Dutch self-employed permit: health cover

The application form doesn't ask for it. That's unusual, and it leads people to assume insurance can wait. The reason to have coverage isn't the IND. It's that you'll be living in the Netherlands for months without access to the Dutch system.

Because the law doesn't allow it yet. Dutch basic insurance follows from being insured under the Wlz, which in turn follows from lawful residence. While your application is pending you don't have that status, so no Dutch insurer can issue you a policy. Government guidance says this plainly, including for people who already hold an MVV.

For American applicants it usually runs from arrival to the IND decision, commonly two to four months. The variables are municipality appointment availability for your BSN and how quickly you get the business registration and deposit done. We'd suggest planning for longer than you expect and canceling early if you're pleasantly surprised.

Dutch basic health insurance becomes compulsory and you have four months to take it out. Sign up within that window and your coverage backdates to the day your permit took effect, so nothing is left uninsured. You'll owe the premiums for those backdated months too.

There's no retroactive coverage, so you personally carry any medical costs from that period. The CAK will write to you, give you three months to sort it out, then issue a fine of €529.74. Another three months brings a second fine, after which they enroll you with an insurer and collect €172.70 a month directly from your income.

Yes, if you want to. Basic insurance covers the essentials but comes with a €385 deductible in 2026 and referral requirements that can slow things down. Some people keep an international policy alongside for faster specialist access, private facilities, and coverage that works across the EU. It's optional, and you can cancel monthly.

If the refusal comes before your policy start date, cancel in one click and you'll be fully refunded. If you're already in the Netherlands and covered, cancel from the next month and the coverage you used stays valid.

No. You can sign up before you arrive, with no BSN, Dutch address, or Dutch bank account. That's the whole point, since the BSN is often what you're waiting for.

Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Anything that existed before your policy start date won't be reimbursed. This is standard for expat health insurance and has no bearing on your permit. If you have a significant condition, talk to our team before signing up so we can walk through your situation.

Each person needs their own policy, but you can manage them all from a single Feather account by using the same email address at signup