netherlands travel health insurance

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Netherlands Travel Insurance for Short-Term Visitors and Tourists

If you are planning a trip to the Netherlands, it can be a little bit of a buzzkill to think of something going wrong and needing medical assistance. However, it is always best to be prepared for anything.

Netherlands travel insurance grants you the security of knowing that if you do need medical assistance during your trip, you will not be met with large unexpected medical bills, which you have to pay out-of-pocket.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for the Netherlands?

If you need a Schengen visa to enter the Netherlands , then you also need travel health insurance. Travel health insurance is an essential part of the Dutch visa application process . Along with all other documents, you need to submit a health insurance policy of at least €30,000 coverage in the Netherlands and the entire Schengen zone.

Companies like Europ Assistance and MondialCare can provide you with the insurance certificate you need when applying for a Dutch visa. These are established leaders in the travel insurance industry, so their policy will be accepted by the Dutch embassy.

If you are a non-EU citizen who is exempt from a visa, such as an American, Canadian, etc., you do not need travel insurance to enter the Netherlands. That said, although it is not an entry requirement, you are still advised to purchase a travel insurance policy because healthcare in the Netherlands for tourists is not free.

If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you can use your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) to receive the same level of healthcare coverage in the Netherlands as Dutch citizens. This means that you would not need to pay for basic doctor’s consultations and treatment, but certain procedures do require you to pay a portion of the cost out of pocket.

If you are moving to Holland to study, work, or another type of long-term visit which lasts more than 180 days, then you should get health insurance for the Netherlands .

Do UK Citizens Need Travel Insurance for the Netherlands

UK citizens travelling to the Netherlands do not need travel insurance to enter. But again, it is highly encouraged to obtain some sort of healthcare coverage, to avoid paying out-of-pocket for any arising medical emergencies. Health insurance options for British citizens travelling to the EU include:

• Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) , which grants Britons the same health insurance rights in the Netherlands as Dutch citizens.
• Travel health insurance, which covers medical emergencies in all Dutch healthcare providers, private or public. Travel health insurance usually has a more comprehensive scope of coverage (e.g. it also covers treatment in private clinics and emergency evacuations.

Netherlands Travel Medical Insurance Requirements

Travel health insurance for the Netherlands visa applications should fulfil the following conditions:

• Cover at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, evacuation, and repatriation.
• Be valid for the entire duration of your trip.
• Be valid in the Netherlands and the entire Schengen Zone.

Naturally, you can get an insurance policy with additional coverage or a higher policy maximum. This is just the most basic plan which is required for the Schengen visa application .

Looking to Buy the Best Travel Insurance for the Netherlands?

Health Insurance policies for foreigners travelling to the Netherlands that also fulfil Dutch visa and entry requirements can be purchased online from Europ Assistance and MondialCare .

Which Nationals Are Required to Purchase Travel Insurance When Visiting Holland?

• Required to Purchase Travel Insurance for Holland
• Not Required to Purchase Travel Insurance for Holland

What Does Netherlands Travel Medical Insurance Cover?

A basic travel insurance package for the Netherlands covers the following:

• Emergency medical treatment. Travel insurance covers the costs related to emergency medical treatment while you are in the Netherlands. It does not cover routine checkups or treatment related to pre-existing conditions.
• Evacuation and repatriation. Travel insurance reimburses the costs of evacuation if you fall seriously ill while you are in the Netherlands, and need to be transported for treatment elsewhere. It also covers the costs related to the repatriation of remains, in case of death.

Many travel insurance policies also cover trip disturbances, interruptions, or delays, such as:

• Having to cut your trip to the Netherlands short (reimburses non-refundable lost bookings/reservations).
• Flight delay (reimburses the costs related to accommodation, food, transport, related to waiting for a delayed flight).
• Missed flight (reimburses the cost of a missed flight or for alternative transportation to the Netherlands).
• Loss or theft of baggage (reimburses some of the costs of your lost belongings).
• Personal liability. This type of insurance covers any costs which arise if you cause damage to someone’s property or person while you are in the Netherlands.

Naturally, the exact coverage depends on your personal preference. Many travellers choose to purchase only travel health insurance, especially if they have refundable bookings or if their trip did not cost that much.

Where Can I Get Netherlands Travel Insurance?

You can purchase travel health insurance for the Netherlands online. Companies like Europ Assistance and MondialCare  are some of the leading providers of Schengen travel insurance. Their insurance policies are also accepted at Dutch embassies for visa applications.

Although online is the easiest method, you can also purchase travel insurance from a local travel insurance company.

How Does Netherlands Travel Insurance Work?

Travel medical insurance for the Netherlands can work in two ways:

• Direct billing, in which case you present your travel health insurance card to your healthcare provider in the Netherlands, and they bill the insurance company directly. If this is not possible, then you have to pay the cost yourself initially and be reimbursed.
• Reimbursement, in which case you pay your medical bills out-of-pocket, and then send the bills, receipts, and prescriptions to your insurance company. This is called making a claim. The insurance company then reimburses you, according to the policy conditions.

How Much Does Netherlands Travel Insurance Cost?

Netherlands travel health insurance policies can be as cheap as €20 per person for a one-week trip. Naturally, with higher policy maximums, coverage, and longer trip duration, the price increases.

Europ Assistance and MondialCare offer low-cost travel insurance, which (in addition to the Netherlands) covers the entire Schengen Area, as well as Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Cyprus, and Ireland (if you decide to extend the scope of your trip).

Healthcare for Tourists in the Netherlands

Tourists in the Netherlands do not have access to free healthcare, even in public hospitals and clinics.

Dutch citizens and legal residents in the Netherlands have their medical costs covered by the Dutch National Health Service. While it is universal (everyone must have at least basic coverage) it is not entirely free. Everyone has to pay for a basic plan each month, so when they need medical treatment, their costs are covered.

However, because tourists do not pay for Dutch health insurance, they have to pay for all doctor’s visits, consultations, and medical treatment. This is why, to cover any arising medical costs, tourists need to have travel health insurance.

If you need medical assistance in the Netherlands:

In emergency situations, you have to call 112. This is the number for all emergency services, like the ambulance, police, fire department, etc. The operators can also speak English. You may also go to the A&E department of the hospital (accident and emergencies), but only if you have a life-threatening situation.

In non-emergency situations, you have to consult a GP. You have to make an appointment beforehand. Your hotel should refer you to which doctor you can see and help you arrange a visit. If you have Dutch friends or relatives, you can access their GP.

Netherlands Travel Safety Tips

The Netherlands is a relatively safe country to visit, however, just as anywhere else in the world, you should exercise caution. Keep in mind the following when travelling to the Netherlands:

• Keep your belongings close to you in crowded tourist areas. Pickpockets and thieves are known to target high-density areas such as cafes and restaurants, tourist attractions (like the red light district), public transportation, and Central Station.
• Be aware of scams. A known scam is one in which thieves will pretend to be plainclothes police, and ask for your wallet with the pretext of looking for counterfeit money or credit cards.
• Stay away from dark and empty streets or alleys. If you are not familiar with a territory, avoid walking alone very late at night or when no one is around.
• If you are travelling during the summer, wear a hat and sunglasses to avoid sunburns and a trip to the doctor.
• Drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration during sightseeing.

Other travel insurance guides

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Travel Insurance for The Netherlands

Visitors to the netherlands: safety and travel insurance advice.

Travel Insurance in The Netherlands for Visitors

When traveling outside of your home country, purchasing a travel medical insurance plan is always recommended. The Netherlands is no different. Even though it is one of the safest countries, it doesn’t mean you will be exempt from illness or an accident. It’s best to get coverage and peace of mind.

• Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
• Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
• Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
• 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

GeoBlue Voyager Plan

• For U.S. citizens up to age 95
• Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
• 24/7/365 service and assistance

Health Insurance for Expats in The Netherlands

Expats in The Netherlands need to have basic Dutch health insurance . There are no exceptions, even if they are carrying private health insurance from their home country. But there is still flexibility. Within the Dutch health insurance system, everyone has the right to choose which provider they want. If you are a Dutch citizen who moved out of the country , you may need private medical insurance when visiting.

Finding a local doctor should be one of your first jobs as an expat. The local doctor plays an important role in healthcare in the Netherlands. They are the first stop to receive any type of medical treatment.

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
• Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service

Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan

• Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
• Define your deductible and prescription benefits
• For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad

Understanding The Netherlands’ Healthcare System

The quality of healthcare in The Netherlands is excellent. The country has universal healthcare. The government requires all adults to have basic health insurance, which is managed by the government and supplemented by private companies. Additional supplemental coverage is optional, but everyone living in The Netherlands must have government-managed health insurance from a Dutch provider.

This insurance covers visits to general practitioners and hospitals. It’s very economical. Both primary and long-term services are offered at a fixed price. Furthermore, it’s illegal for insurance companies to refuse coverage or impose punitive fees. Residents with a local income level can also apply for financial assistance. This helps with the cost of basic healthcare and covers supplemental services.

Emergency Numbers In The Netherlands

The emergency number for The Netherlands is 112.

Hospitals in The Netherlands

There are three kinds of hospitals in The Netherlands: university hospitals, general hospitals, and teaching hospitals. Most of them are privately run. Visitors can expect all hospitals in The Netherlands to be clean, comfortable, and run by multilingual staff.

In an emergency situation, you do not need to be pre-registered at the hospital. You can simply go to the nearest emergency room. If you’ve been in the country for a long time and thus are signed up to a local doctor, they may also have an out-of-hours emergency number. And if you’re in Holland, you can call the Centrale Huisartsen Post (CHP) outside of regular hours to consult a doctor.

Make sure you understand what your travel insurance for The Netherlands will cover.

Vaccines and Staying Healthy

Tap water is safe to drink in The Netherlands, and public sanitation standards are high. There are no major concerns about food safety.

As with all travel destinations, ensure that your routine vaccinations are current. Some of these vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza, and Hepatitis B.

Finding public washrooms is challenging in The Netherlands. There are free urinals in many Dutch cities, but the same can’t be said of private toilet stalls. Savvy travelers always keep several coins with them to pay for public toilets. Others simply look for fast-food restaurants. The purchase of a small soda is a small price to pay for access to a clean and private washroom!

Bike Safety In The Netherlands

The cliche of The Netherlands being a cycling destination is absolutely true. There are indeed more bicycles than people in The Netherlands. The average Dutch citizen cycles more than 3km every day . However, visitors should know that the bike lanes are dangerous spots – but not for cyclists. They’re dangerous for unsuspecting tourists! Another reason to purchase travel insurance for The Netherlands, it is common for tourists to be involved in an accident.

Designated bike lanes are usually painted red and marked with a bike symbol. But bikes are truly everywhere, and cyclists don’t slow down for pedestrians. In busy cities like Amsterdam, always assume the road you are on is used by cyclists. Double-check before you cross!

Unfortunately, bicycle theft is common in The Netherlands. Locals use a two-lock system, utilizing a standard bike lock and chain lock. They also look for guarded bike parks to park their bike.

Drug Use In The Netherlands

Cannabis is not legal in the Netherlands. Cannabis is decriminalized, and recreational use of it is tolerated. This relaxed attitude towards soft drug use plays an important role in the country’s tourism industry. Figures suggest that 25-30% of people who visit Amsterdam spend time in a coffee shop for the purpose of trying cannabis.

