Study at Zuyd
Insurance

Healthcare insurance and more

Before you travel to the Netherlands, make sure that you are properly insured against risks. A healthcare insurance is one of the conditions you will have to meet to receive your residence permit. There are different options depending on the reason of your stay.

  • Study purposes only

    You are not allowed to take out a public Dutch health insurance if you are in Holland for study purposes only. You can stay insured with the health insurer in your home country or take out a private international health insurance. Some insurancecompanies will give you a student discount. Ask your school for advice or contact the Zorgverzekeringslijn.

    EU Health Insurance Card
    If you are from the EU/EEA you may be eligible to receive a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which covers your necessary medical costs during your stay. Apply with the health insurer in your home country before departure and check this information.

    Received a letter from CAK?
    You might receive a letter from the CAK about your insurance obligation. You need to take action within 3 months or you will receive a fine of approximately €380. Even if you incorrectly received the letter from the CAK.

    1. It is important to contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) to ask for an investigation of your insurance situation under the Wlz scheme (free of charge).
    2. Send a copy of the decision from the SVB about your insurance situation to the CAK.
  • Internship during your studies

    You might need to take out a public Dutch health insurance if you are planning to do a paid internship. Therefore, it is important to contact the SVB to request an investigation of your insurance situation under the Wlz scheme (free of charge).

  • Working alongside your studies

    If you have a (part-time) job you are required to have public Dutch health insurance. How do you do this?
    This basic health insurance covers hospital treatment (among other things).

    1. You must be registered with a local council before you can take out the health insurance.
    2. Choose your health insurance from one of the public Dutch health insurers. Fill out the application form and send it to the health insurer.
    3. The registration is complete once you have received an insurance policy (in Dutch: polisblad) and a health insurance card.
    4. You can apply for health care benefit (in Dutch: zorgtoeslag) via www.belastingdienst.nl.
    5. Cancel your insurance when your internship ends, when you stop working or when you leave the Netherlands. Don’t forget to deregister from your municipality.
    6. You need to take out a public Dutch health insurance if you stay after your studies and/or the Orientation Year and as soon as you start working. 

    You can contact Zorgverzekeringslijn for any questions about the public Dutch healthcare insurance. Visit www.zorgverzekeringslijn.nl or (if you are in Holland) call toll-free on number 0800 64 64 644 (weekdays 09.00 – 17.00 hrs). From abroad you can call +31 88 900 6960 (not toll-free).

What to do if you fall ill?

We recommend to register at a Dutch general practioner after your arrival. If you are not feeling well or have complaints, your first instinct may be to go to the hospital. However, the Dutch healthcare system is regulated differently. You must always first go and see your general practioner (GP), or in Dutch huisarts. The GP decides whether to send you to see a specialist and, if necessary, a hospital. If you need medicines, you will receive a prescription medicines from the GP and can collect them at a local pharmacy. More information is available on mymaastricht.nl and the Expat Centre Maastricht Region website.

Other insurance

Liability insurance 
You are strongly advised to carry a liability insurance. If you are liable for an accident that injures someone or damages another person's property, you may be held liable for all the costs resulting from the accident. You might, for example, break something where you are working or studying, or cause damage to your rented room. The resulting claim for damages could be very high. You are therefore strongly urged to have an adequate liability insurance. You can arrange such cover either in your own country or through Zuyd. More information is available on mymaastricht.nl.

Other insurance
Insurance to cover the costs of repatriation is also strongly recommended. This means that if you should become seriously ill or die, a family member can be flown to the Netherlands to take you back home. Finally, it is wise to insure yourself against theft and the costs of accidents and legal advice.
More information is available on mymaastricht.nl.