The General Practitioner (GP / Huisarts) in the Netherlands

Disclaimer: The information on this page serves as a general guide to navigating primary healthcare in the Netherlands. It is not personal financial or medical advice. Insurance coverage is subject to the terms of your specific policy.

In the Netherlands, the general practitioner (known as the huisarts) plays a central role in your healthcare. Whether you have a physical complaint, a mental health concern, or need a prescription, the GP is usually your first point of contact. This guide explains how the system works for international and local students, how costs are covered, and how to register with a practice.

What is a GP and the Gatekeeper Principle?

The Dutch healthcare system operates on the “gatekeeper principle.” This means that you cannot make an appointment directly with a hospital specialist (such as a dermatologist or a cardiologist) for non-emergency care. You must first visit your GP. The GP evaluates your symptoms and, if necessary, provides a referral letter. Without this referral, your health insurance typically will not cover specialized hospital treatments.

A common mistake: Many international students wait until they are sick to find a GP. It is highly recommended to register with a practice as soon as you arrive in your student city, as some practices may have waiting lists or limited spots for new patients.

Do You Need Dutch Health Insurance to Visit a GP?

Your insurance status determines how you arrange and pay for a GP visit. Doctors in the Netherlands treat everyone who needs medical care, but the administrative and billing processes differ based on your situation:

• Working students: If you have a part-time job or a paid internship, you fall under the health insurance rules for working students. This means you are legally required to have Dutch basic health insurance. Your GP will usually bill your insurance provider directly.
• Study-only students: If you do not work, you generally cannot take out Dutch basic insurance. You can still register with a GP using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a private international student policy. In many cases, you will need to pay the consultation fee upfront at the clinic and claim the costs back from your home-country insurer later.

Costs, Coverage, and the Eigen Risico

Consultations with a GP are fully covered by standard Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering). Importantly, GP visits are exempt from the mandatory annual deductible (eigen risico). This means that scheduling an appointment with your doctor will not cost you any out-of-pocket money if you have a Dutch policy.

However, if the GP prescribes medication, orders blood tests, or refers you to a specialist, those subsequent services do fall under the eigen risico, and you may have to pay the first €385 (the standard amount for 2026) yourself.

If you are uninsured or pay out-of-pocket (for example, as an international student waiting for reimbursement), a standard 10-minute GP consultation typically costs around €30 to €35.

Out-of-Hours Care (Huisartsenpost)

Regular GP practices are generally open Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 17:00. If you urgently need medical assistance outside these hours, during weekends, or on public holidays, you must contact the out-of-hours GP service, known as the huisartsenpost.

You cannot simply walk into a huisartsenpost; you must always call ahead. A medical assistant will discuss your symptoms over the phone and assess whether you need to come in, if you can wait until your regular GP opens, or if an ambulance is required. In a life-threatening medical emergency, always dial 112.

Common Student Scenario

Example: Elena is an international student doing her Master’s degree. She does not have a job in the Netherlands, so she relies on her EHIC. She wakes up with a severe ear infection on a Saturday. She calls the local huisartsenpost. Because she uses her EHIC instead of a Dutch policy, the clinic asks her to pay the consultation fee upfront via a debit card. She receives a detailed receipt, which she later submits to her national health insurer back home for reimbursement.

Step-by-Step: Registering with a GP

1. Search locally: Find a practice close to your student housing. GPs often only accept patients who live within a 15-minute travel distance (in case they need to perform a home visit).
2. Check availability: Look at the practice’s website or call the assistant to ask if they are currently accepting new patients.
3. Inquire about language: The vast majority of Dutch GPs speak English fluently, but you can confirm this when you call. Some university cities even have specialized student healthcare centers.
4. Register: Fill out the registration form (online or at the desk). You will typically need your Citizen Service Number (BSN), a valid ID, and your insurance details (Dutch policy, EHIC, or private international insurance).

Unsure if your current employment or study situation requires you to take out a Dutch policy before registering with a doctor? Take a quiet moment to review the legal requirements, or compare basic health insurance options to ensure you have the coverage you need to access care smoothly.