Healthcare in Amsterdam

Healthcare in the Netherlands has begun to blur the line between the traditional private and public sectors. Dutch medical schemes are compelled to offer a full set of basic benefits for as little as €100. Enrolment in a scheme is compulsory for anyone staying more than a year in the county. 

For those who cannot afford this fee, the Dutch government will provide a subsidy. For almost all terminal, or long term illness, the Dutch government will pick up the full costs of treatment. The private schemes are funded at about 50 percent by employers, 45 percent by the insured, and 5 percent as a risk equalisation from the government. 
 

There are areas of healthcare not funded by the government or the medical aids basic services package. These are the areas in which the medical schemes formerly competed with one another. However, an expat moving to Amsterdam will find a highly competitive market which drives prices downwards. These areas include dentists and psychologists.
 

For non-EU citizens, travel insurance is usually sufficient. An EU citizen will find that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides the necessary cover. Those who seek treatment in the Netherlands but have insurance based outside of the country will need to keep all receipts, invoices, and scripts for the insurance company back home. Medical insurance is compulsory for anyone who seeks entrance to the Netherlands.
 

These items are covered in a basic package: medical care, including services by GP’s, hospitals, medical specialists and obstetricians, any hospital stay, most medicines, partial dental care after age 18 and full dental care below that age, maternity programs, required medical appliances, prenatal care and ambulance services. The default number for an emergency service is 112.