THE HAGUE – October 13, 2026 | The Dutch Daily
Pregnancy in the Netherlands involves a few Dutch terms that are worth knowing early: the verloskundige (midwife), the kraamzorg (maternity care) and the kraamverzorgende (maternity nurse) who looks after you and your baby after the birth. This guide explains the steps in order, what you pay, what you have to register and by when, and what is changing with the 13-week echo, which the health minister has decided to scrap from 1 January 2028.
Pregnancy in the Netherlands: quick answer
- Your contacts: a verloskundige or gynaecologist gives you information about the tests.
- Tests: blood test, NIPT, 13-week echo and 20-week echo; you decide yourself whether to take them.
- 13-week echo: not available from 1 January 2028; the 20-week echo and NIPT stay.
- Kraamzorg: 24 to 80 hours; €5.70 per hour own contribution at home in 2026; no eigen risico.
- Birth registration: within 3 working days at the municipality where the child was born; free.
- Baby’s health insurance: register within 4 months; coverage starts on the birth date.
Contents
1. Pregnancy in the Netherlands: your midwife or gynaecologist
Throughout pregnancy in the Netherlands the Rijksoverheid points you to your verloskundige or gynaecologist: they are the people who give you information about the tests described below, and who help with the birth. You decide yourself which tests you want after talking to them.
Check your health insurance policy before you choose a care provider. For kraamzorg, the Zorginstituut states that your insurer decides which providers and locations it covers, and we would apply the same caution to midwives. For the general system, see our guides to healthcare in the Netherlands and the 2027 health insurance switch.
2. Tests and echoes during pregnancy in the Netherlands
The Rijksoverheid lists the tests that exist around pregnancy. You decide yourself whether to take any of them:
- Blood test before week 13: checks for infectious diseases and for antibodies against blood groups.
- NIPT: screens for chromosome abnormalities (Down, Edwards and Patau syndrome).
- 13-week echo: looks for physical abnormalities in your child; some can already be seen.
- 20-week echo: also looks for physical abnormalities, with more detail because the baby is further developed.
Pregnancy in the Netherlands also includes two tests after the birth: the heel prick (blood test for serious but treatable conditions) and a hearing test. The Rijksoverheid page refers to “these free tests” in its introduction.
3. The 13-week echo is ending in 2028
Health Minister Hermans announced in a letter to the Tweede Kamer that pregnant women will no longer be able to have a 13-week echo from 1 January 2028. NOS reports the background:
- The 13-week echo has been offered since 2021 as part of a scientific study, alongside the standard 20-week echo. The idea was to give parents more time to prepare for a child needing intensive care, or to consider an abortion.
- The Gezondheidsraad advised, according to NOS the month before the decision, against making it a standard part of prenatal care. Its results were not always accurate: some women were referred unnecessarily, while relatively many abnormalities were missed. The council concluded that the benefits did not currently outweigh the drawbacks.
- The council wanted more research. Hermans agrees with the advice but does not want that research, citing the drawbacks of offering the test again in a research setting and the worry a false alarm can cause.
- The 20-week echo and the NIPT stay. The wider prenatal screening system will be reviewed, and the minister may ask the Gezondheidsraad for new advice if scientific developments warrant it.
The decision applies from 1 January 2028. If your due date is close to that date, ask your midwife or gynaecologist what is still offered to you.
4. Kraamzorg: maternity care during pregnancy in the Netherlands and after
Kraamzorg is the care you receive during and after the birth. The Zorginstituut Nederland, which maintains the insurance package, describes it like this:
- During the birth: the kraamverzorgende supports you, your partner and the midwife until 2 hours after the placenta is delivered.
- After the birth: checks on your health and the baby’s, breastfeeding support, guidance on baby care and support for your partner or older children.
- Registration: you register with a kraamzorgorganisatie, and many accept registrations from week 12 of the pregnancy. You may choose any organisation, but your insurer may have contracts with certain ones.
- Intake: about 2 months before the birth you have a first intake meeting where the kraamverzorgende estimates your hours.
- Hours: at least 24 and at most 80. The number is set right after birth, and, due to staff shortages, you may receive fewer hours than first determined.
- Duration: in principle care runs through day 8 after the birth, in some cases day 10, and by law mother and child are entitled to it up to 6 weeks after the birth.
What kraamzorg costs
Kraamzorg is part of the basic insurance package. You pay an own contribution (eigen bijdrage) of €5.70 per hour for care at home in 2026. There is no eigen risico for kraamzorg, and no own contribution for kraamzorg in a hospital or for the assistance during the birth itself. In a birth centre without a medical reason you pay the €5.70 per hour plus the centre’s own charges.
Our calculation: at €5.70 per hour, the minimum of 24 hours costs €136.80 and the maximum of 80 hours costs €456.00. A supplementary insurance may cover part of this.
