# Healthcare- and liability insurance, and medical care

**Source**: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/study-programme-orientation/practical-matters/insurance-and-healthcare
**Parent**: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/study-programme-orientation/practical-matters/tuition-fee-finances

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# Healthcare- and liability insurance, and medical care

**TU Delft advises all students to have sufficient medical insurance and personal liability insurance. It is your own responsibility to be sufficiently insured on the date of your departure to the Netherlands.**

Sufficient medical insurance (in Dutch “ziektekostenverzekering”) covers medical expenses up to the Dutch cost price. The personal liability insurance (in Dutch “aansprakelijkheidverzekering/AVP”) is meant to insure you for damage you accidentally cause to someone else.

## Dutch legislation on healthcare insurance

Which healthcare insurance you need depends on your nationality and whether you have a part time job or paid internship in the Netherlands next to your studies.

Students with non-EU nationality
:   For students with non-EU nationality, it is only possible to take out private healthcare insurance when studying in the Netherlands.\
    There are insurance companies which offer insurance policies and packages especially designed for international students.\
    Be aware that students with non-EU nationality have additional insurance requirements set by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) to receive a residence permit after arrival in the Netherlands.

    Make sure to do the following **before your departure** to the Netherlands:

    - Find out if you already have an insurance plan, make sure to find out if your current healthcare insurance meets the IND requirements.
    - Check if your insurance plan is valid during your entire stay in the Netherlands and if your insurance plan covers Dutch medical costs up to the cost price.
    - If needed take out an additional insurance plan before your departure to be sufficiently covered during your stay in the Netherlands. International Insurances offers in collaboration with TU Delft an [insurance package](https://internationalinsurances.nl/en/tudelft/) which is affordable, provides sufficient coverage, and meets the requirements of IND.
    - If you take out an insurance plan, use your departure date as the start date of your insurance
    - Be aware that medical costs can be more expensive in the Netherlands compared to your home country, so you might need to take out additional insurance.

    Make sure to adjust your insurance plan when you start or stop with your paid internship or part-time job during your studies.

    For personal advice, [contact International Insurances](https://internationalinsurances.nl/en/tudelft/) or a Dutch insurance company.  for personal advice.  Although International Insurances is our preferred supplier, other providers may also offer appropriate coverage.

Students with the following nationalities: EU, EEA-countries, Switserland, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Cape Verde, Macedonia, Tunesia, and Turkey
:   Students with the abovementioned nationalities can only take out private healthcare insurance in the Netherlands, unless you have a paid job or paid internship next to your studies (read “International residents with paid internship or paid job”). There are insurance companies which offer insurance policies and packages especially designed international students.

    A number of countries signed a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement with The Dutch government and maintain special regulations. If you have an EU, EEA-country, or Swiss nationality, it is possible to apply for a European Healthcare insurance Card (EHIC) which gives you access to emergency care in the Netherlands. EHIC does not cover for additional care (dental, physiotherapy, etc.) and might not fully reimburse certain costs.

    Make sure to do the following before your departure to the Netherlands:

    - Click [here](https://www.zilverenkruis.nl/naar-nederland/studeren-in-nederland?sc_lang=en) to find out which procedure applies for your country and click [here](https://www.zilverenkruis.nl/naar-nederland/english/Paginas/right-to-health-care.aspx) to find out which types of healthcare are covered and can be reimbursed.
    - Find out if you already have an insurance plan, make sure to find out if your current healthcare insurance provides sufficient coverage.
    - Check if your insurance plan is valid during your entire stay in the Netherlands and if your insurance plan covers Dutch medical costs up to the cost price.
    - If needed take out an additional insurance plan before your departure to be sufficiently covered during your stay in the Netherlands. International Insurances offers in collaboration with TU Delft an [insurance package](https://internationalinsurances.nl/en/tudelft/) which is affordable and provides sufficient coverage.
    - If you take out an insurance plan, use your departure date as the start date of your insurance
    - Be aware that medical costs can be more expensive in the Netherlands compared to your home country.

    Make sure to adjust your insurance plan when you start or stop with your paid internship or part-time job during your studies.

    For personal advice, [contact International Insurances](https://internationalinsurances.nl/en/tudelft/) or a Dutch insurance company.  for personal advice.  Although International Insurances is our preferred supplier, other providers may also offer appropriate coverage.

International Students who plan to do an internship or work part-time in the Netherlands next to their studies
:   Non-EU students ( & non Treaty Countries\*)
    :   ###### [\* Treaty Countries](https://www.hetcak.nl/en/health-insurance-abroad/treaty-countries/)

        - If you have a paid internship and/or receive an allowance on par with the Dutch minimum wage or higher during your studies, you will need to take out Dutch basic healthcare insurance.
        - If you have a paid job alongside your studies on par with the Dutch minimum wage or higher during your studies, you will need to take out Dutch basic healthcare insurance.

        You can contact the Sociale Verzekerings Bank (SVB) to request [a (free of charge) investigation on your insurance situation under the Wlz scheme](https://www.svb.nl/en/the-wlz-scheme/insurance-under-the-wlz-scheme/you-are-a-student-or-doing-an-internship).

        Make sure to adjust your health insurance plan when you start or stop with your paid internship or part-time job during your studies.

