Eigen risico: the Dutch healthcare deductible explained
Updated 14 November 2026
The eigen risico is the part of your healthcare costs you pay yourself before insurance kicks in: €385 in 2026, €400 in 2027. It's also the biggest money lever on your policy — if you understand what it does and doesn't apply to.
What counts towards the deductible
| Uses your deductible | Never uses it |
|---|---|
| Hospital care & specialists | GP (huisarts) consultations |
| Prescription medicines | Maternity care & midwife |
| Blood tests, scans, lab work | Children under 18 (all care) |
| Ambulance transport | District nursing (wijkverpleging) |
| Mental healthcare (GGZ) | Care from supplementary packages* |
* Supplementary-package care (e.g. physio, dental) has its own limits instead.
How it works in practice
Example: in March you're referred to a dermatologist (€180) and get medication (€60). You pay the first €240 yourself; your deductible counter is at €240/€400. A hospital test in August (€300) costs you the remaining €160 — everything after that in 2027 is covered in full.
The voluntary extra deductible
You can raise your deductible by up to €500 (to €900 total in 2027) in exchange for a premium discount of roughly €20–25 per month. The break-even logic:
- Healthy & buffered: expect near-zero care and can absorb €900? The ±€250/year discount is attractive.
- Any regular care: medication, therapy, a planned procedure? Keep the standard €400 — the discount never covers the extra risk.
- Rule of thumb: if you'd even hesitate about affording €900 at once, don't raise it.
Our health insurance helper gives you a deductible advice based on your expected use.
Deductible vs. own contributions
Don't confuse the deductible with eigen bijdrage (statutory own contributions) for things like certain medicines or medical transport — those you pay on top of the deductible. The medicine own-contribution is capped at €250 per year.
Frequently asked questions
Does the deductible reset every year?
Yes — on 1 January your counter starts at zero. It applies per person per calendar year (children under 18 have no deductible).
Is the GP really free?
Visits to your huisarts never use your deductible. But follow-ups can: if the GP orders lab tests, prescribes medicine or refers you to a specialist, those costs do count towards it.
Can I pay the deductible in instalments?
Most insurers offer spreading the mandatory deductible over 10 monthly payments, with refund if you use less. Useful if a €400 hit would hurt.
When does a voluntary extra deductible make sense?
Only if you could afford €900 in a bad year and genuinely use little care. The ±€250/year premium discount is attractive, but one unexpected hospital visit erases several years of savings.