5. The birth
The Zorginstituut’s description of kraamzorg mentions the places where birth and care can take place: at home, in a hospital, and in a kraam- or geboortecentrum (birth centre). The practical difference is the cost, as shown above: kraamzorg in a hospital has no own contribution, home kraamzorg costs €5.70 per hour in 2026, and a birth centre without a medical reason adds its own charges. In all cases the kraamverzorgende assists during the birth, as described in section 4, and your insurer decides which provider and location it covers.
6. After the birth: what to register
Birth registration within 3 working days
You must register the birth with the municipality where the child was born within 3 days; the day of birth does not count. If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday you get an extra working day, and you always have at least 2 working days. Late registration can lead to a fine from the Public Prosecution Service.
- The father or second parent (duomoeder) must register the birth. The mother may, but does not have to.
- Bring a valid ID. If a recognition or name choice was made before the birth, bring that certificate. A birth statement from the hospital or midwife is helpful but not required.
- Registration is free; you pay only for an official copy of the birth certificate.
- Only some municipalities offer online registration.
The child is then entered in the personal records database (BRP) and receives a citizen service number (BSN). If you are not married or in a registered partnership, the partner must recognise the child at the municipality to become a legal parent; this can be done before the birth or during the registration.
Health insurance and clinic
Register the baby with your health insurer within 4 months. Coverage starts on the date of birth. You will also receive an invitation from the consultatiebureau (child health clinic).
If the child is born abroad
Register the birth in the country where the child was born, according to the Rijksoverheid, and see nederlandwereldwijd.nl for the next steps.
7. Leave and money during pregnancy in the Netherlands
- Mother’s leave: at least 16 weeks around the birth, made up of pregnancy leave and at least 10 weeks of childbirth leave. Request it at least 7 weeks before the due date.
- Partner leave: 1 working week of birth leave, paid by the employer, to be taken within 4 weeks after the birth.
- Child benefit: the SVB sends a letter after the birth registration explaining how to apply for kinderbijslag.
- Allowances: if you already receive zorgtoeslag or huurtoeslag you automatically receive kindgebonden budget if you qualify, and your other allowances may change.
More detail in our guides to maternity, partner and parental leave, child benefit and childcare allowance.
8. Practical tips for pregnancy in the Netherlands as an expat
Our tips (not from the sources):
- Ask your insurer which kraamzorg organisations and which birth locations it covers before you decide.
- Register with a kraamzorgorganisatie early; many accept registrations from week 12, and the Zorginstituut notes staff shortages.
- Ask your midwife which tests are still offered at your due date, given the end of the 13-week echo.
- Keep your ID and any recognition certificates ready for the registration, which has a short deadline.
- If you have just arrived, our first 30 days checklist and guide to finding a huisarts help with the basics.
9. FAQ
Who do I see first during pregnancy in the Netherlands?
A verloskundige (midwife) or a gynaecologist. The Rijksoverheid names them as the people who inform you about the tests.
What does pregnancy in the Netherlands cost?
Kraamzorg is part of the basic insurance package with an own contribution of €5.70 per hour at home in 2026 and no eigen risico. For other costs, the Rijksoverheid has a brochure on costs and reimbursements during pregnancy, but it is dated 19 April 2023, so ask your insurer for current figures.
Is the 13-week echo still part of pregnancy in the Netherlands?
It is offered within a study until it ends: from 1 January 2028 it is no longer available. The 20-week echo and NIPT remain.
How many hours of kraamzorg do I get?
At least 24 and at most 80 hours, decided after the birth. Staff shortages can lead to fewer.
Does kraamzorg count against my eigen risico?
No. Kraamzorg is not subject to the mandatory eigen risico.
By when must I register the birth?
Within 3 working days, at the municipality where the child was born. The day of birth does not count.
How long do I have to register my baby with my insurer?
4 months, and coverage starts on the birth date.
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| De verloskundige | Midwife |
| De zwangerschap | Pregnancy |
| De bevalling | Birth, delivery |
| De kraamzorg | Maternity care at home |
| De kraamverzorgende | Maternity nurse |
| De echo | Ultrasound scan |
| De geboorteaangifte | Birth registration |
| De eigen bijdrage | Own contribution |
| Het consultatiebureau | Child health clinic |
| De hielprik | Heel prick test |
Sources
- NOS: Minister Hermans schrapt 13-wekenecho voor zwangeren per 2028 (decision, Gezondheidsraad advice, what stays)
- Rijksoverheid: Welke testen kan ik laten doen rond de zwangerschap? (blood test, NIPT, echoes, heel prick, hearing test)
- Zorginstituut Nederland: Kraamzorg (hours, €5.70 per hour in 2026, no eigen risico, intake, duration)
- Rijksoverheid: Ik krijg een kind: maak een overzicht van wat u moet weten en regelen (3 working days, leave, 4 months insurance, SVB)
- Rijksoverheid: Hoe doe ik aangifte van een geboorte? (deadline, who registers, documents, free)
Switching health insurance for 2027?
Deadline 31 December. Our free checklist has every date, the €400 deductible and what else changes on 1 January. Confirm your email and the PDF is yours; we will also email you when the 2027 figures are confirmed.
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