Individuals who work and reside in the Netherlands are covered under the Dutch national
health insurance system. In addition, residents of the Netherlands receive coverage
credit under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) regardless of whether they are working
or not. Consequently, individuals can become entitled to a broad range of benefits
under the Dutch system while making little or no contributions.
Generally, workers who are excluded from Dutch coverage because of an international
social security agreement are no longer covered under the Dutch national health insurance
and no longer receive NIS coverage credit. The agreement prevents a worker who would
otherwise be excluded from Dutch coverage by the agreement from obtaining such coverage
and benefits with little or no contributions by taking up a second work activity.