Where to get medical help in the Netherlands

Health insurance 

All Dutch residents have to get mandatory health insurance (Zorgverzekering). This includes multi-year students who earn minimum wage in the Netherlands. International students from the EU/EFTA can access Dutch healthcare with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) they must apply for in their land of origin. Not sure if you're eligible for Dutch health insurance? Check out this flowchart.  

This insurance covers basic medical help, including visits to the GP, hospital visits, and mental healthcare, among other things. The coverage package changes yearly and can differ among healthcare providers. When choosing health insurance, it's essential to look at your personal needs and read the healthcare policy of each provider thoroughly.  

Need help with the options? On this website, you can easily compare different healthcare providers. Tip: use Google Chrome to switch the language to English.  

General practitioners 

1. Registering with a general practitioner 

In the Netherlands, it's customary to register with a general practitioner in your area, even if you don't have a reason to visit them yet. When you need (urgent) medical help, you can easily call the GP you are registered with and make an appointment. When you are not registered with any, making an appointment can be more difficult. On the For Residents page of your location, you can find out which GP is close to your location and still takes on patients.  

2. Appointments 

To make an appointment with your GP, you can call the practice or, in some cases, plan a slot via their online patient portal. The wait time for appointments is about 2-3 days maximum. Some practices also offer walk-in sessions at the beginning of the day. Consultations usually take 15 minutes but can be longer depending on the reason for your visit. Bring your ID, your BSN number, and health insurance details.  

3. What to expect 

As you may know, the Dutch are direct. This often also applies to your general practitioner. Don't take it personally! The doctor wants to help you within the short consultation timeframe, so you must do your homework beforehand. Tell them clearly what you experience, when, and how often, and be straightforward about your expectations.  

Note that if you need to see a specialist, you always need a referral from your general practitioner first. Some referrals can also be requested through the patient portal.  

Mental health services 

1. How to get help 

To receive mental healthcare in the Netherlands, you must make an appointment with the GP first, who can write a referral letter for you. You can take this referral letter to a psychologist or therapist of choice. Still, it's helpful to read your insurance provider's policy and check which psychology institutions they are contracted with. If there is no contract between your provider and the psychology institution, it's possible that your therapy sessions will not be (fully) reimbursed by your provider. There are often long waitlists for contracted mental healthcare, from 3 – 6 months, sometimes even longer.  

2. Talking to an independent therapist 

If you can't wait that long, you could choose to talk to an independent therapist who can offer therapy without a waitlist. Because these are not contracted with a health insurance provider, they can provide personalized help, but the sessions often are not or are only partially covered by insurance. To find a high-quality, independent therapist, look at their qualifications. It's always a good sign if they are affiliated with a professional association (such as NIP) or are registered in the public register for Professionals in Individual Health Care (BIG).    

3. Urgent mental healthcare 

Do you need help right now, and you can't wait any longer? In crises, you can call your general practitioner or 113 Suicide Prevention on 0800 0113. Want to talk to someone? Call, mail, or chat with De Luisterlijn (The Listening Ear) 24/7 on 0900 0767. 

Dentist 

 1. Going to the dentist 

It's very easy to find a dentist in the Netherlands. On the For Residents page of your location, you can find a dentist near you who still takes on patients. You can make an appointment over the phone or on their website. Remember to bring your ID, BSN number, and health insurance details when visiting the dentist. 

2. Prices and reimbursements 

Dental healthcare is usually not included in primary healthcare insurance coverage. You can add dentist's insurance, but this can be costly if you only need to visit the dentist for general check-ups. The government determines all prices for treatments at the dentist. For this reason, you don't need to compare the prices of different dentists, as they are always the same.  

Please note that the check-up for your first visit to a new dentist often includes creating X-rays of your teeth, which are added to your first bill.    

Emergency support and crisis lines 

Finally, you'll find some essential contact numbers below in case of emergency, including numbers for urgent medical help and other crises.   

Police – 112 
Police (non-emergency) – 0900 8844 
Fire Department – 112 
Fire Department (non-emergency) – 0900 0904 
Ambulance – 112 
Suicide Prevention – 113  
Sexual Violence aid line – +31 (0)20 613 0245 
De Luisterlijn (The Listening Ear) – 0900 0767 
Emergency number for people with reduced hearing (text messaging) – 114