Frequently asked questions

More information can be found on the page ‘Finding healthcare providers in the Netherlands’, under ‘Finding a hospital or doctor’

An EHIC only entitles you to necessary medical care that is part of the Dutch basic health insurance package. If you receive medical care, you must show the care provider your EHIC. They will then declare your medical expenses to health insurer Zilveren Kruis.

If you plan to undergo treatment in the Netherlands, you may need to get permission from your insurer. They will be able to provide you with more information.

For more information on healthcare in the Netherlands, contact Zilveren Kruis on +31 33 445 6870 or at gbr@zilverenkruis.nl.

If you have paid your medical bill yourself, you can claim your medical expenses from your own insurer. Your insurer will determine the amount reimbursed. 

If you are still in the Netherlands, you can send your bill to health insurer Zilveren Kruis. They will ensure that you receive a reimbursement. However, Zilveren Kruis do not cover expenses for treatment that is not part of the Dutch basic health insurance package.
 
For more information on healthcare in the Netherlands, contact Zilveren Kruis on +31 445 686870 or at gbr@zilverenkruis.nl.

Under European regulations, pregnancy and childbirth care are covered by the EHIC, unless you have come to the Netherlands specially to give birth to your child.

For more information on healthcare in the Netherlands, contact Zilveren Kruis on +31 33 445 6870 or at gbr@zilverenkruis.nl.

Your EHIC covers you for all healthcare that comes under the Dutch basic health insurance package. ‘Basic’ refers to regular healthcare. You may therefore need a referral from another doctor. Under European Regulation No. 883/2004, the EHIC only covers necessary medical care. However, medical care for chronic or existing conditions can also be classed as necessary.

Medical insurer Zilveren Kruis provides information to foreign citizens who are in the Netherlands on a temporary basis. For more information on healthcare in the Netherlands, contact Zilveren Kruis on +31 445 686870 or at gbr@zilverenkruis.nl. 

Under EU Directive 201/24/EU (the Cross-Border Directive), your medical insurer can reimburse you for medical expenses you have incurred in the Netherlands. However, you need to pay the amount first and claim it back later. Your medical expenses will then be reimbursed according to the conditions that apply in your country of residence. If you meet those conditions, you can claim back the expenses from your insurer after you have returned home. Your insurer will then reimburse you up to the maximum amount that equivalent medical care would have cost if you had been treated in your country of residence. If your medical expenses exceed that limit, you will usually have to pay the difference yourself.

Pharmacies are legally required to accept prescriptions from other EU countries as long as these prescriptions fulfil certain conditions. You’ll find these conditions on page ‘More about treatment in another EU country', paragraph ‘Prescriptions from another EU country’. 

If this is not the case, you need to ask your doctor to issue a new prescription that contains the required details.
If your prescription fulfils the conditions, we advise you, in case you are dealing with a Dutch pharmacy, to refer the pharmacist to the information on our website regarding prescriptions from another EU member states (page 'Information for healthcare providers', paragraph 'Prescriptions from another EU country'). 

In case the Dutch pharmacy still does not accept your prescription, you can file a complaint at the National Healthcare Report Centre (Landelijk Meldpunt Zorg).

The rates are listed on the website of the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). For more information, you can send an email to info@nza.nl.

The page ‘How is healthcare organised in the Netherlands?’ contains more information on the Dutch healthcare system.

In order to find a doctor or hospital in the country where you wish to be treated, you need to consult the National Contact Point (NCP) for Cross-Border Healthcare. A list of the NCPs is available on the page ‘Other National Contact Points’.

For more information, see the page ‘More about treatment in another EU country’.

Depending on a variety of circumstances and factors, such as the conditions of your policy, your health insurer may refuse you cover for treatment in another EU country.

If you disagree with your insurer’s refusal of cover, you can ask them to reassess your request for cover. If you disagree with their response, you can refer the matter to the Dutch Foundation for Health Insurances Complaints and Disputes (SKGZ). The SKGZ can also be contacted on +31 88 900 6900, at info@skgz.nl, and at the following address:

Postbus 291
3700 AG Zeist
The Netherlands

The National Contact Point (NCP) cannot mediate in medical matters on your behalf in other EU Member States.

You therefore need to contact the NCP branch in the country in question. They will be able to tell you what you need to do if you find yourself in a dispute with your healthcare provider. A list of the NCPs is available on the page ‘Other National Contact Points’.

The National Contact Point (NCP) does not have any information of this nature, as we do not assess the quality of the healthcare in other EU Member States; this is the responsibility of the government of the country where you want to be treated. In order to obtain such information, you need to consult the NCP for Cross-Border Healthcare in the country concerned. A list of the NCPs is available on the page ‘Other National Contact Points’.

In principle, it is your responsibility to find out whether the healthcare you choose is of good quality. Naturally, your health insurer can also make reimbursement of medical expenses subject to the treatment meeting certain quality requirements. However, this is a matter for the insurer and the insured person; the NCP is not involved.

The National Contact Point (NCP) does not issue S1/E106 forms. Please contact your own healthcare insurer. 

The National Contact Point (NCP) does not issue A1 forms; for this, you must contact the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB). For more information, see the SVB website.

The National Contact Point (NCP) does not provide information of this nature. It only provides general information on planned healthcare in the EU. 

You may be registered with the CAK as being entitled to care under international regulations. If this is the case, please contact the CAK (only in Dutch).