Visiting a hospital in the Netherlands: what your health insurance covers

Op deze pagina

Visiting a hospital in the Netherlands works differently depending on your health insurance policy and whether it's an emergency. In most cases, you'll need a referral from your GP before a hospital or specialist will see you, and you'll pay part of the bill yourself through your deductible (excess). Which hospitals you can visit without extra cost also depends on your policy type. Below, you'll find out exactly how it works, what it costs, and what to do if you're not insured yet.

Can I choose any hospital I want?

That depends on your policy type, but in practice this matters less than it used to: most hospitals in the Netherlands are contracted by most insurers nowadays. With a "natura" policy, your insurer only fully reimburses care at hospitals it has a contract with, and since most major hospitals are contracted, you'll usually be fine. It's still worth checking beforehand though, especially for a specific specialist or a smaller clinic, since not every hospital has a contract with every insurer. With a "combination" policy, you have more freedom to choose your own hospital or specialist, though your insurer may still reimburse less for care at a non-contracted hospital. Since 2025, insurers no longer offer a pure "restitutie" (free-choice) policy on its own; that free-choice element is now built into combination policies instead.

In an emergency, none of this matters at all: you can always go to the nearest hospital, and the costs are reimbursed regardless of your policy type. This also applies to an ambulance transfer to a hospital.

Do I need a referral to go to the hospital?

Yes, for non-emergency care you need a referral from your GP before a hospital or specialist will treat you. Your GP decides whether a specialist visit is medically necessary and points you to the right department. Without a referral, the hospital can refuse to treat you outside of an emergency, and your insurer may refuse to reimburse the costs.

In an emergency, you don't need a referral: go straight to the nearest hospital, or call 112 for an ambulance.

I don't have health insurance yet, can I still go to a hospital?

Yes, for emergency care. A hospital is never allowed to refuse the care you need in an emergency, insured or not. If you're not insured yet, you'll have to pay the bill yourself first. In theory this shouldn't happen, since you're required to take out health insurance as soon as you register in the Netherlands, but it can take a while before you receive your insurance number. In that case, keep your receipts: once your insurance is active, you can usually submit these costs for reimbursement afterwards.

Still arranging your insurance? Read more about the application process so you know what to expect.

How much do I pay for a hospital visit?

You pay your deductible (excess) on hospital costs and on ambulance transport to a hospital. In 2026, the mandatory deductible is € 385 per year. Once you've paid this amount in medical costs for the year, your insurer covers the rest under your basic policy.

How do I find out which hospitals are contracted by my insurer?

Call us at 020 2611 600 and we'll tell you which hospitals are (or aren't) contracted by your insurer. You can also check your insurer's own website, most publish a "zorgzoeker" (care finder) tool where you can search by hospital or specialist. Since most hospitals are contracted by most insurers these days, this is usually a quick check rather than a real obstacle, but it's still worth doing before you need care, so you're not surprised by an unexpected bill afterwards.

What if the waiting list is too long, or I want a second opinion?

You always have the right to ask for a second opinion from another specialist if you're unsure about a diagnosis or treatment plan; discuss this with your GP or specialist first. If the waiting list at your preferred hospital is too long, your insurer has a duty to help you find faster care elsewhere, since Dutch insurers are legally required to make sure you get timely access to the care your policy covers.

Veelgestelde vragen

How do I access hospital care in the Netherlands?

For non-emergency care, you need a referral from your GP, who arranges the specialist visit. In an emergency, you can go straight to the nearest hospital or call 112, no referral needed.

Are hospital admissions covered by health insurance?

Yes. Hospital care is covered by your basic health insurance. You pay your deductible (€ 385 in 2026) once per year; after that, covered hospital costs are paid by your insurer.

What hospitals are in my insurer's network?

Most hospitals are contracted by most insurers nowadays, but it's still worth checking. Your insurer publishes a list of contracted hospitals, often through an online "zorgzoeker" tool, or you can call us at 020 2611 600 and we'll check this for you.

Do I need a referral for a hospital visit?

Yes, for non-emergency care. Your GP assesses whether you need to see a specialist and provides the referral. For emergencies, you can always go directly to the nearest hospital.

What if I'm not insured yet and need hospital care?

Emergency care is never refused, insured or not. You may have to pay the bill yourself first, but you can usually reclaim these costs once your insurance is active.