Is weight-loss medication reimbursed in 2026?

Type 2 diabetes versus weight loss: an important difference

Whether a GLP-1 medicine is reimbursed depends heavily on the reason for which it is prescribed. That distinction is crucial and is often confused. We explain the difference in more detail at diabetes vs. weight loss.

• For type 2 diabetes: a GLP-1 agonist can, under conditions, be reimbursed from the basic package, because it is then used as a blood-sugar-lowering medicine.
• For weight loss/obesity without diabetes: the same active substance falls under different (stricter or absent) reimbursement rules, and is usually not reimbursed from the basic insurance.

A medicine such as Ozempic is registered in the Netherlands for type 2 diabetes, not as a weight-loss medicine. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and semaglutide have their own registrations and conditions. The doctor determines which medicine and which indication applies.

Reimbursement for type 2 diabetes (under conditions)

According to the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG), a GLP-1 agonist for type 2 diabetes without very high risk is only reimbursed if conditions are met. Broadly speaking, this concerns patients with a BMI of 30 or higher in combination with existing diabetes medication (such as metformin together with an SU derivative at the maximum achievable dose, or metformin with insulin). The exact conditions are set out in the so-called reimbursement conditions (Health Insurance Regulation / Annex 2).

Important: the NHG Standard Diabetes mellitus type 2 was updated at the end of 2024 and expanded the indication for prescribing GLP-1 agonists. However, reimbursement from the basic package has not yet followed that expansion (status mid-2026). So there can be a difference between what a doctor may prescribe and what is reimbursed.

Weight loss and obesity: the GLI route and limited reimbursement

For the treatment of overweight and obesity (without diabetes), reimbursement of medication is limited. GLP-1 medicines that are known in the media as weight-loss medication are as a rule not reimbursed from the basic insurance as of mid-2026 when used purely for weight loss.

What is structurally reimbursed is the Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI). This is a two-year guidance programme covering nutrition, exercise and behaviour. The GLI is in the basic package, without a deductible, provided you have a referral from your general practitioner, occupational physician or medical specialist and meet the criteria (a moderately to greatly increased weight-related health risk according to the Overweight and Obesity guideline).

For a small proportion of patients, a registered obesity medicine can be reimbursed under strict conditions, usually only after participating in a recognised GLI with insufficient results and with a high BMI accompanied by additional conditions. These conditions are strict and change periodically. Read more about the non-pharmaceutical options at alternatives.

What might change? The reassessment by the National Health Care Institute

The National Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland) assesses whether (and under which conditions) GLP-1 medication can be reimbursed. The institute has indicated that it still needs several months to about a year for the reassessment of the reimbursement conditions, partly because of budget-impact analyses. A decision on possible inclusion in or expansion of the basic package is expected (status mid-2026) towards the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.

That means the situation may change. Rely on official sources and do not expect automatic reimbursement in the short term. We will update our reimbursement page as soon as there is a verifiable decision.

The deductible and the role of your health insurer

If a medicine is reimbursed from the basic package, your compulsory deductible (a legally set amount per calendar year) usually applies first before the insurer reimburses the rest. Exception: the GLI falls outside the deductible. The deductible also does not apply to general practitioner care, but it often does apply to medicines and associated care.

Practical points:

• Reimbursement of medicines is subject to national conditions (Health Insurance Regulation), but the implementation and contracted providers differ per insurer.
• For some medicines a personal contribution applies if the price is above the reimbursement limit (GVS).
• Check your policy conditions in advance and ask your doctor and pharmacy about the exact reimbursed medicine.

Want to know roughly what a treatment without reimbursement costs? Take a look at costs. Or compare providers at clinics.

Frequently asked questions