How do expats find a family doctor (huisarts) in the Netherlands?

For expats moving to the Netherlands, registering with a family doctor—known as a huisarts—is one of the most important administrative steps you’ll take. The Dutch healthcare system requires everyone with Dutch health insurance to register with a local GP, who serves as your first point of contact for all medical concerns. Unlike walk-in clinics or emergency rooms, you cannot simply visit any doctor whenever you need care; your huisarts acts as a gatekeeper, providing treatment for common ailments and referring you to specialists when necessary.

Finding and registering with a huisarts can feel confusing at first, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the Dutch healthcare system. Many expats discover that practices in their area have waiting lists, or that the registration process requires specific documentation. Understanding how the system works, what to expect during registration, and how to access care once you’re registered will help you navigate this essential aspect of Dutch life with confidence.

Understanding the role of the huisarts in Dutch healthcare

The huisarts is your primary care physician and the cornerstone of the Dutch healthcare system. All non-emergency medical issues must first go through your GP, who will assess your condition, provide treatment, or issue a referral (verwijsbrief) to a specialist if needed. You cannot book appointments with specialists or hospitals directly without this referral, except in genuine emergencies.

Your huisarts handles a wide range of health concerns, from minor infections and chronic disease management to preventive care and mental health support. Most practices also have a practice nurse (praktijkondersteuner) who assists with routine care, vaccinations, and health monitoring. This gatekeeper model helps control healthcare costs and ensures coordinated care, though it can feel restrictive if you’re used to direct specialist access in your home country.

When and where to start looking for a huisarts

Begin your search for a family doctor as soon as you know your address in the Netherlands, ideally before or immediately after you arrive. Most GP practices serve specific neighborhoods or postal codes, so you’ll need to register with a practice near your home. The closer you live to the practice, the better your chances of being accepted, as practices prioritize patients within their service area.

You can find huisarts practices in your area through several resources:

• Zorgkaartnederland.nl: A comprehensive online directory where you can search by postal code and read patient reviews
• Kiesuwhuisarts.nl: Another search tool that lists practices, their contact details, and whether they’re accepting new patients
• Your health insurance company: Most insurers provide lists of contracted GPs in your area
• Local recommendations: Ask neighbors, colleagues, or fellow expats for suggestions

Essential requirements for registering with a huisarts

To register with a family doctor in the Netherlands, you’ll need to meet several requirements. First and foremost, you must have valid Dutch health insurance—registration is impossible without it. You’ll also need to be officially registered at a Dutch address in the municipality (through the Gemeentehuis or Basisregistratie Personen), as your BSN (Burgerservicenummer) and proof of residence are required during the registration process.

When you contact a practice, be prepared to provide:

• Your BSN (social security number)
• Proof of Dutch health insurance (policy number and insurer name)
• Proof of address (rental contract or uittreksel BRP)
• Valid identification (passport or EU ID card)
• Your previous medical records if available, though not always mandatory

The registration process step by step

Once you’ve identified a huisarts practice near your home, contact them by phone or through their website to inquire about registration. Many practices have online registration forms, while others require you to call or visit in person. Be prepared for the possibility that the practice may have a waiting list or may not be accepting new patients—this is common in popular neighborhoods and urban areas.

If the practice accepts you, you’ll typically fill out registration forms that include your personal information, insurance details, and medical history. Some practices may schedule an introductory appointment where you meet your assigned GP and discuss any ongoing health concerns or medications. This appointment may be brief but provides an opportunity to establish the doctor-patient relationship and ensure your records are complete.

After registration is complete, you’ll receive confirmation and your official registration date. Keep your insurance card and BSN handy, as you’ll need these for all future appointments. Most practices will send appointment reminders via email or text, and many now offer online booking systems through patient portals.

