Finding English-speaking GP, dentist and specialists in the Netherlands
Gatekeeper model | Registration tips | Dental coverage | Specialist referrals
The Dutch healthcare system works differently from most countries. A GP (huisarts) acts as gatekeeper to almost all specialist and mental health care. Understanding this model early saves you time, money and stress. This guide explains how to find and register with an English-speaking GP, what to do when practices are full, how dental coverage works and how specialist referrals are arranged.
Before reading further, make sure you have Dutch health insurance in place. You must register within four months of arriving and certain care is only reimbursed with a valid policy and a GP referral.
GPs only register patients within 10-15 min travel radius
If all GPs are full, your insurer must help you find one
Dentists can be booked directly without a GP referral
Table of contents
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The Dutch gatekeeper model
In the Netherlands, GPs (huisartsen) act as the central point of care for almost all health issues. You register with one practice near your home and consult your GP first for any non-emergency complaint. The GP either treats you directly or refers you to a specialist or hospital service. This gatekeeper model keeps care coordinated and costs controlled, but can feel unfamiliar if you are used to direct specialist access.
| Care type | GP referral needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital specialists (cardiologist, dermatologist, etc.) | Yes | Without referral, insurer usually does not reimburse |
| Insured mental health care (GGZ) | Yes | GP refers to POH-GGZ, BGGZ or SGGZ depending on severity |
| Emergency department (SEH) | No | Call 112 first or go directly for life-threatening situations |
| Out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenpost) | No | Call first; they decide if you need to come in |
| Dentist (tandarts) | No | Register and book directly without any referral |
| Physiotherapy | Varies | Some insurers require a referral for full reimbursement |
For a broader overview of how the Dutch healthcare system works in practice, including eigen risico, waiting times and pregnancy care, see our Dutch healthcare in practice guide.
Finding and registering with an English-speaking GP
How to find a huisarts
The best starting points are postcode-based directories. Enter your home address and browse nearby practices. You can also use our own healthcare providers directory to find English-speaking GPs, dentists and specialists listed by city.
- NLCompass healthcare directory: Our own directory of English-speaking GPs, dentists and specialists in the Netherlands, searchable by city and type.
- Zorgkaart Nederland: Patient-rated directory with filters for language and location. Shows reviews from other patients.
- KiesuwHuisarts: Government-supported tool for finding GP practices by postcode with availability indicators.
- Your insurer's provider search: Most Dutch insurers have their own search tool listing contracted GPs, often with English-language filters.
Checking for English-language service
Most GPs in urban areas speak good English even if their website is only in Dutch. Look for these signals:
- Practice website has an English page or states "expat-friendly" or "English spoken"
- Staff page lists languages spoken by individual GPs and assistants
- Online registration form available in English
- Recommendations from expat colleagues or local Facebook groups
Service area and the 15-minute rule
Most GP practices only register patients whose home address is within their service area, typically a 10 to 15-minute travel radius. This rule exists because GPs must be able to make home visits in urgent situations. Do not register with a GP near your workplace if you live far away. As soon as you have a confirmed long-term address, register with a nearby practice.
Register early
Register with a GP soon after you get your BSN and know your address. Do not wait until you are ill. Having no GP registered means longer delays when you do need care.
What to do when practices say "vol" (full)
Seeing "geen nieuwe patiënten" (no new patients) on a practice website is common, especially in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. This does not always mean there is no possibility. Try the following steps in order:
Contact practices directly
Call or email practices rather than relying solely on their website message. Some maintain informal waiting lists or make room for families, children or patients with specific circumstances. A brief, polite message explaining your situation often gets a response.
Contact your health insurer
Dutch insurers have a legal obligation to help you find at least one GP willing to register you within a reasonable distance. Call the insurer's service desk and ask them to assist you in finding a huisarts. This is one of the most effective routes and many expats overlook it.
Ask for temporary access
For urgent one-off issues, a nearby practice may see you as a non-registered patient. This is not a permanent solution, but it gets you care while you continue searching for a registered practice.
Use the out-of-hours GP service
For urgent issues outside of office hours, the huisartsenpost provides care to anyone regardless of which practice you are registered with. Call 0900-1212 (or the number listed by your municipality) and they assess whether you need to come in.
