Doctors, insurance and emergencies in Amsterdam

How the insurance works

Every resident must buy a basic policy (basisverzekering) from a private insurer, but the cover is defined by the state and is identical whoever you buy it from — only the premium, the service and the extras differ. Children are covered free on a parent's policy. Supplementary cover (aanvullende verzekering) is what pays for dentistry, physiotherapy and glasses, none of which the basic package meaningfully covers for adults.

• You may switch insurer once a year, in the window that closes at the end of December.
• The annual own-risk excess (eigen risico) applies to most care other than the GP and maternity.
• Dentistry for adults is essentially not covered by the basic package.

The huisarts

You register with a GP practice near your home, and popular Amsterdam practices close their lists, so do it in your first fortnight rather than the first time you are ill. The huisarts handles most problems directly and issues the referral (verwijzing) without which a specialist will not see you and the insurer will not pay. Appointments are short and triaged by an assistant on the phone, which is normal rather than obstructive.

• Register with a practice by postcode as soon as you have an address.
• No referral means no specialist and no reimbursement.
• Out of hours, the huisartsenpost covers evenings and weekends — call before going.

Hospitals, pharmacies and emergencies

112 is the emergency number and works in English. Hospital emergency departments (spoedeisende hulp) expect you to have been triaged by a GP or the out-of-hours post first, and turning up unreferred with something minor means a long wait. Pharmacies (apotheek) hold your medication record once you register with one, and each area runs a rota so one is open overnight.

What newcomers find hardest

The system is efficient and evidence-led rather than generous with intervention, which reads to many arrivals as being fobbed off. If you disagree with a decision you can ask for a second opinion, and you are entitled to change GP practice. Bring a written summary of any ongoing condition and its medication, in English, because a Dutch GP will not simply continue a foreign prescription on request.