The best health insurance for pregnant women in 2026.
Updated: 22 hours ago
When you are pregnant, your healthcare costs almost always increase. Non-medical ultrasounds, maternity care, preparation, possible lactation support, physiotherapy or a hospital birth, it all adds up quickly. That is why it helps to go through your health insurance calmly before the new year.
A broader supplementary policy costs more in premiums, but it often does cover higher out-of-pocket costs later. Which option works out better in the end depends on the care you expect to use.
Contents
1. Pregnancy courses & preparation
Many insurers partially cover the cost of pregnancy courses. These can include live courses, but also online programs.
The exact amount you receive varies by supplementary package. The difference can add up to tens or hundreds of euros.
2. Reimbursement of the statutory personal contribution for maternity care
The statutory personal contribution for maternity care is €5.70 per hour (2026). Some supplementary insurance policies cover this in full.
This often saves tens to hundreds of euros compared to a standard maternity week of approximately 49 hours.
The annual deductible is €385 in 2026. Midwifery care, the birth itself and maternity care do not fall under it. Those costs are not deducted from your deductible.
3. Lactation care (breastfeeding)
Many mothers have questions about breastfeeding during the first few weeks. A consultation with a lactation consultant can be incredibly valuable.
Some supplementary insurance policies cover lactation services (partially or fully). If you want to breastfeed, this can make a big difference in both costs and support.
4. Incubator care / extended maternity care
Sometimes you can't go home right after giving birth. For example, if your baby needs to stay in the hospital for a while.
Do you have incubator aftercare included in your package? Then you'll still receive maternity care, even if your baby is (temporarily) in the hospital. This prevents you from missing valuable time and ensures you still receive support.
5. Physiotherapy for recovery
Pregnancy and childbirth take a toll on your body. Supplementary insurance that includes physiotherapy can reduce the cost of recovery.
Think about:
preventive guidance
postpartum recovery
pelvic floor complaints
back pain
support after a cesarean section
Some supplementary packages cover most or all of this care. What you can do for your pelvic floor yourself is in The Pelvic Floor Plan.
6. Reimbursement for a breast pump
Some supplemental insurance policies cover (part of) the cost of an electric pump. This is useful when you're breastfeeding, returning to work, or want to pump to support your supply.
Not every policy covers this, so check this carefully. Which pump suits your situation is in The Breast Pump.
7. Hospital delivery: how does reimbursement work?
Please pay close attention to the rules regarding hospital births:
Medical indication: fully reimbursed from basic insurance
No medical indication (outpatient delivery): a personal contribution applies unless this is covered by a supplementary package
Without a medical indication, basic insurance reimburses €278 per birth in 2026, for mother and baby together. The maximum personal contribution is €605.64. In practice you often pay around €500. No deductible applies to these costs.
This can add up quickly, so check what your supplementary package covers here. Would you rather give birth at home? Home birth explains what you need for that.
8. Maternity package
Many insurers cover maternity packages through your supplementary insurance. Some even send them automatically after you register your pregnancy.
Check:
will you receive a maternity package?
Do you have to apply for it yourself?
or do you have to submit the costs?
9. Contraception after childbirth
After giving birth, you will again be faced with healthcare costs, including contraception. It is good to know that:
Contraception is reimbursed from basic health insurance up to the age of 21.
From the age of 21, contraception is not covered by basic health insurance and you either pay for it yourself or choose supplementary insurance that covers it.
Many supplementary policies reimburse (partially or fully):
contraceptive pill
IUD (placement + the IUD itself)
hormone rod
condoms (in some packages)
If you want to start or return to contraception after giving birth, supplementary insurance can reduce costs. A hormonal IUD costs about €150, a copper IUD €60 to €100. Insertion by your GP is covered by basic insurance and does not count towards your deductible.
Comparison of supplementary insurance 2026
Premiums and reimbursements apply to 2026 and were checked on 21 September 2026 on the insurers' own websites. Premiums and terms for 2027 will be published by 19 November 2026 at the latest.
