Pharmacies and medicines in the Netherlands: prescriptions, costs and bringing your own

• Prescription medicines (receptgeneesmiddelen) are only available from a pharmacy, with a doctor's prescription.
• Over-the-counter medicines come in three classes:
  • UA (uitsluitend apotheek): sold only by a pharmacy, where staff can explain safe use;
  • UAD (uitsluitend apotheek en drogist): sold by a pharmacy or a chemist, where staff give advice;
  • AV (algemene verkoop): sold by any shop, such as supermarkets and petrol stations, usually in small packs.
• Online: only order medicines from an authorised online supplier; otherwise you cannot be sure they are genuine and safe.

The cost at the pharmacy has two parts: the medicine itself and a fee for the pharmacy's services, such as checking the dose, checking interactions with your other medicines, explaining how to use it and updating your file. The service fee can be higher at night or at weekends.

• Most medicines your doctor prescribes are covered by basic health insurance, but the costs first count towards your deductible (eigen risico), €385 in 2026 for adults.
• For some medicines in the reimbursement system (Geneesmiddelenvergoedingssysteem, GVS) the price is higher than the reimbursement. You then pay a personal contribution (eigen bijdrage), capped at €250 per calendar year.
• Insurers often reimburse only one brand of a medicine (preference policy, preferentiebeleid), usually the cheapest version with the same active ingredient. If your doctor considers another brand medically necessary, that one can be covered.
• If your insurer has a contract with the pharmacy, the bill goes straight to the insurer. If not, you pay first and claim the costs back.

You can check on medicijnkosten.nl whether a medicine is reimbursed and whether a personal contribution applies.

There is no formal registration requirement, but using one pharmacy lets it keep a complete medication record and check new prescriptions against your other medicines. When you first go, bring your health insurance details and a list of what you take. Check on your insurer's website whether the pharmacy has a contract with it.

If you need medicine urgently in the evening or at the weekend, contact the GP out-of-hours service (huisartsenpost) first if you need a doctor. IN Amsterdam notes that several after-hours pharmacies operate in the Amsterdam area. Expect a higher pharmacy service fee at night or at weekends.

• Most medicines may be brought into the Netherlands for personal use. For some, you need a certificate.
• Medicines that fall under the Opium Act (Opiumwet), such as strong painkillers, need a medicine certificate for travel. Netherlands Worldwide explains which certificate you need when travelling to the Netherlands. Once you live here and travel abroad, you request a Schengen or English-language medicine certificate from the CAK.
• Keep medicines in their original pharmacy packaging with the label.
• Bring enough for the first weeks plus your prescriptions or a doctor's letter that lists the generic names, form, strength and dosage, so a Dutch GP can continue your treatment. Some medicines have different names or are not available in the Netherlands.