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You are here: Home / Expat Life / Netherlands Expat / What to know about buying eyeglasses in the Netherlands as an expat

What to know about buying eyeglasses in the Netherlands as an expat

January 15, 2019 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

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It is the worst feeling realizing that you finally need to wear glasses. As someone who stares in the depth of my computer screen for hours on end daily, I had an inkling that it was time to get glasses. I had glasses some years ago in the United States, but this was my first experience with the Dutch system for eyeglasses. I include tips for buying eyeglasses in the Netherlands, information on how eyeglasses work with your health insurance in the Netherlands, and the average cost of eyeglasses in the Netherlands.

Do you need insurance to get glasses?

In some countries, insurance that covers glasses is actually distinct from normal health insurance and this is often because eyeglasses are so expensive to produce. In the Netherlands, you are not required to have insurance to get glasses. You can just make an appointment at the applicable glasses or contacts store and pay out of pocket.

This post may contain affliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (if applicable).
New pair of eyeglasses purchased in the Netherlands.  Buying eyewear abroad can be stressful.  This complete guide to buying glasses in the Netherlands hopefully helps!
New glasses!

How eyeglass insurance in the Netherlands works

If you are looking for more in-depth travel advice about Belgium and the Netherlands, I created a guidebook on behalf of Moon Travel about Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges. You can find this book on Amazon!

If you live in the Netherlands, you’re required to have health insurance. Beyond the basic premium, you can add additional insurance (“Uw aanvullende verzekering”) on top of your costs to receive additional services.

Depending on your insurance, the most basic package that I found that included some coverage of glasses cost 18 euros per month on top of the basic bill for an extra package. This additional insurance included 50-100 euros reimbursement for glasses contact although you can receive more (100 euros+) if you wait 2-3 years depending on your insurer. Similarly, my offer included twelve physical therapy sessions, birth control, and some alternative medicine coverage. To say the least, I found the package a bit expensive given that I would not make use of all of the services.

You can imagine my shock when I realized that as someone who doesn’t wear glasses regularly that it’s far cheaper in the Netherlands to not to have insurance if you’re someone with minimal vision issues and only occasionally need to replace your old glasses.

If you require new glasses more regularly as you’re a regular user and you intend to get use out of the additional insurance packages, I believe that it might be worthwhile to get the insurance. It just didn’t make sense for me.

The average cost of getting glasses in the Netherlands

Eyeglasses in a eyeglasses store in the Netherlands.  Read how much it costs to buy a pair of glasses in the Netherlands for expats.

Depending on what kind of glasses you’re content to get, you can pay a lot or a little. The cheapest possible option typically includes a free eye examination. At Specsavers, I saw frames for those with minimal vision issues for as little as 19 euros although you’ll need to pay extra for any lens coatings (e.g. computer glare). Hans Anders also came recommended to me. Both stores had staff that spoke good English in the Hague.

READ MORE  An expat's guide to buying a home in the Netherlands

Single frame glasses

Although I initially planned to spend around 50 euros maximum on my glasses, I realized that for the more premium glass, I’d need to pay more (90 for the computer lens protection). If I had gotten the cheapest lens with this glass, it would have been approximately 109, however I opted for the 2 for 1 deal at Specsavers, which required a more premium frame. My total for two pairs of glasses ended up being 169 euros.

I ended up being quite happy with both pairs. An employee carefully checked the fit with me in person and it took approximately two weeks for my new glasses to come in!

Progressive/Varifocal Glasses

If you’re someone who requires varifocal/progressive glasses and who is on a budget, you should consider doing a free eye exam at one of the many shops prior to looking online. Zennioptical (an online retailer) came highly recommended to me for more complex prescriptions.

In general, you can expect that your glasses should cost in the range of 100 euros and 250 euros depending on your prescription and additional wishes in terms of lens coatings. You can save substantially by ordering online once you have your prescription.  It’s possible to book an appointment  for an eye exam for free prior to ordering online.

Did you get your glasses in the Netherlands? What was your experience like?

Filed Under: Expat Life, Netherlands Expat

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kirsten

    June 17, 2019 at 11:17 pm

    Hi there! I really enjoy your blog. I have a question for you about Company Doctors. My employer is in the Hague and is working on getting things up to speed with respect to Dutch Health, Safety and Wellness requirements – including providing employees company doctor services.

    Do you have any information on what company doctors are used in the Hague or services that companies are using for this purpose? I’m trying to assist my employer with connecting to the right services.

    Thank you!
    Kirsten

    Reply
    • k.

      June 18, 2019 at 9:41 am

      Sorry, I don’t. Best of luck!

      Reply

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Authors of Wanderlustingk

Karen. American expat and cat lover from New York City who lived in Amsterdam…. Then, Paris. Now, living in The Hague, the Netherlands. Happily married to Jacob.

Guidebook Author to Moon Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges, published March 2022.

 

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