You are allowed to purchase up to 5 grams of cannabis for personal use. That said, you must be older than 18 years old. In some parts of The Netherlands, you also need to be a resident to make a purchase. However, residency rules don’t apply in Amsterdam. You also must visit a licensed establishment such as a coffee shop.  Coffee shops are clean, safe, and welcoming establishments with knowledgeable staff and safe products.

Despite its laid-back reputation, drug use and trafficking are taken very seriously in The Netherlands. You could face heavy fines and a serious jail sentence for trafficking drugs, traveling in and out of The Netherlands with drugs, or using drugs outside a licensed establishment.

Visiting The Red Light District

The famous Red Light District of Amsterdam. It’s a relatively tame, quiet part of the city by day. By night – well, it’s also relatively tame but with hoards of tourists. Amsterdam’s De Wallen neighborhood, better known as the Red Light District, is very safe for curious travelers to visit, with two exceptions. Anyone caught taking photos of sex workers will get in big trouble. Taking photos here is extremely disrespectful. Those working there might give you a scary warning (at best) or throw your phone into the canal (at worst). Secondly, this is a pickpocket’s paradise. Pickpocketers thrive on crowds of distracted visitors, something in abundance there.

Prostitution is legal across The Netherlands, not just in Amsterdam. Any consensual encounter between a prostitute and a customer is allowed. But there is a risk of sexually transmitted diseases, just like in any sexual encounter. Just because sex work is legal in The Netherlands doesn’t mean there are any guarantees which negate the use of safe sex practices.

The safety and health of both sex workers and customers are just two of the topics in a growing debate about the future of legalized prostitution in The Netherlands, as per the Financial Post . Of particular concern is that the country hasn’t been successful in preventing human traffickers from profiting from the system.

Passport Requirements for Travel to The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a Schengen area country . Most travelers do not require a visa for stays of 90 days within 180 days. You can find a full list of what nationalities do and do not need visas or other special considerations here .

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Travel insurance in the Netherlands

Home » Insurances for Expats in the Netherlands » Travel insurance in the Netherlands

Travel insurance is a crucial consideration for anyone planning to visit or reside in the Netherlands, providing peace of mind for a wide range of potential travel-related issues. Whether you’re an expat living in the Netherlands, a Dutch resident traveling abroad, or a tourist visiting the country, understanding the ins and outs of travel insurance in this context is essential. Here’s a comprehensive overview of travel insurance for those connected to the Netherlands, covering what it typically includes, why it’s important, and key considerations.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel insurance policies can vary widely, but they generally include coverage for:

• Medical emergencies : Covers the costs of medical treatments abroad, which can be prohibitively expensive, especially outside the European Union.
• Trip cancellations or interruptions : Reimburses you for non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen circumstances, like illness or a family emergency.
• Lost, stolen, or delayed baggage : Provides compensation for the inconvenience and expense of lost, stolen, or delayed baggage.
• Personal liability : Protects you if you’re held liable for damaging property or injuring someone during your trip.
• Repatriation : Covers the cost of returning you to your home country in case of severe illness, injury, or death.

Why Is Travel Insurance Important?

• Financial Protection : Travel insurance safeguards against significant financial losses due to unforeseen events affecting your travel plans or health abroad.
• Health and Safety : Ensures access to necessary medical treatments without the worry of exorbitant costs, especially critical in countries with high healthcare expenses.
• Legal Requirements : Some countries require proof of travel insurance as a condition for entry, especially for visas that permit longer stays.

Considerations for Choosing Travel Insurance

• Destination : Ensure your insurance covers your travel destinations, particularly if you plan to visit countries with high medical costs.
• Duration and Frequency of Travel : Consider whether single-trip or multi-trip annual insurance is more cost-effective based on your travel habits.
• Activities : If you plan to engage in activities like skiing, scuba diving, or hiking, check if your policy covers accidents related to these sports.
• Existing Medical Conditions : Disclose any pre-existing medical conditions to ensure they’re covered; some policies may require additional premiums for this coverage.
• Valuables : If traveling with expensive items, check the policy’s coverage limit for personal belongings and consider additional coverage if necessary.

Coverage explained

When expats in the Netherlands are considering travel insurance, understanding what coverage is essential can significantly impact their peace of mind and safety while abroad. What coverage is essential for expats’ travel insurance in the Netherlands? Here’s a breakdown of key coverage areas that expats should prioritize:

Medical Emergency and Health Coverage

• Emergency Medical Treatment : Covers the costs of emergency medical care if you fall ill or are injured while traveling. It’s crucial for destinations with high healthcare costs.
• Repatriation : Should you need to be returned to the Netherlands or your home country due to severe illness or injury, this coverage ensures you’re not left facing hefty transportation costs.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

• Cancellation : Reimburses non-refundable expenses if you must cancel your trip due to covered reasons like illness, family emergency, or job loss.
• Interruption : Provides compensation if you need to cut your trip short for similar reasons, covering the cost of return travel and unused accommodations.

Luggage and Personal Belongings

• Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Items : Offers compensation for the repair or replacement of personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip.
• Delayed Baggage : Covers the cost of essential items if your baggage is delayed by the airline, ensuring you’re not left without necessities.

Personal Liability

• Liability Coverage : Protects you if you’re held legally responsible for injuring someone or damaging property while traveling. This can save you from significant financial and legal repercussions.

Additional Considerations

• Legal Assistance : Some policies offer coverage for legal expenses should you encounter legal issues while abroad.
• Adventure and Sports Activities : If you plan to engage in adventure sports or activities, ensure your policy covers these, as standard policies often exclude high-risk activities.

Tips for Expats and Visitors in the Netherlands

• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) : For EU citizens traveling within the EU, this card provides access to healthcare at reduced costs or sometimes free. However, it’s not a substitute for travel insurance, as it doesn’t cover many travel-related issues like trip cancellations or repatriation.
• Schengen Visa Insurance : Non-EU residents traveling to the Netherlands on a Schengen visa must have travel insurance covering at least €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation.
• Compare Policies : Use comparison websites to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs, considering coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions.
• Read the Fine Print : Understand what is and isn’t covered, especially regarding COVID-19 related cancellations, to avoid surprises.

Travel insurance is an indispensable part of planning your stay or visit to the Netherlands, offering protection against a wide array of potential issues. Carefully selecting a policy that matches your travel plans and personal needs can significantly enhance your peace of mind while abroad.

Travel insurance the Netherlands

Travel insurance can give you peace of mind when you're traveling. It will cover you when your trip is canceled or interrupted, when you have a medical emergency, lost your baggage and some countries even require it. Even your trips inside the Netherlands will be covered.

We explore in this section

Why should i get travel insurance.

Travel insurance can give you peace of mind when you're traveling. We list some of the examples where having a Travel insurance can help you out. 

Trip Cancellation or Interruption Your travel plans can change due to various reasons, illness, a family member has an emergency or work needs you to stay. When you have Travel insurance you can reimburse for non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip.

Medical Emergencies When you have health issues when you're away from home, and medical care in a foreign country can be expensive. Travel insurance covers those medical expenses, including hospital stays, medications, and emergency medical evacuation.

Lost or Delayed Baggage Travel insurance can provide coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage. It may also offer compensation for essential items in case your baggage is delayed.

Trip Delay If your trip is delayed due to covered reasons (for example weather or airline strikes), travel insurance can provide reimbursement for additional expenses like accommodation, meals, and transportation.

Travel Assistance Services Many travel insurance plans offer 24/7 assistance services. This can include help with medical emergencies, travel arrangements, language translation, and more.

Emergency Evacuation   In the event of a natural disaster, political unrest, or other emergencies, travel insurance can cover the costs of evacuating you to a place of safety.

Personal Liability Coverage If you accidentally cause injury to someone or damage their property while traveling, travel insurance can provide coverage for legal expenses and damages.

Specialized Coverage Depending on the type of policy, you may also get coverage for specific activities such as adventure sports, rental car damage, or pre-existing medical conditions.

Requirements for Certain Destinations Some countries may require visitors to have travel insurance as a condition of entry. Having the necessary coverage can save you from potential complications during immigration. Check your destination to be sure. 

What is better? Short-term or annual travel insurance?

Choosing between short-term and annual travel insurance depends on your travel habits and frequency. Some factors to consider: Frequency of Travel If you travel frequently throughout the year, an annual travel insurance policy might be more cost-effective. It provides coverage for multiple trips within a 12-month period, which can save you money compared to buying separate short-term policies for each trip. Compare prices but generally when you have two or more trips a year you are better off taking an annual travel insurance.  Flexibility Short-term policies offer flexibility in terms of coverage and duration, allowing you to tailor the insurance to the specific requirements of each trip. Annual policies may have some limitations on trip duration for each individual trip.

Medical Coverage Check the medical coverage provided by each type of policy. If you have health concerns or anticipate needing medical coverage, make sure the policy you choose provides sufficient and suitable coverage for your needs.

Destination and Activities Consider the destinations you plan to visit and the activities you intend to engage in. Some policies may have restrictions or limitations based on the location and types of activities.

Like always when you choose an insurance, carefully read the terms and conditions of each policy, compare coverage, and assess your travel patterns. If in doubt, consider consulting with an insurance advisor to help you choose the most appropriate option for your specific situation.

What is covered by Travel insurance?

This can vary depending the insurer. But regardless of which travel insurance policy you take out, your cover will always include:

• Loss or theft of luggage
• Assistance in the event of an accident, sickness, hospitalisation or death
• Earlier return journey due to illness or accident
• Extended stay as a result of a natural disaster or strike

Univé’s Travel insurance for Expats

Embark on worry-free adventures as an expat with Univé's Travel Insurance. Life's uncertainties may be as diverse as the paths you tread, but your travels deserve reliable protection.

Whether it's the automatic termination of coverage post-trip or the added benefit of free insurance for children under 4, Univé understands the unique needs of expats like you.

Univé offers both short-term and annual travel insurance. Protect yourself against unexpected events with our basic protection or customize your coverage with extras like roadside assistance and accident payment.

Univé's travel insurance  is your worry-free companion, allowing you to navigate life's twists with ease. Travel confidently and securely—choose Univé and redefine your travel experience.

Recommended insurers

FBTO is a highly-rated Dutch insurance provider where you can adjust coverage to your needs. They offer insurance for your travel, car, house, legal matters, and much more. Visit the website to get a direct quote.

ABN AMRO Bank N.V. is the third-largest bank in the Netherlands. They also have highly rated insurances and mortgages. If you already have an bank account with them, this is the easiest option to get Travel Insurance . For  long and  short term. Check the website for more information.

Univé is a cooperative insurance company in the Netherlands. Univé presents itself as a nonprofit insurer, to express that making profit is not important and therefore has cheaper products.

Centraal Beheer

Centraal Beheer is one of the biggest insurance companies in the Netherlands with insurances for travel, home, car, your bike and much more.

InShared was founded in 2009 as an online insurer and became one of the most successful insurers in the online market. The go-to market strategy of online differs a lot from the traditional channels, and within this InShared made some clear choices.

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19 questions answered about Dutch health insurance in 2021

Wondering what type of health insurance you need in the Netherlands in 2021? Don’t worry, we have the answers to all your questions about Dutch healthcare!

Who said living life on the edge is a good thing? Definitely not the Dutch! If you’re someone who prefers to be safe rather than sorry, we’re certain you already have all the insurances possible.

