English-Speaking Doctors in Amsterdam: A Practical Guide
Three weeks after we moved to Amsterdam, one of us got sick. Nothing serious—just a bad cold that wouldn't go away. In the US, we'd call our doctor, get a same-day appointment, maybe get antibiotics.
Here? We had no idea what to do. We weren't registered with a doctor yet. We didn't know how the system worked. And we definitely didn't know if doctors would speak English.
Six months later, we're registered with a GP, we've figured out the healthcare system, and we've learned how it all works. Here's what we wish someone had told us on day one.
In this guide, you'll learn:
- How Dutch healthcare works (it's different)
- How to find and register with an English-speaking GP
- What to expect from doctor visits
- Our specific doctor recommendations
- When to go to the hospital vs. GP
How Dutch Healthcare Works (The Basics)
The Dutch healthcare system is good, but it works completely differently from the US.
The GP (Huisarts) System
In the Netherlands, your GP (huisarts) is the gatekeeper for all healthcare.
What this means:
- You can't just call a specialist—you need a GP referral
- You can't go to urgent care for minor issues—you call your GP
- Your GP handles everything from colds to chronic conditions
- You must be registered with a GP (you can't just show up)
This is different from the US where:
- You can self-refer to specialists
- Urgent care is available for minor issues
- You can switch doctors easily
Health Insurance Is Mandatory
Everyone in the Netherlands must have Dutch health insurance. This includes Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) visa holders.
Key points:
- You must get insurance within 4 months of arrival
- Basic insurance costs €120-€150 per month
- There's a mandatory deductible (eigen risico) of €385 per year
- GP visits are fully covered (no copay, no deductible)
- Dental and vision are separate (not included in basic insurance)
Our take: Health insurance is cheaper than the US, but the deductible means you pay out of pocket for the first €385 of care each year.
For more on costs, see How Much Money Do You Need for DAFT?
No Same-Day Appointments (Usually)
This was the biggest adjustment for us.
In the Netherlands:
- You call your GP, describe symptoms
- They decide if you need to come in
- Often they'll tell you what to do over the phone (no appointment)
- If you need an appointment, it might be days away
What we're used to in the US:
- Call doctor, get same-day or next-day appointment
- Doctor examines you in person
- More hands-on approach
Reality check: The Dutch system is more conservative. They don't rush to prescribe antibiotics or order tests. It feels hands-off at first, but it works.
Finding an English-Speaking GP
Most GPs in Amsterdam speak English, but not all accept new patients.
How to Find a GP
Option 1: Ask for recommendations
- Post in "Americans in Amsterdam" Facebook group
- Ask neighbors or colleagues
- Check with your housing landlord
Option 2: Search online
- Zorgkaart Nederland - Reviews of doctors
- Kies Beter - Compare healthcare providers
- Google "huisarts near me" + your neighborhood
Option 3: Use your insurance company's search tool
- Most insurance companies have doctor search tools
- Filter by language (English)
- Shows which doctors accept new patients
What to look for:
- "Accepteert nieuwe patiënten" (accepts new patients)
- "Engels" (English-speaking)
- Location near your home (you want a local GP)
- Good reviews
Pro Tip: Register with a GP as soon as you have your BSN and health insurance. Don't wait until you're sick. Many GPs have waiting lists for new patients.
Registering with a GP
Once you find a GP accepting new patients:
- Call or email the practice
- Say you'd like to register as a new patient
- Provide: BSN, health insurance info, ID
- Fill out registration forms (usually online)
- Sometimes they'll schedule an intake appointment
Timeline: Registration is usually immediate, but first appointment might be weeks away.
Cost: Free to register
Our GP Recommendations
These are GPs we or other Americans we know have used and liked. All speak English.
Huisartsenpraktijk Oud-West
Location: Bilderdijkstraat area
Languages: Dutch, English
Why we like them: Friendly, responsive, good with expats
Accepting new patients: Sometimes (call to check)
Our experience: This is our GP. They're patient with our questions, explain things clearly, and don't make us feel dumb for not understanding the Dutch system.
Dokter Deen (Multiple Locations)
Locations: Throughout Amsterdam
Languages: Dutch, English, others
Why people like them: Modern practice, online booking, multiple locations
Accepting new patients: Usually yes (they're a larger practice)
Note: More corporate feel, but efficient and expat-friendly
Co-Med (Multiple Locations)
Locations: Amsterdam Centrum, Oud-Zuid, others
Languages: Dutch, English
Why people like them: Expat-focused, English-speaking staff, modern
Accepting new patients: Often yes
Note: Popular with expats, which means they understand the confusion
Huisartsenpraktijk Jordaan
Location: Jordaan neighborhood
Languages: Dutch, English
Why people like them: Small practice, personal attention, neighborhood feel
Accepting new patients: Sometimes
Note: If you live in Jordaan, this is a good option
What We Wish We Knew: Don't stress too much about finding the "perfect" GP. Most are good, and you can switch if you're not happy. Just register with someone.
