Health Insurance Switching Season in the Netherlands: What Expats Need to Know

Once a year, every person with Dutch health insurance gets a chance to change their plan, their deductible, or their insurer entirely — all with zero penalty. This window is called the overstapperiode (switching period), and it runs from November 12 to December 31.

If you're an expat in the Netherlands, this annual ritual is worth paying attention to. Prices change every year, and the cheapest plan from 2024 might not be the best deal in 2026.

When Is the Switching Season?

The switching period opens on November 12 each year. This is when insurers must publish their 2027 premiums (for the following year).

The deadline to switch is December 31. If you switch, your new insurance starts on January 1 of the following year.

Key dates:

• November 12 — Insurers publish new premiums; switching window opens
• December 31 — Last day to switch or change your plan
• January 1 — New coverage begins

Do You Have to Switch Every Year?

No. If you're happy with your current plan, do nothing. Your policy automatically renews for the next year on the same terms (with updated premiums, which change annually).

But even if you don't switch, it's worth checking whether your insurer has raised premiums significantly and whether a comparable plan elsewhere is cheaper.

How Much Can You Save by Switching?

Premium differences between insurers for effectively identical coverage can be €15–€40/month — that's up to €480/year. Over the years, this adds up.

Additionally, every year the standard eigen risico (deductible) and the covered medication list are reviewed. You might find that a different plan now covers something you use regularly.

Step-by-Step: How to Switch

1. Check your current plan

Log in to your insurer's portal and note:

• Your current monthly premium
• Your eigen risico level (€385 standard or higher)
• What supplemental coverage you have (dental, physio, etc.)

2. Compare plans on CareCompare

Starting November 12, you can see next year's prices.

👉 Compare 2026 health insurance plans

Filter by:

• Policy type (natura, restitutie, combinatie)
• Deductible level
• Supplemental coverage you want

3. Decide whether to switch

Consider switching if:

• Another insurer offers the same coverage for meaningfully less
• Your health situation has changed (you now need more/less coverage)
• You're dissatisfied with customer service or English-language support

4. Sign up with the new insurer

Apply directly with your new insurer before December 31. They handle the cancellation of your old policy — you don't need to contact your old insurer separately (though it's polite to do so).

The new insurer is legally required to accept you — there's no medical underwriting for the basic package (basisverzekering). They cannot refuse you based on health history.

5. Verify your new policy starts January 1

Your new insurer should send confirmation. Keep a record. Your old policy ends December 31 automatically.

What About Supplemental Insurance (Aanvullende Verzekering)?

Supplemental insurance (dental, physio, alternative medicine) has different rules:

• Insurers can ask about your health history for supplemental plans
• They can refuse supplemental coverage or exclude pre-existing conditions
• However, they cannot refuse or exclude you from the basic package

If you need supplemental coverage and have a health condition, be careful about switching — you might lose coverage that you currently have. Check whether your new insurer will accept your supplemental needs before committing.

When Does It Make Sense to Stay?

Stay with your current insurer if:

• You have ongoing specialist treatment — switching mid-treatment can occasionally cause administrative issues
• Your current insurer has an agreed lower rate for your employer (check with HR)
• You've built up a relationship with specific contracted providers you value
• The premium difference is small and not worth the hassle of switching

Consider switching if:

• You can save more than €10/month for equivalent coverage
• You want better English-language service
• Your supplemental needs have changed
• You want to change your deductible level significantly

Can You Switch During the Year?

In some circumstances, yes:

• Moving abroad or leaving the Netherlands — you can cancel your policy
• Losing employment — if your employer provided health insurance as part of a package
• Newborns — you can add a child at birth
• Significant life changes — marriage, divorce — may allow mid-year changes for supplemental coverage only

For the basic package, mid-year switches are generally not allowed. The annual window is the only time to switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my insurer refuse to renew my policy?

No. For the basisverzekering, insurers cannot refuse existing customers renewal. They can change their premiums and covered medications (within government rules), but they cannot cancel your policy.

If I switch, do I lose my claim history?

Your claim history with your old insurer stays there — it doesn't transfer. However, your new insurer cannot use your claim history to discriminate against you or adjust your premium for the basic package.

What happens to my eigen risico balance when I switch?

Your eigen risico resets on January 1 regardless of whether you switch. Any amount you paid toward your deductible in the current year does not carry over.

Can I switch supplemental insurance without switching basic?

Yes. Supplemental insurance is separate from the basic package. You can switch supplemental coverage with your current insurer, or even move your supplemental coverage to a different insurer than your basic plan.

I missed the switching deadline. Can I still switch?

If you missed December 31, you're locked in for the following year. The only exception is if your insurer significantly changes the terms of your coverage mid-year, which triggers a 30-day switching window.