If you’re not — well, sorry to break it to you, but it is mandatory to have Dutch health insurance when you’re living and working here. The Health Insurance Act declares that everyone should have access to affordable healthcare for whatever ailments you may have.

We’ve stacked this article with useful tips so that you can be happy with the health insurance provider you sign up for. If you’re wondering why Dutch health insurance is mandatory, what to do if you have overdue payments or if you are so riddled with questions that you don’t know where to begin, then read on!

But if you want to get ahead of us and find an insurance provider because you’ve already done your research, then visit Zorgwijzer – the only health insurance comparison website in English in the Netherlands. We teamed up with them to bring you all the do’s and don’ts when it comes to selecting your health insurance in the Netherlands.

Is having Dutch health insurance mandatory?

When you first move to the Netherlands, one of the first things you have to do is get out Dutch health insurance policy. Everyone who is working and residing in the Netherlands has to have one, and you risk getting a fine if you wait too long.

You will come under the Health Insurance Act  (ZVW) and the Long-Term Care Act (Wlz) which is designed to work on social solidarity. This means that once you sign up for an insurance policy and start paying towards your monthly premiums you are helping to create a pool of financial resources not just for yourself, but everyone else who has signed up too.

Don’t worry, no one’s getting freebies here — everyone pays for what they need, and they only get what they signed up for. For example, the basic, compulsory Dutch health insurance packages cover maternity care.

Although part of the population may not require maternity care themselves, social solidarity means the women will receive the care they need, without necessarily having to pay extra.

You have to sign up for an insurance policy within four months of your arrival for non-EU nationals, and within one year for EU nationals. However, there are exceptions for who needs to have mandatory health insurance. You are required to get an income-related premium only if you’re receiving your monthly wages from a Dutch employer, or if you receive any benefits from the state.

Is Dutch healthcare insurance free?

Nope, sadly it is not. Although the law requires you to take out mandatory insurance, it is not regulated so that it is free of cost. You have to pay monthly premiums towards your healthcare costs where basic things like visiting a GP, basic prescription pills, etc are covered (but more on that later).

So how much will I be paying as a monthly premium for my Dutch health insurance?

If you were to take out the mandatory basic Dutch health insurance without any supplementary insurances, then you are looking at costs of around 100 euros a month. The cost varies according to the own-risk fee or deductibles you set up (i.e., putting up a part of the medical costs yourself but we’ll get to that), your income, and your place of residence.

Although it is not one of the cheapest monthly premiums available, the Dutch government wants to make sure everyone gets access to quality healthcare. So there are some ways to reduce it — like increasing your deductible or even applying for a health insurance allowance.

Zorgwijzer is a great place for you to compare different health insurance policies and find one which fits you best. They also have a quick guide on the steps you need to take in order to get the mandatory Dutch health insurance.

But if you want to first determine if you are required to have mandatory Dutch health insurance, read on!

I already have insurance coverage from home/international insurance/EHIC card, should I get healthcare insurance in the Netherlands?

If you are an EU-national who is working and living in the Netherlands, but your employer happens to be based in your home country, you are allowed to be insured there. However, you need to have an A1 certificate. You get this by applying for an S1 or E106 form with the insurance company who is providing you with the insurance coverage.

You can also remain insured in your home country or with international insurance if you are staying in the Netherlands for a short period of time, and your insurance policy covers you here.

Do I need Dutch health insurance if I am working in the Netherlands but live abroad?

Different rules apply for you if you have a job in the Netherlands, but are registered as living in another country, say Belgium or Germany. In that case, you still have to have Dutch health insurance but will have to request to be exempt from paying health insurance in your country of residence. Contact your health insurance provider for more accurate information and the extent of your coverage.

This will change if you have a job with a Dutch employer but don’t worry, we touch upon that here as well!

I am an international student. Should I have Dutch health insurance?

The Netherlands is a popular destination to pursue higher education. It attracts students from all over the world (guilty, as charged) as it provides for an attractive alternative to the expensive degrees in the US and the UK.

If you’re here on a student visa, or if you plan to only study without working then you are not obligated to be insured by Dutch health insurance.

However, the Netherlands can be expensive, and it would only be natural for a lot of you to look for other opportunities to make some cash on the side. So if you do manage to get a part-time job (there are ways to do that even if you are on a study visa) which pays you a minimum wage, you have to be insured from the first day of your work contract.

A lot of the times, however, you are also required to do an internship as part of your studies. If this internship pays you a minimum wage, you (unfortunately) have to get Dutch health insurance. But if you’re paid less than that, you don’t have to worry about that!

Should I get Dutch health insurance if I am self-employed?

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and become your own boss . Apart from arranging things with the Chamber of Commerce (being a freelancer in the Netherlands has a lot more steps to that), you also have to arrange your health insurance. It might be different for when you are a student or when you were in contractual employment. For this, you will have to start a Wlz assessment with the SVB . They will advise you and determine if you will need to take out mandatory Dutch health insurance.

However, the way you pay your health insurance will be different to how people with full-time or part-time employment will have to pay. While their health insurance is directly debited from their salary, yours will be through the income taxes you will be paying to the government.

Is my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from my home country valid in the Netherlands?

But what do you do if you only have an EHIC and you get hurt in the Netherlands? If you indeed have one, then don’t worry — you’re covered in the Netherlands. But remember, this is only if you are staying here for a short period and not receiving an income from a Dutch employer.

So all exchange students who are EU-nationals, travellers, or even if you’re just an international EU student who has health insurance your home country and an EHIC card in the Netherlands, don’t worry about the validity of the card! It only becomes null and void if you start working and receive at least a Dutch minimum wage.

Basic health care insurance in the Netherlands. What does the basic package cover?

Okay, now that we have covered if you need to have Dutch health insurance or not, let’s start talking about what you will be signing up for.

If you are legally required to get Dutch health insurance, you will get a compulsory basic package.

As mentioned earlier, generally, it will cost around 100 euros a month, with a set amount on your “own risk-fee” or deductibles. The prices vary according to how much you set this deductible to be.

What are deductibles in the Dutch health care system?

Wait, what? I pay a monthly premium and some own-risk fee? What are these deductibles and why should I pay them?

Yep, that’s the catch here: although the basic package can be pretty extensive for anyone who would not require a specialist’s treatment and care, you still have to put up some of the costs for some of the services. These are known as deductibles, and they cover your excess for the whole year.

If you’re generally a very healthy person who would not need to visit the doctor a lot, then you can voluntarily set your excess to a higher amount. The higher your excess own-risk fee, the lower your monthly health insurance premium. But make sure you do have the excess stashed away somewhere just in case, though.

The deductibles can be set at €385, €485, €585, €685, €785, and €885. Your monthly and yearly medical bills and insurance premiums will depend on which deductible you pick.

But there are a few services which you can utilise as part of your monthly premiums and don’t have to incur any extra charges.

• Visiting your GP
• Maternity care
• Healthcare for anyone younger than 18

But what do you do if you indeed have a prolonged illness that would require a specialist’s treatment? On top of your basic package, you can pick and choose your supplementary packages — whether it be for mental illnesses, dental, chronic illnesses, etc.

Read More l Health insurance and coronavirus in the Netherlands

I have a mental illness, what type of insurance should I get in the Netherlands?

There is a lot of debate about mental healthcare in the Netherlands . If you’re otherwise sound and don’t live with any severe mental conditions, sticking to only the basic package would be fine. It covers some basic primary and secondary mental health care.

As soon as you discuss a treatment plan with your doctor, the cost is estimated for the whole treatment. Therefore, you will not be charged per hour because it’s hard to determine when a person has been cured of a mental illness. Instead, you will be charged for the whole treatment. You don’t have to worry about this bill if you have your insurance in place.

But if you are living with something a lot more complex where you will need to be in intensive therapy, treatments or care, your insurance policy may not cover all of your medical expenses. You will have to read the fine print and go through your policy documents or approach your insurer’s customer service before starting the treatment plan. If not, you might have to take out additional insurance.

If you will require hospitalization, your insurance should cover the first three years you’re there. After that, it will be your call to make.

For everything you need to know, see our extensive guide on mental healthcare in the Netherlands . And remember to always get help. If you or anyone you know is suffering from a mental illness, get help before it’s too late.

Suicide prevention Netherlands:  0900 – 0113

Samaritans:  0602 222 88

I need to go to the dentist, will my health insurance in the Netherlands cover it?

As mentioned earlier, your basic insurance in the Netherlands covers your dental costs only if you’re under the age of 18 or in the case of an emergency. For regular, non-emergency treatments, you will have to take out additional insurance or aanvullende verrzekering. 

But when you’re signing up for one, make sure to read that fine print, because not everything is fully covered. You will find packages that cover only a part of the bill or might have a cap on the number of treatments you can have. Sometimes they cover only the most basic things like consultations with your dentist, quick and small treatments, and the like.

To know everything about getting dental insurance, we have made a handy guide for you to inform yourselves about dental insurance in the Netherlands .

What else does the supplementary insurance cover in the Netherlands?

The supplementary insurance or the aanvullende verrzekering  is what you will need if the basic insurance package doesn’t cover everything you need. It will cover some necessary things which may not be useful for a lot of people. This includes and is not limited to dental care (as mentioned above), physiotherapy, homoeopathic treatments and, glasses and contact lenses.

Not all supplementary insurances in the Netherlands are the same: they may differ on the coverage. So be sure to know what you want and need.

If I don’t get Dutch health insurance, what happens then?

So you have arrived in the Netherlands and you’ve been busy relocating, exploring and just settling into Dutch life. Getting health insurance has completely skipped your mind and your deadline’s up. You will then receive a letter from the CAK and a new deadline will be set for within three months.

If you are still being scatter-brained and don’t have insurance by then, you will be issued a fine of 402.24 euros. You will then have six months before your next fine will be due. If you still haven’t signed up, you will have to pay another fine of the same amount. And even then if you don’t sign up within nine months of the first letter you received, then CAK will take the liberty of registering you with an insurer.

The insurance will be backdated to your date of arrival and you will have to pay for all those months, so, really, it is not worth being that disorganised.

Alright, I have my Dutch insurance. Can I go to the hospital as I please?

So how can you actually use it? Can you go to the hospital as you like, or do you have to go through different channels? Who should you approach first? The Dutch love their protocols, so you must be wondering what the protocol for going to the hospital in the Netherlands is.

If you’re in a medical emergency in the Netherlands

In case you are in an emergency, you have to call the emergency number 112. It’s a toll-free number which puts you through to either the ambulance, the fire brigade or the police. Tell the first-responders where to pick you up, and they will take you to the nearest hospital. If you have basic Dutch health insurance, you need not worry about the bills. All policies cover emergency medical situations, including the ambulance ride to the hospital.

If you don’t, unfortunately, you’ll have to gather the finances to pay the hefty bills yourself. So it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry, eh?

If it’s a non-emergency medical situation

If it’s a non-emergency situation, you will have to go to your GP first. It will generally cost you a whole lot more if you do not have a referral letter from them. Or in better situations, they might be able to treat you themselves. But if you do need a specialist’s care, a letter from your GP will cover the consultation charges (but not the treatment).

I have gotten hurt abroad and need to go to the doctor, will my Dutch health insurance cover it?

