Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 112 for all emergencies. The spoedeisende hulp (ER/SEH) is for genuine emergencies only — non-urgent visits may be redirected to the huisartsenpost (HAP). For urgent but non-emergency issues, call your huisarts or HAP first — they triage by phone and may send you directly to a specialist, bypassing ER.
Response time: 8-12 minutes nationally. Very reliable response. Helicopter EMS (Lifeliner) serves remote/rural areas and major trauma within 20 minutes.
Cost: Insured residents: covered but counts toward €385 deductible. Uninsured visitors: €150-800+ for ER (spoedeisende hulp). Ambulance: €700+ (covered for insured residents). Private ambulance not applicable — single public system.
Healthcare System
The Netherlands uses a mandatory private insurance model (Zorgverzekeringswet) — every resident must buy basic insurance from a private insurer (CZ, Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, Menzis). The huisarts (GP) is the strict gatekeeper to all specialist care — you cannot self-refer. After-hours care is handled by the huisartsenpost (HAP), a shared GP cooperative. The system is efficient and high-quality, but the mandatory deductible (eigen risico, €385/year in 2025) means your first healthcare costs are out-of-pocket even with insurance. Mental health has notoriously long waiting lists (3-12+ months). Dutch GPs are known for a conservative, "watchful waiting" approach — visitors used to more interventionist medicine may find this frustrating.
Designed for: All legal residents must purchase basic health insurance (basisverzekering) from private insurers. Visitors need travel insurance — no public safety net.
GP Access & Costs
Register temporarily with a huisarts (GP) — most practices accept temporary patients. The huisarts is the strict gatekeeper: no specialist referrals without GP approval. After-hours and weekend care is provided by the huisartsenpost (HAP) — always call first, no walk-ins. Specialists are accessed only via GP referral letter (verwijsbrief).
Typical wait: Urgent: same-day. Routine: 1-3 days. Huisartsenpost (after-hours): same-evening with phone triage. Specialist referral: 1-6 weeks depending on specialty. Mental health (GGZ): 3-12+ months.
Availability: Good in cities, but GP shortages growing in rural areas and some Amsterdam neighbourhoods. Many practices have a patient stop (patiëntenstop) — try multiple practices. Almost all GPs speak fluent English. Huisartsenpost (HAP) available every evening from 5pm, all weekends, and public holidays.
GP Visit
Insured residents: GP visits are free (outside deductible — huisarts is exempt from eigen risico)
Private GP
€30-70 for uninsured visitors. Insured residents: GP is free (exempt from deductible). Specialist with referral: covered after €385 deductible. Private specialist without referral: €100-250.
ER Without Insurance
€150-800+ for ER. Ambulance: €700+. Hospital stay: €500-1,500+/night. ICU: €2,000+/night.
Medication
Insured: medications covered after €385 deductible (eigen risico). Preferentiebeleid (preferential policy) means insurers choose which brand of generic you receive — not always your usual brand. Visitors pay full price. Dutch pharmacies charge dispensing fees (€6-12 per prescription). Generic medications widely prescribed and expected.
Health insurance is required for visa
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm. Dienstdoende apotheek (duty pharmacy) provides after-hours/weekend coverage on rotation — check apotheek.nl or call your pharmacy's voicemail for the nearest open pharmacy.
OTC: Conservative OTC policy — many medications require a prescription that would be OTC elsewhere. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and basic antihistamines available at supermarkets (drogisterij like Kruidvat, Etos). Anything stronger requires a pharmacy visit. Antibiotics always require a prescription.
Controlled substances: Schengen certificate (Schengenverklaring) required for travelling with controlled medications — apply via CAK (Centraal Administratie Kantoor) at least 2 weeks before travel. Carry medications in original packaging with a doctor's letter. Note: despite the Netherlands' tolerant reputation on recreational cannabis, medical regulations for controlled substances are strict.
Practical Tips
- Register at the gemeente (municipality) and get your BSN within 5 days of arrival — without it you cannot register with a GP, open a bank account, or get insurance
- Register with a huisarts immediately — many practices have patient stops (patiëntenstop) so try multiple GPs
- Call the huisartsenpost (HAP) for urgent evening/weekend issues — do NOT go to ER for non-emergencies
- Almost all healthcare professionals speak excellent English — language is rarely a barrier
- Get a Schengen certificate from CAK before travelling with controlled medications
- Download the Thuisarts.nl app — evidence-based health advice endorsed by Dutch GPs, available in English
- Apply for DigiD (digital identity) — needed for Mijn Zorgverzekering (insurance portal) and government healthcare services
Who can get care in Netherlands?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Netherlands treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
The public system does not cover visitors, so care is paid privately or through insurance.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Register temporarily with a huisarts (GP) — most practices accept temporary patients. The huisarts is the strict gatekeeper: no specialist referrals without GP approval. After-hours and weekend care is provided by the huisartsenpost (HAP) — always call first, no walk-ins. Specialists are accessed only via GP referral letter (verwijsbrief). Typical cost: Insured residents: GP visits are free (outside deductible — huisarts is exempt from eigen risico). Uninsured/tourists: €30-70 per consultation. Private specialist: €100-250. Typical wait: Urgent: same-day. Routine: 1-3 days. Huisartsenpost (after-hours): same-evening with phone triage. Specialist referral: 1-6 weeks depending on specialty. Mental health (GGZ): 3-12+ months.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Proof of medical insurance is required for entry or for a visa to Netherlands.
Documents worth having ready
- Health insurance proof (mandatory for all residents — must purchase within 4 months of arrival)
- EHIC/GHIC card (EU/EEA visitors — covers medically necessary public care)
- BSN (burgerservicenummer — citizen service number, essential for healthcare, banking, employment)
- Passport/ID
- DigiD (digital identity — needed for online government/healthcare services)
- Schengen certificate for controlled medications (apply via CAK)
Local contacts in Netherlands
Emergency services
112
Call 112 for all emergencies. The spoedeisende hulp (ER/SEH) is for genuine emergencies only — non-urgent visits may be redirected to the huisartsenpost (HAP). For urgent but non-emergency issues, call your huisarts or HAP first — they triage by phone and may send you directly to a specialist, bypassing ER.
Pharmacies
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm. Dienstdoende apotheek (duty pharmacy) provides after-hours/weekend coverage on rotation — check apotheek.nl or call your pharmacy's voicemail for the nearest open pharmacy.
Conservative OTC policy — many medications require a prescription that would be OTC elsewhere. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and basic antihistamines available at supermarkets (drogisterij like Kruidvat, Etos). Anything stronger requires a pharmacy visit. Antibiotics always require a prescription.
What is the emergency number in the Netherlands?
112 for all emergencies (police, fire, ambulance). For non-emergency GP care outside hours, call the local huisartsenpost (HAP). The HAP number varies by region — find it online or call your GP's answering machine.
Is healthcare free in the Netherlands for visitors?
EU/EEA visitors with EHIC are covered for medically necessary care. However, you may need to pay upfront and claim reimbursement. Non-EU visitors need travel insurance. All residents must have mandatory private insurance — there is no free public option.
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Sources: Dutch Ministry of Health (VWS), Zorginstituut Nederland, NZa (Dutch Healthcare Authority), CDC Travelers Health 2025, RIVM (National Institute for Public Health)
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
Further Reading
EHIC, GHIC & E111: Free Healthcare in Europe
How to use EHIC in the Netherlands — coverage and the Dutch deductible system.
Read guideHealthcare in Germany
Compare the Dutch mandatory private model with Germany's dual public-private system.
Read guideHealthcare in Belgium
Compare healthcare across the Benelux — similar systems, different approaches.
Read guide