Register with a huisarts — your gateway to healthcare
In the Dutch system, your GP is the first stop for almost everything. Sign up early.
Your huisarts (general practitioner) is the gatekeeper to Dutch healthcare. You usually can't see a specialist without a referral, so registering with a GP near you is an early priority — some practices have waiting lists.
How to do it
- Find a practice nearby on ZorgkaartNederland and check if they're accepting patients.
- Register with your BSN and insurance details.
- For non-urgent medical questions, Thuisarts.nl is a trusted, doctor-written resource.
- Outside opening hours, the huisartsenpost handles urgent (non-emergency) care; call 112 for emergencies.
Tip: Dutch GPs are famously measured with medicine — expect advice to "rest and drink tea" before stronger treatment. It's normal.
Rules change. This post was accurate when written; check the official source it links before you act.