Health insurer VGZ has sent a letter to the mayors of the 34 Dutch municipalities that do not currently offer a gemeentepolis, a collective health insurance policy for people on low incomes. The insurer wants to discuss introducing the scheme in those areas. Some municipalities have discontinued the policy, while others have never provided it. VGZ argues that every municipality should offer the gemeentepolis.
The gemeentepolis is a basic health insurance package with additional coverage, arranged by a municipality in partnership with a health insurer. It is designed for residents with a low income and typically includes extras such as dental care or physiotherapy at a reduced premium.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
If you live in one of the 34 municipalities without a gemeentepolis and you have a low income, you may currently have fewer affordable insurance options. Learning the term gemeentepolis is useful, as it often appears in local council information and letters. If you are new to the Netherlands, check your municipality's website to see whether a gemeentepolis is available where you live. If it is not, you can still compare basic insurance policies and ask your municipality about any local income support schemes. The outcome of VGZ's request will depend on discussions with each municipality, so availability may change over time.