We recommend all international students to take out a private insurance because it includes health, liability, accident, repatriation and travel insurance, including pre-existing medical expenses. When you start your studies in the Netherlands and don’t receive any income in the Netherlands, you can only apply for a private insurance.
If you are going to study in the Netherlands or are already studying now and you are not working, doing a paid internship or staying for a long time in the Netherlands, you are (in most cases) not able to get a health insurance. To be insured for medical costs and emergencies you can take a private student insurance.
Private student insurance will provide you coverage for medical costs, emergencies, travel insurance and liablity insurance. This is normally very attractively priced and thus a very good alternative.
When you are an international student coming from outside the EU so you don't have public health insurance in the Netherlands, private student insurance will be for you.
If below applies to you, you will need to take private student insurance:
You are a non-EU/EEA student coming to the Netherlands just to study.
Your own health insurance you have the country you lived before the Netherlands does not cover you while living in the Netherlands. Check the terms with them first.
You want extra coverage such as liability insurance, repatriation, or luggage insurance.
Coverage varies by the insurer you choose but in most cases yo will get medical care, emergencies, liability and travel protection. Be sure you check the insurer you choose if they cover the things you need.
Typical coverage of Student Insurance:
Private student insurance usually goes far beyond you basic health insurance, which makes it a good alternative.
The price is low when you compare it with health insurance and the extra coverage you get. Prices between between €30 and €50 per month depending on the coverage you choose. The prices depend on length of your stay, medical coverage, add-ons like dental, travel and liablilty.
It protects you for medical emergencies and the high bills this would cost you. Further you have travel and liability insurance in case you have an accident on your tips or when you do damage to another person. Plus most universities require it so that has you covered.
If you are a non-EU/EEA student, but you start working in the Netherlands (this includes part-time job or paid internship), you are legally required to take out the Dutch public health insurance (basisverzekering).
This public insurance replaces the private student insurance.
Once you have the public insurance, you can apply for the healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the government to help cover the costs, which can significantly reduce the net price.