What to Expect from GP Visits
GP visits in the Netherlands are different from US doctor visits.
Making an Appointment
For non-urgent issues:
- Call during office hours (usually 8am-5pm weekdays)
- Receptionist asks what's wrong
- They might schedule appointment, or GP might call you back
For urgent issues:
- Call during office hours, say it's urgent
- GP will call you back quickly
- They'll decide if you need to come in
After hours:
- Call your GP's after-hours number
- You'll reach a regional after-hours GP service (huisartsenpost)
- They'll assess if you need to come in
The Appointment Itself
What happens:
- Appointments are short (10-15 minutes)
- GP asks questions, examines you
- They explain diagnosis and treatment
- Prescriptions are sent electronically to pharmacy
What's different from the US:
- No nurse taking vitals first (GP does everything)
- Less testing (they don't order tests unless necessary)
- More conservative with prescriptions
- Shorter appointments
Cost: Fully covered by insurance (no copay)
Get the Free DAFT Checklist
The same checklist we used when we moved to the Netherlands. Enter your email and we'll send it right over.
- Every document you need before applying
- Step-by-step timeline from start to approval
- Common mistakes that delay applications
Getting Prescriptions
How it works:
- GP sends prescription electronically to your chosen pharmacy
- You go to pharmacy to pick it up
- You pay at pharmacy (covered by insurance after deductible)
Pharmacies:
- Many in every neighborhood
- Most speak English
- Open late (some until 10pm)
- Can ask pharmacist questions
Cost: Depends on medication and whether you've met your deductible
Common Scenarios and How to Handle Them
You Have a Cold/Flu
What to do: Call your GP, describe symptoms
What will probably happen: They'll tell you to rest, drink fluids, take paracetamol (Tylenol). No appointment needed.
Why: Dutch doctors don't prescribe antibiotics for viral infections. They trust your body to heal.
Our take: Frustrating at first (we wanted medicine!), but they're right. Most colds don't need antibiotics.
You Need Antibiotics
What to do: Call your GP, explain symptoms
What will probably happen: If they think it's bacterial, they'll prescribe antibiotics. If not, they won't.
Why: Netherlands has strict antibiotic prescribing to prevent resistance.
Our take: They're more conservative than US doctors, but when you actually need antibiotics, you get them.
You're Really Sick
What to do: Call your GP, say it's urgent
What will probably happen: GP will call you back quickly, might schedule same-day appointment or tell you to go to huisartsenpost (after-hours GP).
When to go to hospital: Only for true emergencies (chest pain, severe injury, can't breathe, etc.)
You Need a Specialist
What to do: See your GP first, explain why you need a specialist
What will probably happen: If GP agrees, they'll refer you. You can't self-refer.
Timeline: Specialist appointments can take weeks or months
Our take: The referral system is annoying if you know you need a specialist, but it prevents over-treatment.
You Need Mental Health Care
What to do: Talk to your GP
What will probably happen: GP can prescribe medication or refer you to a psychologist/psychiatrist
Cost: Basic therapy is covered by insurance (after deductible). Some therapists are fully covered.
Finding English-speaking therapists: Ask GP for recommendations, or search "English-speaking therapist Amsterdam"
Specialists and Hospitals
Getting Specialist Care
You need a GP referral for specialists (orthopedist, dermatologist, cardiologist, etc.).
Process:
- GP refers you
- Specialist's office contacts you to schedule
- You go to appointment
- Specialist reports back to GP
Timeline: 2-8 weeks typically
Cost: Covered by insurance (after deductible)
Hospitals in Amsterdam
Academic Medical Center (AMC)
- Large teaching hospital
- All specialties
- English-speaking staff
VU Medical Center (VUmc)
- Large teaching hospital
- All specialties
- English-speaking staff
OLVG (multiple locations)
- General hospitals
- Most specialties
- English-speaking staff
Our experience: We've been to OLVG for a minor procedure. Everyone spoke English, it was clean and modern, and the care was good.
Emergency Room (Spoedeisende Hulp)
When to go:
- Severe injury
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
When NOT to go:
- Minor injuries (call GP)
- Colds/flu (call GP)
- Non-urgent issues (call GP)
What happens:
- Triage nurse assesses you
- You wait (sometimes hours if not urgent)
- Doctor treats you
- You might be admitted or sent home
Cost: Covered by insurance (after deductible)
Dental Care
Dental care is separate from regular health insurance.
