Navigating the Dutch healthcare system: registering with a GP as a new arrival

Moving to the Netherlands comes with a long to-do list, and healthcare sits near the top. The Dutch healthcare system ranks among the strongest in Europe, yet it works differently from most countries. Everything starts with two steps: arranging health insurance and registering with a GP. This guide explains both, so you can settle in quickly and access care from day one.

How does the Dutch healthcare system work?

The Dutch healthcare system combines mandatory private insurance with strong primary care. Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands must take out basic health insurance, the basisverzekering, within four months of arrival. Insurers must accept you regardless of age or health. Your general practitioner, called a huisarts, then acts as your first point of contact for almost all medical care.

The government decides what basic insurance must cover, while private insurers compete on price and service. Because coverage is compulsory, premiums count from your arrival date. Therefore, waiting only creates a backdated bill. In 2026, basic health insurance in the Netherlands costs around €159 per month on average.

Why is the GP the heart of Dutch healthcare system?

The GP, or huisarts, acts as the gatekeeper of the Dutch healthcare system. You cannot see a specialist without a GP referral, except in emergencies. Without that referral, called a verwijzing, your insurer will not cover the specialist’s bill. As a result, registering with a GP is not optional; it is your entry ticket to nearly all medical care.

This structure keeps care affordable and ensures one doctor knows your full medical history. GP visits are also fully covered by basic insurance. Moreover, they never count towards your deductible.

How do you register with a Dutch GP as a new arrival?

You register with a GP by contacting a practice near your home, because most practices only accept patients within their service area. Many offer online registration forms, so the process itself is simple. Register as soon as possible, since popular practices fill up fast, especially in larger cities. Some even keep waiting lists.

Follow these five steps:

1. Register your address at the municipality (gemeente) to receive your BSN, the Dutch citizen service number.
2. Arrange Dutch health insurance, or confirm that your employer or employer of record has set it up.
3. Search for GP practices in your postcode area that accept new patients.
4. Complete the registration form with your BSN, a valid ID, and your insurance details.
5. Book a short intake appointment and ask your previous doctor to transfer your medical records.

What health insurance rules should new arrivals know?

Health insurance in the Netherlands is mandatory, private, and standardised by law. You must take out basic insurance within four months of arriving, and you pay premiums retroactively from your first day. Adults also pay a compulsory annual deductible, the eigen risico, before insurance covers most non-GP care.

Lower incomes can offset costs through zorgtoeslag, the Dutch healthcare allowance. The table below shows the key 2026 figures for healthcare in the Netherlands.

Item	2026 figure
Average monthly premium	Around €159
Compulsory deductible (eigen risico)	€385 per year
Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag)	Up to €129 per month for singles
Deadline to arrange insurance	4 months after arrival
GP visits	Covered, no deductible
Children under 18	Insured free with a parent

What happens outside GP office hours in the Netherlands?

Outside office hours, the huisartsenpost handles urgent care in the Dutch healthcare system. This out-of-hours GP service runs on weekday evenings and nights, throughout weekends, and on public holidays. Call first, because a trained assistant triages every case by phone. For life-threatening emergencies, always dial 112 immediately.

Save your GP’s number and your regional huisartsenpost number in your phone on day one.

How does Octagon support new arrivals in the Netherlands?

Octagon Professionals helps international talent move to the Netherlands smoothly and compliantly. The team brings 39 years of HR experience and recognised IND sponsor status. Octagon supports visas, payroll, employer of record services, and relocation guidance. Practical settlement support, for example around municipality registration and healthcare for expats, helps new hires become productive faster.

For employers, this compliance-first approach turns global talent movement into a predictable and successful process. In turn, employees arrive with insurance, a BSN, and clear guidance already in place.

Settle into the Dutch healthcare system with confidence

The Dutch healthcare system rewards those who act early. Register with the municipality, arrange health insurance within four months, and sign up with a huisarts straight away. These steps remove the biggest risks for new arrivals: uncovered medical bills, backdated premiums, and blocked access to specialists. Octagon Professionals reduces those risks further through compliant employment, relocation support, and a personal touch. Meanwhile, you and your employer keep full control over salary, benefits, and working arrangements. Ready to move talent to the Netherlands? Contact Octagon Professionals today.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral to see a specialist in the Netherlands?

Yes. Dutch GPs act as gatekeepers, so specialists only treat patients who bring a GP referral, except in emergencies. Insurers refuse to reimburse specialist care without this referral letter. Book a GP appointment first, explain your symptoms, and ask for a verwijzing if specialist care seems necessary.

How much does health insurance cost in the Netherlands in 2026?

Basic Dutch health insurance costs around €159 per month on average in 2026, with premiums ranging roughly from €142 to €185 depending on the insurer. Adults also pay a €385 compulsory deductible. Lower earners can claim zorgtoeslag of up to €129 per month to reduce costs.

Can I register with a Dutch GP without a BSN?

Usually not. Most GP practices require a BSN, a valid ID, and health insurance details before accepting you as a patient. Therefore, register at your municipality first to obtain your BSN. Some practices may start your registration while your paperwork is still being processed, so always ask.

What happens if I miss the four-month health insurance deadline?

You risk fines from the Dutch authorities and still owe premiums backdated to your arrival date. Coverage requested after the deadline only starts from your application date, which leaves earlier medical costs uninsured. Arrange basic insurance as soon as you receive your BSN to stay fully protected.

Is visiting a GP free in the Netherlands?

Insured residents pay nothing extra for GP visits, because basic insurance covers them fully and they never count towards the deductible. However, follow-up care such as medication, blood tests, or hospital treatment does count towards the €385 deductible for adults. Children under 18 receive free coverage.