Car insurance Netherlands
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Is car insurance mandatory in the Netherlands?
Looking for the best car insurance in the Netherlands? Whether you’re an expat, international student, or new resident, we help you understand Dutch car insurance and make the right choice. In the Netherlands, it’s required by law to have at least third-party liability insurance (WA-verzekering). This basic coverage protects against damages you cause to other people or their property while driving.
Driving without third-party liability insurance can lead to fines, legal issues, and having to pay out of your own pocket for any damages caused by your car. Driving without liability insurance can, in some cases, mean having to pay damages of hundreds of thousands of euros yourself. Ensuring you have at least third-party liability insurance is crucial to avoid these risks and stay compliant.
Car insurance for expats, new residents and international students
For expats, new residents and international students, the real challenge usually isn’t whether you need insurance, it’s how to arrange it correctly. Autoverzekering.nl will guide you every step of the way so you know exactly what kind of car insurance you need to take out.
1. Understanding car insurance in the Netherlands
Before you insure a car in the Netherlands, it’s important to understand how car insurance works and what you need to arrange before you can get insured.
Car insurance in the Netherlands works differently from what many expats are used to. One of the main differences is the strong focus on no-claim years (schadevrije jaren), which have a direct impact on your premium. In countries such as the UK or the United States, insurers often rely more on factors like credit scores, driving records or broader risk profiles, while in the Netherlands your number of insured and claim-free years plays a much larger role.
Another difference is how insurance is linked to the car. In the Netherlands, the policy is tied to the vehicle and its license plate, not to the driver. This affects how coverage is structured and how insurers assess risk.
As a result, premiums are calculated differently and can vary significantly compared to what you may be used to in your home country. International drivers without recognised no-claim years, for example, often face higher premiums or stricter acceptance criteria.
2. Buying or importing a car in the Netherlands
If you plan to buy or bring a car to the Netherlands, there are a few additional steps that affect how and when you can arrange insurance. The exact steps depend on your situation:
Buying a car
If you buy a car in the Netherlands, the process is relatively straightforward. The car already has a Dutch license plate, but it must be registered in your name through the RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer) before you can take out insurance.
To complete this transfer, you need to be registered in the Netherlands and have a BSN. The ownership change is usually done at a registration point or online. Once the transfer is complete, the car is officially registered in your name and linked to your details.
Car insurance in the Netherlands is always linked to both the license plate and the registered owner. This means you can only insure the car once the ownership transfer is complete and the vehicle is registered in your name.
Importing a car
Importing a car to the Netherlands involves more than just bringing the vehicle across the border. Before you can insure it, the car must pass an inspection and be registered with the RDW. This process includes:
- making an appointment with the RDW;
- having the car inspected,
- and submitting the required documents.
After approval, you receive a Dutch license plate and the car is registered in your name. You can only insure a car once the vehicle has a license plate.
Once the car has a Dutch license plate, you can take out car insurance. Insurers will treat the vehicle as a Dutch-registered car, but the fact that it is imported can still affect your insurance. For example, the value of the car may be reassessed based on Dutch market standards, which can differ from the original purchase price. Insurers may also look more closely at the vehicle’s history, especially if documentation is incomplete. This can result in a different premium than you expected, based on your experience back home.
3. Choosing the right car insurance coverage
Once the car is registered in your name and you meet all the requirements, the next step is choosing the right car insurance. To do so, there are three main criteria you need to meet:
- A valid European Union (EU) driving license
- A Dutch license plate (after registration with the RDW)
- Residence in the Netherlands (with a BSN)
All set? At Autoverzekering.nl, you can compare different types of car insurance. Depending on your car and personal situation, you can choose from the following standard coverage options:
- WA coverage (third-party liability): this basic insurance covers damage you cause to other people or their property with your car. It is the minimum required by law. Damage to your own car is not covered. Is your car 10 years or older? Then WA coverage is likely the best and most affordable choice for you.
- WA beperkt casco coverage (third-party liability + limited coverage): WA beperkt casco provides the same protection as WA coverage, with additional coverage for damage to your car caused by specific events beyond your control. Examples include car theft, fire, storm damage and hitting an animal with your car.
