Lindsey 🇺🇸 ➡️ 🇳🇱
Region: NL
Tuesday 14 April 2026 07:24:44 GMT
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mirandacuperus :
“If you’ve moved to the Netherlands, it helps to understand that the healthcare system works very differently from the U.S. Care here is based on medical necessity (triage), not demand. Your GP (huisarts) is the first point of contact and acts as a gatekeeper. You don’t go straight to a specialist — you get referred if it’s actually needed. Urgent cases are handled quickly, often the same day. Non-urgent issues can take longer on purpose, so the system stays accessible for everyone. Medication is also handled more conservatively. The Netherlands has strict guidelines, especially for antibiotics, to prevent antimicrobial resistance. That’s why you’ll often be advised rest or paracetamol instead of immediately getting stronger medication. It can feel like “less care,” but it’s actually evidence-based and better for long-term public health. Hospitals are there for specialist and acute care, not for direct walk-ins unless it’s an emergency. If it’s serious, you go to the ER or call emergency services. Otherwise, everything goes through the GP first. Financially, the system is very different too. Everyone is required to have basic health insurance. You pay a monthly premium, and there’s a yearly deductible (eigen risico). After that, most necessary care is covered. GP visits are fully covered and don’t count toward your deductible. This system keeps care accessible without extreme bills or financial risk like in the U.S. Waiting times for specialists can vary by region. Less densely populated areas (like the north) often have shorter waits than the central or southern parts of the country. So yes, it can feel slower or more restricted at first — but it’s designed around fairness, medical necessity, and long-term sustainability, not speed or profit.”
2026-04-15 10:22:07
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colazero :
the waiting lists for referrals keeps getting longer because our health care is under pressure due to a couple of reasons for example there is a massive shortage of people who want to work in healthcare.
2026-04-14 07:40:07
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richjanfr :
Completely depends on the kind of specialist that you need too. For some problems I had to wait several months and for others it was like 2 weeks max. My experience is that if it's really urgent it's pretty fast. Also we have something like wachttijdbemiddeling where you can contact your insurance company and they will seek out the fastest possible appointment in pergaps a different hospital.
2026-04-14 07:49:17
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Danielle| real mom life :
you van ask your huisarts for a hostpital where the waiting time is shorter.or you van call your insurence and ask them to help
2026-04-14 22:16:32
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Vincent :
It's very dependent on the specialist you need. In my area (Groningen), there is a severe shortage of neurologists, so wait times can exceed a year, and 2 of 4 hospitals don't accept direct GP referrals. They once decided to limit the number of doctors who could specialize to prevent them from having no work once they finished. That backfired because apparently, neurologists don't want to work in Groningen 😑 meanwhile other doctors such as neurosurgeons might only have a wait time of 3 weeks. they do some sort of triage on every new patient to see how quick they should help, but this system is broken and there no extra info as what the GP put in the referral
2026-04-14 10:10:05
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Utrechtsemeid-Dutch-Texan :
380 bucks for 2 people's but you get monthly tax benefit for the health insurance of 125 refunded per person.
2026-04-14 18:49:04
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hinsert :
It depends on the urge and which specialist. Years ago I went to an internist and I could choose between two hospitals, one had a waiting lists of 3 weeks and the other one 5 months. But, if you need to visit a dermatologist because of a suspicious birth mole, then they might be able to help you within 1-2 weeks or even days.
2026-04-14 12:22:28
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bjorngroen569 :
dependant on the care you need, anywhere from a couple days to several weeks
2026-04-14 11:40:34
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theo :
There was no urgency so others with higher priority go first
2026-04-14 08:28:55
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Leonie :
Sorry to say but this does not sound like something urgent. The GP and everyone after that in the line can move you up a waiting list. In urgent matters a hearing test can be done in a few days after you first GP visit. The Dutch health system works differently for what we call care that can be planned and urgent stuff. If you kid needs medical attention urgently you will get it, trust me.
2026-04-14 16:34:25
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⭐Kat Says "GodverreNondeJu"⭐ :
it depends on urgency. my husband has a severe abdominal issue, we are "busy" with docs for a year now... not much of a progression so far. (been 3 referrals now). Autism assessment can take 2 years for example.
2026-04-14 09:05:43
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😀love me or hate me😎 :
Unfortunately, healthcare in the Netherlands is being eroded in favor of the market as well as more universal services…. It seems that the free market mind set is gaining ground in all the wrong places. All these reverrals and the system behind it, wasn’t what it was like years ago. People are fighting to get back what we’ve lost. If we can right these wrongs, the best service can be given again within weeks Instead of months or even longer.
2026-04-14 21:33:23
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Leslie | Life Abroad :
Ohmygoodness, I’m struggling with health care here right now myself. Have a video going up today actually! Our issue right now is still insurance! Scary to know that the appointments take that long.
2026-04-14 10:20:34
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Danielle van Essen 🇳🇱 :
Depending on your insurance you can also ask for a referal to a private clinic. Usually shorter waiting lists and my experience is that the doctors have more time for you.
2026-04-15 06:47:07
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Mᥲყo🌸 :
I was referred to specialist....24 months waiting time.....that is,also the Netherlands unfortunately
2026-04-14 20:20:48
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🪬Dutchie🫧 :
I work for Bergman clinics KNO (ENT) and eyes 😉
2026-04-14 08:32:03
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Patricia :
It depends on the need to see the specialist. Sometime it has spied than you can see the specialist most often the next day
2026-04-14 20:32:19
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Ilona :
waarom ben je hier? hoe kwam je aan een huis?
2026-04-14 17:59:16
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jelleke44 :
You can always ask your insurance company if they can help with a waiting list. You can also call hospitals yourself and ask them what the waiting list is. F.e. I need to see a specialist. In my home town i have to wait 4-6 months. Half an hour away they will see me within a week.
2026-05-09 15:56:14
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coenbaljon :
So you contact the specialist, find out what they need and then get the referral
2026-04-14 15:53:52
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Jan Willem van de751 :
it depens how seriouscyouer vondition isvif its potentialky seriouscitsvmaybecacweek
2026-04-14 16:34:57
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Jan Willem van de751 :
base insurance is155 euro
2026-04-14 16:32:53
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Leidenlocal :
Just some advice for the hospital: speak up. For example their apps are sometimes confusing. Just call them with your questions. And also, especially if you have multiple specialists and feel like anything might be wrong(like old appointments or old medicin -that they told you were changed- still there), call. Usually you will be right! Be direct and alert👍🏻
2026-04-14 16:30:49
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nowwhat :
My daughter was referred to an ortho was 2 weeks. Her psychologist was 4 months.
2026-04-14 13:58:54
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