    EU, EEA, Switzerland and Treaty Country\* students
    :   ###### [\* Treaty Countries](https://www.hetcak.nl/en/health-insurance-abroad/treaty-countries/)

        - If you have a paid internship and/or receive an allowance on par with the Dutch minimum wage or higher during your studies, you will need to take out Dutch basic healthcare insurance.
        - If you receive an internship allowance which covers you for employee insurance schemes, specifically sickness benefit (Ziektewet). You must take out Dutch basic health insurance. Check your payslip or ask the internship company whether your internship allowance covers you for employee insurance schemes.
        - If you have a paid job alongside your studies on par with the Dutch minimum wage or higher during your studies, you will need to take out Dutch basic healthcare insurance.
        - Do you have a European Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC)? You will need to take out a Dutch basic healthcare insurance when doing a paid internship/internship with an allowance/paid job which is on par with the Dutch minimum wage or higher during your studies.

        Make sure to adjust your insurance plan when you start or stop your internship or job during your studies.

        Contact the Sociale Verzekerings Bank (SVB) to request [a (free of charge) investigation on your insurance situation under the Wlz scheme](https://www.svb.nl/en/the-wlz-scheme/insurance-under-the-wlz-scheme/you-are-a-student-or-doing-an-internship).

    About Dutch basic insurance plan and additional packages
    :   The basic healthcare insurance plan has a comprehensive structure and includes the bulk of essential medical care, medications and medical aids which are consistent with medical practice. The coverage of basic healthcare insurance is dictated by the Dutch government. You can apply for additional packages on top of the basic plan to cover specific expenses, such as e.g. dental care or physiotherapy, as these expenses are not covered within the basic healthcare insurance plan. You are free to choose one of many insurance providers which offer Dutch public healthcare insurance in the Netherlands.

        Within the Dutch basic healthcare insurance policies, you also need to choose between “contracted” and “freedom of choice” policies (more expensive). Be aware that some policies (especially with the 'budget policies') offer a very limited choice of healthcare providers.

    Obligatory deductible excess
    :   All basic healthcare insurance policies include an obligatory minimum deductible excess of € 385 per calendar year on top of the nominal premium. This means that you have to pay the first € 385 of medical bills per year which are partly or not covered by the basic insurance policy. Individuals can choose to voluntarily increase their excess by a maximum of EUR 500, which in turn decreases the nominal premium. Visits to your General Practitioner (GP) are free of charge and are not included in your excess.

    Questions about healthcare insurance?
    :   [Contact the insurance company International Insurances](https://internationalinsurances.nl/en/tudelft/) or the insurance company of your own choice for personal advice for more information.

    Healthcare benefit
    :   If you are obligated to take out Dutch basic healthcare insurance you may be entitled to healthcare benefit (in Dutch: "Zorgtoeslag"). This is a financial compensation provided by the government. There are certain requirements to determine your eligibility for Zorgtoeslag. For more information click *[here](https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontenten/belastingdienst/individuals/benefits/how_do_benefits_work/i_want_to_apply_for_a_benefit/i_want_to_apply_for_a_benefit)* or call the Tax Authority (Belastingdienst): 0800 - 0543. TU Delft cannot help you with applying for healthcare benefit.

        **Note:** If you have private insurance or insurance from your home country you cannot apply for the healthcare benefit.

## Price and coverage

The fee is usually the first factor you consider when comparing insurance providers. However, a low premium for a health care insurance often is an indication that the coverage is lower as well. Therefore, it can be worthwhile paying a slightly higher premium in exchange for better coverage. It is very important that you thoroughly read and compare the insurance policies, in which you can find the exact coverage of different insurers before you opt for a certain healthcare insurance.

## Insurance provider

### International Insurances’ package deal for international students

International Insurances offer in collaboration with TU Delft an [insurance deal for international students](https://internationalinsurances.nl/en/tudelft/). The university strongly recommends this insurance plan as it is affordable, meets the IND requirements (if you need a residence permit), provides sufficient medical coverage, and includes personal liability insurance among other insurances.

International Insurances, on behalf of TU Delft, offers you the opportunity to have your insurance policies checked to ensure they are sufficient for the Netherlands. \
 In case you are already sufficiently covered for medical care, it is also possible to solely purchase the insurance package including personal liability insurance.

For more information and questions related to insurances feel free to [contact International Insurances](https://internationalinsurances.nl/en/tudelft/).

## Medical care in the Netherlands

Below you can find out which care institution you will need to contact if you face health problems or in case of a life-threatening emergency.

“Huisarts” (General Practitioner) and “Huisartsenpost” (general practice center)
:   In the Netherlands it is common to be registered with a General Practitioner or with a general healthcare practice. All TU Delft students can register at the Student Health Practice (SHP). Visit the website of [SHP](https://www.sgzstudent.nl/student-healthcare-services/student-healthcare-services-sgz) for more information.

    The GP is almost always the first person to consult when facing health problems. If the GP is not able to diagnose or treat, you will be referred to a specialist. In case of a health emergency (that is not life-threatening) outside practice hours, in the evening, night, and weekend, it is advised to contact a general practice center “huisartsenpost”. This is the stopover before any referral to a specialist or to a hospital outside practice hours. In Delft, the [“huisartsenpost”](https://hapschievliet.nl/locaties/huisartsenpost-delft/) is inside the Reinier de Graaf hospital.

Visit to a hospital
:   You can only visit the hospital or a specialist after a referral note from the General Practitioner. If your situation is not life-threatening, call the GP (or the “huisartsenpost” outside regular opening hours) first before visiting the hospital. In case of a sudden life-threatening emergency call 112 (ambulance, fire brigade, police).

Medication
:   Medicines are available on prescription from a doctor (restricted) at a pharmacy (“apotheek”) or over the counter (unrestricted) at a drugstore (“drogisterij”).

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