If your car is between 6 and 10 years old, WA beperkt casco might be the right choice for you. - WA volledig casco (all risk) coverage (third-party liability + comprehensive coverage): all risk insurance offers the most extensive protection. It covers damages you cause to others and most damages to your own car, even if the fault is yours. We recommend all risk insurance for high-value cars and cars between 0 and 6 years old.
Additional coverage
Looking for more security? You can expand your coverage with several additional insurance options (aanvullende verzekeringen). Here are the most important add-ons:
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No-claim protection
In Dutch, no-claim protection is called ‘no-claimbescherming.’ This add-on ensures that your first claim within a policy year does not affect your no-claim discount. It protects you from premium increases that would normally follow after reporting damage or loss.
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Damage insurance for occupants
This option is called a ‘schadeverzekering voor inzittenden.’ This type of insurance covers both personal injuries and material damages (such as luggage or clothing) for you and your passengers resulting from a car accident.
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Personal accident insurance
This insurance provides a fixed payout in the event of permanent disability or death caused by a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. In Dutch, we call this add-on the ‘ongevallenverzekering inzittendenverzekering.’
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Legal expenses insurance
Legal expenses insurance protects you from unexpected legal costs related to your car, such as claiming damages after an accident. Coverage varies depending on the policy; some offer limited reimbursement, while others provide unlimited coverage. In Dutch, this insurance is called a ‘rechtsbijstandverzekering.’
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Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance (‘pechhulp‘ in Dutch) is a service that helps drivers in case of car trouble, like a flat tire, dead battery, or breakdown. It provides support to get you back on the road or tow your vehicle if needed.
Special coverage options
Do you need extra protection beyond the standard add-ons? These special coverage options (speciale regelingen) might be just what you need:
- New car value coverage: new cars quickly lose a large part of their value. With this coverage (‘nieuwwaarderegeling‘ in Dutch), you’ll be reimbursed the full purchase price of your car instead of the lower current market value in case it gets stolen or declared total loss. This way, you can always replace it with a similar new model.
- Purchase value coverage: are you driving a second-hand car? This coverage (‘aanschafwaarderegeling‘ in Dutch) ensures you’ll receive the purchase price of your car in case of theft or total loss, instead of the lower current market value.
- Accessory coverage: does your car have added extras like a tow bar, alloy wheels, or a premium sound system? Accessory coverage protects these upgrades and ensures they can be replaced after damage or theft without unexpected expenses (‘accessoiresdekking‘ in Dutch).
Advice from our expert
Transferring your no-claim years to the Netherlands
“Many people who have recently moved to the Netherlands don’t realise that they may be able to transfer their claim-free years from abroad to a Dutch insurer. This can lower your premium significantly, but you will need to request a claim-free certificate from your foreign insurer in English or Dutch before taking out your new policy.”
Expert car insurances
How much does car insurance cost in the Netherlands?
Here, you’ll find the cheapest car insurance options from our comparison tool. Compare policies to discover the best deal for your needs.
| Insurer | Premium car insurance per month | Coverage car insurance | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|
| a.s.r | € 36,76 | WA (third-party liability) | € 0,00 |
| OHRA | € 37,34 | WA (third-party liability) | € 0,00 |
| Allianz Direct | € 38,01 | WA (third-party liability) | € 0,00 |
| Ik kies zelf van a.s.r. | € 40,43 | WA+ (third-party + limited cover) | € 150,00 |
| OHRA | € 41,54 | WA+ (third-party + limited cover) | € 150,00 |
| Allianz Direct | € 41,66 | WA+ (third-party + limited cover) | € 0,00 |
| OHRA | € 49,94 | Allrisk (third-party + comprehensive cover) | € 150,00 |
| a.s.r | € 52,62 | Allrisk (third-party + comprehensive cover) | € 150,00 |
| ING | € 60,74 | Allrisk (third-party + comprehensive cover) | € 0,00 |
*These monthly premiums are based on a car insurance policy for a Kia Rio 1.2 (year 2014, original price € 16,440) for a 54-year-old driver from Amersfoort. The driver covers 10,000 kilometers per year and has 5 claim-free years.
Please note: this calculation is based on a sample profile. Premiums may vary per person and the offer depends on your personal situation. It is therefore advisable to make a calculation yourself.