Example registration process (expat-friendly practices)
Many urban practices that describe themselves as expat-friendly follow a similar pattern:
- 1. Check that your postcode falls within their service area (usually shown on the registration page)
- 2. Complete an online registration form in English with your BSN, insurance details and medical history
- 3. Wait a few days for confirmation by email
- 4. Book your first introductory appointment to transfer medical records
Dentists: registration, coverage and costs
Registering with a tandarts
Dentists operate independently in the Netherlands and you can register and book directly without a GP referral. Choose a practice near your home or work using Google, Zorgkaart Nederland or your insurer's provider list, and contact them to register. Most dentists in cities are comfortable seeing patients in English, and many in expat-dense areas explicitly list English on their websites.
What Dutch insurance covers for dental care
| Patient group | Basic insurance (basisverzekering) | Supplementary insurance needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Children under 18 | ✓ Check-ups and basic treatment covered | Optional (for orthodontics or extras) |
| Adults 18+ | ✗ Routine dental care not covered | Yes, for any coverage |
| Orthodontics (all ages) | ✗ Not covered by basic insurance | Often excluded or partial even with supplementary |
Supplementary dental insurance (tandarts aanvullende verzekering)
Adults who want coverage for check-ups, fillings and larger treatments must add supplementary dental insurance to their policy. Coverage limits and annual premiums vary significantly between insurers. Compare these as part of choosing your overall insurance package, as switching supplementary cover mid-year is generally not possible.
Typical out-of-pocket dental costs
Many adults in the Netherlands pay directly for minor dental work and use supplementary insurance mainly as protection against larger bills (crowns, bridges, root canals). Typical tariffs are regulated by the NZa (Dutch Healthcare Authority):
Tariffs are approximate. Actual charges depend on the complexity of the treatment and the practice.
Medical specialists: referrals and what to expect
The GP referral process
To see a hospital-based specialist in the Netherlands, your GP must assess you and send a referral. Without a referral, your insurer will generally not reimburse the specialist's invoice, except in clear emergency cases.
Consult your huisarts and describe your symptoms in detail.
If the GP considers specialist care necessary, they send an electronic or paper referral to a specific specialist or hospital department.
The hospital contacts you with an appointment date, or you call the department to schedule.
Attend the appointment. Bring your insurance card, BSN and any relevant medical history or test results your GP has given you.
English-speaking specialists
Most hospital doctors and specialists in the Netherlands speak good English, particularly in academic medical centres (AMC, LUMC, Radboud, Erasmus MC) and Randstad hospitals. You can ask your GP to note your language preference in the referral letter. Hospital international patient departments in larger cities can also help arrange English-speaking consultations.
| Specialist type | Typical wait (non-urgent) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatologist | 4-12 weeks | Shorter waits at private clinics |
| Gynaecologist | 2-8 weeks | Midwife (verloskundige) handles most pregnancy care |
| Cardiologist | 2-6 weeks | Varies by urgency level assigned by GP |
| Orthopaedist | 4-16 weeks | Physiotherapy often recommended first |
| Mental health (BGGZ) | 4-12 weeks | See mental health section below |
| Ophthalmologist | 2-8 weeks | Optician (opticien) handles glasses/lenses without referral |
Tip: Ask your GP or insurer whether a different hospital or clinic in your region has shorter waiting times for the same specialist. Requesting a referral to a specific hospital is allowed and your insurer's helpline can often identify faster alternatives with contracted providers.
Mental health specialists: quick overview
Mental health care in the Netherlands follows the same gatekeeper principle. Your GP is the first point of contact and can either treat mild issues, refer you to a POH-GGZ (mental health worker within the practice), or refer you to insured mental health care (GGZ).
POH-GGZ
Mental health professional based at your GP practice. Provides short-term support (around 5 sessions) for mild issues. No separate eigen risico charge in most cases.
BGGZ (basic GGZ)
Short to medium-term treatment for mild to moderate depression, anxiety and trauma. Covered by basic insurance after your €385 eigen risico (2026).
SGGZ (specialist GGZ)
Longer-term specialised care for complex or severe conditions. Requires a stronger GP referral. Waiting times can be several months in larger cities.
Private therapy
No waiting list but €80-150 per session out of pocket. Many private therapists offer English-speaking services. Not covered by basic insurance.
Full mental health coverage: Insurance, eigen risico, contracted vs non-contracted providers, waiting lists and English-speaking options are all explained in our online therapy and GGZ guide for expats.
