Healthcare in Rotterdam

Every resident of the Netherlands must have basic Dutch health insurance (basisverzekering). The monthly premium runs around 160 to 170 euros. Lower income residents may qualify for the zorgtoeslag subsidy. The mandatory annual excess (eigen risico) is around 385 euros: GP visits are exempt but most other care counts towards it. Supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) is optional but worth considering for dental, physiotherapy and mental health. See the full Dutch health insurance guide for insurer comparisons and how to choose a plan.

In the Netherlands you do not go directly to a specialist or hospital for non-emergency care. Your GP (huisarts) is the gatekeeper: they assess your situation and refer you to a specialist if needed. Without a GP referral, specialist care is generally not covered by insurance. Dutch GPs also have a geographic requirement and typically only accept patients who live near their practice. Factor this into your neighbourhood choice before you sign a lease. Many practices in popular expat areas are full: contact multiple practices simultaneously when you arrive.

For medical issues outside GP opening hours (evenings, weekends, public holidays) call 0900 1515 to reach the Central Doctors Service (Centrale Doktersdienst). A triage nurse will assess your situation and direct you to the appropriate care. Do not go directly to the hospital emergency department for non-emergency out-of-hours care: this is reserved for genuine emergencies and you will typically wait much longer and incur higher costs. For life-threatening emergencies call 112 immediately or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department (Spoedeisende Hulp).

Use ZorgkaartNederland to find GP practices near your postcode with patient reviews and information on whether they are accepting new patients. You will need your BSN (citizen service number), proof of identity, proof of address and health insurance details to register. If you have not yet obtained your BSN see the NLDaily BSN guide. The Rotterdam International Center (RIC) at Weena 725 near Rotterdam Centraal provides free orientation sessions for newly arrived expats, including practical healthcare navigation advice.

A private health clinic specifically designed for expats, with BIG-registered Dutch doctors who speak English, Dutch, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Arabic and Hindi. Same-day or same-week appointments typically available, in sharp contrast to the waiting times of many standard Dutch GP practices. After each consultation you receive a comprehensive written summary in English with actionable next steps for navigating the Dutch healthcare system. The clinic has no contracts with Dutch health insurers so clients pay directly and may submit invoices to their own international insurer. Not a replacement for a registered Dutch GP but an excellent practical supplement, particularly for newly arrived expats who have not yet registered with a local practice.

Kralingen, the most popular expat neighbourhood in Rotterdam, has several GP practices with English-speaking doctors experienced with international patients from the Erasmus University community. Check ZorgkaartNederland for current availability and patient reviews near your specific Kralingen postcode. Practices near the Kralingse Plas and the Erasmus University campus tend to have the most experience with international patients. Contact multiple practices simultaneously as individual practice availability changes regularly.

Several GP practices in the centre of Rotterdam serve expats living in Centrum, Cool, Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht with English-speaking doctors. Central Rotterdam has a high proportion of international residents and most practices in the area are experienced with expat patients. Use ZorgkaartNederland to search by your postcode, check reviews and see which practices are accepting new patients. Geographic proximity is important in the Dutch system: your registered GP must be near your home address.

An online medical consultation service that lets expats speak with English-speaking doctors from anywhere in Rotterdam without needing to travel. Rated well on Trustpilot for accessibility and English-language communication. Particularly useful for newly arrived expats not yet registered with a Dutch GP, for minor health issues that do not require a physical examination and for situations where getting a same-day appointment at a physical practice proves difficult. Online prescriptions available where appropriate. A practical bridge until you have a registered GP, not a long-term replacement for one.

One of the largest and most prestigious academic medical centres in Europe and Rotterdam’s primary academic hospital, ranked among the top 20 clinical medicine institutions in the world. Particular strengths in transplantation, oncology, cardiovascular care, neurology and rare diseases. Erasmus MC Sophia, the associated children’s hospital, is on the same site. English-speaking staff throughout, with strong international patient experience reflecting Rotterdam’s port city character. GP referral required for all non-emergency specialist appointments. The first choice for complex, specialist or rare condition care in the Rotterdam region, and for any condition where an academic centre’s research depth adds meaningful value.

Rotterdam’s main general hospital for non-academic specialist care, located in Rotterdam South and serving a large catchment area across both banks of the Maas. Comprehensive services covering emergency care, surgery, maternity, oncology and specialist referrals across all major disciplines. English-speaking staff throughout. Conveniently located for expats living on the south bank in Katendrecht, Kop van Zuid and the surrounding areas. The natural hospital choice for south bank residents who need planned specialist care or emergency treatment.

A large general hospital in Rotterdam Noord serving the northern residential areas including Blijdorp, Kralingen, Hillegersberg and Schiebroek. Comprehensive general hospital services with English-speaking staff throughout. The natural hospital for expats living in the northern neighbourhoods of Rotterdam, particularly those in Hillegersberg, Blijdorp and the Kralingen area for whom Erasmus MC may be less geographically convenient for planned specialist appointments. The associated Franciscus Vlietland hospital at Vlietlandplein 2 in Schiedam covers the western residential areas.

A general hospital in Rotterdam IJsselmonde on the south side of the city, serving the southern and southeastern residential areas. Comprehensive general hospital services with English-speaking staff. Conveniently located for expats in Charlois, IJsselmonde and the surrounding southern neighbourhoods who need planned specialist care or emergency treatment. Less well-known to newly arrived expats than Erasmus MC or Maasstad but a practical and well-regarded option for residents of the southern city.

One of the largest mental health organisations in the Netherlands with a significant Rotterdam presence, providing the full range of outpatient and inpatient GGZ mental health care. English-speaking therapists and psychologists available. A GP referral is required. Waiting times for specialist GGZ care are a known and well-documented challenge in Rotterdam as in the rest of the Netherlands: specialist psychiatric waiting times can exceed two years. If you need mental health support, ask your GP about all available options including private providers with shorter waiting times at the point of your appointment.

A mental health provider offering psychological support and therapy with shorter waiting times than the larger GGZ organisations in many cases. English-speaking therapists available. Covered by most Dutch basic and supplementary health insurance policies with a GP referral. A practical option for expats who need psychological support without the very long waiting times of the main GGZ system. Multiple Rotterdam locations. Ask your GP to include Indigo as an option in your referral if waiting times are a concern.

A large dental chain with multiple Rotterdam locations offering comprehensive dental care in English with online booking. Dutch basic health insurance does not cover adult dental care beyond basic check-ups: most expats need supplementary dental insurance or pay out of pocket. Finding a dentist before you need emergency treatment is strongly recommended. Use ZorgkaartNederland to find highly-rated English-speaking dental practices near your specific neighbourhood.

The public health service for Rotterdam and the surrounding region, offering sexual health testing, vaccinations (including travel vaccinations), infectious disease services and youth healthcare. English-speaking staff and many services are free or low-cost. The GGD is the correct first contact for sexual health queries, travel vaccinations and concerns about infectious disease exposure. Not a substitute for a GP but a genuinely useful complement for the specific services it provides. The website is available in English at ggdrotterdamrijnmond.nl.