If you want to undergo treatment in the Netherlands on the basis of the European Patients’ Rights Directive (Directive 2011/24/EU), then the rules that apply are those of your own insurance. If you do not need a referral in your own country to visit a medical specialist, then you will not need one if you come to the Netherlands. In that case you can approach the specialist directly. If a referral is mandatory in your own country, then you will also need one for treatment in the Netherlands. If you want treatment from a medical specialist in the Netherlands and your health insurer has given you an S2/E 112 form, then you will still need a referral for this treatment. In this respect, see also our information on the page 'Reimbursement of costs'.