The Dutch healthcare system is internationally recognized as one of the best — but navigating it requires specific knowledge and vocabulary. Every resident must have basic health insurance (basisverzekering) from a private insurer, but the government regulates what it must cover. There is a mandatory annual deductible (eigen risico) — in 2024 set at €385 — that you pay before insurance covers most costs. Understanding this system prevents expensive surprises.
The central figure is the huisarts (general practitioner) — your first point of contact for all non-emergency health issues. In the Netherlands, you cannot go directly to a specialist; you must first get a referral (doorverwijzing) from your GP. Making an appointment: “Ik wil graag een afspraak maken bij de huisarts” (I would like to make an appointment with the GP). Urgent: “Ik heb een spoedeisende klacht” (I have an urgent complaint/symptom). Out of hours: de huisartsenpost (GP out-of-hours service).
Key healthcare institutions: het ziekenhuis (hospital), de apotheek (pharmacy), de tandarts (dentist), de fysiotherapeut (physiotherapist), de ggz (mental healthcare — geestelijke gezondheidszorg), de verloskundige (midwife — midwives deliver the majority of babies in the Netherlands, often at home). The DigiD system is used for online access to your health records and insurance. For mental health: “Ik wil graag een verwijzing naar een psycholoog” (I would like a referral to a psychologist).