Thousands trying to switch health insurers at last minute to save hundreds of euros
In the final days of 2024, a significant surge in Dutch consumers is switching their health insurance, as many wait until the last moment to secure a more affordable plan. According to a new press release by the comparison site Zorgverzekeringwijzer.nl, the number of individuals changing their health insurance at this time has more than doubled compared to the same period in previous years.
Typically, around 1 million people in the Netherlands switch their health insurance each year. However, this year, the trend has intensified, with Zorgverzekeringwijzer.nl reporting that visits to their website and the number of switches have surged to more than double the usual figures in the final days of December. "We are accustomed to seeing more than 50 percent of Dutch people switch insurance in the days following Christmas, but we’ve never seen anything like this before," said Leon Schouten of Zorgverzekeringwijzer.nl.
“Many consumers have postponed their decision to switch,” Schouten continued. “This is partly because switching is easier than ever before. People know they can wait until the last moment and take advantage of the time off between Christmas and New Year's." "We even see people switching at 11:59 PM on December 31," Schouten added.
There are still many misconceptions regarding health insurance in the Netherlands. A previous study by Zorgverzekeringwijzer.nl revealed that more than 30 percent of people believe they could be refused basic health insurance if they are seriously ill. Others mistakenly think a visit to the general practitioner incurs an extra cost and counts toward the deductible, but these visits are fully covered under basic insurance and do not fall under the deductible.
With rising health premiums, those switching insurance plans can save considerable amounts. In 2025, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive basic health insurance plans alone is 433 euros, while both cover the same services. Additionally, Zorgverzekeringwijzer.nl has noted potential savings of up to 640 euros per person per year for those who switch. Many consumers, however, are over-insured, with Schouten noting that “people often choose expensive packages that don’t align with their actual healthcare needs. For example, men who are insured for maternity care or contraception are a prime example.”
Consumers must compare and switch their health insurance by today, December 31, unless they cancel their current plan by January 1. In that case, they will have until February 1 to select a new health insurance policy.
