SVB — Apply for Wlz Assessment

Request an assessment of your insurance position

CAK — Uninsured Info

What to do if you received an uninsured letter

Received a CAK Letter?

If CAK says you are uninsured, you typically have two options: get Dutch health insurance, or apply for a Wlz assessment at SVB to prove you are exempt. Don't ignore it.

Section 5

Zorgtoeslag: Healthcare Benefit

If you have Dutch basic health insurance, you may be able to apply for the healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) to help with premiums, depending on your age, income, and assets. Key conditions include:

You are 18 years old or above
You have Dutch basic health insurance

Practical Checklist: 5 Scenarios

Find your situation below and know exactly what to do

Studying only?

Arrange home-country coverage or private student insurance (no Dutch basic insurance).

EU/EEA/Swiss studying only?

EHIC may be enough for necessary care; consider extra travel insurance.

Any paid job?

Plan to take Dutch basic insurance.

Paid internship / unclear status?

Check rules and consider an SVB Wlz assessment if needed.

Got a CAK letter?

Act quickly: insure or request SVB assessment.

How StudyPath Helps with Health Insurance

Health insurance rules can be confusing — especially when your situation changes. We help you understand your obligations and take the right steps.

  • Determine whether you need Dutch basic insurance or can use your home-country coverage
  • Help you understand the Wlz assessment process via SVB
  • Guide you through responding to CAK letters
  • Check your eligibility for zorgtoeslag (healthcare benefit)
  • Navigate insurance changes when you start working or do a paid internship

Official Resources

Bookmark these — you may need them

SVB — Wlz Assessment

Request an assessment of your Wlz insurance position

CAK — Uninsured

Information if you received an uninsured letter

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on what you do in the Netherlands. If you are here for study purposes only, you usually cannot take out Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) and must arrange coverage via your home country or private student insurance. However, if you work — even part-time — Dutch basic health insurance generally becomes mandatory.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued by EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. It covers medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the Netherlands. It does not replace travel insurance — it won't cover things like repatriation or private care. If you are only studying (not working), EHIC is often sufficient for basic medical needs.
Yes. If you have a part-time job while studying in the Netherlands, you are generally required to take out Dutch basic health insurance with a Dutch insurer. This applies to both EU and non-EU students. You must arrange it as soon as possible and no later than 4 months after arrival.
Zorgtoeslag is the Dutch healthcare benefit (allowance) that helps cover the cost of your basic health insurance premium. If you have Dutch basic insurance, are 18 or older, and meet income and asset thresholds, you may be eligible. You can apply via the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority).
If you receive a letter from CAK stating you are uninsured, you typically have two options: take out Dutch basic health insurance, or apply for a Wlz assessment at SVB to prove you are exempt from the insurance obligation. Don't ignore the letter — act quickly to avoid fines.
If you are in the Netherlands for study only (not working), you can use your home-country insurance provided it covers care in the Netherlands. EU/EEA students can use their EHIC for medically necessary care. Non-EU students should check their policy carefully or consider private international student insurance. Once you start working, you must switch to Dutch basic insurance.