Healthcare in the Netherlands is well organised. You can visit your local GP, specialist or hospital if you have a health complaint.
Healthcare in the Netherlands is accessible to everyone. However, you must take out health insurance if you live or work here. You pay a monthly premium for this insurance. This covers your medical expenses.
Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must take out basic insurance. This insurance covers essential healthcare, such as visits to a doctor, hospital care and medicines.
A GP is the first doctor you call when you are sick in the Netherlands. It is easiest if you register with a GP in the place where you live. Visits to the GP are covered by your health insurance. If you are sick in the evening, at the weekend or on public holidays and cannot wait for your own GP to reopen, call the GP out-of-hours service.
In life-threatening situations, always call 112.
If you do not have an official address or are not registered with the municipality, it may be difficult to take out health insurance. There are other options: if you have a recent payslip or a statement from your employer (not older than one month), you can often still be insured.
The healthcare topic on this website provides more information on Dutch healthcare.
In the Netherlands, if you need medical advice you go to a GP first. The GP will either help you or send you to a specialist. You can also see a dentist, physiotherapist or psychologist. In an emergency, call 112 or visit the accident and emergency department of a hospital.
The GP is your first contact in the case of complaints or illness. The GP examines you, prescribes medication and may send you to a specialist at the hospital. You can make an appointment at a GP practice near you.
If you do not yet have a GP, you can register with a practice nearby. If you need immediate help, call the GP out-of-hours service or, if it is an emergency, go to the accident and emergency department of a hospital. In life-threatening situations, always call 112.
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