If you’re travelling within the EU/EEA (including Switzerland) and you have Dutch health insurance, then don’t worry about getting hurt or soliciting medical services. You enjoy the same level of health care as the people who live there. Depending on your insurance provider’s reimbursement policy, it could be easy or hard for you.

But the good thing is, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with your health insurance provider for free. It is basically proof to show that you are insured in an EU country. Carry this around with you when you travel and get your reimbursements faster.

However, do check with your insurance provider of what kinds of treatments are reimbursed. Your policy may cover only some services and costs, but not all of them. In that case, you will have to have extra travel insurance. Additionally, if the healthcare costs are higher than how much it would be in the Netherlands, you may have to pay the difference. Check the Dutch government’s website for the latest information for this, or check Zorgwijzer where they tell you how much of it might be covered.

I don’t qualify for the basic package, what are my other options?

If you don’t qualify for Dutch health insurance, then you still have a lot of different options available to you.

I have been a non-EU, master’s student in the Netherlands for a while. I came here on a study visa which had stringent rules on what kind of jobs I can have and under what conditions (even if it was an internship). So I did not qualify for the basic Dutch health insurance package. My university referred me to a private one where I paid 40 euros a month. So it was much less than what I would have paid if I was eligible.

You could do what I did, or you could also stick to the insurance you have in your home country (make sure it covers you in the Netherlands!) or international insurance.

I received a letter from my health insurer because my premium is overdue. What now?

Sometimes, things can get difficult financially, and you might risk not paying your health insurance for a bit. We have one piece of advice for you: DON’T DO IT. There are always options like getting healthcare subsidies or reducing your deductibles.

But if you do find yourself in this situation, you may have to pay a higher premium. Your health insurance provider will track you down (it’s not that hard, they have your address) and send you a letter if you are behind two months worth of payments. You can arrange a payment plan with them.

If you’re overdue by four months of payments, they will send you a final warning to arrange a payment plan. If you don’t do this in time, you can also go to the municipality for debt counselling.

But seriously, consider making the effort to apply for subsidies before you find yourself in this situation.

Can I get a healthcare allowance?

If you cannot afford to pay for the mandatory basic health insurance in the Netherlands, then don’t worry. The government has a healthcare allowance or z orgtoeslag  for people in such a situation.

You get paid a certain amount of money every month, which you can then use to pay for your health insurance. You are also allowed to apply for one with your tax partner! You are eligible if:

• You are 18-years-old or older and are eligible for compulsory Dutch health insurance.
• Your (combined) income is low
• You are an EU-national, or a citizen of Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland
• If you’re a non-EU national, you need to have a valid residence or work permit.

We have a more extensive guide on getting your subsidy in place so that you don’t get into debt, so make sure to check everything you need to know about healthcare allowance in the Netherlands ! Or check Zorgwijzer — they have a quick and updated guide in getting healthcare allowance in the Netherlands.

I’m not happy with my insurance provider, how can I change it?

Do you find that the health insurance provider you have chosen is not sufficient enough for you? Things change and your needs might also change with that — whether you’re moving from a job, the possible high premiums, and so on. For whatever reason, if you want to change your insurance provider, it’s a pretty straightforward procedure.

In practice, you are signing up for a contract of a year and therefore are allowed to change providers only once a year. You should cancel it before January 1 of the next year, and take out new insurance before February 1. You will then be insured starting from January 1. For example for this year, cancel your insurance before January 1, 2020, and sign up for a new one before February 1, 2020.

Many of the insurance providers also make it easy where they provide a transfer service – this means that if you sign up with them before December 31, they will cancel your old insurance for you.

Is there a place I can compare insurances?

Since you can change it only once a year, you want to be damned sure that you’re signing up for the right one. So make sure you know exactly what you need, how much coverage is optimum, how much of a deductible is cost-effective and if it is affordable for you.

So make sure you compare the insurance policies with a close eye! The only website available in the Netherlands in English to compare multiple insurances is Zorgwijzer . They give you all the latest prices and has an excellent feedback loop with extensive reviews from people. One place for you to know which health insurance in the Netherlands is the way to go!

You can pick the insurance policies that you want to compare, and you will get a side-by-side view of the rating, hospital coverage, pharmacies, physiotherapists, and the extent of your coverage. All you have to do is click on the policies you want to compare, and voila! You have all the relevant information you need.

Were we able to answer any of the questions you might’ve had about Dutch health insurance? Did we miss something out? We even have a complete guide to healthcare in the Netherlands , a guide to dental care , mental healthcare in the Netherlands , going to the hospital , and finding the right GP for you . 

Feature Image: Zhen Hu /Unsplash Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in December 2019, and was fully updated in January 2021 for your reading pleasure.

Great article. Thanks for putting this up!

Thank you for the great article! Can you tell me more about how to get health insurance if I am not allowed to take the basic package? Where do i find private insurance companies and their packages? I will be doing a 5 months internship while earning below minimum wage, so i have no other option.

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I am going to travel abroad. How will this affect my health insurance?

If you will be travelling abroad for less than 1 year, you can keep your Dutch health insurance. If you will be travelling abroad for more than 1 year, the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) will determine whether you can keep your Dutch health insurance.

Less than 1 year abroad

If you will be travelling for less than 1 year, you must have Dutch health insurance. Ask your health insurer about the coverage your policy offers outside the Netherlands. If necessary, take out supplementary insurance.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you will be travelling in an EU country, EEA country or Switzerland, apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your health insurer. With an EHIC you are entitled to essential medical care in the country where you are travelling.

Read more about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Between 1 and 3 years abroad

If you will be travelling for more than 1 year but less than 3 years, you can only keep your Dutch health insurance if you are insured in the Netherlands under the Chronic Care Act (Wlz). If you are not sure whether you are insured under the Wlz, see the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) website. Select the situation that applies to you to see whether you are insured under the Wlz.

Visit SVB.nl to find out if you are insured under the Wlz

If your situation is not listed or you have any questions, apply for an assessment of your insurance position from the SVB. The SVB will then determine whether you are insured under the Wlz.

Apply for an assessment of your insurance position under the Wlz scheme from the SVB

Termination of Dutch health insurance policy

If the SVB determines that you cannot keep your Dutch health insurance, terminate your policy as soon as possible. Stop any healthcare benefit you may receive too. You must take out health insurance abroad or purchase international health insurance.

How can I arrange health insurance abroad?

What is international health insurance?

More than 3 years abroad

If you will be travelling abroad for more than 3 years, you cannot keep your Dutch health insurance. You can take out health insurance abroad or purchase international health insurance.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us .

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Home » Europe » Netherlands » Travel Insurance

Guide To Netherlands Travel Insurance – ALL You Need To Know

If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, you’re in for a treat! This tiny nation is home to one of Europe’s coolest cities and some spectacular countryside, as well as some of the friendliest people in Europe. You can easily spend endless days winding along rural routes by bike, wandering around snapping pictures of windmills and smelling the tulips, or chilling in one of Amsterdam’s famous coffee shops and partying until late.

As we always say, there’s so much more to this Western European treasure than Amsterdam. We love this buzzing city, but we urge all visitors to get out and explore as much of the nation as you can! It’s a fabulous country to ease yourself into backpacking around Europe – or simply for a long weekend.

But before you start planning your itinerary around this awesome country, you have one thing to consider: that would be… travel insurance in the Netherlands!

Month to month payments, no lock-in contracts, and no itineraries required: that’s the exact kind of insurance digital nomads and long-term traveller types need. Cover yo’ pretty little self while you live the DREAM!

Do I Need Travel Insurance For The Netherlands?

What should travel insurance in the netherlands cover, what is the best netherlands travel insurance, how to choose the right netherlands travel insurance for you.

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You may well need travel insurance for Holland. Depending on where you’re from, you may need to show proof of insurance. before you can enter. Travel insurance for visitors to the Netherlands is mandatory for all those who require a Schengen visa. Find out if your home country is on the Schengen Visa needed list here . If you are eligible to travel in the Netherlands without a visa or as part of the Schengen free movement agreement, then Dutch travel insurance isn’t mandatory.

So, if you’re not legally required to buy Netherlands travel insurance, why bother? The Netherlands is safe, right? There are no poisonous snakes, no tropical diseases – surely it’s too flat for skiing? Indeed, the Netherlands is remarkably safe. However, if you’re spending most of your time seeing the sights in Amsterdam you’re more likely to run into some trouble. Pick-pocketing, theft and drug-related crimes are pretty common in Amsterdam. You may not know it, but, due to its geography, the Netherlands is vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels.  It’s unlikely to cause a problem, but it’s worth thinking about travel insurance in the Netherlands in a worst-case scenario.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, although we always recommend erring on the side of caution. At least explore your options and consider even the cheapest the Netherlands travel insurance for peace of mind.

Need more convincing? Check out these other reasons why you should have travel insurance !

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Healthcare in The Netherlands

The Dutch healthcare service frequency tops medical charts both across Europe and worldwide. Most recently, the WHO placed healthcare in the Netherlands at #17. The 2018 Euro Health Consumer Index ranked it at #2. Medical services are efficient, clean and professional. Most doctors speak English, which is handy. Healthcare expenditure in the Netherlands is high. In 2016, the Dutch spent 10.3% of GDP on healthcare – that’s the 8th highest out of EU/EFTA.

The Netherlands operates a universal healthcare service. It’s managed by the government and supplemented by the private insurance sector. Most Dutch hospitals are privately run and split into three types – general hospitals, university hospitals and teaching hospitals. All adults 18+ must have basic medical insurance; that applies to foreigners living and working in the country as well. Those employed by a Dutch company will receive a small percentage of support from their employer.

If you do need to see a doctor while in the Netherlands, medical service is very accessible. In the case of an emergency, call 112 (it’s free), and the advisor will determine whether or not you need an ambulance. In non-emergency instances, you must first be seen by a huisarts (GP), who will then refer you to a specialist. It’s worth noting that Dutch doctors have a reputation for believing that paracetamol cures all , so don’t get too hopeful about antibiotics.

You will not be covered under Dutch medical insurance and will be expected to pay directly or via your travel insurance in the Netherlands. From the EU, EEA, or Switzerland? Snap yourself up a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This makes you eligible for reduced cost or even free emergency treatment. But don’t go crashing your bike just so you can sample the famous Dutch healthcare.

Crime in The Netherlands

The Netherlands wears its reputation for being one of the safest countries in Europe with pride. Dutch people report feeling safe in their country. That covers using public transport and when out and about at night. However, as is the case in most cases, women feel warier of walking alone at night. In recent years, cybercrimes have seen a marginal increase in the Netherlands. Take care to protect yourself with a VPN when browsing the web over unsecured wi-fi networks to combat hackers. Check your Netherlands’ travel insurance policies against cybercrime.

In other news, there have been sharp drops in the levels of property crime, vandalism, and violent crimes. In 2019, only 14% of the Dutch population surveyed reported falling victim to one of these traditional types of crime. As a tourist, property crimes (pickpocketing and bike theft!) are what you’ll need to watch out for. Consider the best travel insurance for the Netherlands to protect against any loss of valuables you’re travelling with. If you are wandering around the Red Light District at night (no judgement here!), take extra precaution against pickpockets.

We all know the Dutch have a tolerant approach to drugs. But you need to get your head around what is and isn’t allowed. Cannabis is decriminalised, but it isn’t technically legal, either. Make sure you don’t carry more than five grams of hash on your person, and you’ll be fine and dandy. Magic mushrooms are illegal, but ‘truffles’ get the green light, within reason. Selling drugs is a major breach of Dutch drugs policy, and your Amsterdam travel insurance won’t help you if you’re caught selling or buying on the street.

