The role of the GP in the Netherlands
The Dutch healthcare system works differently to that in many other countries. In the Netherlands, you usually go to your GP first, rather than straight to a specialist or hospital.
Your GP will assess your symptoms and determine what care you need. If necessary, your GP will refer you to a specialist. This ensures you receive the right care in the right place.
Your GP is your first point of contact
In the Netherlands, the GP is usually the first point of contact if you are ill, have an injury or have any questions about your physical or mental health.
The GP can:
- investigate what is going on;
- provide advice on your symptoms;
- prescribe medicines;
- request further investigation;
- refer you to a medical specialist or the hospital.
Your GP keeps a record of your medical history and can therefore provide you with the right guidance if you have any questions about your health.
The GP is a medical specialist
A general practitioner is a medical specialist who has received specialised training in general practice. Following a six-year degree in medicine, a general practitioner undertakes a further three-year specialist training programme. In addition, general practitioners are required to keep their knowledge and skills up to date and to re-register every five years.
Your GP is also trained to assess whether you need care from another healthcare provider. That is why GPs play a central role in the Dutch healthcare system. If necessary, your GP will refer you to a medical specialist or a hospital. To see a specialist at a hospital, you usually need a referral from your GP.
Costs and health insurance
Do you have Dutch health insurance? If so, the cost of a visit to your GP is covered by your basic insurance. You do not have to pay any excess for a visit to your GP.
Additional charges may apply for certain tests or treatments. Your health insurer can provide you with further information on this and will send you any invoices.
Do you live or work in the Netherlands? If so, you are usually required to take out Dutch health insurance. Are you in the Netherlands temporarily, for example as a student, expat or visitor? In that case, the costs and cover depend on your personal circumstances and your insurance policy. If you have any questions, please contact your health insurer. How do you find a GP?
How do I find a GP?
Do you live in the Netherlands? If so, you’ll usually register with a GP practice in your neighbourhood. Via the website A GP close by You can easily search for GP practices that are accepting new patients. Enter your postcode and see which practices you can submit a registration request to. Once you’ve registered, you can contact your GP with any medical questions or health concerns.
How do I book an appointment with my GP?
There are various ways to get in touch with the GP practice. You’ll usually find information on the practice’s website about opening hours, contact details and how to book an appointment.
You can usually book an appointment by telephone or online via the patient portal. At some GP practices, you can also ask a question via an e-consultation. This is a secure online environment where you can ask your GP non-urgent questions.
When you contact the surgery, the doctor’s assistant will ask you questions about your symptoms. The assistant will assess how urgent your situation is and determine which healthcare professional is best placed to help you. This may be the GP, but it could also be a practice nurse, for example. The doctor’s assistant is bound by a duty of confidentiality and will treat your details as confidential.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be given an appointment on the same day, or at a later date. An appointment with your GP usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes. Do you have several symptoms, or do you think you’ll need more time? If so, please let us know when you book your appointment.
Are you too unwell to come to the surgery? If so, please contact the GP surgery. Your GP can assess whether a home visit is necessary
Further information about the GP practice
The role of the doctor’s assistant
The first point of contact at your GP practice – whether you’re calling or visiting the reception desk – is the GP assistant. She uses medical guidelines and triage to determine what care you need and how urgent it is. This may result in medical advice or an appointment with a GP, a practice nurse or the GP assistant themselves. You can book appointments online, at the surgery or even from home. GP assistants are medical professionals who work closely with the GP and are bound by a duty of confidentiality.
A doctor’s assistant is professionally trained to advise you on a wide range of ailments and illnesses. She can also discuss lab or test results with you once your GP has reviewed them.
The doctor’s assistant is fully qualified and trained to carry out various treatments and examinations on you, either independently or on the doctor’s instructions. These may include, for example, cervical smears, urine tests, blood pressure checks, injections, glucose tests and the removal of earwax.
The role of the practice assistant
The practice nurse works closely with the GP and helps patients with long-term health problems or conditions. The GP may refer you to a practice nurse if you need extra support or check-ups.
A Practice Support Worker (Somatic Care) For example, they support people with diabetes, asthma, COPD or cardiovascular disease. During appointments, you will receive information about your condition, lifestyle, medication and treatment. The practice nurse also carries out regular check-ups and discusses the results with you.
The Practice Support Worker in Elderly Care provides support to older patients who need extra assistance. This may involve questions about living independently, memory problems, frailty, medication use or the care a person is receiving. The practice support worker works alongside the GP, informal carers and other healthcare professionals to ensure that older people receive appropriate care and support.
Many GP practices also employ a mental health practice support worker (POH-GGZ). You can come here to discuss mental health issues, such as stress, low mood, anxiety, burnout or problems in your daily life. Together, you’ll discuss what support best suits your situation.
The practice nurse is a healthcare professional with their own area of expertise and always works closely with the GP. This ensures you receive the right support and that the GP remains involved in your care.
Annual health check-up
An annual health check is not recommended by Dutch GPs. This is because scientific evidence suggests that general health checks are unlikely to be useful and may even be harmful.
In the Netherlands, medical tests are usually only carried out if there is a medical reason for doing so, for example if you have symptoms, are at increased risk of a particular illness, or if your GP advises it.
Private providers offer various health checks, such as comprehensive blood tests, body scans or general health checks. These tests are not usually covered by health insurance, and the costs are borne by the patient.
Do you have any symptoms or are you worried about your health? If so, please contact your GP.
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