Health

If you experience an acute medical emergency, you can call the national emergency number 112.

If you are 18 years or older and live or work in the Netherlands, you are legally obliged to take out standard health insurance. This insurance covers the costs of medical treatments, such as going to the hospital or a general practitioner. If you are not covered by Dutch health insurance while you should have been, you risk being fined and billed retroactively for the time you were not insured. You are free to choose the health insurer that suits your needs best. Make sure to compare health insurers and their offers. Find more detailed information about Dutch health insurance here.

Health insurance for students

If you are an international student in the Netherlands, different regulations about health insurance might apply to you. Read more about the regulations for international students.

Healthcare allowance

Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for healthcare allowance. Since health insurance is obligatory in the Netherlands, the Dutch government offers healthcare allowance to support people on a low income to help cover the monthly premiums.

In the Netherlands, you are free to choose your general practitioner (GP, or family doctor, translated: "huisarts"). You can use websites such as Zorgkaart Nederland to find a GP close to you. It is advised to register at a GP as soon as possible. Most doctors in the Netherlands speak English, but if you do want a GP that is specialized in international students and expats, you can go to the Studentarts in Groningen. Read more about how and why you register at a general practitioner.

What does a general practitioner do?

You contact your general practitioner for all medical problems, except for emergencies. They can treat the problem themselves if possible, or refer you to a specialist. You always need a referral from your GP before you can see a specialist.

Health insurance and the general practitioner

A consultation with your GP will be covered by Dutch health insurance. Check your policy for more information.

Outside of office hours

If you urgently need a doctor outside of office hours, you need to call the Doctors Service ("doktersdienst"). The phone-number for the Doctors Service Groningen is: 0900-9229.

You are free to register with the dentist ("tandarts") of your choice, although not every dentist might accept new patients. It is recommended to find one close to your home. Tandarts.nl offers you an overview of dentists in Groningen and shows if they are currently accepting new patients.

What does the dentist do?

The dentist will invite you once or twice a year for a dental check. There are also specialized dentists, such as orthodontists. You can be referred to these specialists by your dentist if needed. You can find more information about the dentist on the website of the IWCN.

Health insurance and the dentist

Dental care is not covered by the basic Dutch health insurance for people over 18 years old. You can take out supplementary insurance to partly cover the costs of dental care.

If you need mental healthcare, there are different ways to get support. You can find more information about mental healthcare providers in the Netherlands on the website Healthcare for Internationals.

Children

Children and adolescents up to the age of 18 can get support from the Youth Mental Health Services ("jeugd-GGZ") if needed. You can ask your general practitioner for more information.

Students

Students from the University of Groningen can also visit the University Psychological Counselling Service. Their Service Centre consists of a team of psychologists who can help you with both personal and academic issues.

Mental healthcare and insurance

Mental healthcare costs might be covered by your health insurance. Read more about mental healthcare and insurance coverage.

Contact

If you or someone you know is experiencing serious mental health problems, you can always contact your general practitioner who can offer you help. If you are concerned that someone might have suicidal thoughts or if you are struggling with this yourself, you can call 0800-0113 or visit the website 113.

If you have any questions about sexual health you can go to your general practitioner. If that is not possible, you can go to Sense Noord-Nederland. You can find answers to all your questions about sex, love, relationships, STDs, sexuality and contraceptives on Sense or you can make an appointment by calling 0900-7367366.

STD test

If you need an STD test, you should first go to your general practitioner. If that is not possible, you can call Sense Noord-Nederland (0900-7367366) to ask if you are eligible for a STD test from the GGD.

Sexual Assault Center

At the Sexual Assault Center ("Centrum Seksueel Geweld") a team of doctors, nurses, police officers, psychologists, social workers and sex therapists work together to provide specialist care to victims of sexual assault and rape. If you are in need of help or have any questions, you can contact the center 24 hours a day on 0800-0188. Everything you discuss with the center is treated confidentially.

Pregnancy

As soon as you are pregnant, you should visit your general practitioner (GP). Your GP can give you advice and tell you about all the services provided.

Read more about being pregnant and giving birth in the Netherlands. On the website of the IWCN you can find and overview of the important steps to take when you are pregnant. If you are pregnant and in doubt about what to do, you can find more information and help on Sense.

Finding a midwife

One of the first important things to do when you are pregnant is to find a midwife. The costs of a midwife are covered by your basic insurance policy. You can find all the information you need about the Dutch maternity and midwifery system on the leaflet ‘Midwifery in the Netherlands’.

Birth

When it comes to giving birth, you can choose between a home birth and a hospital birth. Home births are quite common in the Netherlands, since almost one third of the women give birth to their child at home. If you prefer a hospital birth, you can arrange this with your midwife. It is always important to check your insurance policy, to see what is covered for you. Read more about the differences between home birth and hospital birth.

Pain medication

In the Netherlands, pain medication (e.g. an epidural) is not a standard part of childbirth. However, it is possible to get pain relief medication when you ask for it.

Maternity care and leave

In the Netherlands, new mothers can get help from a maternity nurse after giving birth. You have to register for one before your fourth month of pregnancy. The maternity nurse will come to your home and will assist you with everything related to your newborn. Often a big part or all the costs are covered by your health insurance. Make sure to check this in advance.

In the Netherlands you are entitled to 16 weeks paid maternity leave. Your partner has the right to one week paternity leave. Both of you may take more partially paid and unpaid parental leave.

The first month

Youth Health Care ("jeugdgezondheidszorg") is a Dutch service that is free of charge and is provided by the GGD Groningen ("Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst Groningen", Community Health Service). A youth health care professional will visit you and your newborn twice: once in the first week and once after 10 to 14 days.

Healthcare for children ages 0-4

During the first 4 years of your child's life, you will be invited to the Child Health Clinic ("consultatiebureau"). Together with a health professional you will discuss the general development of your child.

Healthcare for children ages 4-12

When your child has started school, you and your child will be invited a couple of times by Youth Health Care to discuss the health and development of your child.

Read more about childcare on the page of IWCN.