Visit a General Practitioner

Visiting a General Practitioner (GP) in the Netherlands 

Claire LangenhoffExpert Zorgverzekeringen

30-03-2018

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23-07-2026

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4 min leestijd

Wouter Heuvelink

Gecontroleerd door onze zorgexpert

In the Dutch healthcare system, your GP (huisarts) is your first point of contact for almost any health concern, and usually the only way to get referred to a specialist or hospital. Registering with a GP isn't legally required, but it's strongly recommended: without one, you have no easy way to reach routine care, and out-of-hours services may ask more questions before helping you. Below you'll find how to register, what a visit costs, and the difference between routine care (which a GP can decline to take you on for) and emergency care (which they can never refuse). 

Do I need to register with a GP? 

Registration isn't legally required, but without it you have no easy way to get regular medical help: for non-urgent care, Dutch GPs generally only see their own registered patients. Register as soon as you've settled in, since practices in many areas are often full and finding one can take time. 

Can a GP refuse to register me? 

Yes. A GP can decline to register you if their practice is full, if you live too far away, or if you have fundamentally different views on care. A full practice is common, especially in cities, so don't wait too long to start looking. What a GP can never refuse, registered or not, is genuinely urgent care. Can't find a practice that will take you? Contact your health insurer, who must make an effort to help you find one. 

How do I register with a GP? 

1. Find a practice near your home; many only accept patients living within their practice area. 

2. Check by phone or on their website whether they're currently accepting new patients. 

3. Register in person, by phone, or online, depending on the practice. 

4. Moving as a family? Mention this when you contact them, as most practices register household members together. 

What does a GP visit cost? 

GP care is fully covered by your basic health insurance, and it's one of the few types of care that's excluded from your deductible (eigen risico). That means the consultation itself never costs you anything directly, regardless of how much of your deductible you've already used that year. 
This exclusion only covers the GP consultation itself, though. If your GP orders follow-up care, such as lab tests, imaging, or refers you to a specialist, those costs generally do count towards your deductible, just like any other care from the basic package. So a simple GP visit is free, but what comes out of it often isn't. 
If you've applied for Dutch health insurance but don't have your insurance number yet, you may need to pay the GP bill yourself upfront. Once your insurance number comes through, you can submit the receipt to your insurer for reimbursement. 
A standard appointment is usually about 10 minutes. Have more than one thing to discuss? Mention this when booking, so you can ask for a double appointment instead of rushing through your concerns. 

Do I need a referral to see a specialist? 

Yes, in almost all cases. Your GP acts as the gatekeeper to the rest of the Dutch healthcare system: to see a medical specialist or go to hospital for non-urgent care, you generally need a referral from your GP first. Genuine emergencies and some mental health services are common exceptions. If in doubt, call your GP practice before booking anything elsewhere. 

What about care in the evening, at night, or on weekends? 

Outside your GP's regular opening hours, contact the regional out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenpost) instead of just walking in. You'll usually need to call ahead so they can assess your situation; if it turns out to be a genuine emergency, you may be redirected straight to the emergency department (SEH) of a hospital.