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Claiming healthcare costs incurred in Europe

Last modified: 14 April 2025

Sometimes, you have to pay the doctor, pharmacy or hospital directly when you are abroad. For example, because your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) was not accepted. You can claim the costs from us. The reimbursement depends on the type of costs and the country where you incurred them.

You can only claim if:

  • you live in an EU/EEA Member State, Switzerland or the United Kingdom;
  • the care or medication on the bill was medically necessary and could not wait until you returned home OR if it concerns a planned medical treatment;
  • the costs were incurred in an EU/EEA Member State, Switzerland or the United Kingdom; and
  • these costs were not incurred in the Netherlands or your country of residence.

Claiming: how it works

  1. Click on the declaration form (pdf, 325 kB).
  2. Fill in the form directly online, and sign it digitally. Or print it out and fill it in with a pen in block capitals.
  3. Gather your supporting documents together. Among other things, you will need:
    • original invoices;
    • payment receipts;
    • referral letters;
    • prescriptions; and
    • treatment reports.
  4. Send us the completed form with the supporting documents.
    • You can do this digitally via the contact form. Select the ‘Health insurance and abroad' scheme. Add your claim form and the supporting documents as attachments. Please note that we accept only scans of supporting documents. So no photographs.
    • Alternatively, send the form and supporting documents by post to:
      CAK
      Regeling Buitenland
      Antwoordnummer 91041
      2509 VC Den Haag

Tip

Are you submitting a bill containing unexpected medical costs? For example, because you suddenly needed healthcare abroad? In that case, you must select either the foreign rate or the Dutch rate on the form. An explanation of these rates can be found below.

Reimbursement: foreign or Dutch rate

Are you claiming the costs of unexpected medically necessary care? In that case, you must select either the foreign rate or the Dutch rate on the claim form for your reimbursement. For planned medical treatment, only the Dutch rate applies.

Foreign rate

We check what amount you would be reimbursed in the country where you incurred the costs. We then compare this amount with the reimbursement you would receive in the Netherlands. Is the Dutch rate higher? In that case, we will supplement the foreign rate, but only if:

  • the foreign rate is less than 50% of the Dutch rate; or
  • the Dutch rate is EUR 150 or more higher than the foreign rate.
  • NB: we never reimburse more than the actual costs incurred.

Advantage: very occasionally, the foreign reimbursement is higher than the Dutch reimbursement. This does not happen very often.
Disadvantage: requesting the foreign rate takes a long time, usually several months. This means you will have to wait longer for your reimbursement.

Dutch rate

You will be reimbursed the amount that you would be reimbursed for these costs in the Netherlands.

Advantage: we can process your claim faster. The amount will be in your account within a few weeks.
Disadvantage: you do not know what you will be reimbursed according to the foreign rate. It is rare for the foreign rate to be higher than the Dutch rate.

Choice on the claim form

Are you opting for the Dutch rate only? If so, tick the ‘Yes’ box on the claim form. Would you like us to look at the foreign rate first? In that case, tick ‘No' on the claim form.

Examples of the foreign rate

Example 1

The costs incurred are EUR 1 000. According to the foreign rate, the reimbursement is EUR 200. The Dutch rate is EUR 600. The foreign rate is less than 50% of the Dutch rate. The reimbursement is therefore EUR 600.

Example 1
Invoice amount Dutch rate Foreign rate Foreign rate compared to Dutch rate Difference between foreign rate and Dutch rate
€ 1000 € 600 € 200 33% € 400

Example 2

The costs incurred are EUR 1 000. According to the foreign rate, the reimbursement is EUR 700. The Dutch rate is EUR 900. The foreign rate is more than 50% of the Dutch rate. But the Dutch rate is more than EUR 150 higher than the foreign rate. The reimbursement is therefore EUR 900.

Example 2
Invoice amount Dutch rate Foreign rate Foreign rate compared to Dutch rate Difference between foreign rate and Dutch rate
€ 1000 € 900 € 700 78% € 200

Example 3

The costs incurred are EUR 1 000. According to the foreign rate, the reimbursement is EUR 400. The Dutch rate is EUR 1 200. The foreign rate is less than 50% of the Dutch rate. The reimbursement is EUR 1000, because we never reimburse more than the actual costs incurred.

Example 3
Invoice amount Dutch rate Foreign rate Foreign rate compared to Dutch rate Difference between foreign rate and Dutch rate
€ 1000 € 1200 € 400 33% € 800

Tip

  • Claim healthcare costs incurred in your country of residence from the health insurer in your country of residence.
  • Claim healthcare costs incurred in the Netherlands from the Zilveren Kruis.
  • Take out travel insurance for healthcare costs outside Europe