Health insurance and zorgtoeslag in 2023

The tax office on November 24 published the final amount of the health insurance subsidy (zorgtoeslag) in 2023. More people in the Netherlands will be eligible for the zorgtoeslag next year than now.

What is zorgtoeslag?

We remind you: health insurance subsidy (zorgtoeslag) is a financial aid from the government designed to cover the cost of health care for people with a (relatively) low income. You can read more about this subsidy and the conditions for receiving it, as well as apply for zorgtoeslag through Nalog.nl, you can here. If the tax authority approves the request, then you will receive the corresponding payment every month around the 20th.

Subsidies for 2023

The government determines the amount of zorgtoeslag every year based on the average monthly premium (zorgpremie) according to the health insurance policy. On average, this contribution increases by 10,19 euros per month. Accordingly, the subsidy will increase significantly.

Maximum zorgtoeslag size in 2023:

*Note: For an explanation of who the toeslagpartners are, you can find here.

Annual income thresholds for zorgtoeslag

Like us wrote, at a certain amount of income per year, the right to subsidies is lost. And we have good news: for 2023, the government increased the maximum annual income thresholds by several thousand eurosat which subsidies remain available. More people can apply for subsidies.

Maximum income thresholds for receiving subsidies in 2023:

How to calculate your zorgtoeslag?

The amount of the subsidy for medical insurance depends on: 1) income; 2) whether you have a support partner (toeslagpartner). The more you earn, the lower the benefit.

Zorgtoeslag-2023 depending on income:

To determine the amount of the benefit, the so-called estimated income (toetsingsinkomen) is taken into account. If you file a tax return, the estimated income is equal to total income (verzamelinkomen). If you do not file a tax return, your estimated income is equal to your taxable wage.

More about it here.

You can calculate your amount of zorgtoeslag until December 15 on the website of the tax service through your personal account (more on this here). If you have any changes that may affect the calculation of the subsidy, it is advisable to notify the tax service before December 6th. Then on December 20 you will receive the adjusted zorgtoeslag amount for January 2023. If you report the changes after December 6 but before January 5, then on January 20 you will receive the adjusted subsidy for February.

The nuances of choosing an insurer and an insurance policy

To spend only the minimum necessary for medical needs, it is not enough to apply for a zorgtoeslag, you must also choose the right insurer and insurance policy. Moreover, both that, and another sometimes it is expedient to change. We recommend annually browse offers from insurers, choosing the most advantageous option for you.

However, the choice in favor of the cheapest policy does not always justify itself. Sometimes a little more expensive insurance pays off in the long run. For example, some policies provide options such as doctor consultations through the application, a discount on a gym or health products, psychological support, and the like. All this increases the value of the policy with a not very significant difference in cost.

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Three easy tips to save on health insurance next year

• Tip # 1

Do not buy one insurance for two with your partner: most likely, your medical care needs are different.

• Tip # 2

Increase eigen risico - franchise (more about what it is, read here) if you do not plan to seek medical help during the year. Most health insurance policies allow you to voluntarily increase your deductible in 100 euro increments up to a maximum of 885 euros per year and get a discount of 15 to 20 euros per month.

• Tip # 3

Pay the insurance premium in one payment for the whole year: you will receive a discount of 1 to 2% from some insurance companies, which is several tens of euros.