Emigrating with early retirement? Right to CAK health insurance lapses
The rules for health insurance through the CAK are changing. This has consequences for people with an early retirement who are living or going to live in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. Upon a new registration, they will no longer be entitled to CAK health insurance abroad. This change is expected to take effect on 1 November 2026.
What's it about?
The European institutions have provisionally agreed to an amendment of Regulation 883/2004. This Regulation lays down the rules on the right to health insurance in the event of emigration. Registration for this health insurance is done via the CAK.
What may change?
New customers living in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland will only be entitled to health insurance through the CAK if they receive one of these pensions or benefits:
- AOW
- Anw (survivor's pension SVB)
- WAO or WIA
People with an early retirement pension, such as an RVU benefit or waiting allowance, will no longer be entitled to health insurance through the CAK. They must take out health insurance themselves until they reach the AOW age.
For whom is this important?
The new rules only apply to people with an early retirement pension who:
- are not yet a customer and
- are emigrating or retiring early on or after 1 November 2026 and
- live in or emigrate to an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
What does this mean for existing customers?
For people who already have health insurance through the CAK based on an early retirement, nothing changes. They retain their current rights.