Issues Facing Travellers in The Netherlands

Those lucky travellers who are exploring the Netherlands don’t have too much to worry about. One thing to be mindful of is that tour operators and airlines are always at risk of cancelling arrangements. Companies can liquidise overnight, and flights can be grounded due to inclement weather. Earlier this year, Storm Ciara battered The Netherlands with gale force 11 winds and lead to around 500 flights being canceled . You might want to storm-proof your holidays to the Netherlands with some insurance!

Theft is something to be cautious of in the Netherlands. We’ve touched on pickpocketing, but bicycle theft is actually the most common crime in Amsterdam. Over 8,000 bikes were reported as stolen in 2019. As a tourist, you’re very likely to want to hire your own two-wheeler to discover this vibrant city. Theft from cars is the second most common crime, with 4,562 cases reported last year. So whether you hire a bike or a car, consider protecting your goods.

As the Netherlands’ popularity continues to soar, the tourism boom is impacting this terrific destination. Compare Amsterdam’s modest population of 1.1 million with the 17 million tourists who descend on it each year. Do your best to be the conscientious traveller you know you are, and you won’t run into any problems!

Common Activities in The Netherlands

Most visitors to the Netherlands come for cultural immersion, windmills, ‘coffee,’ and oh so pretty tulips. What’s the worst that could happen? Besides that, there are a couple of activities in the region where you might want to think about covering your back with some Netherlands travel insurance.

• Bicycle Rental – you can’t visit the Netherlands and not hire a bike! But before you do, make sure that you have the best insurance for the Netherlands to cover your rented two-wheeler in case someone runs off with it while you’re gorging on Hollandse nieuwe.
• Car rental – check whether a rented vehicle is covered under your Netherlands travel insurance for any damage inflicted by you or a third party. Plus, don’t forget your valuables! If you’re not covered, the car rental service will provide it, but usually, their fees are on the steep side.
• Festivals – including floral parades, the world’s only floating gay parade, and a troupe of musical extravaganzas, the Netherlands caters for the lot! Again, this one is a case of covering your valuables in case a fellow reveller sets their sights on your new iPhone. If you are coming for a festival, book your Amsterdam hostel in advance as they can fill up.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

As a rule, most Netherlands travel insurance will include the following;

Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses

Baggage and personal property, emergency evacuation and repatriation, non-medical emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, trip interruption.

These are key terms to look out for when comparing insurance policies. Let’s take a closer look at what each one of these actually means.

The headline for most travel insurance policies is emergency medical costs. If you are in a car crash or come down with meningitis, you want to rest easy knowing that any ensuing medical costs will be taken care of.

In case you have never seen a medical bill, let us assure you that they can be expensive. A friend of mine once racked up costs of $10,000 in Costa Rica and then a nasty infection in Thailand cost him $2,000.00 for just 2 days in hospital. Ouch.

Pre-existing medical and health conditions may not be covered or may come at an additional premium.

Ideally, Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical insurance should offer at least $100,000.00 of coverage.

Baggage and Personal Stuff coverage covers the value of your personal property. It’s most common application is for lost luggage and. Many policies also extend this to cover “on the ground” theft.

The limits on this vary between policies but rarely exceed $1000 with a maximum item value between usually up to $500.

This is fine for many travellers but if you travel with a lot of electrical gear (laptop & camera), you may also wish to think about taking out a separate gadget cover.

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Emergency evacuation covers the cost of sending you back to your home country in a sickbed. Let’s say that the above mentioned car crash is a nasty one and the decision is taken to send you home for further treatment; this will take care of the high, associated costs.

Repatriation is the cost of sending your earthly remains home in the tragic event you die overseas. The costs of this are generally huge, and it is not a burden I would want to leave to my family. Whilst this is rare, every now and then I do come across a Facebook or “Go Fund Me” page for somebody’s body to be flown home.

Non-medical Emergency Evacuation is when you have to be evacuated from your destination because of some unexpected crisis. Classic examples are outbreaks of war/civil unrest and earthquakes that decimate infrastructure. In recent times, the Corona COVID-19 outbreak created the biggest international emergency evacuation situation ever. (FYI – it straddled both the medical and non-medical evacuation boundaries).

Emergency evac insurance covers the costs of having to book a last minute flight (which can be expensive) and will also cover accommodation costs if you end up being flown to a random, “safe” country rather than going straight home.

Being forced to cancel a trip you were looking forward to sucks. But being left out of pocket just rubs salt into that festering wound. Trip Cancellation cover can help you recover non-refundable costs such as booked flights and hotel costs.

Note that you can’t claim under this simply because you changed your mind or broke up with your boyfriend. Acceptable cancellation reasons are things like sickness, family emergencies, bereavement, natural disaster and war – you get the gist.

Trip Interruption is when something goes wrong with a part of your trip leaving you out of pocket. For example, when your hotel burns down and you are forced to book another one. Or when your flight home is cancelled and you need a few extra nights at your hotel. These are just a few examples of when you may need to reply on trip interruption.

Anything Else?

The above is what we consider to be the basic, bare-bones of travel insurance policies. However, some policies do offer a few more aspects and the best Netherlands travel insurance policies may also offer the following;

Adventure Sports and Activities

Note that some travel insurance policies do not cover adventure sports and activities. The definition of adventure sports and activities does vary between providers but for example, can include;

• Paragliding
• Soccer practice….

If you are even considering doing anything physical or outdoorsy on your trip, it is wise to check that your insurance provider is covering it. Broken ankles hurt enough without having a $5k Doctors bill attached to them.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

This one doesn’t cover any travel related expenses but instead it basically provides you, or your family with some compensation in the event that something awful happens to you. If you die, your loved ones get a payout. Or, if you lose a finger or something, YOU get a payout.

It’s like having a bit of life cover attached to your travel insurance. I know that not everybody is altogether comfortable with the concept of pay-outs for life & limb – I guess it kind of goes something like this;

“Well dear, I’m afraid there is good new and bad news. The bad news is that our beloved son little Jimmy died on his trip to Netherlands. The good news is that we get $10k! Netherlands here WE come!”

Gear and Electronics Cover

Some insurance policies cover electronic gadgets and some don’t. Those that do, may charge an additional fee, and they generally limit the maximum item value. If you only travel with a phone or tablet, your travel insurer may well cover it entirely. On the other hand, if you are traveling with a decent laptop then you may wish to consider obtaining gadget cover.

I have personally had gadget cover on my MacBook Pro for years.

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It is fair to say that not all insurers are created equal. Some offer lower prices than others and others offer more comprehensive cover. Some are notorious for shirking cover whilst others are applauded for their excellent customer service.

Travel insurers are all the same yet always different, and it is absolutely not the case that any one of them is the best, or is “better” than the others. Insurance is a complex product that takes into account a whole lot of data and a wide set of variables. The “best” travel insurance always depends on where you are going, when you are going there, and ultimately upon you and your needs.

Below, we will introduce a few of the many travel insurance providers on offer. These are firms we have used ourselves over the years.

SafetyWing is a very interesting travel insurance company. They specialise in covering digital nomads and offer open ended cover on a monthly subscription basis. Note that because they are primarily covering digital nomads, they don’t offer much in the way of trip cancellation or delay.

They do however excel on the health side of travel insurance, covering dental and some complimentary treatments, and they even allow young children to be covered for free. If cancellation and delay is not a concern for you or you will be spending some considerable time on your trip, then maybe SafetyWing are right for you.

• Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses – $250,000
• Baggage and Personal Property – $3000
• Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation – $100,000
• Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation – $10,000
• Trip Cancellation -$0
• Trip Interruption – $5000

If you need more information or want to get a quote, then you can visit the website for yourself.

World Nomads

World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

The savvy fin-tech insurer Faye provides whole-trip travel coverage and care that brings out the best in each journey with industry-leading technology that enables smarter and smoother assistance with faster claims resolutions. Their excellent app-based travel insurance covers your health, your trip and your gear all via an app that provides real-time proactive solutions, quick reimbursements and 24/7 customer support.

If you ever do need to make a claim, then you simply log in to the app and the claim will be assessed super quickly from anywhere in the world! My friend made a claim and was able to manage everything directly on the app. She was even able to purchase ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ Insurance that allows you to quite literally cancel for any reason, and be refunded up to 75% of non-refundable bookings.

Best of all, if the claim is successful then the funds will be immediately credited to the smart wallet on your phone or device and ready for you to spend.

Columbus Direct

Named after one of history’s greatest (and most divisive explorers), Columbus Direct also specialise in insuring adventure-hungry explorers like us. They have been providing award-winning insurance for 30 years. What we like about this plan is that it does cover small amounts of personal cash. However, Gadget Cover is not available.

Columbus Direct actually offers a number of different travel insurance plans. Below we have focused on 1 of these and have set out the coverage amounts for the Globetrotter plan.

• Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses – $1,000,000
• Baggage and Personal Property – $750
• Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation – $1,000,000
• Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation – $0
• Trip Cancellation -$1,000
• Trip Interruption   (“Catastophe”)  – $750

Iati Seguros

Iati Seguros is a Spanish based travel insurance company who we have personally used and loved. You will notice that they provide competitive cover amounts for the key travel insurance areas, and are competitively priced. So far we have heard nothing but good things about them.

They also offer multiple ones, but we have focused on the Standard Plan although we wholly encourage checking out all plans for yourself to identify the best one for your needs.

Standard Plan

• Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses – $200,000
• Baggage and Personal Property – $1000
• Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation – 100% of cost
• Trip Cancellation -$1,500
• Trip Interruption  – 100% of cost

Insure My Equipment

Insuremyequipment.com is an online insurer for expensive equipment (like camera gear). You can get specific pieces of gear insured so you know exactly what will be covered. Note that this policy is for your gear only.

An Insure My Equipment policy works well in combination with other travel insurance. Insure My Equipment policies are an excellent choice for professionals and backpackers with more than $3000-$4000 worth of camera equipment or expensive laptops.

Choosing the right travel insurance for your Netherlands holiday is like choosing a wife, it is something only you can decide (unless your Indian in which case your parents will do it) . You need to work out how much your trip is worth, how much equipment you plan to take and what activities you intend to engage in.

And of course, you need to ask yourself how much can you afford – how much you can afford to pay for cover, and how much you can afford to be out of pocket in the unlikely event of a claim. Sometimes, the cheapest Netherlands travel insurance will be enough and sometimes it will be worth spending a bit more. Hopefully the information provided in this post will help you to decide – if not, then I just wasted 5 hours of my life in writing it!

Safety in Amsterdam

Where To Stay in Amsterdam

Final Thoughts on The Netherlands Travel Insurance

Nice one, you made it all the way to the end. Now your mind is swimming with all kinds of stats and facts about healthcare, crime, and safety in the Netherlands. When it comes to making that big decision about the Netherlands travel insurance, the ball is in your court. Mull over our advice, shop around, and decide what’s best for you.

And now, over to juicier topics. Where are you going to stay in Amsterdam? Where in the country will you get your Dutch pancake fix? We’ve got heaps of content for you to sink your teeth into to plan the best trip to the Netherlands. Happy travelling, and keep safe!

