Immigration rules concerning health insurance
From our experience we know that it is not always easy for foreign visitors to the Netherlands to judge if they need health insurance in order to qualify for a visa or residence permit.
Short-stay visa, or ‘Schengen visa’ (visum kort verblijf)
If you intend to apply for a short-stay visa (visa sticker C), you must have travel insurance that covers your medical costs for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area.
Your insurance policy must cover repatriation on medical grounds, urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment. The cover amount must be at least €30,000.
D visa
No healthcare insurance is required when you apply for a ‘provisional residence permit’ (MVV, visa sticker D).
D+C visa
Healthcare insurance is required when you apply for a D+C visa (i.e. a ‘provisional residence permit’ that also allows travel under the same terms as a short-stay visa). The C portion of the sticker is subject to the same conditions that apply for a short-stay visa, including the medical insurance cover.
The insurance policy must cover repatriation on medical grounds, urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment. The cover amount must be at least €30,000.
First application for a residence permit
When you first apply for a residence permit, you must take out healthcare insurance. It is, however, not necessary to take out a healthcare insurance ahead of your application. The insurance may also be taken out afterwards. In other words, your application for a residence permit can be granted even if you do not yet have the necessary healthcare cover.
After you obtain your residence permit, you are obliged to arrange healthcare insurance as soon as possible.
Insurance companies will only provide healthcare cover to foreign nationals with a valid residence permit, so you will not end up in a Catch-22 situation.
Renewing your residence permit
If you want to renew your residence permit, you must show that you have suitable healthcare insurance.
Your cover must be at least equivalent to the cover provided under the Dutch public healthcare provision (zorgverzekering). The cover must be valid at the time you submit your renewal application.
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