Best Travel Insurance: Our Top Pick Is SafetyWing at $56/Month
takayuki
Nomadrista
Travel Insurance Netherlands: High Medical Costs and What Travelers Should Know
takayuki
The Netherlands attracts millions of travelers with its beautiful canals in Amsterdam, historic windmills, and colorful tulip fields.
It is also one of Europe’s most bike-friendly countries, and many visitors use rental bicycles to explore the city.
However, travel insurance is an essential part of preparing for your trip.
Cycling accidents involving tourists are increasing, and medical treatment in the Netherlands can result in very high costs.
Here are some common examples of medical expenses:
- Minor Scrapes and Bruises
→ Treatment: Cleaning, bandages, painkillers
→ Estimated Cost: €100–€300 - Fractures or Deep Cuts
→ Treatment: X-rays, casts, stitches
→ Estimated Cost: €1,000–€5,000 - Head Injuries or Internal Damage
→ Treatment: CT scans, surgery, ICU care
→ Estimated Cost: €10,000–€50,000
If you injure someone else in a bicycle accident, you may also be responsible for compensation costs.
To avoid financial and medical problems during your trip, travel insurance is strongly recommended.
No,1
SafetyWing
Insurance fee (4 weeks)
・$56.28 (not including the US)
・$104.44 (including the US)
・$104.44 (including the US)
Medical Compensation
$250,000
Emergency Transportation
$20,000
Dental treatment
$1,000
Flight delays
$200
Damaged/stolen/lost personal belongings
Without
Standby time
0 hours
No.2
World Nomads
Insurance fee (4 weeks)
・$220.43 (not including the US)
・$265.07 (including US)
・$265.07 (including US)
Medical Compensation
$5,000,000
Emergency Transportation
$500,000
Dental treatment
$300
Flight delays
$500
Damaged/stolen/lost personal belongings
$2,500
Standby time
72 hours
No.3
Heymondo
Insurance fee (4 weeks)
・$113.05 (not including the US)
・$130.16 (including the US)
・$130.16 (including the US)
Medical Compensation
$5,000,000
Emergency Transportation
$500,000
Dental treatment
$300
Flight delays
$450
Damaged/stolen/lost personal belongings
$1,700
Standby time
72 hours
This article explains why travel insurance is important when visiting the Netherlands and introduces simple, cost-effective insurance options you can apply for online.
Contents
Medical Standards and Costs in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has very high medical standards, supported by modern public and private healthcare facilities.
However, public health insurance does not apply to travelers. All medical expenses must be paid out of pocket.
Here are some common examples of medical costs in the Netherlands:
| Category | Approximate Medical Costs |
|---|---|
| General Consultation | €50–€100 |
| Emergency Room Visit | €100–€300 |
| Prescription Medication | €10–€50 |
| Ambulance Service | €300–€500 |
| Hospitalization (per day) | Private Room: €400–€700 ICU: €1,200–€2,500 |
Without insurance, even a simple consultation or emergency visit can cost between €100 and €500 or more.
*If hospitalization or intensive care is needed, expenses increase significantly.
Is Health Insurance Mandatory When Entering or Staying in the Netherlands?
Some countries require travelers to have medical insurance at the time of entry.
For example, in the Czech Republic, visitors must show proof of medical insurance upon arrival and carry the insurance certificate with their passport during their stay. Failing to do so can result in a fine.
» Which Countries Require Travel Insurance to Enter?
For the Netherlands, medical insurance is not mandatory for short-term stays.
However, if you are from a country that requires a Schengen visa, you may need to show proof of travel insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses when entering the country.
Because of this, it is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance before your trip.
Health Insurance Is Mandatory for Stays Longer Than 3 Months
If you stay in the Netherlands for more than 3 months, you are legally required to enroll in the Dutch basic health insurance system, known as Basisverzekering.
This insurance is mandatory for all residents of the Netherlands.
Key details of the Basisverzekering:
- Monthly premium : €147.35
- Annual deductible : €385
*This deductible is the maximum amount you must pay out of pocket each year before insurance covers additional medical costs.
If you do not enroll in this basic insurance after staying longer than 3 months, you may receive a fine of €472.25.
For anyone planning a long-term stay, enrolling as early as possible is strongly recommended.
How to Enroll in the Basic Health Insurance (Basisverzekering)
Register as a Resident (Gemeente Registration)
Basic health insurance enrollment begins with registering at your local municipality.
What you need to prepare?
- Valid passport or ID
- Residence permit (if required)
- Proof of address (rental contract, etc.)
What to do?
- Book an appointment at the gemeente (municipality) office.
- Visit the office with your documents.
- Receive your BSN (Burgerservicenummer)
*Usually the same day or within a few days.
Choose Your Insurance Provider
Once you receive your BSN, select a health insurance company.
How to compare providers
- Use comparison sites such as Independer or Zorgwijzer (both available in English).
Important points to consider
- Monthly premium (average around €147.35)
- Annual deductible (Eigen risico, standard €385)
- Optional supplementary coverage (dental, physiotherapy, etc.)
Enroll in the Health Insurance Plan
After choosing a provider, complete the enrollment online or by phone.
