Dutch Healthcare Guide

Dutch healthcare works differently from many countries. For most non-emergency issues, you do not go directly to the hospital. You first contact a huisarts, or GP. The GP decides whether you need a specialist referral. Outside office hours, urgent non-life-threatening problems usually go through the huisartsenpost. Life-threatening emergencies require 112. This Hokimi Dutch Healthcare Guide explains the entry points, insurance logic and appointment preparation.

💡 The Direct Link opens the complete EN PDF handbook.

This guide is for newcomers, international students, expats, families with children, people who recently moved city and anyone using the Dutch healthcare system for the first time. It is not medical advice. It explains the healthcare route: when to contact the GP, huisartsenpost, emergency services or your insurer.

1. Register with a GP early

Do not wait until you are sick to find a huisarts. Many GP practices have service areas and patient limits. Registration may require BSN, address, insurance details, medical history, medication and allergy information. After moving, check whether you can stay with the same GP.

2. Which route to use

• ✓ Regular symptoms: cold, skin issue, stomach pain, minor injury or chronic concern, contact the GP first
• ✓ Specialist care: usually requires a GP referral
• ✓ Medication: prescriptions are usually collected at an apotheek
• ✓ Out-of-hours care: call huisartsenpost when it cannot wait but is not life-threatening
• ✓ Emergency: call 112 for chest pain, severe breathing problems, stroke signs or major accidents

3. Prepare for the appointment

GP appointments can be short. Write down when symptoms started, severity, medication used, allergies, medical history, pregnancy status, photos or temperature records. If English or Dutch is difficult, ask whether you can bring someone or use translation support.

4. Why the GP may not prescribe immediately

Many newcomers feel that the GP does not give medicine or referrals quickly. The Dutch system focuses on triage, monitoring and medical necessity. Antibiotics, scans, blood tests and specialist referrals usually need a medical reason. If symptoms continue or worsen, contact the GP again with updated information.

5. Insurance and costs

Dutch basic insurance usually covers GP care, but specialists, medication, tests, hospital care, mental healthcare, dental care, physiotherapy, alternative medicine and Chinese medicine may involve eigen risico, out-of-pocket payment or supplementary insurance. Ask whether referral, reimbursement or pre-payment is needed.

6. Pharmacy and prescriptions

Prescription medication is usually collected at an apotheek. Some medication may require waiting, brand substitution or partial payment. If you use long-term medication, make sure your records transfer after moving or changing GP.

7. When not to wait

Chest pain, severe breathing problems, severe allergic reaction, stroke signs, heavy bleeding, major accident, loss of consciousness or serious infant symptoms should not wait for a regular GP appointment. Call 112 for emergencies, or huisartsenpost for urgent out-of-hours care that is not life-threatening.

8. Common misunderstandings

Misunderstanding 1: Hospital is always the faster route.
For non-emergency care, the GP is usually the entry point.

Misunderstanding 2: Insurance means everything is free.
Many services may involve eigen risico or supplementary insurance.

Misunderstanding 3: No referral once means no further option.
If symptoms change or continue, contact the GP again.

9. Hokimi note

The key Dutch healthcare terms are huisarts, referral, huisartsenpost, 112, basic insurance and eigen risico. This guide is general information only and not medical advice. For personal symptoms, consult a healthcare professional or your insurer.