Healthcare in Maastricht

The Maastricht University Medical Centre is one of the eight university medical centres in the Netherlands, a Level I trauma centre with 715 beds and approximately 7,000 employees. The hospital provides the full range of acute, specialist, and emergency care for Maastricht and the wider South Limburg region, with particular strength in cardiovascular disease, oncology, neurology, and reproductive medicine. Academic research and clinical care are directly integrated, meaning patients have access to the latest treatments and trials alongside standard clinical care. The GP Emergency Post (Huisartsenpost) for out-of-hours urgent care is located at the MUMC+ campus at the same address. For out-of-hours care, always call before attending: the GP emergency line is available via the standard Dutch out-of-hours system. For life-threatening emergencies call 112 directly.

The first and most important healthcare step on arrival in Maastricht. The huisarts is the gatekeeper for all non-emergency specialist and hospital care in the Dutch system, and 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, before you need medical care. Maastricht has a well-developed English-speaking GP infrastructure driven by the large international university population, with several practices in the city centre and Wyck neighbourhoods specifically experienced in serving international patients. The Maastricht International Community Facebook group and the Maastricht University international services team both maintain current lists of English-friendly practices with available places.

For urgent but non-life-threatening medical issues outside standard GP hours, evenings, nights, and weekends, the Huisartsenpost at the MUMC+ campus is the correct route. Always call your GP’s number first when the practice is closed, as it will redirect to the out-of-hours service for triage. The out-of-hours service determines whether you need to attend in person, can be helped by telephone, or require emergency care. Do not attend the hospital emergency department for non-emergency problems. For life-threatening emergencies call 112 directly. The Maastricht University guide at maastrichtuniversity.nl/healthcare-maastricht provides current contact numbers and guidance for international students and residents.

A private clinic offering same-day or same-week English-language consultations with BIG-registered Dutch doctors for expats who want faster or more comprehensive access than the standard GP system provides. The clinic produces written summaries in English that can be shared with a registered huisarts. It is not a replacement for a registered Dutch GP and does not hold contracts with Dutch health insurers, so patients pay directly and may claim from international or travel insurance. A useful supplement for recent arrivals who have not yet registered with a GP, or for those who need a thorough health review or second opinion. Also operates from Rotterdam and The Hague.

Dental care is not covered by standard Dutch health insurance and is paid privately or through a separate tandartsverzekering dental insurance add-on. Maastricht has a student dentist practice (studententandarts) for registered university students, accessible by calling between 9am and 12pm or 1pm and 5pm Monday to Friday. English-speaking dentists serving the general population are available across the city; the Maastricht International Community Facebook group maintains current recommendations. For mental health, your GP is the first point of contact and will refer to a GGZ psychologist or psychiatrist as appropriate. English-language therapy is available from private practitioners in the city, often with faster access than the Dutch referral pathway. Wait times for GGZ referrals can be significant; private practitioners provide a practical alternative for those who need faster access.