Insurer | Premium per month | Hospital delivery | Maternity care personal contribution | Pregnancy course | Physiotherapy | Package name |
Menzis | €25 | 100% reimbursed | 100% reimbursed | €50 | 12 treatments | ExtraVerzorgd 2 |
Zilveren Kruis | €22.50 (ages 18 to 29), €22.75 (from age 30) | 100% reimbursed | €125 reimbursed | max €50 | 12 treatments | Aanvullend 2 sterren |
Nationale-Nederlanden | €12.28 | €150 of the personal contribution reimbursed | €150 reimbursed | €200 | 6 treatments | NN Start |
Univé | €26 | 100% reimbursed | €125 reimbursed | €100 per year | 12 treatments | Aanvullend Beter |
VGZ | €28.50 | 100% reimbursed | €125 reimbursed | €100 per year | 16 treatments | Aanvullend Beter |
CZ | €27.35 | 100% reimbursed | 100% reimbursed | €100 per year | 12 treatments | CZ Plus |
De Friesland | €31.75 | 100% reimbursed | 80% reimbursed | max €125 | 18 treatments | AV Extra |
Which health insurance suits your situation?
What suits you depends on the care you think you will need. Based on the reimbursements, this stands out:
Broadest coverage across the board:
CZ Plus: 100% reimbursement of the maternity care personal contribution, 100% reimbursement for a hospital delivery, €100 pregnancy course and 12 physiotherapy treatments
Highest reimbursement for a pregnancy course:
NN Start: €200 course fee (highest)
Most physiotherapy treatments:
De Friesland AV Extra: 18 treatments
What supplementary insurance can save you
Pregnancy has no effect on the amount of your premium. Your premium only changes if you choose a broader supplementary package yourself. Supplementary insurance with good coverage can prevent you from paying hundreds of euros out of pocket later.
Frequently asked questions
What does basic insurance cover around the birth?
Midwifery care, the birth itself and maternity care are covered by basic insurance. These costs are not deducted from your deductible. For maternity care you do pay a statutory personal contribution.
How high is the personal contribution for maternity care in 2026?
The statutory personal contribution is €5.70 per hour. Over a maternity week of about 49 hours, that adds up to tens or hundreds of euros. Some supplementary insurance policies cover this in full.
What does an outpatient birth without a medical indication cost?
Basic insurance reimburses €278 per birth in 2026, for mother and baby together. The maximum personal contribution is €605.64. In practice you often pay around €500.
Do I pay a deductible for pregnancy and birth?
The annual deductible is €385 in 2026. Midwifery care, the birth and maternity care do not fall under it. You also pay no deductible over the personal contribution for an outpatient birth.
Does my premium change because I am pregnant?
No. Pregnancy has no effect on the amount of your premium. Your premium only changes if you choose a broader supplementary package yourself.
Will I get a maternity package from my insurer?
Many insurers cover a maternity package through supplementary insurance. Some send it automatically once you register your pregnancy. Check whether you need to apply for it or submit the costs yourself.
Choosing health insurance during your pregnancy is not about being afraid that something will go wrong. It is about taking good care of yourself in a period when a lot changes. By looking ahead at what is reimbursed and what suits you, you avoid unnecessary stress later. It helps to know that you can call in support when you need it. That calm may well be the most valuable preparation for what is coming.
Love,
Bobby
Sources
Rijksoverheid - Wanneer betaal ik een eigen risico voor mijn zorg? (Dutch)
CZ - Vergoeding bevalling (ziekenhuis, geboortecentrum of thuis) (Dutch)
Zilveren Kruis - Kraamzorg thuis of in een geboortecentrum (Dutch)
Zilveren Kruis - Premie 2026 Zilveren Kruis vastgesteld (Dutch)
Nationale-Nederlanden - Eigen bijdrage poliklinische bevalling 2026 (Dutch)
Consumentenbond - Zorgverzekering: wat verandert er? (Dutch)
Written by Bobby, maternity nurse at Bobby Kraamzorg. Last updated: September 2026.
