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Registering with a GP (huisarts) in the Netherlands

Why the family doctor (huisarts) is the gateway to Dutch healthcare, how to find a practice near your home and register, what it costs, what to do if practices are full, referrals to specialists and where to go out of hours.

Checked 7 Oct 2026
Applies to
Everyone who lives in the Netherlands, including children. Registration is not compulsory, but without a GP it is much harder to get referrals, repeat prescriptions and out-of-hours care.
Effort
Low effort
Time needed
An hour to research and contact practices; a waiting list can add weeks in busy areas
Cost
GP care, including the out-of-hours GP service, is covered by Dutch basic health insurance and does not count towards the deductible (€385 in 2026).
When
Register soon after you have a fixed address and health insurance, before you need care
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. Before you start
  3. Documents you need
  4. Step by step
  5. How appointments and referrals work
  6. Outside opening hours
  7. Other care you arrange separately
  8. Watch out
  9. Common mistakes
  10. Tips
  11. Frequently asked questions
  12. Official links
  13. In your plan
  14. Sources
  15. Related guides

In the Netherlands the family doctor (huisarts, GP) is your first point of contact for almost all health problems, from flu and injuries to psychological complaints and chronic illness. The GP treats you, prescribes medicines or refers you to a specialist. Hospitals and specialists generally only see you with a referral letter (verwijsbrief).

You are free to choose your GP, but practices only accept patients who live within their area, and in busy cities some practices have waiting lists. Register as soon as you have a home, so that you are not searching while you are ill.

Before you start

  • A home address in the Netherlands, ideally registered with your municipality
  • Dutch health insurance (or other valid insurance if you are exempt)

Documents you need

  • Passport or ID card

    required

  • Citizen service number (BSN)

    required

  • Health insurance card or policy details

    required

  • Medical records

    Translated summaries in English help if originals are in another language.

    optional

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Find practices near your home

    Search by postcode on Zorgkaart Nederland, a Dutch-language directory of care providers: enter your postcode to see GP practices in your area. Choose a practice close to home: the government notes that a GP may refuse you if you live too far away, and proximity matters for home visits. Many GPs in larger cities speak English well.

  2. Step 2: Contact the practice and ask whether it accepts new patients

    Call or check the practice website. Ask whether it takes new patients at your address, how to make appointments, whether it offers online services (such as an app or e-consult) and how to reach it for urgent questions. You may ask for an introductory meeting before you decide; IN Amsterdam notes that this is usually billed as a normal consultation.

  3. Step 3: Complete the registration

    Most practices use a registration form (inschrijfformulier) asking for your BSN, address, date of birth, insurer and policy number, and sometimes your previous doctor's details. Register every family member, including children.

  4. Step 4: Transfer your medical history

    If you had a Dutch GP before, ask the old practice to send your file to the new one. If you come from abroad, bring copies of important records, recent test results, your vaccination history and a list of medicines with their generic names. The GP needs these to continue repeat prescriptions.

  5. Step 5: If no practice will accept you

    Contact your health insurer. The government states that insurers help you find a GP and can mediate (zorgbemiddeling). Keep a note of the practices you contacted.

How appointments and referrals work

Appointments are made by phone and, at some practices, by email or online. When you call, the doctor's assistant (doktersassistent) usually answers. If the problem is serious, the doctor may visit you at home, but this is not normal practice.

For specialist care you need a referral. The GP only refers when it is medically necessary and must explain if they refuse. Without a valid referral you may have to pay the specialist yourself. You can see a physiotherapist or midwife without a referral, although your insurance may limit physiotherapy cover.

Outside opening hours

  • Urgent but not life-threatening problems in the evening, at night or at weekends: call the GP out-of-hours service (huisartsenpost). You are assessed by phone first and, if needed, invited to come in or visited at home. In Amsterdam the GP out-of-hours posts are reached on 088 00 30 600.
  • Hospital emergency department (spoedeisende hulp, SEH): call the huisartsenpost first, except in life-threatening situations.
  • Life-threatening emergency: call 112.

Care from your GP and the huisartsenpost does not count towards your deductible; treatment at a hospital emergency department does.

Other care you arrange separately

  • Dentist (tandarts): register separately. Most dental care for adults is not in the basic package; check whether you want additional insurance.
  • Pharmacy (apotheek): many people register with one pharmacy near home; see the pharmacies guide.
  • Mental health: start with your GP for psychological complaints too; the GP can treat you or refer you.

Watch out

Do not wait until you are ill to look for a GP. In busy areas, finding a practice that accepts new patients can take time.

Going straight to a hospital emergency department for a non-urgent problem can cost you part or all of your deductible.

Common mistakes

  • Registering with a practice near work instead of near home, which can cause problems with home visits and out-of-hours care.
  • Arriving without a list of medicines, which can interrupt repeat prescriptions.
  • Booking a specialist directly and later finding the bill is not covered because there was no referral.

Tips

  • Save your GP's number and the local huisartsenpost number in your phone.
  • Ask the practice whether you can use an app or online portal for repeat prescriptions and questions.
  • When calling for an appointment, say briefly what the problem is and how urgent it feels; this helps the assistant schedule you.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Is it compulsory to register with a GP?

No, but it is strongly recommended. With a GP you always have a doctor when you need care, you can use the out-of-hours service, and your medical history is kept in one file.

Do I pay for a GP visit?

GP care is covered by basic health insurance and does not count towards your deductible. With an in-kind policy (naturapolis) the practice bills your insurer directly; with a reimbursement policy (restitutiepolis) you may receive the bill and claim it.

Can I change GP later?

Yes. Check that the new practice accepts you, tell your old GP, and ask the old practice to send your medical file to the new one.

Can I see a specialist without my GP?

Generally only if you pay yourself. With a referral the costs are covered under the basic package, subject to your deductible.

In your plan

  • Register with a family doctor (huisarts)
  • Take out Dutch basic health insurance
  • Save the emergency and out-of-hours numbers
  • Get in touch with the youth health service (JGZ)

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 5 Apr 2027.

  1. RijksoverheidOfficial source
    Hoe verander ik van huisarts? (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 7 Oct 2026
  2. RijksoverheidOfficial source
    Wanneer moet ik naar de huisartsenpost of de spoedeisende hulppost? (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 7 Oct 2026
  3. RijksoverheidOfficial source
    Wanneer heb ik een verwijsbrief van de huisarts nodig? (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 7 Oct 2026
  4. RijksoverheidOfficial source
    Wanneer betaal ik een eigen risico voor mijn zorg? (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 7 Oct 2026
  5. Government of the NetherlandsOfficial source
    Standard health insurance (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 7 Oct 2026
  6. I amsterdam / IN Amsterdam
    Doctors in the Amsterdam Area (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 7 Oct 2026
  7. I amsterdam / IN Amsterdam
    Emergency services and healthcare helplines (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 7 Oct 2026
  8. Huisartsenposten AmsterdamOfficial source
    Huisartsenposten Amsterdam (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 7 Oct 2026

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