Netherlands (NL)
The Netherlands is a small, densely populated constitutional monarchy in Northwestern Europe, consistently ranked among the world's most liveable and progressive countries.
Healthcare in Netherlands
The Netherlands operates a regulated private insurance system (Bismarck model with a twist): healthcare is provided by private insurers but heavily regulated by the government. The basic package (basisverzekering) is mandatory for all residents and covers a comprehensive set of treatments. The government subsidises premiums for lower-income residents through the health insurance allowance (zorgtoeslag). The Netherlands consistently ranks in the top 5 of European health system quality rankings.
Top 4 in Europe consistently (Euro Health Consumer Index). Ranked 4th globally by WHO.
Public healthcare: Basic Health Insurance (Zorgverzekering)
Health insurance / Basisverzekering
- GP visits (huisarts)
- Hospital care (inpatient and outpatient)
- Mental health care (first-line and specialist)
- Medication (from the formulary/vergoedingslijst)
- Maternity care (kraamzorg)
- Physiotherapy (first 9 sessions for specific conditions only)
- Laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging
- Emergency care
- Medical transport
- Chronic disease management
- Dental care for adults (only accident damage and orthodontics for under-18)
- Glasses and contact lenses (except for high prescriptions)
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Cosmetic procedures
- Most physiotherapy (beyond the covered conditions/sessions)
- Alternative medicine
- Certain specialised dental procedures
Private healthcare: Supplementary insurance (Aanvullende verzekering)
Accessing care
The GP (huisarts) is the central gatekeeper of Dutch healthcare. You must register with a GP near your home. All non-emergency specialist referrals go through your GP. The GP deals with 95% of medical problems directly or coordinates care. Good English-speaking GPs are widely available in major cities.
A GP referral (verwijzing) is required for all specialist care. Your GP will refer you to a specialist at a hospital or independent clinic. You can choose your hospital. Waiting times for specialists vary — typically 2–8 weeks.
Call 112 for life-threatening emergencies. Hospitals have accident and emergency departments (spoedeisende hulp / SEH). Presenting directly to A&E without a GP referral is possible but may result in longer waiting and a co-payment.
For non-life-threatening issues outside GP opening hours, call the huisartsenpost (HAP) — the out-of-hours GP service. Always call before going. The number is on your GP practice's answering machine and on the local HAP website.
GP prescriptions are filled at a pharmacy (apotheek). Most pharmacies are open Monday–Saturday. Emergency out-of-hours pharmacies (dienstapotheek) operate in rotation — check your insurer's app or apotheekdienst.nl. Prescription costs within the basic package are covered after the deductible.
Adults: only emergency dental treatment is covered by basic insurance (accident injury only). Routine dental care requires supplementary insurance or out-of-pocket payment. Dentist fees: consultation €20–50; filling €50–150; root canal €300–600. Children under 18: covered by basic insurance.
Covered by basic insurance: generalistische basis-GGZ (up to 250 minutes with a psychologist) and specialised GGZ (through referral). Waiting lists can be very long (6–18 months for specialised care). Use your GP to navigate referrals. Private psychologists: €100–150/session.
Kraamzorg (maternity nursing care at home for 8–10 days after birth) is covered by basic insurance. Midwife-led births (thuis- or poliklinische bevalling) are the Dutch standard — the Netherlands has the highest home birth rate in Europe. Obstetrician-led birth in hospital is for high-risk pregnancies. Midwife care is fully covered.
Expat-specific advice
- Take out Dutch basic health insurance (zorgverzekering) within 4 months of arriving — retroactive premiums apply from day one.
- Register with a GP (huisarts) near your address — do this early as many practices have waiting lists.
- Apply for health insurance allowance (zorgtoeslag) at belastingdienst.nl if your income qualifies.
- Cancel your home country insurance or ensure it does not overlap with Dutch coverage.
- Download your insurer's app to find network providers and manage claims.
Pharmacies (Apotheek)
- Paracetamol (€1.50–3)
- Ibuprofen (€2–4)
- Antihistamines (€5–12)
- Throat lozenges
- Hay fever sprays (€8–15)
- Vitamin D supplements (widely recommended in the Netherlands)
Typical costs
| GP visit (with insurance) | €0 (covered by basic insurance after registration) |
| GP visit (private pay) | €30–80 (invoiced, deductible applies) |
| Specialist visit | €100–300 (after referral; counts toward deductible) |
| Emergency visit | €200–500 (counts toward deductible) |
| MRI scan | €300–800 (inpatient; counts toward deductible) |
| Prescription average | €0–10 (formulary drugs free after deductible; non-formulary: extra cost) |
| Dental check-up | €30–60 (adults, out of pocket; not covered by basic insurance) |
| Baby delivery | €0 (midwife-led delivery covered; hospital delivery covered with referral) |
Healthcare
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