Healthcare in Haarlem

The main hospital serving the Haarlem region, a large modern teaching hospital operating across two campuses. The Haarlem campus on Boerhaavelaan and the Hoofddorp campus together provide the full range of hospital care for North Holland’s Kennemer region. The Spaarne Gasthuis has English-speaking staff throughout and is well-equipped for emergency care, surgery, maternity, cardiology, and specialist outpatient services. The emergency department is at the Haarlem campus. For urgent but non-life-threatening situations outside GP hours, use the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP) at 023 224 0000 before attending the emergency department.

The second campus of the Spaarne Gasthuis in nearby Hoofddorp, 20 minutes from central Haarlem by bus or car. Provides additional specialist and elective care capacity alongside the Haarlem campus. Particularly relevant for expats living in the southern parts of Haarlem or in the Haarlemmermeer area around Schiphol Airport.

All Haarlem residents must register with a local huisarts (GP) as a first priority on arrival. Without a registered GP you cannot access specialist care through the Dutch health insurance system. GP practices in Haarlem are generally less over-subscribed than in Amsterdam but can still have waiting lists. Use ZorgkaartNederland to find the highest-rated practices near your postcode and check whether they are accepting new patients. The Haarlem Expat Centre can also advise on practices with English-speaking capacity.

A GP practice in central Haarlem with English-speaking doctors and experience with the city’s international population. Conveniently located for expats living in the Binnenstad, Vijfhoek, and surrounding central neighbourhoods. Use ZorgkaartNederland to find the current highest-rated practice near your home address.

Several well-regarded GP practices operate within walking distance of Haarlem Station, making them convenient for expats living in the Kleverpark, Stationsbuurt, and northern neighbourhoods. Check ZorgkaartNederland for the current highest-rated practices near your specific postcode.

The main mental health care organisation serving the Haarlem region, providing outpatient and inpatient psychiatric and psychological care. A GP referral is required for most specialist mental health services. English-speaking therapists and psychologists are available. Waiting times are a known challenge across Dutch mental health services. See the Netherlands mental health crisis article for context.

Several online therapy platforms serve English-speaking expats in the Netherlands without requiring a GP referral. OpenUp, Quli, and iPractice all offer English-language sessions with qualified therapists. A practical first step for mental health concerns that may not require specialist GGZ referral. Relevant for expats who find GP referrals slow or who are adjusting to life in a new country.

Dental care in the Netherlands is not covered by the basic health insurance package. Adults pay directly or take out supplementary dental insurance. Register with a dentist soon after arriving as good practices can have waiting lists. Use ZorgkaartNederland to find the highest-rated dental practice near your home address. Several central Haarlem dental practices have English-speaking dentists.

Multiple pharmacies in Haarlem’s city centre with English-speaking staff. Your GP sends prescriptions electronically to your chosen pharmacy and you collect with ID. Use apotheek.nl for the duty pharmacy rota (dienstdoende apotheek) for out-of-hours urgent prescriptions. BENU Apotheek on the Grote Houtstraat is the most central.

The regional public health service for the Kennemerland region including Haarlem. GGD Kennemerland provides sexual health testing, travel vaccinations, infectious disease services, youth healthcare, and other public health services. English-speaking staff available. Some services are free or subsidised.