Mandatory excess
When you receive medical care that is reimbursed by your basic insurance, you'll pay the first part yourself. This is known as your excess and you pay up to €385 per year. After that, we will reimburse the costs from the basic insurance. Children under the age of 18 never have to pay an excess.
On top of your excess, there may also be a personal contribution or maximum reimbursement. Sometimes we cover everything, sometimes you pay everything, and sometimes we both pay a portion. If you want to know more, check out What do you pay and what do we pay?. Further information in Dutch only.
How much excess do I have left?
You can easily check how much excess you have left this year. You can also find out how much excess you have used in the past 5 years.
This is how the excess works
When you receive medical care that is reimbursed from your basic insurance, you'll pay the first part yourself. Once your excess has been fully used, we will reimburse you form your basic insurance.
- The excess applies if you are 18 years or older. It doesn't apply to children.
- You pay up to €385 per year. The amount of the mandatory excess is determined by the government.
- Your excess applies for an entire calendar year (from the 1st of January to the 31st of December).
- You only pay excess for care from the basic insurance, so never for care from the supplementary insurance.
- There are a few exceptions for which you do not pay excess, such as maternity care or a visit to the general practitioner. Further information in Dutch only.
Why do I pay excess?
The excess is created by the government. It encourages us to think twice before going to a healthcare provider, so we don't rush to the doctor for issues that might resolve on their own. This helps keep healthcare and premiums affordable.
You can increase your excess: the voluntary excess
The advantage of increasing your excess is that you pay a lower premium. However, if you have healthcare costs, you will pay a larger portion yourself. If you expect to need care from the basic insurance in the coming year, it is almost never beneficial to raise your excess. In that case, you will almost always end up paying more.
Good to know
Why did I receive my bill for the excess so late?
If you received treatment in the hospital, a bill for your excess may sometimes arrive late. Hospitals and independent treatment centres (zbc's) are only allowed to submit claims after the treatment period has ended. A treatment period lasts a minimum of 42 days and no more than 120 days. Only once the bill is received by Zilveren Kruis can we calculate whether you need to pay excess for it. Further information is available in Dutch only.
I turn 18 halfway through the year, will my excess be €385 as well?
No. You'll pay excess starting from the 1st of the month after your 18th birthday. The amount will be adjusted accordingly. This means the excess will be prorated. For example, if your birthday is on the 4th of June, you'll start paying excess from the 1st of July. Your excess for the remainder of the year (6 months) will then be €192.50.
I was in hospital for treatment from December 2024 to February 2025. Will I pay excess for both years?
If your treatment in a hospital or independent treatment centre started in 2024, we will deduct the costs of this treatment from your excess for 2024, even if the treatment continues into 2025. If the treatment lasts longer than 120 days, you will also pay excess in 2025.
Why do I have to pay my excess twice for the same treatment?
The hospital sends the bill within a maximum of 120 days. This is because a treatment period for which a bill is issued can last a maximum of 120 days. After that, the hospital will issue a new bill for the same treatment. This continues until your treatment ends. If your treatment lasts longer than 120 days, you will receive multiple bills. You can always check with your healthcare provider at the hospital whether and when a follow-up bill will be issued. This is called a follow-up dbc (diagnosis treatment combination). Further information is available in Dutch only.
Does my excess apply to non-urgent medical care received abroad?
Yes, just like in the Netherlands you will pay an excess for care that is reimbursed by your basic insurance. The excess doesn’t apply to medical care reimbursed based on the S2 form. However, the statutory personal contribution may apply.
Useful links
- You pay a portion yourself (in Dutch only)
- Statutory contribution
- Maximum reimbursement (in Dutch only)
- Non-contracted care (in Dutch only)
Are you administrator, curator or budget manager?
Request an overview of your client's excess status via the online form. Further information in Dutch only.
Check if you are entitled to health care benefit
If you have no or a low income, you can apply for health care allowance through the Tax Office (Dienst Toeslagen). Further information in Dutch only.