What is insurance for working abroad, and why do you need specific insurance if you are going to do paid work?

To what extent are you insured while working abroad? 

For liability, special sports and activities, luggage, medical expenses, accidents, legal assistance, or SOS assistance?

What is insurance for working abroad?

• Insuring yourself for working abroad means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your paid work abroad.

Why take out insurance, and when is normal travel insurance no longer sufficient?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for paid work abroad.
• During your work, local employers generally offer no or limited insurance that does not provide sufficient coverage.
• The risk of accidents is sometimes greater during your work, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience or because of the nature of the work.
• During specific work abroad, additional requirements may apply as soon as you start performing work that involves additional risks. Only special insurance policies offer coverage during this type of work.
• During work, internships, or volunteer work abroad where you receive a salary or compensation (for example, food or housing), your local health insurance coverage will normally lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured for illness and accidents.
• Standard travel insurance policies generally do not provide sufficient coverage to apply for a work visa or working holiday visa.
• Standard travel insurance policies generally only cover stays abroad for a limited number of days. If your trip or stay abroad exceeds the maximum number of days, this generally means that there will be no coverage for the entire travel period.
• Standard travel insurance policies generally only provide coverage for recreational travel without study, internship, or work. If you engage in activities other than recreational activities, this generally means that you will no longer be covered for the entire travel period.

What should you pay attention to in your insurance policy if you are going to work abroad?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the area where you will be traveling and working.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you will be participating in.
• That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return if something happens to you or your immediate family.
• That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost (what it actually costs), and not just for the standard costs. In most countries, healthcare costs are higher than in the Netherlands.
• That you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
• That you are well insured against personal liability.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless the coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
• That you take care to choose the right coverage when working in healthcare, with wild animals, and with dangerous machinery.

What insurance do you need to work abroad?

• See further down this page