Good question. In the Netherlands, it is compulsory to have healthcare insurance. Care is expensive enough as it is, and with health insurance you insure yourself for all care included in the basic package. So you won't face unexpectedly high costs.

That choice is up to you. FLKS Budget is especially convenient if you expect to need little or no care. This insurance is also the cheapest. FLKS Beter offers more freedom of choice: that is fine if you need to visit the hospital regularly, or if you want to decide for yourself which healthcare provider you go to.

The deductible is set by our government. It means that you pay the first €385 you incur in basic healthcare costs yourself. This is how we become more 'aware' of the healthcare costs we incur. Currently, the standard deductible is €385. By increasing this, your premium goes down.

Not all care is deducted from your excess. Some care is and remains completely 'free'. For instance, the GP, an STI test at the Municipal Health Service (GGD) and the flu shot for people at high risk. But beware: almost everything the GP prescribes will be deducted from your deductible.

First things first: you can go to any hospital in the Netherlands for emergency care. Do you need care by appointment? Then with FLKS you can choose whether you can go to most hospitals in the Netherlands (FLKS Budget) or to all hospitals (FLKS Better). This is because we have agreements with hospitals in almost all major cities, but not with all of them. Do you want 100% reimbursement everywhere in the Netherlands? Then you will pay a slightly higher premium, but you will be able to go everywhere.

Definitely not! You are entirely free to decide whether to take out supplementary insurance. You do this especially if you expect to need more or different care than covered by the basic insurance, such as the pill if you are over 21.

We have a handy overview for that: the care finder. This list was compiled by our insurer Aevitae on behalf of insurance company Eucare.

From the age of 18, you will start paying premiums for your health insurance. You can stay insured with your parents or arrange your own insurance. On our page 'Nearly 18' we explain what this all entails.

Health insurance always runs for one year (unless you turn 18 mid-year). Do you want to take out insurance with FLKS? Then apply for your insurance before 31 December. We will arrange the switch. Have you already cancelled your old insurance yourself? Then you have until 31 January to take out a new insurance. This will take effect retroactively as of 1 January.

Do you want to cancel your health insurance? Then send an e-mail to info@FLKS.nl or fill in the contact form. Please note: your request must reach us before 1 January. Your cancellation will then take effect on 1 January.