Healthcare in Groningen

The University Medical Centre Groningen is one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands and the largest employer in the north of the country, with nearly 1,400 beds and almost 17,000 employees. It is the only university medical centre in the northern Netherlands, providing complex and specialist care for patients across the region alongside standard acute care. The UMCG is internationally renowned for organ transplant surgery and carries out combined multi-organ transplants not performed at other Dutch hospitals. Research is conducted alongside clinical care throughout the hospital, meaning patients have access to the latest treatments and trials. The building was designed around light and air, with 32 themed lifts and integrated art. Shops, restaurants, a library, and a Rituals flagship store are inside the hospital. For out-of-hours non-emergency GP care, the DokNoord Huisartsenspoedpost handles urgent requests when your own GP is unavailable. For life-threatening emergencies call 112 directly.

The UMCG runs an academic GP practice at entrance 47 on the Oostersingel specifically geared to English-speaking international patients, with eight GPs on staff. This is the most straightforward English-language GP registration option for newly arrived expats and international students in Groningen. The practice is open every working day from 8am to 5pm and can be reached by phone during these hours. Appointments take ten to twenty minutes; call to flag if you have multiple issues requiring more time. For out-of-hours urgent care, the DokNoord website provides the redirect from your GP’s standard number. Register as soon as you have a confirmed Groningen address.

The huisarts is the gatekeeper for all non-emergency specialist and hospital care in the Dutch system. Without a registered GP, you cannot access out-of-hours care, specialist referrals, or most prescription medications. Register as soon as you have a confirmed Dutch address. Beyond the UMCG academic practice, several independent GP practices across the city are experienced with international patients and English-speaking staff are available in many central Groningen practices. The University of Groningen international services office and the Internationals Groningen network both maintain current lists of English-friendly practices with available places.

The out-of-hours GP service for Groningen and the surrounding region, handling urgent but non-life-threatening medical issues on evenings, nights, and weekends when your registered GP is unavailable. Always call your GP’s standard number first when the practice is closed, as it will automatically redirect to DokNoord for triage. The triage nurse determines whether you need to attend in person, can be helped by phone, or require hospital emergency care. Do not go directly to the UMCG emergency department for non-emergency problems. For life-threatening emergencies call 112. DokNoord is accessible to all registered patients in Groningen and handles English-speaking patients given the large international university population.

Dental care is not covered by standard Dutch health insurance and is paid privately or through a separate tandartsverzekering dental add-on. Several dental practices in Groningen serve the large international student community and have English-speaking staff; the University of Groningen international office maintains current recommendations. For mental health, your GP is the first point of contact and will refer to GGZ Groningen as appropriate. English-language therapy is available from private practitioners in the city, often providing faster access than the Dutch referral pathway, which can have significant wait times. The Healthy Expats service at healthyexpats.nl provides rapid access to medical specialists for those who cannot wait for standard referral pathways. Private practitioners providing same-day English consultations are also available in the city through platforms such as Expat Health Clinic.