Curaçao (CW)

Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island of approximately 160,000 people situated 65km north of Venezuela, outside the Atlantic hurricane belt.

Capital: Willemstad

Region: Americas

Language: Papiamentu

Currency: XCG (Cg)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 68)

Emergency: 911

Healthcare in Curaçao

Healthcare in Curaçao is among the best in the Caribbean. The Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), opened in 2022, provides modern secondary and tertiary care including emergency medicine, surgery, maternity, cardiology, and oncology. All legal residents must enrol in BVZ (Basisverzekering Ziektekosten – Basic Health Insurance), administered by SVB. GPs (huisartsen) are the gatekeepers – specialist referral required. Medical evacuation (medevac) to the Netherlands available for conditions beyond CMC's capacity but costs USD 50,000–150,000 without insurance.

Among the top 3 healthcare systems in the Caribbean (2026). CMC is a modern facility – opened 2022.

Public healthcare: BVZ – Basisverzekering Ziektekosten

Basic Health Insurance

Eligibility:All legal residents of Curaçao holding a VVA residence permit or Dutch citizenship. Registration with SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) required within 30 days of receiving VVA.

Monthly cost:Employee BVZ share is 4.3% in 2026, with employer share 9.3% and a XCG 150,000/year contribution ceiling. Self-employed people and pensioners generally need to budget for the full applicable premium themselves.

What's included:

GP (huisarts) visits
Hospital admissions and surgery
Specialist referrals (with GP referral)
Emergency care at CMC
Maternity care and childbirth
Prescribed medication
Mental health (via GGZ Curaçao referral)
Physiotherapy (with referral)
Limited medical evacuation to the Netherlands

Not included (or co-pay required):

Routine adult dental care
Optical (glasses, contact lenses)
Cosmetic procedures
Full international medevac (supplementary insurance needed)
Most alternative medicine

Co-payments:Small patient contributions (eigen bijdrage) may apply for some services. Prescription medication co-payments vary. Dental and optical largely at full private cost.

How to enrol:Register at SVB office (Willemstad) with passport, VVA permit, and employer details. Employer withholds AZV contribution from salary. Confirm registration within 30 days of receiving VVA.

Waiting period:No waiting period for emergency care. Specialist outpatient: 1–4 weeks depending on specialty.

Private healthcare: Supplementary Private Health Insurance (Aanvullende Zorgverzekering)

Who can use it:Any resident or visitor to Curaçao can obtain private insurance. Strongly recommended to supplement BVZ.

When it makes sense:Strongly recommended for: medevac to Netherlands (essential), dental and optical coverage, direct specialist access without GP referral, and international coverage when travelling. Expats employed by international companies often have employer-sponsored private coverage.

Monthly cost:Supplementary local: XCG 100–300/month. International expat health plan (Cigna, Aetna, BUPA): USD 150–500/month depending on age and coverage.

Major providers:

SVB/BVZ (mandatory public)ENNIAFatumVIDANOVACigna GlobalAetna InternationalBUPA International

Accessing care

GP system

Register with a GP (huisarts) within your first week – GPs are the gatekeepers to the entire healthcare system. GP appointments: typically same-day or next-day. Most GPs speak Dutch and English. List of registered GPs available via SVB.

Specialist referral

A GP referral (verwijsbrief) is required for specialist care under BVZ. Without a referral, you pay the full private rate. Emergency specialist care at CMC does not require a referral.

Emergency care

Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) emergency department: +599 9 462 5900. Open 24/7. Advent Health Curaçao also has emergency services. Ambulance: call 912.

Out of hours

Centrale Huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service) covers evenings and weekends for non-emergency issues: +599 9 461 3600. For true emergencies, go directly to CMC or call 912.

Prescriptions

Prescription (recept) from a GP or specialist required for most medications. Pharmacies (apotheken/boticas) are well-stocked. Generic and brand medications available. Average generic prescription: XCG 10–40.

Dental

BVZ provides basic dental coverage for children only. Adult routine dental care (check-ups, fillings, crowns) is at private rates: check-up XCG 100–200, filling XCG 150–300, crown XCG 1,000–2,000. Supplementary insurance recommended for adults.

Mental health

GGZ Curaçao (public) provides outpatient psychiatric and psychological care with GP referral. Waiting time: 4–8 weeks for non-urgent appointments. Private psychologists available (XCG 150–350/session). Crisis line: +599 9 461 1300 (24/7). International teletherapy (BetterHelp, OpenUp) works well from Curaçao.

Maternity

CMC provides full maternity care including antenatal, delivery, and postnatal services. Midwife (verloskundige) services available. Maternity leave: minimum 12 weeks (6 before and 6 after birth) fully paid. Register with SVB and inform your GP early in pregnancy.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Register with SVB for BVZ within 30 days of receiving your VVA permit
Register with a GP (huisarts) in your area – GPs often have full patient lists; secure one early
Obtain supplementary private insurance with medevac coverage before arrival
Save CMC emergency number (912) in your phone
Confirm your international health insurance covers medevac to the Netherlands (USD 50,000–150,000 without coverage)

Finding English-speaking doctors:English is widely spoken in the healthcare system – most GPs and specialists at CMC speak English. For communication in Papiamentu (the everyday clinical language), a Dutch/English interpreter can be requested at CMC.

International insurance:International health insurance (Cigna Global, Aetna, BUPA) is strongly recommended for comprehensive coverage including medevac. BVZ is mandatory even if you have private insurance.

Emergency card info:Carry your BVZ insurance card and passport to all medical appointments. In an emergency, CMC will treat you and bill insurance later. Keep your SVB insured number (verzekerdenummer) noted.

Pharmacies (Apotheek / Botica / Farmacia)

Hours:Monday–Friday 8:00–18:00, Saturday 8:00–13:00. Some pharmacies open limited Sunday hours. After-hours service available at rotating duty pharmacies – check local notices or call CMC.

After-hours / emergency:Duty pharmacy (dienstdoende apotheek) operates after hours and on public holidays on a rotating basis. CMC provides emergency medication when pharmacies are closed.

Prescription rules:Prescription required for most medications. Some OTC medications available without prescription. BVZ covers prescribed medications from registered GPs and specialists. Co-payments may apply.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
Ibuprofen
Antihistamines
Sun protection/SPF 50 products
DEET insect repellent (dengue prevention)
Oral rehydration salts
Antiseptic creams

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	XCG 0–20 co-payment with BVZ
GP visit (private pay)	XCG 50–100 private rate
Specialist visit	XCG 0–50 with BVZ and GP referral. XCG 150–350 private rate
Emergency visit	Covered by BVZ. Without insurance: XCG 200–500+
Prescription average	XCG 10–40 generic medications
Dental check-up	XCG 100–200 (private – not covered by BVZ for adults)
Baby delivery	Covered by BVZ at CMC. Private room upgrade: XCG 200–400/night

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