Practical tips for internationals
Register early
- Register with a GP as soon as you have your BSN and confirmed address
- Register with a dentist within your first year for a preventative check-up
- Do not wait until you are ill to find a practice
Use your insurer as an ally
- Insurers have provider search tools for GPs, specialists and dentists
- If all GP practices say they are full, call your insurer's service desk
- Insurers can identify contracted specialists with shorter waiting times
Bring the right documents
When registering or attending appointments:
- BSN (citizen service number)
- Health insurance policy number and card
- List of current medications and dosages
- Known allergies
- Summary of past diagnoses and surgeries (in English or Dutch)
Language in appointments
- Most GPs in cities speak good English; ask at registration if unsure
- Ask your GP to note your language preference in referral letters
- Hospital international patient departments can help in larger cities
Also useful: Our Dutch healthcare in practice guide covers eigen risico, waiting times, the huisartsenpost and pregnancy care in full detail.
Compare Dutch health insurance
To use the Dutch healthcare system including GPs, specialists and insured mental health care, you need a valid Dutch health insurance policy. Compare the plans most popular with expats:
ASR Zorg
Established€149,80/mo
- 1M+ customers
- Strong supplementary packages
- Good dental add-ons
Unive
Lowest premium€147,40/mo
- Lowest basic premium 2026
- Broad provider network
- Online account management
Or use Zorgkiezer to compare all Dutch health insurers in one place. · Affiliate links
Frequently asked questions
How do I find an English-speaking GP in the Netherlands?
Use postcode-based directories such as Zorgkaart Nederland or KiesuwHuisarts and filter by your address. Many GP practice websites list the languages spoken by their doctors and staff. Practices that describe themselves as expat-friendly or provide English pages are a reliable starting point. Most GPs in urban areas speak good English even if their website is in Dutch only.
What can I do if all GP practices near me are full?
First try contacting practices directly by phone or email rather than relying only on their website status. Some keep informal waiting lists. If you still cannot register, contact your Dutch health insurer. Insurers are expected to help you find a GP willing to accept you within a reasonable distance. For urgent one-off issues, a practice may see you as a temporary patient while you continue searching.
Do I need a GP referral to see a specialist in the Netherlands?
Yes, in almost all non-emergency cases. The Dutch system requires a GP referral before you can see a hospital-based specialist such as a cardiologist, dermatologist or gynaecologist. Without a referral, your insurer will typically not reimburse the costs. Emergency department visits and out-of-hours GP services do not require a referral.
Is dental care covered by Dutch basic health insurance?
For children under 18, most standard dental care including check-ups and basic treatment is covered by the basisverzekering. For adults aged 18 and over, routine dental care is not covered by the basic insurance. Adults who want coverage need supplementary dental insurance (tandarts aanvullende verzekering). Orthodontics is often excluded or only partially covered even with supplementary insurance.
Can I register with a dentist without a GP referral?
Yes. Dentists in the Netherlands operate independently and you can register and book directly without any referral from a GP. Simply choose a practice near your home or workplace, check they are accepting new patients, and fill in their registration form or call to book.
Will specialists and hospital doctors speak English?
In most cases yes, particularly in larger cities and academic medical centres. Hospital specialists in the Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht) are generally comfortable treating patients in English. In smaller towns and rural areas, English proficiency varies more. You can ask your GP to note your language preference in the referral letter.
What is the 15-minute rule for GP registration?
Most GP practices only register patients whose home address falls within their service area, usually defined as roughly a 10 to 15-minute travel radius from the practice. This ensures GPs can reach patients quickly for home visits or emergencies. Always register with a GP near your long-term address, not a temporary address.
Official resources
Related guides
Everything else you need to navigate Dutch healthcare as an expat.
Dutch health insurance 2026
Premiums, zorgtoeslag, fines and insurer comparison
Dutch healthcare in practice
Eigen risico, huisartsenpost, referrals and waiting times
Online therapy and GGZ guide
BGGZ, SGGZ, eigen risico, online platforms, English therapists
Expat mental health Netherlands
Culture shock, SAD, crisis support and therapy options
Wellness routines Netherlands
SAD lamps, vitamin D, sleep habits and the GP to GGZ pathway
BSN registration guide
Get your citizen service number before registering with a GP