ACCESS NL > Healthcare in the Netherlands > Dutch medical insurances > Dutch health insurance > I have recently moved to the Netherlands and I don’t have a BSN number. Is it possible to have health insurance without a BSN number?

Healthcare in the Netherlands

Who administers the social security schemes in the Netherlands?

Who is covered by the Dutch social insurance system?

What social security benefits are available in the Netherlands?

If I claim social security benefits, will it affect my residence permits?

How can I find a doctor that speaks my language (no English-speaking)?

How can I contact my huisarts (GP) outside normal opening hours?

I am dissatisfied with my huisarts. Can I change to another huisarts?

I want to see a medical specialist. How can I arrange that?

I want to go to a medical specialist but my GP does not want to give me a referral. Can I visit a medical specialist without a referral?

How can I contact my dentist outside normal opening hours?

What kind of accommodation and facilities can I expect when I need hospitalisation?

Is hospitalisation covered by my insurance?

Can I go to the accident and emergency department in a hospital without referral?

What should I do in case of emergency?

How can I call an ambulance?

In another country, my doctor prescribed me some medicine. How can I get this medicine in the Netherlands?

I would like to have additional shots for my child or for myself that are not standard in the Netherlands. How can I arrange this?

Where can I find help for mental health problems?

Can I get mental health treatments reimbursed?

I am pregnant and will be giving birth in the Netherlands. What practical preparations do I need to make?

Can you please tell me what services I can expect from a midwife?

Which prenatal tests are usually carried out in the Netherlands?

Should I follow a prenatal course?

Where can I learn more about breastfeeding?

Which are the options for delivering a baby in the Netherlands?

What will happen if I choose to give birth at home?

Can I choose to give birth in a hospital?

Will I be able to get pain relief?

What is kraamzorg?

What is the role of a kraamverzorgende (maternity nurse)?

How much will the kraamzorg cost me?

What is a 'doula' and what can she help me with?

What check-ups will be done after the birth of my baby?

What does a consultatiebureau (child health clinic) do?

When do I need to register my child to the consultatiebureau (child health clinic)?

What maternity leave am I entitled to?

What other leaves-of-absence from work are there relating to my children?

How can I get kindersbijslag (child benefit) and how does it work?

Which documents should I bring to register the birth of my newborn child?

Which surname can I choose for my child?

Is my baby going to be insured automatically after birth?

Do I need to make a will or change it upon the birth of my child?

I am going to have a baby in the Netherlands. Will my child have Dutch nationality?

I want to travel with my baby. Does he/she need a passport?

What is included in the basic Dutch health insurance package?

Are there different health insurance policies? And what is the difference?

Is dental healthcare covered by the insurance?

Can I get additional coverage for my health insurance?

How will my children be insured?

Do I need to take out Dutch health insurance if I am on a short-term stay?

If I don’t have a Dutch health insurance policy yet, is there a way to get my medical costs reimbursed?

I just took out a Dutch health insurance policy but now the insurance company wants me to pay the premium for a few months retrospectively. Can they do that?

What will happen if I don’t take out Dutch health insurance?

Is there a deductible (eigen risico)?

Can I use my Dutch health insurance abroad?

My residence permit has expired and my application to renew it has been rejected. Can I still get medical help here?

What is a basic Dutch health insurance?

Do I need to take out a Dutch health insurance if I am studying?

Are the costs for giving birth covered by my Dutch health insurance?

I have recently moved to the Netherlands and I don't have a BSN number. Is it possible to have health insurance without a BSN number?

It is not possible to obtain Dutch health insurance without a burgerservicenummer (BSN – citizen service number).

If you are coming to stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, you are required to have a  residence permit and BSN.  The BSN It is required for starting a job in the Netherlands, opening a bank account, using the health care system, applying for benefits, etc. When you are legally living or working in the Netherlands for longer than four months, it is compulsory to get Dutch health insurance. This is  the so-called basisverzekering (basic insurance). It may take a while before you can get your BSN.  If you need medical help while you don’t have your BSN yet,  you can get the necessary care but will probably have to pay for it yourself. Once you have a health insurance, you can send the bill to your health insurance company and they will refund it according to their policy.

If you are temporarily residing in the Netherlands (fewer than four months), you are not obliged to take out Dutch health insurance. If you do not have a BSN, you are not registered in the Netherlands. If you still would like to take out Dutch health insurance, you will need to apply at the Social Security Office (Sociale Verzekeringbank – SVB). If you are working, it is likely that the request will not be accepted. In that case, you should make sure to extend the international or travel insurance from your home country.

If you have further questions, contact the SVB on 020 656 4848.

For more information related to your first three months in the Netherlands:

access-nl.org/relocating-to-netherlands/first-three-months/formalities/

I have a Dutch health insurance and would like to change to another insurance company. How can I arrange this?

I am temporarily immobile. How can I arrange help?

What can I do when I am dissatisfied with the medical specialist?