Understanding Eigen Risico: The Dutch Health Insurance Deductible Explained
Confused by the eigen risico? You're not alone. This guide explains how the Dutch deductible works, what it covers, and how to decide whether to raise it.
The eigen risico is one of the most confusing parts of Dutch health insurance for newcomers. It sounds like it should be simple, but there are exceptions that catch people off guard — and misunderstanding it can lead to unexpected bills.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is the Eigen Risico?
Eigen risico literally means "own risk" — it's your deductible. Every adult with Dutch health insurance has a mandatory eigen risico of €385 per year (2026).
This means: every year, the first €385 of eligible healthcare costs comes out of your own pocket. After you've paid €385, your insurance covers 100% of the rest (within the standard package).
The clock resets every calendar year on January 1.
What Counts Toward the Eigen Risico?
Most specialist and hospital care counts toward your eigen risico, including:
- Specialist consultations (referred by your GP)
- Hospital treatments and admissions
- Diagnostic tests (blood tests, scans, X-rays) ordered by a specialist
- Prescription medication (most types)
- Mental healthcare (basic coverage)
- Paramedical care (physiotherapy, speech therapy — limited covered sessions)
What Does NOT Count Toward the Eigen Risico?
This is the part that surprises most newcomers:
- GP visits — always free, never count toward eigen risico
- Maternity care — fully covered with no eigen risico
- Obstetrics — same
- Emergency transport — ambulance costs are not subject to eigen risico
- Care for children under 18 — children have no eigen risico
So: if you only see your GP and never need specialist care, you will never pay any eigen risico. It only applies when you're referred to a specialist or hospital.
Voluntary Higher Eigen Risico: How It Works
You can choose to raise your eigen risico voluntarily, up to €885 (the maximum in 2026). In exchange, your monthly premium goes down.
The options (depending on your insurer) are typically:
- €385 (mandatory minimum)
- €485, €585, €685, €785, or €885 (voluntary additions of €100–€500)
Example: Choosing an eigen risico of €885 instead of €385 might reduce your premium by €15–€25/month. Over a year, that's a saving of up to €300. But if you actually need specialist care, you'll pay up to €885 out of pocket instead of €385 — a difference of €500.
Break-even calculation: If you save €20/month by raising your deductible by €500, it takes 25 months (just over 2 years) of never needing specialist care to come out ahead.
Should You Raise Your Eigen Risico?
Raise it if:
- You're young and healthy
- You mainly use the GP (which is free anyway)
- You want to minimise your monthly costs
- You have savings to cover unexpected specialist care
Keep it at €385 if:
- You have ongoing health conditions requiring specialist visits
- You take regular prescription medication
- You're pregnant or planning to be
- You'd struggle to pay €885 out of pocket suddenly
When Is the Eigen Risico Collected?
Your insurer doesn't take the eigen risico from you directly. Here's how it works in practice:
- You visit a specialist or hospital
- The provider bills your insurer
- Your insurer pays the bill, then sends you an invoice for the eigen risico portion (up to your limit)
- You pay your insurer directly
Some insurers let you spread the eigen risico payment over the year. Ask your insurer about this option when enrolling.
Practical Tips for Managing Your Eigen Risico
Budget for it. Even with the standard €385 deductible, plan for this expense. If you need specialist care, you'll owe up to €385 at some point during the year.
Keep track of what you've paid. Many insurers have an app or online portal where you can see how much of your eigen risico you've used. Once you've hit the limit, the rest of the year is free.
Consider timing. If you know you need non-urgent specialist care, it can make sense to schedule it when you've already used up your eigen risico for the year — or to cluster care into a single calendar year to avoid paying it twice.
Compare total annual costs. When comparing plans, don't just look at the monthly premium. Calculate: (monthly premium × 12) + eigen risico + expected specialist costs. The cheapest premium isn't always the cheapest total.
👉 Use our calculator to see your total estimated costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay the eigen risico every time I see a specialist?
No — the eigen risico is a yearly total, not a per-visit charge. Once you've paid €385 (or your chosen level) in a given year, your insurance covers 100% of remaining costs.
What if I never use any specialist care?
Then you never pay any eigen risico. It only applies when you actually receive eligible care.
Does the eigen risico reset every year?
Yes, on January 1. Costs from December do not carry over to reduce January's deductible.
Is the eigen risico the same for everyone?
The mandatory minimum of €385 is the same for all adults. Children under 18 have no eigen risico. You can choose to increase your eigen risico (but not decrease it below €385).
Do I need to register my eigen risico with my insurer?
If you choose to raise your deductible above €385, you select this when you sign up or switch plans. You don't need to register the mandatory €385 — it applies automatically.