Doctors in the Netherlands

Huisartsen (i.e. the family doctors) are a real pain for all new expats.

With time and, in particular, with expats, their attitude is changing, especially in Amsterdam, where a big part of the citizens are not Dutch, not used with this system and, quite often, they are not supposed to remain in the Netherlands for more than ten years.

Notwithstanding this, you could face quite bad experiences with them and you need to get prepared.

First of all, once you moved to Holland you need to register with one close to your house of residence.

This is because the main idea is that they are no more than ten minutes away in case of house calls.

Don’t be too much enthusiastic! This is the time YOU need to reach him/her and NOT he/she needs to come to your place.

In more than ten years of Dutch life I have never (and I would stress “NEVER”!) experienced, either directly or indirectly, a huisart visit at home.

You better accept it and save your psychological energies where you have chances to win.

The family doctors have a limited number of patients they can follow and it may happen that their lists are full and they would turn you away.

The best you can do is to ask for some recommendations to your neighbours or colleagues.

For sure they have one and they can tell you their opinion.

Otherwise you can ask your insurance company to provide a list or check in the gemeentegids, a guide the local authorities use to provide to their citizens.

For any non-urgent medical treatment in a hospital or from any other private health specialist you need a referral from your huisarts, who if and when you need such a treatment.

Even if nowadays the health system is de facto private, this nonsense is an heritage from the old public system and it is still valid. Again: you better relax and start getting used to that!

The most part of the huisartsen has a consultation hour (spreekuur) where you can consult them (or, at least, one of their assistants). Out of that time slot, you would normally be connected to a recorded message which gives you all the instructions you should follow to get medical assistance. Most of the times you will be readdressed to the closest huisartsenpost .

Since everything should be probably in Dutch, it would be wiser if you would ask directly to your huisarts what to do during his/her absence BEFORE you would really need it.

Last but not least, Dutch doctors are quite reluctant in prescribing medicines (in Amsterdam it’s much easier to get a joint rather than a blister of antibiotics). Keep this carefully in mind!

Doctors in the Netherlands

Huisartsenposten in the Amsterdam region