Last update: 2 April 2026
How to arrange car insurance as a new resident in the Netherlands
Finding the right car insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. By comparing policies, you can choose one that fits your needs and budget. Follow these 5 simple steps to get started:
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1
Register in the Netherlands and check your driving license
Make sure you have a registered address and your BSN. Make sure your license is valid in the Netherlands and, if needed, exchange it for a Dutch one.
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2
Put the car in your name
Buy a car in the Netherlands or import one from abroad, then register it through the RDW.
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3
Enter your details in our comparison tool
Enter your license plate, postal code and date of birth. This information helps us find policies that match your car and personal situation.
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4
Collect your no-claim information and calculate your mileage
Do you have no-claim years from abroad? Ask your previous insurer for an official no-claim statement.
Also tell us roughly how many kilometers you drive each year. An estimate is perfectly fine. Don’t know your yearly mileage? Multiply your weekly distance by 52 and add any extra trips, like holidays or weekend getaways, for a more realistic figure.
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5
Compare premiums and sign up
The comparison tool shows the best options for your situation. Compare premiums, coverage details and terms, then choose the policy that suits you best. You can sign up directly through the tool in just a few clicks. The insurer will ask for the meldcode (the last four digits of your VIN) and a number of questions, for example about your claims history.
4. After you take out car insurance
After you apply for car insurance, you will receive a confirmation email from the insurer with three possible outcomes:
- Your insurance is accepted immediately: your application is approved right away and your coverage starts immediately. You are insured and allowed to drive.
- Your application is under review (provisional coverage): the insurer needs more time to assess your details. In some cases, you receive temporary or provisional coverage while your application is being reviewed.
- Your application is declined: your application is not accepted. This can happen if your driving history is unclear, your no-claim years are not recognised or your situation does not meet the insurer’s acceptance criteria.
Once your insurance is active, you are expected to comply with the policy conditions. This includes reporting changes, such as a new address or changes in usage of the car. If you are involved in an accident, you must report the damage as soon as possible, often using a European accident statement form.
Making a claim can affect your no-claim years and increase your premium. For smaller damages, it may be worth considering whether to cover the costs yourself instead of filing a claim.
Your Dutch no-claim years
No-claim years play an important role in how your premium is calculated in the Netherlands. The more claim-free years you have, the higher your discount and the lower your monthly cost. The discount can build up to around 75% or even 85%, depending on the insurer.
In the Netherlands, no-claim years are recorded in a central system called Roy-data. Insurers use this system to check your claims history and calculate your discount. All your claim-free years remain registered even if you temporarily do not have car insurance. However, if you are coming from abroad, your no-claim years will not be registered in this system, so you will need to request an official statement from your previous insurer.
A Dutch insurer may set requirements for proof of the number of claim-free years. For example, it must be an official document from the foreign insurer, not an email stating the number of years.
Please note that even with the right documentation, acceptance varies between insurers. Some recognise all your no-claim years, while others only accept part of them or none at all. This can have a direct impact on your premium, which makes comparing insurers especially important.
Car insurance for international students
Just like expats and other new residents, international students can take out car insurance in the Netherlands, but acceptance is not always guaranteed. Insurers assess risk based on factors such as driving history, age and length of stay.
A temporary stay combined with limited or no no-claim years usually results in higher premiums and fewer available insurers. In addition, you need a registered address in the Netherlands, and the car must have a Dutch license plate in your name. And, of course, the car must be driven by someone with a driving licence that is valid in the Netherlands. This can make it harder for international students to get accepted or find suitable car insurance.
If you are only staying for a short period, it is worth considering alternatives. Car sharing or short-term leasing is often easier to arrange and more flexible than owning and insuring a car.
Compare car insurance with Autoverzekering.nl
Autoverzekering.nl collaborates with many different qualified car insurance companies and compares them for you. Our job is to make it as easy as possible for you to compare car insurance companies so you can choose the best one.
Click on ‘compare car insurance’ and start comparing.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, car insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands. At a minimum, you must have third-party liability insurance (WA). Driving without insurance can lead to fines and means you are personally responsible for any damage you cause.
