Do I need travel insurance for Amsterdam?
Travel insurance is highly recommended for US citizens traveling to Netherlands. Finding the best Netherlands travel insurance from USA on American Visitor Insurance is very easy.
It's important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. An EHIC or GHIC does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment.
It's mandatory for visitors to have travel insurance when visiting the Netherlands, as it's part of the Schengen area. So, let's get started on finding you the perfect travel insurance for your upcoming trip to the Netherlands!
Travel insurance is not required for U.S. citizens to enter Europe. Tourists who are traveling to countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement can enter with a U.S. passport. You may require a visa if you plan to stay in certain countries for more than 90 days.
If all of your reservations can be canceled without penalty, then trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage isn't necessary. But even if your trip isn't 100% refundable, insurance may not be necessary.
Be sure to carry cash
You can pay with cash or a debit card, and often with your phone via NFC (contactless payments), Apple Pay, or Google Wallet. But not everywhere! In the Netherlands, credit cards are not the most commonly used method for payments. In daily life, the Dutch hardly use them.
The cost of compulsory basic insurance for medical care is set yearly by the Dutch government. The average basic Dutch health insurance premium in 2021 is approximately 120 euro per month. Basic health insurance in the Netherlands comes with a standard, obligatory deductible excess of 385 euro (in 2021).
Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands is required under Dutch law to have health insurance from a Dutch healthcare insurer. If you are living or working in the Netherlands and do not have health insurance, you will receive a fine.
The Central Administration Office (CAK) is responsible for verifying that everyone in the Netherlands has health insurance. If you're uninsured, you'll receive warning letters from CAK and a fine.
U.S. health insurance plans typically do not cover regular and routine medical care required overseas. This means your health insurance won't pay for care if you need to visit a doctor for a prescription medicine, or if you need treatment for a condition that is not considered an emergency.
Can US citizens get free healthcare in Europe?
Be aware that you will likely have to pay out of pocket for any medical treatment, even if your insurance company provides international health care coverage. A visit to the emergency room can be free or cost only a nominal fee, or it can be expensive, depending on where you are and what treatment you need.
Some travel insurers insist you have a GHIC – or they won't cover medical costs in Europe. Either way, a GHIC only covers medical treatment, so you still need insurance to cover things like repatriation or extra accommodation for you – and family members – if you were in hospital for a time and could not travel home.
It can also be expensive, difficult to file claims, and not always cover the things you thought it would — or should.
According to Allianz Global Assistance, a travel insurance provider, "Trip cancellations and trip interruptions due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, or fear of travel are generally not covered."
The average cost of a standard travel insurance policy is $221, according to research conducted by the MarketWatch Guides team. However, the destination, number of travelers, trip price and more can affect the exact cost of a policy.
As in most European countries, the currency of the Netherlands is the Euro (symbolised as EUR or €). Other currencies are normally not accepted, so be sure to change dollars, etc. at one of the currency exchange offices located throughout the city.
The average daily budget for a trip to Amsterdam can vary depending on your travel style and preferences. However, a rough estimate for a budget traveler would be around €60-80 per day, while mid-range travelers can expect to spend around €100-150 per day.
It's not cashless. But if you want you can probably manage without cash. It might still be good to have a little bit on hand. In a week we encountered a mix of everything.
Every person who lives or works in the Netherlands is legally obliged to take out standard health insurance to cover the cost of, for example, consulting a general practitioner, hospital treatment and prescription medication.
Provider | Plan Name | Cost |
---|---|---|
Seven Corners | Basic | $55 |
Tin Leg | Economy | $57 |
World Trips | Economy | $59 |
USI Affinity | Basic | $80 |
Is medical care free in Netherlands?
The Netherlands has universal healthcare, but the government requires all adults living or working in the Netherlands to have basic insurance. The basic plan will cost € 100-120 out of pocket. If you're employed, your employer will pay a small percentage towards medical coverage as well.
If you do not take out a standard insurance package, the Central Administration Office (CAK) will register you with an insurer and the premium will be withheld from your pay. If you need medical care but are not insured, you must pay the costs yourself.
In most cases, you are obliged to take out basic health insurance. This insurance plan provides cover for basic healthcare treatments, such as hospitalisation, emergency care and GP visits.
If you cause an accident and don't have car insurance, you may have to pay for the damage out of your pocket. You could also get sued if you don't pay. Police will likely charge you with driving without car insurance. You could face a hefty fine, license suspension and even jail time, depending on the state.
Health insurance from another country
If you have health insurance in another country that provides cover in the Netherlands, you will be reimbursed the cost of health care received here provided you do not have a permanent residence permit and do not live in a reception facility for asylum seekers.
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