Care and reimbursement in the Netherlands
Do you have health insurance through the CAK? And do you live in an EU/EEA Member State, Switzerland or the United Kingdom? Then you are also insured in the Netherlands. This covers all the healthcare included in the basic package. For example, in the Netherlands, you can simply remain under treatment with your cardiologist.
Good to know
- You use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provided by the CAK in the Netherlands. We will automatically send you this card after you register with the CAK.
- You are insured for all the healthcare included in the basic package. You can find out what is and is not reimbursed by looking on the Zilveren Kruis website. Please note: Online consultations are not reimbursed.
- You pay a healthcare contribution for this insurance. We will deduct this from your pension(s) or benefit.
- It is your decision as to whether to pay a personal contribution, bear your own risk or take out supplementary or travel insurance.
- Claims should be submitted to the Zilveren Kruis. For example, if you have to pay a bill upfront yourself.
- Separate arrangements apply to residents of North Macedonia.
Tip
Are your family members co-insured through the CAK? Then the same rules apply to them.
I want to travel to the Netherlands specifically to receive medical treatment
You can do that. You do not need approval for this. The costs will be reimbursed according to the Dutch rules.
I need long-term care (Wlz care)
Have you unexpectedly fallen ill during a stay in the Netherlands and you need temporary care that falls under the Wet langdurige zorg – Wlz (Long-Term Care Act)? For example, a temporary stay in a nursing home. In this case, contact the Zilveren Kruis (groep Buitenlands recht).
Will you be needing this care for longer? Then you must register in the Netherlands to be able to continue receiving the care. Your health insurance coverage through the CAK stops. You will need to take out insurance through a Dutch health insurer.
Are you going to migrate back to the Netherlands because you need long-term care? Then you need a so-called ‘indicatiebesluit’ (indication) from the Centrum indicatiestelling zorg – CIZ (Care Needs Assessment Centre). You can apply for this before you come to the Netherlands. Take into account the waiting times at the CIZ and healthcare providers.
I do not live in the EU/EEA, Switzerland or the UK
Are you insured through the CAK, but do you not live in the EU/EEA, Switzerland or the United Kingdom? In that case, you are not insured for medical care in the Netherlands. We recommend that you take out supplementary or travel insurance when visiting the Netherlands.
More information
- Read more about going to the Netherlands for medical treatment
- Read more about medical care in the Netherlands on the website of the Zilveren Kruis, Foreign Law Unit