You arranged both your public and private Dutch health insurance and now you are probably wondering if you are also entitled to your Dutch healthcare insurance in your country of origin. In this blog we will answer two frequently asked questions:
But first, a short recap regarding the Dutch health insurance system. You probably already read about the Dutch healthcare system and the way it works. If not, please make sure you understand the Dutch health insurance.
During your assignment in the Netherlands, you are required to take out a private health insurance plan. This is legally obliged. A Dutch medical insurer, specialized in health insurances for foreign employees and people who are temporarily living or working in the Netherlands, is HollandZorg. It is possible to arrange a private health insurance with HollandZorg via us.
If you work in the Netherlands, yet live abroad, you may also be entitled to your Dutch healthcare insurance in your country of origin. However, your country of origin must be a treaty country. Find out if your country of origin is a treaty country to be sure of the level of healthcare coverage from your health insurer. Apart from the treaty countries (Member States of the EU and the EEA), the Netherlands also has social security agreements with other countries.
In case your country of origin is a treaty country and you take out a Dutch health insurance, you are entitled to the same healthcare as the locals. This means you can use your Dutch health insurance for medical treatments in your country of origin. However, it is possible that your health insurer does not cover all the costs. Seeing a doctor or going to a hospital abroad is often more expensive. This may also be the case if you need an ambulance, or if you get prescription medicines from a foreign pharmacy. Your insurer will probably not reimburse the extra costs.
Generally, insurance companies cover the costs of treatments equal to the Dutch costs. Often you will need to pay the extra costs yourself. If you want to make sure you are insured for extra costs abroad, you can take out travel insurance or additional health insurance.
What to do to get the right to medical care?
When you have confirmed that the country where you are registered is a treaty country, you need to fill in a E106/S1 form. With this form, you apply for the right to medical care in your country of residence. This form also entitles your partner and children to healthcare in their country of residence, or in the Netherlands if they are staying here.
Using the E106/S1 form allows you to prove that you already have health insurance, and that you are therefore entitled to reimbursement in the country where you are registered. As mentioned before, this reimbursement is based on Dutch standards.
Where do you get an E106/S1 form?
You can get the E106/S1 form from your Dutch health insurance company by calling the helpdesk, or by downloading this form from the website or portal. It depends on the policy of your health insurer where you can find the E106/S1 form.
What about your European health insurance
When you are registered with a Dutch health insurer, you automatically receive a health insurance card bearing your insurance details. This European health insurance card (EHIC) entitles you to urgent medical care in other EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. However, the EHIC will not be valid in your country of residence if you work in the Netherlands. You will need an E106 form or the digital version (S1 form).
If your country is not a treaty country, or does not have a social security agreement with the Netherlands, you cannot use the E106 form. You will need a Dutch health insurance, but it will not be possible to co-insure your family members. They will have to take out insurance in their country of residence.
After reading this article, we hope you are fully aware of the validity of your Dutch health insurance in your country of residence, and when you need to use the E106 form. If not, please do not hesitate to contact us by email for any further information about Dutch health insurances, the Dutch healthcare system or any other questions related to live in the Netherlands at duc@wepaypeople.com.
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