How do I find a GP in Amsterdam?
Finding a GP in Amsterdam can be hard (waiting lists up to 6 months in Centre), but you have rights and routes: (1) Call your health insurer — they are legally required (Health Insurance Act art. 13) to help you find a GP. Call customer service with “zorgbemiddeling” request. (2) ZorgkaartNL (zorgkaartnederland.nl) — filter for “accepting new patients”. (3) Until enrolled: Amsterdam huisartsenpost 088-003 0600 for urgent care. (4) No GP within 2-4 weeks: city Social Desk 14 020 can intermediate. (5) Pharmacy route: your regular pharmacy often knows which GPs still have spots — insider info.
Step by step
- 1Call your health insurerRequest “GP intermediary service”. CZ, Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, etc. have legal duty. Have your policy number ready. Request written confirmation.
- 2Check ZorgkaartNLFilter Amsterdam + “accepting new patients”. More space in: North, New-West, Southeast. Centre/South: long waiting lists.
- 3Call multiple practicesCall 5-10 practices on your shortlist. Ask: waiting list length, family-priority rules, whether “second patient” is possible via someone already enrolled.
- 4Until enrolled: huisartsenpostAmsterdam Huisartsenpost 088-003 0600 — also during daytime for people without GP. Pharmacy for repeat prescriptions via “own declaration” without GP.
- 5On healthcare gap: IGJ reportNo GP found + insurer not helping = official complaint via Healthcare Inspection (igj.nl). Forces insurer action within 2 weeks.
All contacts
Frequently asked questions
Can a GP refuse me?
Yes, only with “good reason”: practice full (capacity norm: ~2,350 patients per GP), too far, conscientious objection. No reason: discrimination (e.g. nationality, language) — reportable to Netherlands Institute for Human Rights.
How long does it typically take?
Centre/South: 3-6 months waiting list for new patients. North/Southeast: 1-4 weeks. New-West: 2-8 weeks. Insurer intermediation often speeds to 2-4 weeks.
Do I have a right to a local GP?
Not absolute. Health Insurance Act requires “reasonable distance” (~10 min by transit, <30 min by bike). Further: insurer must intermediate or reimburse extra travel costs.
What for urgent complaints without GP?
Direct to Emergency Room (SEH) if life-threatening. Less severe: 088-003 0600 huisartsenpost (accepts patients without GP), or Thuisarts triage line.
Workplace GP — can I enroll via employer?
Some employers (Amsterdam: city, AMC, etc.) have company GP for staff. Temporary, not for family. Ask HR. But: occupational doctor (Arbo) is different from GP.
Can I pick a GP outside Amsterdam?
Yes, provided within “reasonable distance” (~30 min by transit). Advantage: less pressure in fringe cities (Diemen, Amstelveen, Zaandam). Travel time often beats waiting list.
Sources
🔎 Common search queries
Recognise your own search? Our answer above covers all of these variants.
- “find GP Amsterdam”
- “waiting list general practitioner NL”
- “health insurer GP mediation”
- “huisartsenpost without GP”
- “ZorgkaartNL new patients”