Apply for DIGID!
What to arrange in the first month? Besides your BSN, the DigiD is one of the essential things you need when living in the Netherlands. The DigiD is your digital identity for the Dutch Government. It allows you to log in to websites from the Dutch government and healthcare. You will need a DigiD for filling in your tax declaration, applying for allowances, checking your registration at the municipality, etc. The DigiD consists of a username and a password. Additionally, you can apply for two-factor-authentication via SMS.
Apply for a DigiD here. Unfortunately, the link is only available in Dutch. Need help?
Common insurances in the Netherlands!
If you live in the Netherlands for a longer period, you might want to take out some insurance. Here are the most common insurances for people living in the Netherlands:
- Home Contents Insurance (Inboedelverzekering) covers you for loss or damage to your movable property in your home f.e. through fire or theft.
- Liability insurance (Aansprakelijkheidsverzekering) protects you from the risks of liability and covers you for involuntary (material) damage you cause on other peoples belongings or injure someone by your fault. This insurance costs +/-€4 a month.
- Travel insurance (Reis- en annuleringsverzekering) can come in quite handy if you travel frequently. It covers unexpected expenses due to an accident or emergency as well as loss or theft of your luggage. Most insurance providers offer the option for cancellation insurance (annuleringsverzekering) which covers you for expenses due to unexpected cancellations of/on your trip.
GOOD TO KNOW: In the Netherlands, many banks offer insurance in addition to their financial products. It might be worthwhile checking with your bank if you are looking for insurance. Need help?
Get a Dutch phone number!
What to arrange in the first month? If you live in the Netherlands for a more extended period, you might want to get a Dutch phone number. There are multiple phone providers in the Netherlands where you can usually choose from a prepaid card or a paid contract.
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Medicine and pharmacies!
In the Netherlands, you register at your local pharmacy (apotheek) and get all your medicine there. This way, the pharmacy is always aware of the medicine you take and makes sure you don’t get conflicting medication. If you get a prescription from your GP or doctor, it is usually sent automatically to your pharmacy. All you need to do is pick up the medicine at your pharmacy when it’s ready.
Arrange Dutch Health insurances!
What to arrange in the first month? Health insurance is mandatory for all people working in the Netherlands or living in the Netherlands for more than four months. If you work in the Netherlands, you have to take out Dutch health insurance even if you are an EU citizen and possess an EU Health insurance card or if you have private health care insurance from your country of origin. You can choose health insurance yourself, and you will be invoiced directly. Compare different health insurances on Zorgkiezer, Independer or Zorgwijzer. There are about 50 health insurances in the Netherlands, but only eight of them offer an English website. ONVZ offers health insurance specifically for expats living in the Netherlands. Other health insurances with English websites are Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, CZ, Menzis, Anderzorg and HollandZorg.
Please be aware that you need to be registered in the Netherlands and possess a BSN to get Dutch Health insurance. However, you’ll have four months to arrange health insurance after your arrival. Read more about health insurance in the Netherlands on the website of the Dutch government. TIP: Depending on how high your income is, you might be entitled to receive healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag).
Register with a GP!
If you live in the Netherlands, you usually register at a GP close to your house. On kiesuwhuisarts.nl you can type in your city or postal code and see all the GPs in your area. However, sometimes, medical practices can’t accept more clients. This is why it is wise to register with a doctor when you start settling in the Netherlands or at least before you actually get ill. Usually, you set up an intake appointment to talk through your medical history.
A visit at the GP is always covered by your Dutch health insurance and doesn’t count for your excess. If you need to see a specialist, you usually see your GP first. He/she then refers you to the appropriate specialist. For physiotherapy, you don’t need to see your GP first. However, most of the time, physiotherapy is not covered in the basic insurance module. Get more information about Dutch health insurance. Need help?