This includes the accessibility and performance of Dutch doctors who are available through primary healthcare. A few doctor practices for tourists or expats in Amsterdam: You are free to register with any doctor you like in the Netherlands as soon as you move and receive your residence permit. Waiting lists are often a lot longer than GP appointments, sometimes taking several weeks – or months. In fact, an efficient approach to Dutch doctors is best described in Dutched Up, the book by Olga Mecking: ‘When explaining your illness, double the amount of time you’ve been sick, triple your symptoms – and that equals help’. Doctors in the Netherlands are often reluctant to prescribe medication such as antibiotics, preferring ‘natural’ remedies or simply paracetamol where they see necessary. You will need to prepare for the following exams: 4. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. GP’s are there to help you but if you feel like you would like to see someone else, you always can. He charges you the full costs, which you then need to reclaim from the insurer. You may ‘wish’ to get a federal, a general practioner is the absolute gate keeper on that one. Our advice: be straightforward with the doctor, about your needs and expectations. To see a family doctor, you should book an appointment at least three days in advance. Then you can give your GP a call for a consultation over the phone. You can also search for medication to find out how much your health insurance covers, and how much you will have to pay yourself. Additional services may include acupuncture, homeopathy, orthodontics and dental care. GP doctors (huisarts) in the Netherlands are the first point of contact if you have non-emergency questions regarding your physical or mental health. Then you will need a referral from your huisarts. There are more than 56,000 doctors and physicians in the Netherlands, including around 25,000 GPs. Simply go to the Ik zoek een huisarts website (don’t freak out by the Dutch language) and enter your postcode. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. Going to a doctor in the Netherlands can be a tricky business. The doctor (huisarts) is the first port of call if you have health problems. New residents from inside the EU/EEA must take out Dutch health insurance if they are working and paying taxes in the Netherlands, or are over the age of 30. You can find independent doctors or primary care clinics in all residential areas, with opening times generally from 8:00 – 17:00. If you have a rather urgent problem then these appointments are a way to go, but what do you do if you just have a few simple questions? After this, they are able to register and obtain services from a doctor in the Netherlands. The Dutch are quite direct – and this doesn’t stop with friends, family, and colleagues. Her hobbies are petting as many cats as possible. This minimum standard is guaranteed by the Government and also includes midwifery, mental health care and physiotherapy for people with chronic diseases/conditions. If you are just as clueless as we were once – fear not. If you are just as clueless as we were once – fear not. These include international health insurance companies such as: You can also use Zorgwijzer’s health insurance comparison tool to find out which company is most in line with your needs and budget. and 2. how much this is going to cost me? The AKV exam (General Knowledge and Skills). This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Given the current coronavirus situation, if you suspect you have coronavirus, you will need to call your doctor, as to avoid risking people at the cabinet. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'dutchreview_com-box-3','ezslot_8',178,'0','0'])); Here are seven things you need to know about going to a doctor in the Netherlands, also known as the general practitioner. Want your business to reach an unrivalled expat and international audience? When you arrive for your appointment with a Dutch doctor, you should present your ID along with your appointment confirmation and your health insurance card at the reception. In the Netherlands, a GP cannot refuse to give you the care you need. There are a number of ways you can find and choose a doctor in the Netherlands. It is also possible to make a telephone appointments (telefonische spreekuur) with your doctor, or their assistant, for simple questions or to renew prescriptions. But the thing I missed the most; the ‘huisarts’ only covers office hours in his or her normal practice. However, as primary GPs tend to perform a broad scope of services, patients are less likely to get a referral elsewhere or receive prescription medication … But also think of how to find good spots to eat in Leiden and how to […]. The emergency centre will decide whether to send an ambulance. If you have found material on this website which is copyrighted by others, please contact the webmaster on this matter in order to have it removed. Getting an Appointment When your doctor decides that you should see a medical specialist, this is what will happen first: Your GP will issue you a referral for seeing the correct type of Dutch medical specialist They will write the specialist’s phone number on the referral notice Most of them are privately run. Have just arrived in the netherlands, need to see a doctor but have yet to register with the Townhall to get BSN number. you need a referral from a doctor. Additionally, they are not often proactive in making referrals to specialists. You can do this by calling your huisarts (or their office) directly. But do keep in mind that being without an insurance probably means that you would have to pay the costs yourself. Let us know in the comments below. If you are not satisfied with the medical services you receive in the Netherlands, you should first address your concerns directly with your doctor. Although not bad at all, this article really didn’t cover the essentials about primary care in the Netherlands. What do you need to know about the Netherlands? Being restless by nature, she is now busy with everything Dutch by majoring in Dutch Studies at Leiden University while living in Delft.