Frequently asked questions

Finding a doctor or hospital when you are staying in the Netherlands

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

Access to healthcare in the Netherlands with your EHIC: how it works

An EHIC only entitles you to necessary medical care. This medical care must be part of the Dutch basic health insurance package (the statutory healthcare insurance). You show your EHIC to the doctor or the hospital. They will declare the costs at healthcare insurer Zilveren Kruis.

Planned treatment in the Netherlands

Would you like to come to the Netherlands for a treatment? Then you may need permission from your own healthcare insurance institution first. This institution should be able to tell you more about this.

More information

Would you like to know more about healthcare in the Netherlands? Please contact healthcare insurer Zilveren Kruis on +31 33 445 6870 or at gbr@zilverenkruis.nl.

Claiming your medical expenses if the Dutch healthcare provider does not accept your EHIC

If you have paid your medical bill yourself, you can submit it for reimbursement at your own healthcare insurer. They will determine the amount reimbursed to you.

Send your bill to Zilveren Kruis

You may also send your bill to healthcare 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, please contact Zilveren Kruis on +31 445 686870 or at gbr@zilverenkruis.nl.

Using your EHIC for pregnancy and childbirth care during a temporary stay in the Netherlands

Under European regulations, pregnancy and childbirth care are covered by the EHIC. But not if you plan to come to the Netherlands with the purpose to give birth to your child.

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

Ensuring that your expenses for medication or medical aids are reimbursed, even if you are only staying in the Netherlands temporarily

Use your EHIC

With your EHIC you are entitled to healthcare that is covered by Dutch statutory health insurance. You may need a referral from another doctor first. According to European Regulation 883/2004, the EHIC only applies if healthcare is necessary. This is also the case with healthcare related to a chronic or existing disease.

Healthcare insurer Zilveren Kruis provides information to foreigners who stay temporarily in the Netherlands. For more information on healthcare in the Netherlands, please contact Zilveren Kruis on +31 445 686870 or at gbr@zilverenkruis.nl.

Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare (2011/24/EU)

According to the directive, your own healthcare insurer can also reimburse healthcare costs in the Netherlands. In that case you first have to pay the amount yourself. Send the bill to your own healthcare insurer after returning home. They will determine whether you receive a reimbursement.

The reimbursement will be up to the amount that such care would have cost if you had been treated in your own country. If the costs are higher, you usually pay the difference yourself.

Can pharmacies refuse to accept prescriptions from another EU country?

Pharmacies must accept prescriptions from other EU countries if these prescriptions meet certain conditions. These conditions can be found on our website. See page ‘More about treatment in another EU country', paragraph ‘Prescriptions from another EU country’.

Does the prescription not meet these conditions? Ask your doctor for a new prescription with the right details.

Does your prescription meet the conditions and do you deal with a Dutch pharmacy? Tell the employee about the information on our website about prescriptions from other EU countries. This information can be found on page 'Information for healthcare providers', paragraph 'Prescriptions from another EU country'.

Does the Dutch pharmacy still refuse to accept your prescription? You can file a complaint at the National Healthcare Report Centre (Landelijk Meldpunt Zorg).

Where to find a list of the rates for medical care in the Netherlands

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 Dutch healthcare system

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

Finding a doctor or hospital in another EU country

Ask for information at the National Contact Point for cross-border healthcare of the country where you like to be treated. A list of the National Contact Points is available on page ‘Other National Contact Points’.

Getting cover for treatment in another EU country

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

Refusal of cover by your health insurer for treatment in another EU country

Your healthcare insurer may refuse to cover treatment in another EU country. But this depends on different factors, such as the conditions in your insurance policy.

Not agreeing with the refusal

Ask your healthcare insurance provider to review your request again. If you disagree with the healthcare insurer’s answer, please contact the Dutch Foundation for Health Insurances Complaints and Disputes (SKGZ). You can also contact SKGZ on +31 88 900 6900, at info@skgz.nl, and at the following address:

Postbus 291
3700 AG Zeist
The Netherlands

Can the National Contact Point mediate in medical matters in other EU countries?

No, that’s not possible. We are not allowed to interfere with disputes on medical treatment in other EU countries.

Please contact the NCP of the country you wish to go to. This NCP can tell you what to do if you have a problem with your doctor or the hospital. A list of the National Contact Points is available on page ‘Other National Contact Points’.

Does the National Contact Point have information on the quality of healthcare in other EU countries?

No, we don't have that kind of information. The NCP does not assess the quality of this care itself. That’s what the government of the country where you want to be treated does.
Please contact the National Contact Point for cross-border care of the country concerned. A list of the National Contactpoints is available on page ‘Other National Contact Points’.

In fact, you are responsible for finding out whether the treatment you choose is of good quality. Your healthcare insurer may also demand that the treatment meets certain quality requirements as a condition to reimburse the costs. However, this is a matter for the healthcare insurer and the insured person; the NCP is not involved.

Requesting an S1/E121 form when you are receiving a Dutch pension

The National Contact Point (NCP) does not issue S1/E121 forms. Please contact the CAK. For information on how to apply, see page ‘Apply for a document S1/form 121' on the CAK website.

Requesting an S1/E106 form

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

Requesting an A1 form when you have been posted to the Netherlands by your employer

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

Requesting information about your entitlement to healthcare when you live abroad

The National Contact Point (NCP) does not provide this kind of information. 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 .

Frequently asked questions

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Planned treatment in the Netherlands

More information

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Send your bill to Zilveren Kruis

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Use your EHIC

Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare (2011/24/EU)

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