Healthcare in Eindhoven

The largest general hospital in Eindhoven and the primary acute care, emergency, and specialist facility for the city. Founded in 1843 and now a top-clinical teaching hospital with close ties to Maastricht University and TU Eindhoven, Catharina Hospital provides specialist care at near-academic level in the absence of a university hospital nearby. Its two supraregional focal points are cardiovascular disease, where it houses the largest heart and vascular centre in the Netherlands, and oncology, through the Catharina Cancer Institute. The emergency department is on Michelangelolaan and operates around the clock. For urgent non-life-threatening problems outside GP hours, the Spoedpost (out-of-hours GP service) at the same address handles cases that do not require emergency care. Always call ahead before attending the Spoedpost: +31 88 876 51 51.

A large regional hospital in Veldhoven, a short drive or bus journey from Eindhoven, providing a broad range of specialist services including maternity care, paediatrics, and general surgery. The MMC is the main referral hospital for many GP practices in the wider Eindhoven region and handles much of the specialist outpatient care that complements the acute focus of the Catharina Hospital. English is spoken by staff throughout, and the hospital has experience serving the large international population in the Brainport region. For maternity services in particular the MMC is frequently recommended by expat families in Meerhoven and the surrounding area.

The first and most important healthcare step for any new arrival in Eindhoven. The huisarts is the gatekeeper for all non-emergency specialist and hospital care in the Dutch system: without a registered GP you cannot be referred to a specialist, cannot access out-of-hours care through the standard Spoedpost system, and will find navigating any medical issue significantly harder. Most GP practices in Eindhoven accept registrations from new patients but many have waiting lists. Register as soon as you have a confirmed Dutch address, before you need medical care. Dutch GPs are highly trained and most speak excellent English. The Expat Center healthcare desk and the Expats in Eindhoven Facebook group can provide current recommendations for English-friendly practices in specific neighbourhoods.

A private clinic offering same-day or same-week English-language consultations with BIG-registered Dutch doctors who speak English, Dutch, and a range of other languages. The clinic provides comprehensive consultations for expats who want a thorough health review, a second opinion, or help navigating the Dutch healthcare system, and produces written summaries in English that can be shared with a regular GP. It is not a replacement for a registered huisarts and does not hold contracts with Dutch health insurers, so patients pay directly and may claim from international or travel insurance. A useful supplement to standard Dutch primary care for expats who want faster or more thorough access than the standard huisarts system provides.

For urgent but non-life-threatening medical issues when your GP practice is closed, evenings, nights, and weekends, the Huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service) at the Catharina Hospital provides triage and treatment. You must always call the number before attending: the telephone triage determines whether you need to come in, can be helped by phone, or require emergency care. Do not attend the emergency department for non-emergency problems. The Huisartsenpost is the correct route for urgent issues that cannot wait for your GP to open. For life-threatening emergencies call 112 directly.

Dental care in the Netherlands is not covered by standard Dutch health insurance and is paid privately or through a separate tandartsverzekering (dental insurance). English-speaking dentists are available in Eindhoven; the Expats in Eindhoven Facebook group maintains current recommendations. For mental health care, your GP is the first point of contact and will refer to a psychologist or GGZ (mental health organisation) as appropriate. English-language therapy is available from private practitioners in Eindhoven, and the Holland Expat Center South maintains a list of recommended providers. Wait times for Dutch mental health referrals can be long; private English-language therapists typically offer faster access. The Expat Center healthcare desk can connect new arrivals to current recommended providers.