Having Dutch papers and Dutch health insurance
Do you have legal residence in the Netherlands and Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering)? Read below how health care works, where to go when you are sick, and who can help you.
Important: HealthEmove is developed by the Amsterdam health & technology institute (ahti). We are not a medical or legal organisation. This information was checked on 25 September 2026, but rules can change. Always check with your health insurer, your GP, or your municipality what applies to you.
In an emergency, call 112.
For medical questions when your own GP is closed, call the huisartsenpost (out of hours GP service) for your area. You can find the number through your GP practice’s answering machine or on thuisarts.nl. Call before you go, they will tell you what to do.
List of organisations for your health(care):
Huisarts (GP)
A GP is your regular doctor, or house doctor. This is your first point of contact for almost all health problems. You need to register with a GP practice near your home.
Huisartsenpost
The Huisartsenpost (HAP) is the GP service for evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. Always call first. A trained assistant decides what you need: advice, a phone call back from a doctor, an appointment, a home visit, or an ambulance.
Zorgverzekeraar (health insurer)
A ‘zorgverzekeraar’ is your health insurance company. It pays for the care covered by your basic insurance package (basisverzekering).
Apotheek (pharmacy)
A ‘apotheek’ is where you collect medication prescribed by your doctor. For some medicines you pay an extra amount yourself.
Ziekenhuis (hospital) and specialists
For most non-emergency hospital and specialist care, you need a referral (verwijzing) from your GP first. In an emergency you can go straight to the hospital or call 112.
GGD
The GGD is the public health service of the municipalities. The GGD arranges vaccinations for children, sexual health care, and checks for infectious diseases such as TB when this is required for your residence permit.
Gemeente (municipality)
Your municipality can help you find a GP or other care if you have trouble arranging this yourself, and can support you with youth care and other local health services.