If you have Dutch health insurance, the costs of your visit to the GP are paid for by your health insurer. The GP notifies your health insurer that you are registered in the practice.
Internationals who live and work in the Netherlands are required to take out Dutch health insurance. But there are various exceptions, such as (unemployed) international students. They have to take out an international or student health insurance policy.
In this case, you might have to pay for your visit right away by debit card or credit card, and claim it back from your health insurer yourself.
The information below only applies to internationals with Dutch health insurance.
Personal contribution
A ‘personal contribution’ (eigen bijdrage) means that you have to pay part of the costs yourself. Normally, you do not have to pay a personal contribution for care provided by your GP. In this case, it is important that your GP has a contract with your health insurer. If you visit a GP who does not have a contract with your health insurer, you may be asked to pay a personal contribution.
You may have to pay a personal contribution for certain tests or examinations. You can check this with your health insurer yourself. Your health insurer will send you a bill for these costs.
Bill from the GP
You could get a bill from your GP for certain types of GP care, such as laboratory tests and certain care for chronic disorders. This is explained (in Dutch) on the website of the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa).
Coverage of medication costs
You may also be asked to pay a personal contribution for some medications. You can check this with your health insurer yourself. Your health insurer will send you a bill for these costs.
Some medications are not covered by insurance; if that is the case, you have to pay for them yourself. This applies to most over-the-counter medications, and also to some prescription medications. Your health insurer can provide information on this.
Has your GP prescribed a medication that the pharmacy has to prepare especially for you? Such medications are sometimes covered, but not always. You can read more about this (in Dutch) at apotheek.nl.