If you’re an expat living in the Netherlands, it is essential to understand the eigen risico, the mandatory deductible in Dutch health insurance. Understanding the eigen risico will help you manage healthcare costs and avoid unexpected bills. Whether you’re new to the Dutch system, this guide explains the workings of the eigen risico. It is also for those looking to improve their coverage. Additionally, the potential savings, or loses!, for different eigen risico scenarios are compared.
If you are still searching for your first Dutch health insurance policy, take a look at my step-by-step guide. It explains how to get health insurance in the Netherlands.

What is Eigen Risico?
In the Netherlands, every adult with basic health insurance (basisverzekering) has a mandatory deductible of €385 per year. This means:
- You pay the first €385 of certain healthcare costs out of pocket
- After that, your insurer starts covering those costs
It’s not a monthly fee, it’s a yearly threshold. And it only applies to specific types of care.
What does it apply to?
Eigen risico applies to:
- Prescription medications
- Lab tests
- Hospital visits and treatments
- Specialist care
It does not apply to:
- GP visits (huisarts)
- Midwifery and maternity care
- Dental care for children
Optional Deductible: Voluntary Eigen Risico
Want to lower your monthly premium? You can opt for a voluntary deductible (vrijwillig eigen risico) up to €500 extra, making your total deductible €885.
Why would anyone do that?
- If you’re healthy and rarely use healthcare
- If you want to reduce your monthly premium
- If you’re comfortable with the risk of paying more out of pocket
It’s a calculated gamble, but for some, it pays off.
Savings calculation for different Eigen Risicos
Lets assume a realistic (for 2025) monthly cost insurance of €159,99 per month. This is €1919,88 per year.
- for €385 eigen risico the yearly costs stay the same: €1919,88 per year.
- for €585 eigen risico: You get €6 discount a month. This is €153,99 a month or €1847,88 per year. You save €72 a year compared to a €385 eigen risico.
- for €885 eigen risico: You get €15 discount a month. This is €144,99 a month or €1739,88 per year. You save €180 a year compared to a €385 eigen risico.
What if you pay the health insurance in one go instead of monthly?
Most insurers give a discount if you pay annually instead of monthly. Lets assume you get 1% discount:
- for €385 eigen risico: the yearly costs are €1919,88. After the 1% discount are €1919,88 – €19,20 = €1900,68. You save around €19.
- for €585 eigen risico: the yearly costs are €1847,88. After the 1% discount are €1847,88 – €18,48 = €1829,4. You save around €37 compared to the €385 eigen risico for the annual payment discount. If you add the increased deductible discount you save €109.
- for €885 eigen risico: the yearly costs are €1739,88. After the 1% discount are €1739,88 – €17,40 = €1722.48. You save around €36 compared to the €385 eigen risico . If you add the increased deductible discount you save €216.
How much money do you spend if you need to use your eigen risico?
Bellow I calculate how much you essentially pay for each eigen risico before and after all eigen risico and annual discounts:
- for €385 eigen risico: without discount you will pay €385. With discount you will pay €366. Savings: €19.
- for €585 eigen risico: without discount you will pay €385. With discount you will pay €476. Savings: -€91.
- for €885 eigen risico: without discount you will pay €385. With discount you will pay €669. Savings: -€284.
| Eigen risico | Savings if eigen risico is not paid | Savings if eigen risico is paid |
| €385 | €19 | €19 |
| €585 | €109 | -€91 |
| €885 | €216 | -€284 |
How should you decide?
The most important factor to decide which eigen risico you would use is if you have any chronic conditions. These conditions usually require you to get tests or specialist visits. Then the lowest eigen risico makes the most sense.
If you are healthy AND have enough savings in your account then the €885 deductible makes the most sense. You will pocket an extra €200 to use for clothing, transportation tickets, pay GWE bills, savings or investments.
I have only once used the €885 eigen risico. And that year was the only year I had to pay it all. Maybe you get more lucky, after all it is a (calculated) gamble.
Stay savvy.