What to do if practices near you are full

It’s frustratingly common for expats to discover that all nearby GP practices have closed their patient lists. In cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, high demand means waiting lists can stretch for months. If you’re facing this situation, don’t panic—there are several strategies to secure care:

• Call multiple practices: Try every huisarts within a reasonable distance of your home, not just the closest one
• Ask to be placed on a waiting list: Many practices maintain lists and will contact you when space opens up
• Check newly opened practices: New GP practices occasionally open in growing neighborhoods
• Contact your health insurance company: They have an obligation to help you find a GP and may know of practices with availability
• Use the Huisartsenpost temporarily: For urgent non-emergency care while you’re searching, you can use out-of-hours GP services
• Consider practices slightly outside your immediate area: If you have transportation, expanding your search radius can yield results

Making appointments and accessing care

Once registered, you can make appointments with your huisarts for any health concerns. Most practices offer same-day appointments for urgent issues and scheduled appointments (usually within a few days) for routine matters. You can typically book appointments by phone, through an online patient portal, or via the practice’s app if they have one.

Appointments are generally brief—10 to 15 minutes is standard—so come prepared with specific concerns and questions. If you need more time to discuss complex issues, mention this when booking so the practice can allocate a longer appointment slot. For minor questions, many practices offer telephone consultations, which can be more convenient than in-person visits.

The practice nurse (praktijkondersteuner) handles many routine tasks such as vaccinations, blood pressure monitoring, and diabetes care, freeing up the GP for more complex cases. Don’t be surprised if you’re scheduled with the nurse rather than the doctor for certain appointments—this is standard practice and ensures efficient use of resources.

Understanding out-of-hours and emergency care

Dutch GP practices are typically open Monday through Friday during business hours, with some offering limited evening or early morning slots. Outside these hours, medical care is provided through the Huisartsenpost (GP out-of-hours service), a centralized facility where multiple doctors rotate shifts to provide urgent care in evenings, nights, and weekends.

To access the Huisartsenpost, you must call first—never just show up. The phone number is usually the same as your regular GP practice, which redirects to the out-of-hours service after hours. A triage nurse will assess your situation and either provide phone advice, schedule an appointment at the post, or arrange a home visit for patients who cannot travel.

For life-threatening emergencies only—severe chest pain, major trauma, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding—call 112 for an ambulance or go directly to a hospital emergency department (Spoedeisende Hulp or SEH). Using emergency services for non-urgent matters can result in additional costs and long waits, as true emergencies are prioritized.

Language considerations and finding English-speaking doctors

Many huisarts practices in expat-heavy areas have English-speaking doctors or at least one GP who can conduct consultations in English. When registering, ask specifically about language options if you’re not yet comfortable with Dutch medical terminology. Websites like Zorgkaartnederland often indicate which languages doctors speak, and you can filter your search accordingly.

Even if your doctor speaks excellent English, much of the administrative communication—appointment reminders, prescription instructions, practice newsletters—may still be in Dutch. Consider using translation tools or asking a Dutch-speaking friend to help with these materials. Over time, you’ll pick up common medical vocabulary, but don’t hesitate to ask your doctor to explain things in simpler terms if you’re unsure about anything.

If language barriers are a significant concern, some practices have agreements with translation services for patients who speak neither Dutch nor English. Ask about this during registration if it applies to your situation.

Transferring medical records from abroad

While not mandatory for registration, transferring your medical records from your home country can help your Dutch GP provide better continuity of care, especially if you have chronic conditions, allergies, or complex medical history. Your new huisarts may request a summary of your medical history, but the process varies by practice—some actively request records, while others rely on patient self-reporting.

To transfer records, contact your previous doctor and request a medical summary in English (if not in Dutch). Most countries can provide standardized summaries, though the process and any associated fees vary. Bring or send this documentation to your new practice, and discuss your medical history during your first appointment. Don’t forget to mention current medications, recent surgeries, or ongoing treatments that require monitoring.

Key takeaways

• Every resident in the Netherlands must register with a local huisarts, who serves as the gatekeeper to all non-emergency medical care and specialist referrals
• You need valid Dutch health insurance, a BSN, and proof of address to register with a GP practice near your home
• Many practices in urban areas have waiting lists, so start your search early and contact multiple practices if necessary
• Out-of-hours urgent care is provided through the Huisartsenpost, which you must call first for assessment and appointments
• English-speaking doctors are available in many expat areas, and you can filter for language preferences when searching for a practice
• Registration is free, but bringing your medical history from abroad helps your new GP provide continuous, informed care