How do I get care?
Are you in a life-threatening situation? Please call 112. Explain the situation and explain your legal situation.
In the Netherlands, your first point of contact for medical questions is a General Practitioner (Huisarts). You cannot get specialist care in the hospital without a referral letter from a General Practitioner. In the Netherlands, everyone should find a General Practitioner in their neighborhood
How do you find a General Practitioner?
Please find on Google Maps a General Practitioner in your postal code, subscribe as a new patient online or call the practice. Explain your living and financial situation.
Do you live undocumented in the Netherlands? The information may help you:
Can I go to the doctor?
Yes, even if you live without valid Dutch papers, you have the right to healthcare. Doctors cannot refuse you if you do not have an insurance or resident permit. They are only allowed to refuse you if the practice of the doctor is full. For more information on finding a GP, go to ‘Where do I find care’ page.
Do I need to pay for the doctor?
Everyone needs to pay for the doctor. But the doctor cannot refuse you if you do not have the money to pay. In that case, they can askthe CAK to pay for you. Always be honest about your financial situation.
Can I go to the pharmacy?
Yes, choose a CAK-contracted pharmacy. Ask your doctor to send you to the CAK-contracted pharmacy, and remind the doctor to write down ‘CAK’, ‘Your country of origin’ and your ‘date of birth’ on your recipe. At the CAK-contracted pharmacy, you have to pay € 5 per medication. If you cannot afford this, explain this to your healthcare provider and the pharmacy. Show this list of CAK-contracted pharmacies to your doctor: https://www.hetcak.nl/zakelijk/onverzekerbare-vreemdelingen/overige-informatie/#hc41d00eb-cd57-4210-ac5d-96b004eaf813_7
Can I receive mental health support?
Yes, discuss this with your general practitioner (huisarts).
Can I go to the dentist?
Yes, but if you are older than 18 years, you have to pay for it. If you cannot pay for it, contact Doctors of the World.: mondzorg@doktersvandewereld.org. To help you as quickly as possible, please include the following details in your email: your name, date of birth, address, phone number, residence status/permit, country of origin, health insurance (including any additional dental coverage), a description of your complaints, and your financial situation (why you are unable to afford dental care).
Can I visit the physiotherapist?
Yes, but you have to pay for this. Only if you need more than 20 treatments, the physiotherapist can ask the CAK to pay for you.
I’m pregnant, what must I do?
Contact a midwife, you can contact any midwife in your neighborhood. If you cannot afford the care, explain this to your midwife, they can ask the CAK to pay for your treatment. For more information, contact the helpdesk of Doctors of the World: 020-7653801. Or send an email to zorgrecht@doktersvandewereld.org
I do not want to get pregnant, what should I do?
Discuss this with your doctor. If you are under 21 years old, the CAK can reimburse the money for anticonception ‘de pil’. If you are older than 21 years old, you have to pay for it yourself.
Do you want to end your pregnancy? Talk to your doctor. This is possible until 24 weeks.If you don’t have a doctor or your doctor cannot help, visit the Kruispost in Amsterdam. For more information on their opening times visit https://kruispost.nl/
Can I vaccinate my child?
Yes, this is free and important.
The doctor does not want to help me.
Some doctors do not know about your rights. Inform the doctor and show the doctor the website of the CAK https://www.hetcak.nl/zakelijk/onverzekerbare-vreemdelingen/
Or show them the text below.
Click here for information to show to your healthcare provider
Dear healthcare provider, colleague,
In the Netherlands, all people – including people without legal residence documents – have the right to medically necessary care. This includes nearly all care covered by basic health insurance (e.g. GP care, hospital care, maternity care, mental health care, and medically necessary medication).
If your patient cannot pay for the consultation or treatment, you can request reimbursement from the CAK. More information:
www.hetcak.nl/zakelijk/regelingen/onverzekerbare-vreemdelingen
Medication
Some pharmacies have a contract with the CAK. At these pharmacies, patients pay a €5 contribution for medication; the remainder is reimbursed by the CAK. Please find contracted pharmacies here: https://www.hetcak.nl/zakelijk/onverzekerbare-vreemdelingen/overige-informatie/#item_15340
On the prescription please always include: “CAK,” “the healthcare providers (your) initials” and “country of origin of the patient” And “date of birth of the patient”.
Amsterdam only: If your patient cannot pay the €5 contribution, please write “Noodfonds Amsterdam” on the prescription.
Questions about the CAK ? Please contact Doctors of the World 020 7653801. Or send an email to zorgrecht@doktersvandewereld.org