Aiden Freeborn

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Am I covered by my health insurance when I go on holiday outside the Netherlands?

If you go on holiday outside the Netherlands, you are still covered by your health insurance. The medical care you are entitled to and the costs that you can claim back depend on the country you are visiting. Your health insurance may not cover certain costs or may cover them only partially. So, you may need to take out extra health or travel insurance.

Medical costs abroad

The Netherlands has agreements with several countries to help visiting citizens who have health insurance at home if they need medical care. You are entitled to basic medical care as provided in these countries. The Netherlands and the country in question settle the costs with each other afterwards.

If the Netherlands has not concluded an agreement with the country you are visiting, check your health or travel insurance policy to see what care you are covered for.

Contact your health insurer for information about the rules that apply to the country you plan to visit.

Longer stays abroad

If you are going on holiday outside the Netherlands for a longer period, for example you are travelling around the world, ask your Dutch health insurer whether or not your policy provides adequate cover.

European Health Insurance Card

If you are travelling or working for an extended period within the European Union (EU), it might be useful to apply for a European Health Insurance Card. The card gives you easier access to medical care in the participating countries and you can claim costs back more quickly. You can obtain a European Health Insurance Card from your health insurer.

Top Travel Insurances for the Netherlands You Should Know in 2024

Byron Mühlberg

Monito's Managing Editor, Byron has spent several years writing extensively about financial- and migration-related topics.

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

The Netherlands is a small country with an outsized reputation among tourists and expats. It's known for its picturesque flat landscapes, charming city centres, relaxed social policies, and a laid-back rural culture filled with windmills, tulip fields, cheesemakers, and sailboats. Although travelling to the Netherlands can be an accessible holiday destination for many people, out-the-pocket healthcare costs in the country tend to be expensive, so it's a very good idea to arrive there with travel insurance under your belt.

Luckily, online global insurances (known as 'insurtechs') specialize in cost-savvy travel insurance to the Netherlands and other countries worldwide. Our list below explores the four services we believe provide the best deals for young travellers, adventurers, everyday holidaymakers looking for comprehensive but affordable coverage, and longer-term expats.

Netherlands Insurance Profile

Here are a few of the many factors influencing the scope and cost of travel insurances for the Netherlands:

Best Travel Insurances for the Netherlands

• 01. Should I get travel insurance for the Netherlands? scroll down
• 02. Best medical coverage: VisitorsCoverage scroll down
• 03. Best trip insurance: Insured Nomads scroll down
• 04. Best mix for youth and digitial nomads: SafetyWing scroll down
• 05. FAQ about travel insurance to the Netherlands scroll down

Heading to the Netherlands soon? Don't forget to check the following list before you travel:

• 💳 Eager to dodge high FX fees? See our picks for the best travel cards in 2024.
• 🛂 Need a visa? Let iVisa take care of it for you.
• ✈ Looking for flights? Compare on Skyscanner !
• 💬 Want to learn the local language? Babbel and italki are two excellent apps to think about.
• 💻 Want a VPN? ExpressVPN is the market leader for anonymous and secure browsing.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for the Netherlands?

No, there's currently no legal requirement to take out travel insurance for travel to or through the Netherlands.

However, regardless of whether or not it's legally required, it's always a good idea to take our health insurance before you travel — whether to Holland or anywhere else. For what's usually an affordable cost , taking out travel insurance will mitigate most or all of the risk of financial damage if you run into any unexpected troubles during your trip abroad. Take a look at the top five reasons to get travel insurance to learn more.

With that said, here are the top three travel insurances for the Netherlands:

VisitorsCoverage: Best Medical Coverage

Among the internet's best-known insurance platforms,  VisitorsCoverage  is a pioneering Silicon Valley insurtech company that offers comprehensive medical coverage for travellers going abroad to the Netherlands. It lets you choose between various plans tailored to meet the specific needs of your trip to the Netherlands, including coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and travel disruptions. With its easy online purchase process and 24/7 live chat support, VisitorsCoverage is a reliable and convenient option if you want good value and peace of mind while travelling abroad.

• Coverage 9.0
• Quality of Service 9.0
• Pricing 7.6
• Credibility 9.5

VisitorsCoverage offers a large variety of policies and depending on your needs and preferences, you'll need to compare and explore their full catalogue of plans for yourself. However, we've chosen a few highlights for their travel insurance for the Netherlands:

• Policy names: Varies
• Medical coverage: Very good. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, pre-existing conditions, repatriation, mental health-related conditions, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Excellent - but only available for US residents.
• Customer support: FAQ, live chat and phone support
• Pricing range: USD 25 to USD 150 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: Lloyd's, Petersen, and others
• Best for: Value for money and overall medical coverage

Insured Nomads: Best Trip Coverage

Insured Nomads is another very good travel insurance option, especially if you're adventurous or frequently on the go and are looking for solid trip insurance with some coverage for medical incidents too. With Insured Nomads, you can choose the level of protection that best suits your needs and enjoy a wide range of benefits, including 24/7 assistance, coverage for risky activities and adventure sports, and the ability to add or remove coverage as needed. In addition, Insured Nomads has a reputation for providing fast and efficient claims service, making it an excellent choice if you want peace of mind while exploring the world.

• Coverage 7.8
• Quality of Service 8.5
• Pricing 7.4
• Credibility 8.8

Insured Nomads offers three travel insurance policies depending on your needs and preferences. We go through them below:

• Policy names: World Explorer, World Explorer Multi, World Explorer Guardian
• Medical coverage: Good. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, pre-existing conditions, repatriation, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Good. Includes coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, lost or stolen luggage (with limits), adventure and sports activities, and many others.
• Customer support: FAQ, live chat, phone support
• Pricing range: USD 80 to USD 420 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: David Shield Insurance Company Ltd.
• Best for: Adventure seekers wanting comprehensive trip insurance

SafetyWing: Best Combination For Youth

SafetyWing is a good insurance option for younger travellers or digital nomads because it offers flexible but comprehensive coverage at a famously affordable price. With SafetyWing, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you're covered for unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and more. In addition, SafetyWing's user-friendly website lets you manage your policy, file a claim, and access 24/7 assistance from anywhere in the world, and, unlike VisitorsCoverage, you can even purchase a policy retroactively (e.g. during a holiday)!

• Coverage 7.0
• Quality of Service 8.0
• Pricing 6.3
• Credibility 7.3

SafetyWing offers two travel insurance policies depending on your needs and preferences, which we've highlighted below:

• Policy names: Nomad Insurance, Remote Health
• Medical coverage: Decent. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, repatriation, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Decent. Includes attractive coverage for lost or stolen belongings, adventure and sports activities, transport cancellation, and many others.
• Pricing range: USD 45 to USD 160 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: Tokyo Marine HCC
• Best for: Digital nomads, youth, long-term travellers

How Do They Compare?

Interested to see how VisitorsCoverage, SafetyWing, and Insured Nomads compare as travel insurances to the Netherlands? Take a look at the side-by-side chart below:

Data correct as of 4/1/2024

FAQ About Travel Insurance to Holland

Travel insurance typically covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost or stolen luggage, travel delay, and emergency evacuation. Some travel insurance packages also cover medical-related incidents too. However, remember that the exact coverage depends on the insurance policy.

No, you'll not be required to take out travel insurance for the Netherlands. However, we strongly encourage you to do so anyway, because the cost of healthcare in the Netherlands can be high, and taking out travel insurance will mitigate some or all of the risk of covering those costs yourself if you need medical attention during your stay.

Yes, medical travel insurance is almost always worth it, and we recommend taking out travel insurance whenever visiting a foreign country. Taking out travel insurance will mitigate some or all of the risk of covering those costs yourself in case you need medical attention during your stay. In general, we recommend VisitorsCoverage to travellers worldwide because it offers excellent value for money and well-rounded travel and medical benefits in its large catalogue of plans.

Health insurance doesn't cover normal holiday expenses, such as coverage for missed flights and hotels, but in case you run into medical trouble while abroad, it may cover some or all of your doctor or hospital expenses while overseas. However, not all health insurance providers and plans offer coverage to customers while abroad, and that's why it's generally best to take out travel insurance whenever you travel.

Although there's overlap, health and travel insurance are not exactly the same. Health insurance covers some or all of the cost of medical expenses (e.g. emergency treatment, doctor's visits, etc.) while travel insurance covers non-medical costs that are commonly associated with travelling (e.g. coverage for missed flights, stolen or lost personal belongings, etc.).

The cost of travel insurance depends on several factors, such as the length of the trip, the destination, the age of the traveller, and the level of coverage desired. On average, travel insurance can cost anywhere between 3% and 10% of the total cost of the trip.

A single-trip travel insurance policy covers a specific trip, while an annual one covers multiple trips taken within a one-year period. An annual policy may be more cost-effective for frequent travellers.

Yes, you can sometimes purchase travel insurance after starting your trip, but it is best to buy it before the trip begins to ensure maximum coverage. If you do need to buy insurance after you've started your trip, we recommend VisitorsCoverage , which offers a wide catalogue of online trip and medical insurance policies, most of which can be booked with immediate effect. Check out our guide to buying travel insurance late to learn more.

Yes, you can most certainly purchase travel insurance for a trip that has already been booked, although we recommend purchasing insurance as soon as possible aftwerwards to ensure all coverage is in place before your journey begins. Check out our guide to buying travel insurance late to learn more.

See Our Other Travel Insurance Guides

Looking for Travel Insurance to Another Country?

See our recommendations for travel insurance to other countries worldwide:

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Short-term travel insurance

Good cover for a single holiday, calculate premium, file a claim, why you should take out short-term travel insurance.

How nice that you’re going on a trip! If you travel for a single holiday, be sure to take out short-term travel insurance in the Netherlands. The standard cover gives you everything you need for a well-insured holiday, such as cover for medical costs. And if you have children younger than 5, they are automatically covered at no extra charge. If you go on holiday several times a year, it is usually cheaper to arrange a continuous travel insurance.

• Standard or comprehensive cover

Standard cover

• Medical expenses
• Accident cover; for death €10,000 , for permanent disability €30,000 per insured person
• Luggage up to €1,400 per insured person
• Mobile devices up to €175 per trip
• Jewellery, glasses and contact lenses up to €175 per trip
• Photo and video equipment up to €500 per insured person per trip
• Computer equipment up to €500 per insured person per trip

Comprehensive cover

• Accident cover; for death €15,000 , for permanent disability €50,000 per insured person
• Luggage up to €3,200 per insured person
• Mobile devices up to €350 per trip
• Jewellery, glasses and contact lenses up to €350 per trip
• Photo and video equipment up to €1,150 per insured person per trip
• Computer equipment up to €1,150 per insured person per trip
• Cash up to €250 per trip

Apply for your short-term travel insurance in 3 steps

Your details.

Tell us who you want to insure. You can insure other family members besides yourself.

Select your cover

Select the area of cover. If you choose Europe, you can choose between standard and comprehensive cover. You can also opt for additional cover.

Calculate your premium

You will now see what premium you will pay. Does that look OK? You can now log in and apply directly.

Choose additional cover for your trip

Cancellation fees.

This cover insures you if you have to cancel or cut short your trip.

Winter sports

You are well insured in case of accidents, damage and theft during your winter sports trip.

Europe or World cover?

