Health insurance premiums in the Netherlands are set to rise again next year. For years, premiums have increased on January 1st, and 2026 will be no exception. Even larger hikes are expected in the coming years, with one expert warning that Dutch citizens may not be able to bear these growing costs indefinitely.
Healthcare Costs to Rise Again in 2026 #
It’s once again time for the Dutch to select a new health insurance policy. Insurers have announced their premiums for the new year, confirming that healthcare costs will continue to climb.
An analysis by Jeremy Broekman, an insurance expert at Overstappen.nl, reveals that health insurance premiums have risen by an average of 80% over the past 20 years. In 2006, the average annual cost for a Dutch citizen was €1,060. For the upcoming year, this figure is projected to reach €1,906.
Since 2006, the average Dutch resident is now paying €70.50 more per month for their health insurance. The expert attributes this increase to several factors, including an aging population, inflation, and higher overall healthcare consumption.
“Without interventions in the organization or financing of healthcare, it will become increasingly difficult for premium and taxpayers to bear these rising costs,” warns Broekman.
Not All Insurers Are Raising Premiums #
Now that all premiums for 2026 have been announced, it’s clear that not all providers are increasing their prices. In fact, one insurer is even lowering its premium. VGZ, for instance, is reducing the cost of its cheapest basic policy from €151.90 to €149.90 per month, with a mandatory deductible of €385.
Some policies are also holding steady in price. CZ, for example, is keeping its ‘Zorg-op-maat’ (Custom Care) policy at €159.99 per month, also with a €385 deductible.
The reason for this moderation is that wages rose this year, leading to higher tax revenues. This resulted in more money flowing into the Health Insurance Fund, which covers a significant portion of healthcare costs.
On average, Dutch citizens will pay just 76 cents more per year for their health insurance next year compared to this year, but 2026 is expected to be an exception. “For 2027, we anticipate another clear increase,” Broekman concludes.