Health insurance payment arrears in the Netherlands 2014-2019, by duration

In 2019, almost 300,000 individuals in the Netherlands had a health insurance debt which was longer than six months. If a premium is overdue, the health insurer will send a letter when someone is two months or more behind on payments. When payments are four months behind or more, the health insures issues a last warning. In the event of a six months premium debt, the health insurer reports the arrear to the National Health Care Institute (in Dutch: Zorginstuut Nederland). They issue a new monthly premium, which will be deducted directly from wages or benefits. The increased premium will end, once the entire debt has been paid or when arrangements have been made for debt counseling.

The Dutch health insurance system as it is now was introduced in 2006 and combines elements of both public as well as private insurance. It is mandatory to have at least a basic health insurance (in Dutch: basisverzekering) when you work in the Netherlands, because healthcare is funded through taxation of income.