Dutch health insurer DSW has announced that its basic insurance premium will rise by €14.75 per month in 2027, bringing the monthly cost to €173.25. According to the report, this is the largest increase the insurer has ever made to its basic policy. DSW is typically one of the first insurers to publish its premiums, so its announcement is often seen as an early signal of the direction other providers may take for the coming year.
Basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is mandatory for most people living and working in the Netherlands, and premiums are paid monthly. Insurers set their own prices, so the amount you pay can vary depending on which provider and policy you choose. DSW's figure is specific to that insurer and does not automatically mean every provider will announce the same increase.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
If you are settling in the Netherlands, health insurance is one of the fixed monthly costs to plan for. A rise of this size is worth noting when you budget, but you are not locked in: during the annual switch period, usually in late November and December, you can compare policies and change insurer for the following year. Keep an eye on announcements from other insurers too, since premiums differ. Learning the key terms, such as premie (premium), basisverzekering (basic insurance) and eigen risico (excess), will help you read policy documents and compare options with more confidence.