Non-urgent medical care abroad
Do you want to go abroad for medical treatment? For example, for a knee surgery or cataract treatment? Or do you need dialysis at your holiday destination? This is called non-urgent medical care.
The same rules apply for care abroad as in the Netherlands
The care must also be insured in the Netherlands. Just like in the Netherlands, you pay an excess. Sometimes you also pay a personal contribution. If the costs abroad higher than in the Netherlands, you will pay the extra costs yourself. Ask your Dutch doctor for a referral letter before your first visit to the doctor abroad.
You can choose between contracted and non-contracted care
Your choice between contracted and non-contracted care determines the amount reimbursed.
We have contracts with a few hospitals abroad (pdf) (in Dutch only). Treatment by a contacted care provider has several advantages:
- We reimburse the treatment. Please note that you’ll pay an excess and sometimes a personal contribution.
- The care provider sends the bill directly to us.
- We have agreed on the price of care.
We arrange this care for you. Please contact the Care Coach for this.
You have 2 options if the foreign care provider doesn’t have a contract with us. Please note that you will pay an excess and sometimes a personal contribution.
Do you want to go to an EU, EEA country, or Switzerland?
- You pay the bill upfront and will receive reimbursement according to our policy terms and conditions for non-contracted care. The reimbursement may be lower than the costs. Further information is available in Dutch only.
- Or it may be the same as that received by residents of the country you are visiting. Furthermore, you’ll pay the same personal contribution as the residents of that country. Always apply for care abroad in advance and make sure to do so it in time, before the treatment starts. If the total costs of your treatment are lower than the maximum reimbursement according to the policy conditions for non-contracted care, we will pay your invoice from the basic insurance up to this amount.
Do you want to go to a country other than an EU, EEA country, or Switzerland?
You pay the bill upfront and will receive reimbursement according to our policy terms and conditions for non-contracted care. The reimbursement may be lower than the costs. Further information is available in Dutch only.
You sometimes need to get permission in advance for non-contracted care abroad
If you want to go abroad for care, it´s a good idea to apply for permission in advance to avoid any (financial) surprises. From 1 January 2026, it will be mandatory to apply for permission in advance for treatment that requires hospital admission. his also applies if you need medication that costs more than €1,000 per each time it is given. Always ask for permission for:
- Fertility treatment
- Plastic surgery
- Admission to mental health care (ggz)
- Transgender care
- District nursing
- Care under the Long-term Care Act (Wlz)
Please always wait for our permission, as you are only entitled to reimbursement once you have it.
Application form is available in Dutch only.
You don’t need to apply for permission for every type of care
For some types of care, asking for permission in advance is not necessary. This applies to:
- Is kidney dialysis abroad reimbursed?
- Is midwifery care, childbirth, and maternity care abroad reimbursed?
- Reimbursement for dental care
Further information is available in Dutch only.