Healthcare in Leiden

The Leiden University Medical Centre, one of the top university teaching hospitals in the Netherlands and a major European medical research centre. The LUMC provides the full range of specialist and emergency care including a 24/7 emergency department. Many expats affiliated with Leiden University work at the LUMC or are treated there. The hospital is on the eastern edge of the city adjacent to the Bio Science Park, accessible by tram from Leiden Centraal (tram 1, stop LUMC) or by bus. Waiting times in the emergency department can be long for non-critical cases; for urgent but non-life-threatening situations outside office hours, use the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP, 0900-9229) first.

The Alrijne is a general hospital in Leiderdorp, directly adjacent to Leiden, serving the broader Leiden region. It provides a wide range of general hospital services including accident and emergency, surgery, orthopaedics, and maternity care. For many expats in Leiden who do not need the specialist university hospital, the Alrijne is the nearest accessible general hospital. The Leiderdorp location is a short bus journey from Leiden Centraal.

The student health centre for Leiden University and other Leiden higher education institutions, offering GP services, mental health support, and specialist student health care. Located on the Bio Science Park campus near Leiden Centraal. Phone for GP appointments: +31 71 527 38 39. Expats enrolled at Leiden University should register here as their first GP option. Also provides psychosocial support and preventive health services tailored to student needs.

All Leiden 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 Leiden are often at capacity and some have waiting lists. The Leiden International Centre (leideninternationalcentre.nl) maintains a list of GP practices with English-speaking capacity. The national GP finder at zorgkaartnederland.nl lists all registered practices by postcode.

GGZ Rivierduinen is the main mental health care organisation serving the Leiden region and South Holland, offering a range of outpatient and inpatient psychiatric and psychological care. Referral via your GP is required for most specialist mental health services. For students, the SGZ also provides psychosocial support. For acute mental health crises, call 112 or contact the out-of-hours HAP.

Dental care (tandarts) in the Netherlands is not covered by the basic health insurance package. Adults must pay for dental care directly or take out supplementary insurance that includes dental. Registering with a dentist on arrival is strongly recommended. Several dental practices in Leiden central operate appointment systems accessible online. Emergency dental treatment is available from the LUMC dental faculty and through private emergency dentists. The national dental finder is at tandartsinfo.nl.