How Dutch Healthcare Works
A practical guide to the Dutch healthcare system — insurance, your GP, specialists, emergencies, and what actually costs money.
The Short Version
Dutch healthcare is excellent — but it works differently from most countries. The biggest adjustment: you can't just walk into a specialist's office. Everything flows through your GP (huisarts), and everyone needs insurance. Once you understand those two rules, the rest clicks into place.
You Must Have Health Insurance
This isn't optional. Everyone living or working in the Netherlands must have basic health insurance (basisverzekering). You get 4 months from when you start working or register at your municipality. Miss the deadline and you'll face a fine.
Basic insurance runs about €142–€185/month and covers:
- GP visits
- Hospital care and specialist treatment
- Prescription medication
- Mental healthcare (GGZ)
- Maternity and postnatal care
That's a lot. And if you earn under ≈€38,500/year, you can get zorgtoeslag (government healthcare benefit) that pays back a chunk of your premium — up to €127/month. See our zorgtoeslag guide.
Your GP (Huisarts) Is the Starting Point
This is the part that surprises most newcomers. In the Netherlands, your huisarts (family doctor) controls access to the rest of the system. Need a specialist? Your huisarts decides if you get a referral. Need a prescription? Same.
It can feel frustrating — especially if you're used to booking your own specialist appointments. But it works: it prevents unnecessary treatments and keeps insurance costs lower for everyone.
What you need to know:
- GP visits are completely free — no deductible, no co-pay
- You need to register with a GP before you need one (practices fill up — see our huisarts guide)
- Appointments are 10 minutes. Be direct: start with your main concern
- For urgent-but-not-emergency situations, call your GP first — they'll tell you what to do
Specialists and Hospital Care
When your GP refers you to a specialist, your insurance covers it — but the costs count toward your deductible (eigen risico, €385/year). You'll get an appointment letter or a call to schedule.
Things that count toward your deductible:
- Specialist consultations
- Hospital stays and procedures
- Prescription medication
- Mental healthcare
- Ambulance transport
Things that don't count (always free):
- GP visits
- Maternity care
- All care for children under 18
For more on how deductibles work: Eigen Risico guide.
Emergencies
Life-threatening → call 112. Ambulance, fire, police.
Urgent but not life-threatening → call your GP during office hours, or the huisartsenpost (after-hours GP service) evenings, nights, and weekends. The number is on your GP's voicemail — save it now.
Emergency room (SEH): You can go without a referral, but only do this for real emergencies. SEH visits count toward your deductible, and if it turns out to be non-urgent, you may wait hours while actual emergencies are treated first.
Basic vs. Supplementary Insurance
| Basic (basisverzekering) | Supplementary (aanvullende verzekering) | |
|---|---|---|
| Required? | Yes — by law | No — optional |
| Coverage | GP, hospital, specialists, prescriptions, mental health, maternity | Dental, physio beyond basic, glasses, alternative medicine |
| Same everywhere? | Yes — legally identical coverage at every insurer | No — varies by plan and insurer |
| Price | €142–€185/month | €10–€60/month depending on coverage |
Tip: Basic insurance is the same everywhere by law. You're only choosing on price, service quality, and network. Supplementary is where plans differ — compare carefully during open enrollment (November–December).
Practical First Steps
- Get insured within 4 months of arriving — compare at CareCompare
- Register with a GP in your first week — don't wait
- Apply for zorgtoeslag if your income qualifies — free money
- Save your GP's number and the huisartsenpost number in your phone
- Download your insurer's app — check coverage, find providers, submit claims
- Keep your zorgpas (insurance card) in your wallet
Quick Facts
- 🏥 GP visits: free, always
- 👶 Kids under 18: insured free, no deductible
- 💊 Deductible: €385/year (only for specialists, hospital, prescriptions)
- 📅 Switching insurers: every year during November–December
- 🚑 Emergency number: 112
- 📞 After-hours GP: huisartsenpost (save the number!)