When it comes to health insurance, the default rule in the Netherlands is that everyone needs to be insured with a Dutch provider. However, if you have not taken out Dutch health insurance, then you may receive a letter from the CAK (the envelope looks like this, and here is an English translation). The letter is a reminder that you are not properly insured, and that you should take steps to fix this immediately.
How to deal with the CAK letter
Depending on certain factors (where you’re from, how old you are, whether you have a job in NL), you may or may not actually need Dutch health insurance. In fact, in most cases, international students will not need to take out any additional insurance to study in the Netherlands. Read our health insurance page to find out what applies to your situation.
This is somewhat confusing. If you’re a student that isn’t breaking any rules by not taking out Dutch health insurance, then why are you still receiving this letter? The CAK does not distinguish between those who legally or illegally are without Dutch insurance.
If you’ve checked and made sure that you don’t need Dutch insurance, then you need to show the CAK that you are exempt from the requirement to be insured with a Dutch provider. There are two ways to do this. You must do so within 3 months from the date of the letter. Otherwise, you will get a hefty fine from the CAK of about €500.
How to show the SVB you are exempt from taking out Dutch health insurance
You will have to mail them back with proof that you are exempt from taking out Dutch health insurance.
- You need to prove that you are exempt from the requirement to take out Dutch health insurance. You can do this by requesting an “Assessment of your Wlz Insurance Position” via the SVB. You should have the Wlz form filled out and sent back immediately after receiving the CAK letter. The SVB is a Dutch government organization responsible for administering national social security schemes.
- There are two ways to get the assessment, both can be found through the following link.
After 2 to 3 months, you will receive a letter from the SVB either confirming that you do not need Dutch health insurance and cancelling the fine or telling you that you must still take out Dutch health insurance.
What happens if I ignore the letter?
Once the CAK letter arrives, you will only have 3 months to fill out and send off the form, otherwise you will have to pay a fine of approximately €500. After this fine, another letter arrives, and you again have 3 months to send off the form and prove you don’t need Dutch health insurance. If you fail to do this again, the fine is doubled to over €1000! This means it is much easier to send them the form now and not have to worry about any fines.
A lot of students don’t read the CAK letter or don’t receive the letter because they didn’t notify the municipality about a new address. This does not mean that the fines disappear, they just keep doubling every 3 months.
