Medical care in the Netherlands
Emergency Care
In case you are in immediate need of an ambulance, the police or the fire brigade, call 112. This is the national toll-free emergency phone number.
Family Doctor/General Practitioner
If you are in need of medical help, you go to a General Practitioner (GP=family doctor). Do not go to the Emergency Room at a hospital, unless there is an emergency. You must register with a GP in your area as soon as you are settled, even if you don’t need a doctor right away. We also advise you to register with a pharmacy as soon as you are settled. You can ask the GP for a good pharmacy in the area. If the GP thinks that further medical examination is necessary, they will refer you to a specialist, often located at the hospital. This is customary in the Netherlands.
If you forget to cancel a scheduled appointment, the GP will charge you for an unattended medical consultation, so make sure you inform the doctor at least 24 hours in advance if you are not able to go!
More information
- You can find more information about health topics and healthcare in the Netherlands via GPinfo.nl.
- Check this video: General practitioner | Study in NL