← FairWait 🇳🇱

Healthcare in Netherlands: cost & waiting times

Statutory health insurance

Mandatory private health insurance regulated by the state: every resident buys a basic policy ('basisverzekering') from a private insurer for a flat premium, with an annual deductible ('eigen risico', €385 in 2024–25). The GP ('huisarts') is a strict gatekeeper.

Emergency number: 112

How residents get care

  1. Take out a basisverzekering — Within 4 months of arriving. Premiums are ~€130–150/month; low-income residents get 'zorgtoeslag' (a subsidy).
  2. Register with a huisarts — The GP is compulsory as the route to almost all specialist and hospital care, and handles most problems directly.
  3. Out of hours: the 'huisartsenpost' — A GP co-operative attached to hospitals; call before attending.

Official waiting-time source

Agreed norms: 4 weeks to a first outpatient visit, 7 weeks to treatment. Your insurer must find you a faster provider if these are exceeded — call them.

Insurers must arrange timely care ('zorgplicht'); Treeknormen are the agreed maximums ↗

MilestoneReference
First outpatient visit (Treeknorm)28 days (~4w)
Treatment (Treeknorm)49 days (~7w)

Typical private costs

Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.

ItemTypical range
GP visit (covered; no deductible)€0–€0
Private specialist consultation€90–€180
MRI€300–€500

Prescriptions

Medicines in the basic package are covered but count towards the €385 deductible; some carry a top-up if above the reimbursement limit.

Visiting Netherlands?

EHIC covers necessary care; contact a huisarts, not a hospital, for non-emergencies.

Emergencies Call 112. Emergency departments ('Spoedeisende Hulp') require a referral except for genuine emergencies.

Official links

Open the full interactive guide, compare tool & tracker →
PrivacyTermsAll countries