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Switching Dutch health insurance (basisverzekering) for 2027: deadlines and steps

Short answer, checked on 24 October 2026: insurers publish their 2027 premiums and policy terms by 12 November. To switch, sign a new policy by 31 December 2026 and the new insurer cancels the old one for you, or cancel yourself by 31 December. You then have until 1 February 2027 to sign, with cover backdated to 1 January. Newcomers must insure within 4 months. The 2027 premiums, eigen risico and zorgtoeslag limits are not final yet.

Switch deadline31 Dec 2026 (sign by 1 Feb 2027)Last checked2026-10-24

Which situation is yours?

Your situation

Checklist for this case: Just arrived

  1. NowRegister with your municipality (gemeente) to get a BSN. Registering and insuring are both required if you work in the Netherlands.
  2. Within 4 monthsTake out a Dutch basisverzekering within 4 months. After 4 months you are uninsured and pay care costs yourself; premium runs only from the day you sign, not backdated.
  3. If a CAK letter arrivesInsure within 3 months or prove you do not need to. Without that you get a fine. After 2 fines the CAK enrols you and withholds 12 months of premium from your income.
  4. After you are insuredApply for zorgtoeslag in Mijn toeslagen (DigiD) if your income and assets are low enough.
  5. Before 31 Dec 2026Your policy continues into 2027. Read the 2027 terms your insurer sends from November; to change insurer, follow the switching dates.

Checklist for this case: Already insured, want to switch

  1. By 12 Nov 2026Insurers publish 2027 premiums and policy terms on their websites by 12 November and send you a letter.
  2. Mid Nov to DecCompare policies: premium, whether your providers are contracted (naturapolis), and the voluntary eigen risico, which lowers the premium.
  3. By 31 Dec 2026Sign the new policy by 31 December: the new insurer cancels your old one automatically. Or cancel yourself by 31 December. To only change policy at your current insurer, also do it by 31 December.
  4. By 1 Feb 2027If you cancelled by 31 December, you can still sign a new policy until 1 February; you are insured from 1 January, backdated.
  5. CheckAuthorisations (machtigingen) pass to the new insurer. Treatment already begun is billed to the insurer you had when it started.

Checklist for this case: Student

  1. Study onlyIf you only study, with no job or paid internship, you stay insured in your home country and need no Dutch policy. No zorgtoeslag then.
  2. Study and paid side jobA paid side job means you must take a Dutch policy, and you can get zorgtoeslag.
  3. InternshipA paid internship at or above the Dutch minimum wage means a Dutch policy and zorgtoeslag. Unpaid or below minimum wage: you stay insured at home.
  4. UnsureWhether you must insure depends on Wlz insurance. The SVB can tell you.
  5. If you do insureApply for zorgtoeslag after you have the policy. Switching dates (31 Dec, 1 Feb) are the same as for everyone.

Checklist for this case: Working with a foreign insurer

  1. Dutch employerIf you work for a Dutch employer on a regular basis and pay wage tax, a Dutch basisverzekering is mandatory, even if you live abroad or keep foreign insurance. Do it within 4 months.
  2. Foreign employerIf you work for a foreign employer you may keep your home-country insurance, under rules set out by the SVB. Ask the SVB before you cancel anything.
  3. If the CAK writesYou have 3 months to insure or to show you do not need to. A fine can be withdrawn if the SVB confirms your foreign cover is enough.
  4. ZorgtoeslagNo Dutch policy, no zorgtoeslag. If you cancel your Dutch policy because you move abroad, stop your zorgtoeslag at once.
  5. SwitchingOnce you hold a Dutch policy, the dates are 12 Nov, 31 Dec and 1 Feb.

Figures: 2026 confirmed, 2027 status

  1. Premium 2027Published by insurers by 12 Nov 2026. A budget plan estimates the average at EUR 169 a month (estimate). 2026 average: EUR 1,884 a year, EUR 157 a month.
  2. Eigen risico 2027Final 2027 amount to be announced. The 2027 budget plans (Prinsjesdag) propose EUR 400. 2026: EUR 385 (Rijksoverheid). No eigen risico for under-18s or for GP care.
  3. Zorgtoeslag income limit 20272027 amount to be announced. 2026: EUR 40,857 alone, EUR 51,142 with a toeslagpartner (Belastingdienst).
  4. Zorgtoeslag assets limit 20272027 amount to be announced. 2026: EUR 146,011 alone, EUR 184,633 with a partner, counted on 1 January (Belastingdienst).
  5. Zorgtoeslag maximum 2027The 2027 budget plans raise the maximum for a single person to EUR 140 a month. A plan until it is adopted.

Zorgtoeslag basics

Related guides

Questions and answers

Official sources

Read on 24 October 2026. 2027 premiums, eigen risico and zorgtoeslag limits are not final until announced; this page will be updated. General information, not personal advice. No insurer is named or ranked here and there are no affiliate links.

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