Enrollment procedure
- Go to the insurer’s official website and fill out the online form.
- Enter your details (BSN, address, phone number, bank account).
- Choose your plan and set up monthly premium payments.
Important deadline
- You must enroll within 4 months of registering as a resident.
Recommended Travel Insurance Netherlands for Short-Term Stays
If you are planning a short stay in the Netherlands, travel insurance that allows simple online application and claim filing is very convenient.
The insurance options below are popular because everything can be done online, and they offer strong, reliable coverage.
- SafetyWing
: A budget-friendly plan that you can buy online the same day. You can also sign up from abroad with no waiting period. - World Nomads
: Provides very comprehensive coverage, including medical insurance and protection against theft. - Heymondo
: Offers plans suitable for long-term stays, with medical coverage of up to 10 million dollars.
To enjoy your trip to the Netherlands without worry, consider enrolling in one of these insurance plans!
SafetyWing
Safety Wing is a very popular travel insurance option thanks to its simple and fast enrollment process.
Even if you are already in the Netherlands or another country, you can still sign up with no waiting period, giving you reliable support in case something unexpected happens.
Features of Safety Wing
- Monthly premium: 56.28 dollars
- Coverage available for periods as short as 5 days
- No waiting period when enrolling from abroad
- 24/7 live chat support
- Includes coverage for flight delays and lost luggage
- Easy online process from quote to enrollment
Below are the details of what the insurance covers.
| Insurance Details | Insurance Limit |
|---|---|
| Medical Insurance | $250,000 |
| Emergency Dental Care | $1,000 |
| Emergency Transportation | $100,000 |
| Medical repatriation | $5,000 |
| Emergency return to your country | $5,000 |
| Lost Baggage | $3,000 |
| Flight delays | $200 |
| Theft of passports | $100 |
| Car Accident | $250,000 |
| Interruption of travel (return to your country) | $250,000 |
| At the time of death | $20,000 |
Safety Wing is a great-value travel insurance option that provides up to 250,000 dollars in medical coverage for a monthly premium of 56.28 dollars.
It is highly flexible, allowing you to adjust the coverage period based on your travel schedule and budget, so you can use it efficiently without paying for more than you need.
Get a quote on the SafetyWing website now!
World Nomads
World Nomads is a highly trusted travel insurance provider offering wide-ranging coverage, from medical protection to theft insurance.
It also covers risks such as pickpocketing, making it a dependable choice for handling unexpected problems during your trip.
Features of World Nomads
- Insurance premiums vary by destination
(Ex, a 4-week plan that includes the U.S. costs $265.07) - Medical coverage limit up to $5,000,000, with an unlimited option available
- Coverage for flight delays and lost baggage
- 24/7 support by phone and email
Below are the details of the specific coverage included in the plan.
| Insurance Details | Insurance Limit |
|---|---|
| Medical Insurance | $5,000,000 |
| Emergency Dental Care | $300 |
| Medical Transportation and Repatriation | $5,000,000 |
| Medical repatriation | $5,000 |
| Emergency return to your country | $5,000 |
| Baggage coverage | $2,500 |
| Flight delays | $500 |
| Interruption of travel (return to your country) | $3,500 |
| At the time of death | $15,000 |
World Nomads premiums are slightly higher, such as $215.38 for a 4-week plan, but in return, you receive extensive protection with coverage up to $5,000,000.
Visit the World Nomads website to get a personalized quote and find the plan that best fits your trip.
Heymondo
For those planning a long-term stay in Europe, including the Netherlands, Heymondo is a very cost-effective travel insurance option.
By choosing a 3-month plan, you can reduce your monthly premium while still receiving medical coverage of up to $10,000,000.
In addition to medical protection, Heymondo also covers theft and pickpocketing, offering reliable support and peace of mind throughout your stay.
Features of Heymondo
- Cost-effective 3-month plan for long-term stays
- Premiums vary depending on your destination
- Medical coverage up to $5,000,000 (or up to $10,000,000)
- Compensation for flight delays and lost baggage
- 24/7 support by phone or email
The specific insurance coverage details are as follows.
| Insurance Details | Insurance Limit |
|---|---|
| Medical Insurance | $5,000,000 |
| Emergency Dental Care | $300 |
| Extended Overnight Expenses | $1,800 |
| Emergency Transportation | $5,000,000 |
| Baggage coverage | $1,700 |
| Flight delays | $450 |
| Interruption of travel (return to your country) | $3,500 |
| At the time of death | $100,000 |
The table above shows the coverage included in the standard plan (Top Travel Insurance).
Premiums vary depending on the plan, and some options offer more comprehensive coverage, such as medical coverage up to $10,000,000.
For more information on premiums, visit the Heymondo website and get a quick quote online.
Need more information?
If you’re searching for the best travel insurance for your trip, be sure to check the link below.
Which insurance is best for you?
Best Travel Insurance: Our Top Pick Is SafetyWing at $56/Month
You’re sure to find the insurance that best suits your needs. Take a look!
ABOUT ME
I've been a nomad abroad for five years, traveling through 10+ cities across Europe. Right now I’m spending time in places like Paris, Venice, and Barcelona. I’ll be sharing simple, useful tips for living abroad.
