Health insurance in the Netherlands | overview insurance companies

Claire LangenhoffExpert Zorgverzekeringen

30-03-2018

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16-07-2026

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4 min leestijd

Wouter Heuvelink

Gecontroleerd door onze zorgexpert

In 2026, the Netherlands has 10 health insurance groups that together offer 28 different insurance brands. Every insurer must offer the same basic coverage (basisverzekering) by law, but premiums, service and contracted hospitals differ — so your choice of insurer still matters for your wallet. On this page you find an overview of all insurance companies and brands, see which brand belongs to which group, and learn how to pick the one that fits you. On ZorgKiezer.nl we compare over 900 insurance products from all of these companies.

How many health insurance companies are there in the Netherlands?

There are 10 health insurance groups (in Dutch: concerns) in the Netherlands in 2026. Together they sell their policies under 28 different brand names. Four large groups dominate the market: Achmea, VGZ, CZ and Menzis. Together they insure about 85% of all Dutch residents.

The other six groups are smaller, often regional or specialised insurers, such as DSW, ONVZ, a.s.r., Zorg en Zekerheid, Salland and Aevitae (EUCARE). Small does not mean worse: several smaller insurers score high on customer satisfaction. Curious which ones? See the best rated health insurers (Dutch page).

All health insurance brands per group in 2026

Many well-known insurance brands belong to the same parent group. This matters when you compare: two brands from the same group can share the same care contracts, but charge different premiums. On ZorgKiezer.nl we compare the premiums and conditions of all these companies, based on the product information they provide. Want to see the Dutch overview with more detail per insurer? Check alle zorgverzekeraars.

Same basic coverage, different premiums

Every insurer must offer the same basic coverage: the government decides what is in the basic health insurance, not the insurance company. Still, the price differs a lot. In 2026, the cheapest basic policies cost around € 142 per month, while the most expensive cost around € 185 per month — a difference of over € 500 per year for the same core coverage. Where does that difference come from? Insurers make their own choices in the type of policy they offer. Budget brands (such as ZieZo, VGZbewuzt, CZdirect or Anderzorg) keep the premium low with online-only service and a smaller selection of contracted care providers. Service-oriented insurers (such as ONVZ) charge more but offer free choice of hospital and personal service. What the different policy types mean for you is explained in our overview of types of health insurance in the Netherlands.

Large or small insurer: what fits you?

A large insurer is not automatically better or cheaper. The big four (Achmea, VGZ, CZ and Menzis) offer a wide choice of policies and have contracts with almost all hospitals. Smaller insurers often stand out with personal service and high customer ratings — DSW, for example, is known for its single flat premium and no discount games. For expats there is one extra practical point: not every insurer offers full English-language service or an English website. Check this before you choose if you prefer to arrange your insurance in English (controleer: actuele lijst Engelstalige service per verzekeraar).

An insurer must always accept you

Whichever company you choose: Dutch insurers must accept everyone for the basic insurance. This acceptance obligation (acceptatieplicht) is set by law. Your age, health or medical history make no difference for the basic insurance, and insurers are not allowed to charge you a higher premium because of your health. This acceptance obligation does not apply to supplementary insurance, such as extra dental or physiotherapy coverage. For some supplementary packages, an insurer may ask health questions or refuse you. Compare the conditions before you apply.

How do you choose the right insurance company?

Start from your own care needs, not from the brand name. These four questions help you decide:

1.  Which care do you expect to use? Check whether your hospital, GP or pharmacy has a contract with the insurer.

2. How much service do you want? Online-only is cheaper; personal service costs more.

3. Do you need supplementary coverage? Compare dental and physiotherapy packages separately.

4. What is the total price? Look at the yearly costs including any voluntary deductible, not only the monthly premium.

 Ready to see what each company charges for your situation? Compare health insurance in the Netherlands — ZorgKiezer.nl is an independent comparison platform and compares all insurers, not just a selection.