Zorgverzekeraar (CZ, VGZ, Zilveren Kruis, Menzis…) letter explained in English
Health insurance company. Your health insurer. Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must have basic health insurance (basisverzekering).
Letters you may get
- Premienota — your monthly premium bill
- Nota eigen risico — the part of your care costs you pay yourself
- Betalingsherinnering or aanmaning — unpaid premiums
- Polisblad — your insurance details for the new year
What to do
- If you miss several months of premiums, the CAK takes over and you pay a higher premium. Ask for a payment plan early.
- You can switch to another insurer for the next year. Do it before 1 January — your new insurer usually cancels the old one for you.
- Find the deadline. Look for “termijn”, “uiterlijk”, “binnen”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“bezwaar”, “beroep”, “verzet”). See the template.
Words you may see
- aanmaning
- Formal payment demand. You paid late, and costs are often added.
- zorgverzekering
- Health insurance. Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must have basic health insurance (basisverzekering).
- eigen risico
- The part of your care costs you pay yourself each year before the insurance pays. Visits to your GP don’t count.
Questions
What is the Zorgverzekeraar (CZ, VGZ, Zilveren Kruis, Menzis…)?
Health insurance company. Your health insurer. Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must have basic health insurance (basisverzekering).
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Zorgverzekeraar (CZ, VGZ, Zilveren Kruis, Menzis…)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “termijn”, “uiterlijk”, “binnen” — they mark the deadline. In the Netherlands, the time to object usually starts the day after the date on the letter (dagtekening), not the day it arrives. So count from the date on the letter. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“bezwaar”, “beroep”, “verzet”).
Can I read a Zorgverzekeraar (CZ, VGZ, Zilveren Kruis, Menzis…) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Dutch. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in the Netherlands
Belastingdienst · Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen) · CJIB (Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau) · Gemeente · Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap · UWV · IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) · SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank)