Finding a GP (huisarts) in the Netherlands

Sources checked on 18 October 2026 · 6 min read

In the Netherlands you do not go straight to a specialist: you start with your GP (huisarts), who handles most questions and refers you to hospital when needed. That is why it pays to register with a practice (huisartsenpraktijk) as soon as you arrive, before you need one.

Dutch terms in this guide: huisarts, huisartsenpraktijk, inschrijven, verwijzing, doktersassistent, huisartsenpost, spoedeisende hulp (SEH), eigen risico, apotheek

Who this is for

People living in the Netherlands with Dutch health insurance, or who have just arrived and are taking it out. If you are only visiting with a European Health Insurance Card, the emergency section still applies.

What you need

Your address in the Netherlands (practices serve people living in their area).
Your ID and your BSN.
Your health insurance details: insurer and policy number.
If you have them: medical records from home and a list of the medicines you take.

What a GP does

The huisarts is your family doctor. They deal with physical and mental health questions, carry out tests and minor procedures, coordinate your care and keep your records. According to Thuisarts, you cannot see a hospital specialist without a referral (verwijzing) from your GP.

The practice also has assistants (doktersassistent) who answer the phone and assess urgency, and sometimes nurses or support staff (praktijkondersteuner).

How to find a practice

Search online for “huisarts” plus your town or neighbourhood, or ask neighbours and colleagues. Pick one close to home: according to Rijksoverheid, a practice can turn you down if you live too far away, if it is full or if it cannot agree to certain care wishes. You can ask for an introductory talk before you decide.

If your policy is a natura (contracted care) policy, also check whether the practice has a contract with your insurer (Thuisarts). It is also worth registering with a local pharmacy (apotheek) so your GP knows where to send prescriptions.

If practices are not taking new patients

Full practices are common. Try several in your area and, if that fails, call your health insurer (zorgverzekeraar): according to Rijksoverheid, they can help you find a practice and mediate. If a practice refuses you without good reason, you can contact your insurer or your regional patient advice point (Zorgbelang), as Thuisarts explains.

While you do not have a GP yet

Keep looking and ask your insurer for help: that is the official route.
If something cannot wait out of hours, call the huisartsenpost in your area and explain that you do not have a GP yet.
If a life is in danger, always call 112, whether or not you have a GP.
Keep your policy at hand: it tells you what is covered and which number to call.

Appointments, opening hours and emergencies

Book appointments by phone or through your practice's website or app. According to Thuisarts, every practice has a separate number for urgent matters during office hours, and out of hours (5 pm to 8 am, weekends and public holidays) the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service, also called huisartsen-spoedpost) takes over. Its number is on your practice's website or answering machine: save it in your phone.

Situation	Who to call
Routine visit, prescription, question that can wait	Your practice, to book an appointment
Urgent, during office hours	Your practice's urgent number
Urgent in the evening, at night, at the weekend or on a public holiday	The huisartsenpost in your area
A life is in danger (not breathing, unconscious, severe chest pain, heavy bleeding)	112, day and night

According to Rijksoverheid, call the huisartsenpost before going to a hospital emergency department (spoedeisende hulp, SEH), unless a life is in danger: then call 112 straight away.

What it costs

According to Rijksoverheid, care from your GP and the huisartsenpost is covered by basic insurance and does not use up your deductible (eigen risico, €385 in 2026). Tests the GP orders (a blood test, for example), medicines they prescribe and hospital emergency care do count towards it. Under-18s pay no deductible.

The exact terms depend on your policy and your situation (for example, if you are insured in another country): check with your insurer. More in How health insurance works.

Steps

Take out Dutch health insurance if it applies to you (you have four months from when the obligation starts).
Find two or three practices near home and ask whether they take new patients.
Register with your ID, BSN and insurance details (in person or on their website).
Register with a nearby pharmacy too.
Save the numbers of your practice, its urgent line and the huisartsenpost in your phone.
If you have not found a practice after a few weeks, call your insurer for help.

Common mistakes

Waiting until you are ill to look for a GP: practices often have waiting lists.
Going straight to hospital emergency without calling the huisartsenpost first (unless a life is in danger).
Choosing a practice far from home: it can turn you down because of the distance.
Assuming a GP visit uses up your deductible: it does not, although tests and medicines do.

General information. It does not replace advice from a healthcare professional. In a life-threatening emergency, call 112.

Official sources

Deadlines, amounts and requirements change. Always check them with the source.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register with a GP?

It is not compulsory, but Rijksoverheid recommends it: you will have a doctor when you need one and your medical history is kept.

Can I choose my GP?

Usually yes, and you can change, but a practice can refuse you if it is full, if you live too far away or if it cannot agree to certain care wishes (Rijksoverheid).

Will they see me in English or Spanish?

It depends on the practice: ask when you register.

Do I need a referral for a specialist?

Yes, for a hospital specialist you need a referral (verwijzing) from your GP (Thuisarts).

What is the emergency number?

112, when a life is in danger, day and night (Thuisarts).