International and European researchers and their access to national health insurance in the Netherlands
Nuffic (the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education) and SOFIE (Social Fiscal International Expertise) have heard concerns from many universities and research institutes about the health insurance of European and international researchers and their family members in the Netherlands. Nuffic and SOFIE have found that it is not always clear why someone is not insured for the Healthcare Insurance Act (Zvw) and Long-Term Care Act (Wlz). In particular, the term ‘resident’, used to specify the scope of insured persons, is ambiguous. It has been noted that the Wlz (Long-Term Care Act) assessment criteria used by the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) to determine whether someone is insured are unclear. If, based on this ‘Wlz test’, the conditions for ‘residency’ are not met, the researcher can only get private health insurance, which reportedly poses challenges, such as exclusions for certain medical conditions and the possibility of high premiums. The issue revolves around researchers living and/or working in the Netherlands in various contractual configurations at Dutch universities or research institutions. Due to the lack of clarity and uncertainty about health insurance coverage, Nuffic and SOFIE asked ITEM to conduct research on this issue. This study (legal and impact analysis) examines the complexity of the Dutch health insurance system for international researchers and their family members. It highlights the legal, financial and political considerations involved and questions the desirability of the current laws and regulations.