Whether you like to stay within Europe or prefer to travel around the world, we offer cover for every traveller. Europe cover includes:

• All countries of Europe, including Russia to the eastern border of the Urals
• Countries around the Mediterranean: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey
• Spanish islands (Balearic Islands, Canary Islands)
• Portuguese islands (Madeira/Porto Santo, Azores)

Short-term: what is covered and what is not?

You are insured for things such as:.

• Loss or theft of your luggage
• Assistance in the event of an accident, sickness, hospitalisation or death
• Early return home due to illness or an accident
• Longer stay due to a natural disaster
• Damage to your tent during your trip

You are not insured for things such as:

• Loss or damage caused intentionally
• Loss or damage caused under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication
• Loss or damage caused by a dangerous sport
• Loss or damage during business trips
• Unnecessary medical costs

Bad luck during your holiday

Naturally, you would prefer to go on holiday without worries. Still, you may fall ill during your holiday, have your flight cancelled or your belongings may be damaged. We will be happy to help you if this happens. See what we can do for you in such situations.

Useful information

Credit card.

Taking a credit card with you when travelling is always handy. For example, if you want to rent a car.

Package discount

If you take out three or more policies, you will receive a 3 to 5% package discount.

Stand-By service

You can block all your cards, credit cards and SIM card with a single phone call.

More information

Find out the maximum compensation you can receive in the event of a claim .

The  list of depreciation  (in Dutch) indicates the average life and annual depreciation rate for each product.

Check out the differences between the standard and comprehensive cover options.

Premium Your premium depends on the following:

• The number of people travelling
• The length of your trip
• European or worldwide cover
• Winter sports or underwater sports cover

Excess The standard excess on luggage and cash is €50 per event. Policy fee You will pay €3.50 for each policy.

Insurance tax You do not pay any insurance tax.

Commission ABN AMRO Bank N.V. provides personal customers with non-life insurance products on behalf of ABN AMRO Schadeverzekering N.V. We receive a fee of 25% of the premium for this. The exact commission is stated in the premium calculation. You can read more about our services on our  non-life insurance information sheet .

• Minimum of 3 days.
• Maximum of 180 days.

In the case of a delay, illness or accident while on holiday, the insurance will be extended at no additional charge.

Read the terms and conditions carefully first so you have all the information you need before you decide. 

Want to check the most relevant cover information? You can find it in the insurance card. It has been drawn up in accordance with European guidelines. So you have a handy overview to help you compare insurance policies.

• Short-term travel insurance card

Insured amounts

Term of this insurance, terms and conditions and insurance card, frequently asked questions, other useful info.

• Take out short-term travel insurance
• Terms and conditions
• Travel insurance and coronavirus
• View insurance
• Submitting a claim
• Cancel insurance

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Travel Insurance for a Trip to The Netherlands (2024)

Travel insurance for the Netherlands will cover unexpected costs incurred from trip delays, interruptions, cancellations and more.

in under 2 minutes

with our comparison partner, Squaremouth

Tom Adams is a writer based in the U.K. who specializes in travel advice. Previously, he has written for sports brands, travel blogs and even an archaeological study.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

The Netherlands is a wonderful place to travel on vacation. It’s a cultural hub for art and history, making it a prime destination for travelers.

The Netherlands also enjoys a low crime rate and a reputation for safety, so you might wonder why you would want to purchase travel insurance for a trip here. But no trip is immune from travel delays or unforeseen cancellations. And with the expense of flights and the cost of accommodations and tours in the Netherlands, having the best travel insurance is a smart way to protect your vacation.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is part of Europe’s Schengen area, formed after an agreement between countries in the European Union that allow people to move freely from country to country without passport checks at mutual borders. Some travelers must have a Schengen visa to enter Schengen countries, and they must prove that they have insurance. U.S. citizens don’t need a Schengen visa for a short-term stay (less than 90 days), and there are no travel insurance requirements for short-term visits.

Check the Dutch consular website to see what specific visa requirements apply to you. Travel insurance is mandatory if you have a Schengen visa.

But even if you aren’t required to have travel insurance, you should consider it when you take a trip there. International travel always has its quirks, whether from flight cancellations , baggage delays or an unforeseen emergency.

Having sound personal effects coverage and quality medical coverage for any trip are good moves. You may also want cancellation and interruption coverage to protect from losing money should you need to cancel your trip.

Compare Netherlands Travel Insurance Companies

Use the table below to compare costs, CFAR coverages and COVID-19 coverages for our top travel insurance companies that will cover trip to the Netherlands.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

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What Kind of Travel Insurance Is Needed for a Trip to The Netherlands?

The sections below provide an overview of the different types of coverage available in travel insurance policies.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage 

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is an add-on feature offered by many travel insurance companies. This insurance rider lets you cancel your trip for any reason, even if it’s not included in the standard trip cancellation reasons.

While CFAR coverage offers peace of mind should you need to postpone or reschedule your vacation, it typically comes with specific requirements and limitations. These vary by insurance provider, but limitations usually include:

• That you need to cancel your trip within a certain time frame of your first trip deposit, typically 14-21 days
• That you may not be eligible for CFAR insurance based on your country or state of residence
• That CFAR may only cover a percentage of your insured trip cost rather than the full amount

If you’re interested in buying cancel for any reason coverage, check with your provider about specific requirements.

Gear Theft Protection

Gear theft protection insurance protects you against the theft or loss of valuable gear, equipment or tools. It’s relevant for travelers who take expensive equipment on trips: high-end cameras, sporting gear, laptops, etc.

Gear theft protection insurance typically covers the cost of replacing or repairing your gear if it gets stolen, lost or damaged. Specific coverage and terms vary by policy and provider. It’s important to review the fine print of the rider before buying it.

Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation

Medical emergency insurance covers medical expenses that you incur while on a trip. Medical care in the Netherlands can be expensive, so we recommend travel health insurance with a high medical maximum.

Travel medical insurance covers:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospitalization
• Medical transportation and repatriation to your home country
• Prescriptions
• Interruptions resulting from illness or injury

Travel health insurance won’t cover costs associated with pre-existing conditions. If you have a health condition that you may need treatment for while traveling, declare the condition to your provider ahead of time. The company may include your condition(s) in your travel insurance plan, although the price of the add-on is likely to rise.

Rental Car Protection

You can also add rental car protection to your travel insurance policy. It supplies financial protection for vehicles you rent during your trip, usually at a lower price than what you can get from your rental agency. It reimburses costs related to damage or theft associated with a rental car. Many travel insurance companies have rental car protection as an optional add-on to your policy.

Rental car protection within travel insurance typically offers coverage for the following:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): This reimburses you for the cost of repairs or the replacement value of a rental car if it gets damaged or stolen. It includes coverage for accidents, vandalism, theft and other unforeseen events that damage the vehicle.
• Personal Effects Coverage: Some rental car protection policies also cover the loss or theft of personal belongings that are inside the rental car. It typically has certain limits and may exclude high-value items such as electronics or jewelry.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance allows you to claim back any nonrefundable deposits made for your trip should you need to cancel your plans. Usually, you get reimbursed for 100% of your insured trip cost.

Cancellation coverage is subject to certain terms and conditions. Unlike CFAR, cancellation insurance will only reimburse you for unforeseen incidents that are covered in your insurance policy. These include:

• Death of a loved one or travel companion
• Military or jury service
• Adverse weather and natural disasters
• The traveler is made redundant and can no longer afford their trip

How Much Does Netherlands Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of travel insurance can vary greatly between providers, as they will offer different levels of coverage. The below table compares the prices of the cheapest travel insurance plans available from five insurance companies.

We requested quotes from ten travel insurance companies for their most affordable plan for a trip to Netherlands. The below quotes are for a 30-year-old traveler from Florida, traveling to Netherlands for ten days in September 2024, with a total trip cost of $4,000. Policies include coverage for cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical care and evacuation.

These quotes were collected in April 2024 for a trip in September 2024.

Most plans cost about the same. USI Affinity’s Basic policy costs significantly more than others. This plan offers $150,000 in medical coverage (not the highest maximum), as World Trips’ Basic policy offers up to $260,000.

All of the above plans include 100% cancellation coverage. Tin Leg, Seven Corners and USI Affinity have $500 in coverage for baggage loss/damage. Nationwide provides $600, and World Trips offers up to $1,000. Either may be more suitable for travelers taking expensive equipment.

Seven Corners provides CFAR as optional coverage, but the other plans don’t include it unless the policy is upgraded. Tin Leg and Seven Corners also include COVID-19 in their medical coverage. If this is a concern for you, these plans are recommended.

How Do I Get Travel Insurance for the Netherlands?

A good place to start shopping for travel insurance is to ask your bank or credit card provider if they offer coverage. You may already be entitled to extra benefits through either entity.

Also, compare quotes from multiple insurance providers. Most have more than one policy available. Some insurance companies may offer cheaper insurance plans , but these will likely have fewer benefits.

When purchasing travel insurance, always check with your insurance company for details about claim procedures, exclusions, and additional benefits.

Netherlands Safety Tips

The Netherlands remains one of the safest travel destinations on the globe, ranking 20th on the 2022 Global Peace Index. However, travel advisories highlight some dangers related to terror attacks, which have increased across some European countries. Google for more updated information about incidents, any attacks or violence that could impact your trip.

Crime and Safety

Travelers are unlikely to encounter petty crimes while visiting cities like Rotterdam or the Hague. Pickpockets are uncommon but remain cautious and keep any valuables you take in a secure location, like a hotel safe.

Amsterdam is known for its “coffee shops,” not to be confused with regular cafes because they’re licensed to sell cannabis. Even though it’s legal, marijuana regulations remain strict in Holland and other provinces. Cities closer to bordering countries like Belgium have already introduced legislation that prevents store owners from selling cannabis to non-residents.

If you plan to partake, only consume it in licensed venues.

Day Trips, Tours and Excursions 

The Netherlands offers travelers a range of activities to fill up an itinerary. From seeing tulips in April to exploring the iconic Dutch windmills, there are many sights to see.

If you want to check out the famous Anne Frank and Van Gogh museums, book in advance: wait times can be long. If you plan to visit multiple museums, consider purchasing the Museumkaart. For just 60 euros, you can enter more than 400 museums across the country and not have to pay admission, although booking fees may still apply.

The Netherlands is known for its cycling, and many cities and towns have dedicated cycling paths. Cyclists have the right of way, so pay attention when crossing roads or paths to avoid any accidents. If you are planning a cycling trip, wear a helmet and don’t ride recklessly.

The Dutch government lifted all restrictions related to COVID-19 for visitors entering the country. Travelers don’t need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test when they arrive. If you have concerns about COVID-19, be sure that your travel insurance plan includes coronavirus in your medical coverage. More information about COVID-19 can be found on the U.S. consulate website .

Is Travel Insurance for a Trip to the Netherlands Worth It?

If you’re going on vacation to the Netherlands, we highly recommend travel insurance . Having a good travel insurance plan protects you from paying medical costs or replacing your belongings out of pocket.

Although the risks of traveling in the Netherlands are minimal, interruptions and travel delays are impossible to predict. Having quality travel insurance provides a safety net should you need it.

For more information about what Netherlands travel insurance covers, read through the FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance in the Netherlands

Can i claim compensation if my flight is canceled.

You can claim compensation on your travel insurance for any canceled or delayed travel arrangements, such as flights or hotels. Find details of the claim procedure and the amounts available to you in your insurance policy.