To take out car insurance in the Netherlands, you need to meet a few requirements. You must have a registered address, a BSN and a car with a Dutch license plate in your name.
This means you first need to register in the Netherlands, transfer or register the car through the RDW and only then take out insurance. Without these steps, most insurers will not accept your application.
Getting car insurance without a BSN or a registered address in the Netherlands can be difficult. Most insurers require both to assess your application and calculate your premium.
If you have just arrived in the Netherlands, you will usually need to complete your registration first. While you are waiting for your BSN, it is not possible to insure a car in your own name.
Not always. If you have a valid EU or EEA driving license, you can usually continue driving in the Netherlands and take out insurance.
If your license was issued outside the EU, you may only be allowed to drive for a limited period. After that, you must have a driving licence that is valid in the Netherlands.”. Insurers also assess risk, so a non-EU license can affect acceptance and your premium.
Foreign no-claim years are not automatically recognised. You can request an official statement from your previous insurer to prove your no-claim years from abroad. Some insurers accept this, but not all do, and the number of years recognised can differ. This directly affects your premium.
Expats and international students in the Netherlands usually take out car insurance with standard Dutch insurers, as most insurers apply the same basic requirements regardless of nationality. Centraal Beheer and Allianz Direct are good options for expats because they are experienced with international customers and are often more flexible with non-Dutch situations, such as foreign driving experience.
By comparing multiple insurers, you can identify which ones are more likely to accept your situation and offer a suitable premium. This is particularly important if you have recently moved to the Netherlands or built up your driving history abroad.
Policy documents in the Netherlands are typically provided in Dutch. However, customer service is often available in English. If you do not speak Dutch, it is important to review the terms carefully or ask for clarification, so you fully understand what is and is not covered.
No, there is no specific temporary car insurance for expats or international students in the Netherlands. Car insurance is always linked to a Dutch licence plate and requires the car to be registered in the Netherlands. If you sell your car, you can simply cancel your insurance.
If you are staying for a short period, alternatives such as renting a car, short-term lease or car sharing are often more practical, as insurance is already included.
At Autoverzekering.nl you can enter your details in our comparator and receive an overview of policies, premiums and conditions. The results are based on your personal situation, including your car, age, mileage and no-claim years. The cheapest option is always shown at the top, so you can quickly see the best available deal.
Yes, Autoverzekering.nl is 100% independent. We show a wide range of insurers and help you find the best option based on your situation.
You can compare policies, choose a new insurer and apply directly. Only cancel your current insurance once your new policy has been accepted, so you remain continuously insured. Take into account the cancellation period of your current car insurance.
Yes, after taking out car insurance, you have a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel your policy without giving a reason.
Yes, but only temporarily and under certain conditions. If your car has a foreign licence plate, your insurance must at least provide valid third-party liability (WA) coverage in the Netherlands.
If your car is insured in an EU or EEA country, your insurance is usually valid in the Netherlands. This is often proven with a green card (international insurance certificate).
If your insurance is from a non-EU country, it must explicitly cover driving in the Netherlands. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to take out a temporary border insurance to be allowed on the road.
Important: this only applies to short stays. If you become a resident and register your car in the Netherlands, you must take out Dutch car insurance and have a Dutch licence plate.
If you move to the Netherlands, you’re generally not allowed to drive long-term with a foreign licence plate. In most cases, you must register your car with the RDW and switch to a Dutch licence plate within a short period after becoming a resident. The exact timing depends on your situation, but once you are officially registered, you’re expected to arrange this without delay.
Both the RDW (vehicle authority) and the police can issue fines for driving uninsured.
The RDW performs regular checks on all registered vehicles. If your car is uninsured, you can receive a fine of € 500. This can happen up to three times per year, resulting in a total of € 1,500.
In addition, the police can fine you if you are caught driving without insurance. This fine is at least € 700. Combined, total fines can add up to € 2.170 per year.
If you cause an accident while uninsured, you are personally liable for all damages, which can be extremely costly.
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About car insurance expert Jerry
With years of experience in the field of car insurances, Jerry knows exactly how the insurance market works. He ensures that the options in our comparison tool are as comprehensive as possible, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal. As a frequently asked expert in the media, he also provides helpful advice to drivers regarding their car insurance.