Find a Doctor
Find a huisarts (GP) near you who speaks your language. Search by city or postcode.
On Zorgkaart Nederland you can filter by language spoken — look for English, Polish, Romanian, and more.
💡 Can't find a GP? Call your health insurer and ask for 'zorgbemiddeling' — they're legally required to help you find one.
Why You Need a Huisarts
- •All specialist referrals go through your huisarts
- •Most prescriptions require their approval
- •GP visits are free — they don't count toward your deductible
- •They know your medical history and coordinate your care
- •Don't wait until you're sick — many practices in busy areas are full
What to Look For
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Distance from home | Must be within reasonable distance. Some practices only accept patients in their postcode area. |
| Language | If you don't speak Dutch confidently, find one who speaks English or your language. |
| Accepting new patients | Many practices are full. Check before visiting. |
| Opening hours | Some have evening hours or online booking. |
| Reviews | Patient ratings on Zorgkaart Nederland can be helpful. |
| Group vs. solo practice | Group practices (gezondheidscentrum) often have more availability and multiple doctors. |
How to Register
- 1Call or visit the practice and say you'd like to register (inschrijven)
- 2Bring: BSN, passport/ID, health insurance card (zorgpas), and optionally proof of address
- 3Fill out the registration form — some practices offer this online
- 4Some practices schedule a short intake appointment to discuss your medical history
What If You Can't Find One?
- •Expand your search radius — you don't have to choose the closest one
- •Call your health insurer — ask for zorgbemiddeling (care mediation), they're legally required to help
- •Try group practices (gezondheidscentrum) — they tend to have more capacity
- •Contact the local LHV (Dutch College of GPs) in your region
- •Keep trying — practices open spots when patients move away
After You're Registered
- •You'll receive a patient number and possibly a welcome letter
- •Save the phone number in your phone right away
- •Book appointments by phone or online — many practices use apps
- •Standard appointments are 10 minutes — be direct about your symptoms
- •For urgent issues outside office hours, call the huisartsenpost (after-hours GP)
Quick Tips
- 💡GP visits are free — never avoid the huisarts because of cost
- 💡Be direct — Dutch medical culture values efficiency
- 💡Ask for a referral if you believe you need specialist care
- 💡Bring a translator or use a phone translation app if needed
- 💡Download Thuisarts.nl — reliable medical advice from Dutch GPs