No vaccinations, excellent tap water, and a system that routes everything through a GP. Out of hours you call the huisartsenpost first rather than turning up at a hospital.
- No vaccinations are required and the tap water is high quality everywhere.
- Care is gatekept by GPs. Outside surgery hours you call the regional out-of-hours GP post first, and they decide whether you need a hospital.
- Turning up at an emergency department without going through that route means a long wait and possibly a refusal to treat anything non-urgent.
- Dutch pharmacies are conservative about dispensing, so bring what you rely on. Everyday remedies come from a drugstore, prescriptions from an Apotheek.
- EU citizens should carry an EHIC; everyone else needs travel insurance, and Schengen visa holders must hold at least EUR 30,000 of cover.
Health, insurance and where to be treated
- Vaccinations - none required. Tap water (kraanwater) is high quality and safe everywhere.
- Pharmacies and shops - everyday remedies come from a drugstore, Etos or Kruidvat; prescription medicines from an Apotheek. Dutch pharmacies are conservative about dispensing, so bring what you rely on.
- Care is gatekept by GPs. Outside surgery hours, contact the regional out-of-hours GP post - the huisartsenpost - on 0900-1515, and they decide whether you need a hospital. Turning up at an emergency department without going through that route means a long wait and possibly a refusal to treat anything non-urgent.
- Hospitals in Amsterdam - OLVG Centrum, Oosterpark 9, has an emergency department; Amsterdam UMC (AMC), Meibergdreef 9, is the university hospital.
- Insurance - EU citizens should carry an EHIC. Everyone else needs travel insurance, and Schengen visa holders must hold at least EUR 30,000 of cover as a condition of the visa.
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