Healthcare in the Netherlands

Healthcare System Overview

The Dutch healthcare system is well-organized but follows strict rules about who to contact and when. Understanding this flow is essential for the KNM exam:

1. Have a health problem? → Contact your huisarts (GP)
2. Life-threatening emergency? → Call 112
3. Need a specialist? → Your huisarts refers you to one
4. Need medicine? → Go to the apotheek with a prescription (recept)
5. Baby or child health? → Consultatiebureau
6. Dental problems? → Find a tandarts yourself

De Huisarts (The General Practitioner / GP)

The huisarts is your first point of contact for all non-emergency health issues in the Netherlands. This is one of the most important things to remember for the KNM exam.

Key Points About the Huisarts

• You must find your own huisarts — the gemeente doesn't arrange this for you ("Je zoekt zelf een huisarts")
• When you move (verhuizen), you need to find a new GP yourself
• For regular health problems (headache, sore throat, etc.), call your huisarts first
• If you miss an appointment (afspraak), call the huisarts to reschedule

Medical Privacy

Your medical information is confidential (geheim). Your previous huisarts can only share your medical records with your new doctor if you give permission ("Alleen als je toestemming geeft").

Interpreter Services (Tolk)

If you don't speak Dutch well enough at the huisarts, the doctor can arrange an interpreter (tolk) for you. Don't let language be a barrier to healthcare.

De Apotheek (The Pharmacy)

• For prescription medication (medicijnen), you need a recept van de dokter (doctor's prescription)
• Over-the-counter medicine can be bought without a prescription

Emergency Services

Remember: If someone is unconscious (beweegt niet), call 112 immediately!

Spoedeisende Hulp (Emergency Room)

• Only for serious emergencies when 112 directs you there
• For regular problems like sore throat (keelpijn) or headache (hoofdpijn), go to the huisarts, NOT the spoedeisende hulp

Zorgverzekering (Health Insurance)

Basic health insurance (basiszorgverzekering) is mandatory in the Netherlands.

Eigen Risico (Deductible)

• When something falls under your eigen risico, you pay the costs yourself
• The eigen risico is a yearly amount you must pay before insurance covers costs

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I have a regular health problem like a sore throat? +

Contact your huisarts (GP) first. The huisarts is your first point of contact for all non-emergency health issues in the Netherlands. You must find your own huisarts — the gemeente does not arrange one for you.

What is the basisverzekering? +

Basic health insurance (basiszorgverzekering) is mandatory in the Netherlands. When something falls under your eigen risico (deductible), you pay the costs yourself. The eigen risico is a yearly amount you must pay before your insurance covers further costs.

When should I call 112? +

Call 112 for fire, serious accidents, or life-threatening emergencies. If someone is unconscious, call 112 immediately. For regular problems like a sore throat or headache, go to your huisarts, not the emergency room (spoedeisende hulp).

Is my medical information confidential? +

Yes, your medical information is confidential (geheim). Your previous huisarts can only share your medical records with your new doctor if you give permission.

What do I need to get prescription medication from the apotheek? +

You need a recept van de dokter (doctor's prescription). Over-the-counter medicine can be bought without a prescription, but prescription medication requires a doctor's prescription.