Key points:
- Not included in basic health insurance
- You need separate dental insurance (€10-€30/month)
- Or pay out of pocket
- Dental care is expensive without insurance
Finding English-speaking dentists:
- Same process as finding GP
- Most dentists in Amsterdam speak English
Our take: Get dental insurance. Cleanings alone cost €80-€100 without it.
Prescriptions and Pharmacies
How Prescriptions Work
Process:
- GP sends prescription electronically
- You choose which pharmacy (tell GP which one)
- Pharmacy texts/emails when ready
- You pick up and pay
Cost: Depends on medication and deductible
Generic vs. brand name: Pharmacies usually give generic unless you request brand name
Finding a Pharmacy
Pharmacies (apotheek) are everywhere:
- Most neighborhoods have several
- Many open until 7-10pm
- Some open Sundays
After-hours pharmacy:
- Each neighborhood has a rotating after-hours pharmacy
- Check apotheek.nl for which one is open
Our local pharmacy: Boots (yes, like the UK chain). They're all over Amsterdam, speak English, and are open late.
Over-the-Counter Medications
What's available:
- Paracetamol (Tylenol/acetaminophen)
- Ibuprofen
- Antihistamines
- Cold medicine
- Stomach medicine
What's different:
- Smaller package sizes (you can't buy 500-count bottles)
- Some things require pharmacy (not just grocery store)
- Different brands than US
What's hard to find:
- American brands (Tylenol, Advil, etc. exist but different formulations)
- Some specific medications
For finding American products, see Finding American Products in Amsterdam.
Health Insurance Details
Choosing Insurance
Major insurers:
- Zilveren Kruis
- VGZ
- CZ
- Menzis
What to consider:
- Monthly premium (€120-€150 for basic)
- Which hospitals/doctors are in network
- Additional coverage options
- Customer service in English
Our take: Basic insurance is pretty similar across companies. We chose based on which one our GP accepted.
The Deductible (Eigen Risico)
How it works:
- €385 mandatory deductible per year
- You pay first €385 of care out of pocket
- After that, insurance covers everything
- Resets January 1
What counts toward deductible:
- Hospital visits
- Specialist appointments
- Prescriptions
- Physical therapy
- Most medical care
What doesn't count:
- GP visits (always free)
- Preventive care
- Some chronic disease management
Our experience: We hit our deductible in month three (specialist appointment + prescriptions). After that, everything was covered.
Healthcare Allowance (Zorgtoeslag)
If your income is low, you can get a monthly subsidy for health insurance.
Eligibility:
- Based on income
- Must have Dutch health insurance
- Must have BSN
Amount: Up to €120/month
How to apply: Through Belastingdienst (tax office) website
Differences from US Healthcare
What's better:
- GP visits are free
- Insurance is cheaper
- No surprise bills
- Transparent pricing
- Less over-treatment
What's different:
- More conservative approach (less testing, fewer prescriptions)
- GP is gatekeeper (can't self-refer to specialists)
- Shorter appointments
- Less hand-holding
What's harder:
- No same-day appointments (usually)
- Can't just go to urgent care
- Specialist wait times can be long
- Different medication brands
Our take: The Dutch system is good, but it requires adjusting expectations. It's less convenient but more sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to speak Dutch to see a doctor?
A: No. Most doctors in Amsterdam speak English. If you're worried, specifically look for English-speaking GPs when registering.
Q: Can I keep seeing my US doctors via telemedicine?
A: Technically yes, but they can't prescribe medications you can fill in Netherlands. And you still need a Dutch GP for local care.
Q: What if I have a chronic condition?
A: Tell your GP when you register. They'll manage your care and prescriptions. Bring medical records from US if possible.
Q: Can I go to the ER for non-emergencies?
A: You can, but you'll wait for hours and might be turned away. Call your GP or huisartsenpost instead.
Q: How do I get my US prescriptions filled here?
A: You can't directly. Your Dutch GP needs to prescribe them. Bring your US prescription list to your first GP appointment.
The Bottom Line
The Dutch healthcare system is good, but it works differently than the US.
Register with an English-speaking GP as soon as you arrive. Don't wait until you're sick. Most GPs in Amsterdam speak English, so language isn't usually a barrier.
Adjust your expectations: appointments are shorter, doctors are more conservative, and you can't just show up to urgent care. But GP visits are free, insurance is affordable, and the quality of care is high.
It takes a few months to get used to the system. Be patient with yourself and don't be afraid to ask questions. Your GP is used to confused expats—they'll help you figure it out.
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