How to Register with a GP in the Netherlands: Complete Guide for Internationals
Practical guide to registering with a Dutch GP (huisarts): what you need, how it works, what to expect, and how to find a practice accepting new patients.
Short answer. To register with a GP (huisarts) in the Netherlands you need a valid ID, a BSN, health insurance and an address within the practice's service area, typically a 15-minute radius. Find a practice that is accepting new patients, submit its registration form, identify yourself once in person and wait for confirmation. Registration is free, and GP visits are covered by basic insurance with no deductible.
For most internationals arriving in the Netherlands, registering with a GP, a huisarts, is one of the first practical things on the list, somewhere between getting a BSN and opening a bank account. It's also one of the most misunderstood. This guide explains how it actually works, what's required, and how to avoid the common pitfalls.
Why your GP matters more here than in many countries
The Dutch system is built around the GP as the gatekeeper to the rest of healthcare. Your GP is the first point of contact for almost every medical question, and most specialist or hospital care requires their referral. This is different from systems in the US, much of Asia, parts of Eastern Europe, and parts of Latin America, where you can self-refer to specialists or use walk-in clinics for minor issues.
Practical consequences:
- Without a registered GP, you can't easily get prescriptions filled
- Specialist visits without a GP referral are usually not reimbursed
- Mental health services are typically accessed via the GP
- Sick notes for work, school exemptions, and most administrative health forms come from your GP
The upside: once you're registered, the system actually works well. GP care is free at point of use, GPs handle a wide range of issues themselves, and continuity of care is generally good.
What you need before registering
You'll need most or all of the following:
- A valid ID, passport, ID card, or residence permit
- A BSN (Burgerservicenummer), your Dutch personal ID number, issued when you register at the gemeente (municipality) after arrival
- Health insurance, Dutch basisverzekering, international student insurance, EHIC, or expat insurance
- An address within the practice's service area, typically a 15-minute radius around the practice
- Optional but useful: medical history summary, current medications list, vaccination record
If you've just arrived and don't yet have a BSN, some practices can register you provisionally. Ask before assuming you have to wait.
Step-by-step
1. Identify practices in your area that are accepting new patients.
This is the hardest step in many Dutch cities. Use:
- ZorgkaartNederland (zorgkaartnederland.nl), searchable, but often outdated on patient acceptance status
- Kiesuwhuisarts.nl, newer aggregator, better filters
- Your insurance company's zorgzoeker, Zorg en Zekerheid for Leiden, CZ for North Brabant, etc.
- Word of mouth, neighbours, colleagues, expat groups, university support services
Many GPs in larger cities have a patiëntenstop (patient cap). Don't get discouraged, keep calling. Some practices accept new patients in waves; others have specific arrangements for newly arrived residents.
2. Check the service area.
Dutch GPs can only register patients living within roughly 15 minutes of the practice (this is so they can reach you for emergency home visits). If you're moving in soon, you can usually register with your future address.
3. Submit a registration form.
Most practices have an online form. Some require you to call. Forms typically ask for ID details, BSN, insurance, current GP (if any), and basic medical history.
4. Identify yourself in person.
Almost all practices require a one-time visit to the front desk to verify your ID. This usually takes 5–10 minutes.
5. Wait for confirmation.
Some practices register you immediately; others take 1–4 weeks for administrative processing. You should receive written or email confirmation that you're registered.
6. Use the practice.
Once registered, you can book appointments, request prescriptions, and (depending on the practice) use a digital portal for messages and consultations.
Common pitfalls
Waiting too long. Many internationals try to register only after they get sick. By then, finding a practice with availability can take weeks.
Assuming all GPs speak English. Most do, but fluency varies. If language matters to you, ask before registering.
Not registering officially. Visiting a GP without being registered means paying the passing-by tariff per visit and having no fixed GP for follow-up care. Register formally as soon as you can; at HeyDoc you can be seen as a passing-by patient in the meantime, and the file carries over.
Registering with a practice outside your service area. Even if they accept you initially, they cannot legally provide home visits, and they may transfer you out later.
Confusing the GP with the GGD or huisartsenpost. The GGD is the public health authority (TB screening, vaccinations, occupational health). The huisartsenpost is the after-hours service. Neither is your regular GP.
What to expect from your first appointment
Dutch GP consultations are short, usually 10 minutes. If you have multiple issues, mention this when booking so a longer slot can be reserved.
Dutch GPs are generally conservative with antibiotics, scans, and referrals. This isn't laziness, it's evidence-based primary care. Many self-limiting illnesses (most colds, mild ear infections, viral gastroenteritis) are managed with rest and supportive care rather than medication. Outcomes in the Netherlands are excellent across most measures.
If you're used to a different style of care, this can feel dismissive. It usually isn't. Ask questions if you don't understand the reasoning, most GPs are happy to explain.
What to do if you can't find a GP
If every practice you contact has a patient stop, options include:
- Contact your health insurer, they have a legal obligation to help you find a GP
- Try practices that explicitly serve internationals, they sometimes have separate capacity
- Consider digital-first practices that are taking new patients, these typically have fewer geographic constraints than fully physical practices
- For urgent care while searching, the huisartsenpost is available evenings and weekends, and walk-in clinics serve tourists
In Leiden specifically
Leiden has a mix of traditional practices, larger GP centres, and newer digital-first practices. International student housing concentrates around the southern and northern parts of the city, and several practices in these neighbourhoods specifically welcome internationals; if you are a student, see our page on the student doctor in Leiden.
If you're looking for a practice that combines digital access with in-person care, including English-speaking service and immediate registration, HeyDoc on Lammenschansweg is currently accepting new patients without a waitlist.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be registered with two GPs? No. You're registered with one practice at a time.
Is the registration fee anything? No. Registration is free, and GP visits are covered by basic insurance with no deductible.
Can I keep my GP if I move within the Netherlands? Only if your new address remains within their service area. Otherwise you'll need to switch.
Do I need a referral letter from my home country GP? No. Bring whatever records you have, but the Dutch system doesn't require formal handover documentation.
What if my Dutch is poor? Most GPs speak English. Some practices specifically welcome internationals. You can also bring a friend or use a translation app, Dutch GPs are used to working with non-Dutch speakers.
Can I register without a BSN? It depends on the practice. At HeyDoc in Leiden you can register before your BSN is issued; until it arrives you are seen as a passing-by patient and pay per consultation (Aon is billed directly), and the file is converted to a full registration once the BSN is in.
What is the most common mistake when registering? Registering with several practices at the same time. It becomes unclear where you belong, and your previous GP does not know where to send your records. Pick one practice and register there.
What does a GP visit cost if I am not insured in the Netherlands yet? Practices charge the national NZa passing-by tariff. In 2026 a consultation of 5 to 20 minutes is EUR 33.80 and a longer consultation EUR 67.60, plus EUR 3.44 if you are not covered by the Dutch Health Insurance Act; ECGs or minor procedures can cost more. Aon Student Insurance is billed directly by the practice.
This guide is general information, not personal medical or legal advice. Specific situations may have nuances, when in doubt, contact a GP practice directly or your health insurer.