Do you need buildings insurance (opstalverzekering)?

As a homeowner

Not compulsory by law, but your mortgage lender almost always requires it, naming itself as an interested party on the policy. Without a policy, completion usually does not go ahead.

Even without a mortgage it is sensible: your home is usually your largest asset and rebuilding after a fire runs into hundreds of thousands.

As a flat owner

The VvE then insures the building; under Article 5:112 of the Dutch Civil Code that is a statutory duty of the association.

You do not need a buildings policy yourself, but you do need the owner's interest section for what you had installed yourself &mdash. That often falls outside the VvE policy.

As a tenant

Then your landlord insures the property. You need home contents insurance with the tenant's improvements section for what you installed yourself.

With a garage unit or second home

A separate garage unit does not fall under your home policy. It is a separate object. A second home or holiday home calls for its own policy, often with a vacancy provision.