Read more here about how to claim travel compensation .

Do I need Schengen travel insurance?

Travelers that require a Schengen visa also must have travel insurance. This is dependent on your country of residence. Further details about Schengen visas and travel insurance can be found here .

Is healthcare in the Netherlands free?

Medical care in the Netherlands is not free. If you need treatment or a prescription while on vacation, you must pay the full cost. Healthcare can be expensive, so having good medical coverage in your insurance plan is recommended.

Will my health insurance cover me in the Netherlands?

Health insurance usually covers medical costs in your country of residence. Some providers may extend coverage to include trips abroad, but this is not always the case. Check with your health insurance company about whether you need to buy additional coverage that encompasses your destination.

Methodology: Our System for Ranking The Best Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

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The Guide to Travel Insurance for Trips to Europe

After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

How travel insurance works

How to choose between travel insurance companies, best plans for health insurance while traveling in europe, other tips for travel and medical insurance in europe, which credit cards offer europe travel insurance, travel insurance for europe recapped.

Traveling abroad can be an exhilarating adventure, especially when you’re heading to Europe. Whether you’re in the mood for an eclair or want to take in the Colosseum, making your way over to Europe involves a lot of moving parts.

That’s why travel insurance can be so beneficial. With protections such as trip delay reimbursement and coverage for lost luggage, travel insurance can help make sure your trip stays smooth.

What’s more, several plans include travel health insurance in Europe, so you can worry less about whether that hike through the Alps is a good idea.

Let’s take a look at travel insurance in Europe as well as other coverage options for your vacations.

Because a lot of thought, money and effort go into planning and taking a vacation, protecting your investments (and yourself) with travel insurance can make the difference between an enjoyable memory and a disastrous anecdote you tell at mealtimes.

Travel insurance can cover a variety of things, including:

Accidental death insurance .

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance .

Cancel for Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Medical insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Trip delay insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

Trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption and lost luggage insurance are all sources of protection when you travel, especially on airlines. These can reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses you miss out on due to covered delays, and may pay you back for costs you end up incurring (including lodging, meals, toiletries and clothing).

Although it’s possible to get standard health insurance for trips abroad, it’s much more common to get coverage for emergency care, which includes protections for unexpected injuries and illnesses.

Health insurance for European travel is usually included with a standard travel insurance policy, but there are plan limits and there may be deductibles.

It’s also possible to purchase medical-only travel insurance from certain providers if you aren’t interested in other trip protections.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Before you start shopping for travel and medical insurance in Europe, evaluate the level of coverage you need based on your age, health, trip duration, destination and planned activities (some adventure sports aren't always covered). Compare plans from different providers, paying attention to coverage, benefits and prices.

Here's a short list of factors to consider:

The cost of the policy. 

The limits of the plan.

Whether there are deductibles.

Whether the benefits are primary or secondary.

Where you’re going. 

How long your trip is.

Whether you already have insurance that’ll cover you.  

The types of activities you’ll be doing. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) can streamline your shopping experience. Be sure to also read reviews and ratings of individual travel insurance companies to get an idea of customer service and claim resolution processes.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

To figure out the best plans for travel and health insurance in Europe, we generated quotes from multiple travel insurance companies using a test scenario. For this example, we used a 37-year-old Nevada resident traveling to Germany for 11 days with a $4,000 trip cost. Here are the winners.

GeoBlue’s Voyager Choice medical insurance for European travel sits head and shoulders above the rest for cost, at only $28.16.

That said, there's a reason it is so affordable. This plan offers coverage only for medical emergencies and lacks other trip protections. It is a good option if you want to supplement existing travel coverage (say via your credit card ) with more medical coverage.

$1 million in medical coverage.

$0 deductible.

Offers direct billing.

No trip protections.

Pre-existing condition coverage requires that you have domestic health insurance.

Can only purchase plans up to six months in advance of your trip. 

» Learn more: Read our full GeoBlue travel insurance review

IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel SE’s comprehensive plan includes both trip protections and health insurance for Europe travel and rings in at just $135.36.

At this price point, it provides excellent primary coverage for medical insurance, offers rental car insurance and includes superior trip interruption reimbursement.

$250,000 in medical coverage.

$40,000 in rental car insurance. 

Pre-existing conditions covered. 

Travel delay reimbursement kicks in after 12 hours. 

Baggage loss is capped at $250 per item and $1,500 total.

More expensive than other options. 

» Learn more: Read our full review of IMG travel insurance

3. Detour Insurance

The Detour Insurance @The Edge insurance plan is aptly named. Costing $86.90, the plan offers a unique inclusion for the costs of search and rescue, which can provide peace of mind if you're participating in backcountry adventures.

$1 million limit for medical evacuation. 

Coverage can be extended. 

$10,000 for search and rescue. 

No rental car insurance. 

Pre-existing conditions not covered. 

$50,000 limit for 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. 

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

4. Trawick International

Trawick International’s Safe Travels Protect plan includes primary medical coverage as well as a wide range of trip protections. At $100.03, it even covers cancellations for medical reasons.

$25,000 in emergency medical coverage.

100% for both trip cancellation and trip interruption. 

Medical quarantine coverage included. 

$100 medical deductible.

$500 lost luggage limit (not a great fit if you are packing several valuables).

Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. 

» Learn more: Read our full Trawick International review

Do you have a travel credit card ? Many of these cards offer complimentary travel insurance as a part of their benefits. 

The plan you select may offer secondary coverage, but this matters only if you have existing insurance. In its absence, secondary coverage becomes primary. 

Look at your existing health insurance policy. Some plans will provide emergency coverage for you when traveling internationally. 

If you’re planning on heading for the Dolomites or other European mountains for winter sports, be sure that your travel insurance covers adventure activities; not all do. Travel insurance can rescue a ski or snowboard trip , but read the fine print to see what exclusions apply before you purchase a policy. 

» Learn more: 5 tips before buying Schengen visa travel insurance

If you’re looking for insurance when traveling to Europe, you may already have it without knowing. Many travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance.

Available types of insurance can include rental car insurance, emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation reimbursement, lost luggage protection and trip delay insurance.

Here are some of the best credit cards for travel insurance:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per passenger for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $2,000 per person for nonrefundable airline, bus, train or ferry tikets.

• Trip interruption: Up to $2,000 per person for nonrefundable airline, bus, train or ferry tikets.

• Lost or damaged luggage : Up to $3,000 per passenger.

» Learn more: How to choose a credit card for Europe travel

Staying safe is important during your trip to Europe. Health insurance for travel can make a difference, especially if you’re planning on doing anything adventurous. The same can be said for other trip protections, which reimburse you for covered expenses that you incur.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Protect Your Trip »

Does my health insurance cover international travel.

Private health insurance typically doesn't cover international travel expenses.

Can Health Insurance Cover Trips Abroad?

Getty Images

Be prepared for unforeseen healthcare expenses when traveling abroad.

U.S. health insurance plans typically do not cover regular and routine medical care required overseas. This means your health insurance won't pay for care if you need to visit a doctor for a prescription medicine, or if you need treatment for a condition that is not considered an emergency.

Most individual health insurance policies in the U.S. do not provide coverage for overseas emergency care, either. Without that coverage, if you break a leg or your travel companion has a heart attack during your trip, you will not have financial protection against the medical expenses that accrue. To know for sure what your plan entails, call your individual health insurance company to find out what is and isn't covered.

Does Medicare cover international travel?

If you have Medicare coverage, the lack of overseas protection you have is even more cut and dry. Medicare rarely pays for medical care you receive while traveling outside the United States, according to the U.S. Department of State. However, Medicare may pay for some inpatient hospital stays, doctor visits, ambulance services or dialysis care you receive in a foreign country "in rare cases." Possible scenarios include the following:

• You are in the U.S. when the emergency occurs, but a foreign hospital is the closest one that can treat you.
• You are traveling through Canada on a direct route to Alaska and a medical emergency takes place in a region that is closest to a hospital in Canada.
• The U.S. government also says you may get Medicare coverage overseas "if you live in the U.S. and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat you, regardless of whether you have a medical emergency."

In any of these scenarios, however, Medicare only pays for medical expenses Medicare would normally cover if you were in the U.S. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to know which services are and are not covered before you receive treatment, particularly if you are in an emergency medical situation where timing is critical.

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How to get health insurance for international travel

There are two main options when it comes to acquiring health coverage for international travel: travel insurance or a travel credit card with (limited) health insurance.

Consider an international travel insurance policy

To decide whether or not you should purchase health insurance for your trip abroad, take a look at the best international travel insurance policies and what they offer in the following categories:

Medical coverage: If you wind up needing medical treatment abroad, you'll be glad you have a travel medical insurance plan in place. With a medical insurance policy for overseas, you can get emergency medical treatment where and when you need it – and without arriving home from your trip to a mountain of overseas medical debt.

You will want to compare travel medical insurance plans to make sure you have adequate coverage limits for everyone on your trip. Either way, some of the best travel health plans come from companies like Allianz Travel Insurance, GeoBlue, Seven Corners, Trawick International and WorldTrips. As an example, a Travel Medical Plus plan from Seven Corners lets you secure international medical coverage in amounts up to $5 million.

Coverage for preexisting conditions: Some travel insurance companies provide coverage for preexisting conditions. In most cases, you must purchase your travel insurance within a specific amount of time after making your initial trip deposit for preexisting conditions coverage to apply. With the Allianz OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan, for example, you must purchase travel coverage within 14 days of making your first trip payment in order for preexisting conditions to be included.

Other conditions can apply when you're trying to get coverage for preexisting medical conditions as well, so be sure to read the fine print when comparing options.

Medical evacuation coverage: Be aware that, even if your own health insurance plan in the U.S. provides some coverage for emergency care overseas, you will not have emergency coverage for medical evacuation. The U.S. Department of State points out that medical evacuation can cost $50,000 or more in many countries depending on your location and the care you need.

Fortunately, most travel insurance companies with travel medical insurance also provide coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. This coverage comes in varying amounts depending on the insurance company and plan you select.

Cancel for any reason coverage: Having overseas medical coverage is crucial when you're planning trips abroad, but you should know that a comprehensive travel insurance plan can give you even more peace of mind. Common coverages in these plans include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, flight delay or cancellation coverage, baggage insurance, personal liability insurance, and more.

You can even opt for a plan with "cancel for any reason" or CFAR coverage that lets you cancel your trip and get a percentage of your trip cost back for any reason at all – even if you just decide to stay home. In addition to single-trip plans, you can also find multitrip travel insurance policies and annual travel insurance plans .

Compare travel insurance plans and get a quote .

Consider a credit card with travel insurance

Some travel credit cards include health insurance, albeit limited and with restrictions. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve covers up to $100,000 in medical evacuation expenses, but only if your trip is booked using the card. This credit card comes with a premium annual fee of $550, however, so you'll have to weigh the benefits and drawbacks alongside the health coverages.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a veteran travel writer who has visited more than 50 countries in the world over the last decade. She covers a range of destinations and travel types, as well as travel insurance policies through major providers. Johnson purchases travel insurance for her own family and has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg – who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states – in their family media business.

You might also be interested in:

• Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
• The Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance Options
• The Best Travel Insurance for Seniors and Retirees
• The Best Expat Travel Insurance Options
• How to Get Airport Wheelchair Assistance

Tags: Travel , Travel Insurance

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