Dutch doctors, GGD staff, and pharmacists speak excellent English — this is rarely a language barrier. What matters more is understanding the system terms: the administrative and insurance vocabulary that determines what you pay and where you go.
The System: Key Concepts
Basisverzekering — Mandatory basic health insurance. Every Dutch resident must have it. Covers most medical care, subject to Eigen Risico.
Eigen Risico — Your annual health insurance deductible. Minimum €385/year (can be higher if you've chosen a voluntary increase). Lab tests and specialist care are billed against this. The GGD Soa Poli is the main way to avoid Eigen Risico for sexual health care.
Zorgpremie — Your monthly insurance premium. Separate from Eigen Risico.
GGD (Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst) — Municipal Health Service. Runs free Soa Poli (STI clinics) and vaccine programmes.
Huisarts — GP (family doctor). Your primary care doctor and gatekeeper. Consultations are free; labs come out of Eigen Risico.
Verwijsbrief — Referral letter from your huisarts to see a specialist. Required for most non-emergency specialist care.
SEH (Spoedeisende Hulp) — Hospital emergency department. For PEP outside GGD hours.
Soa Poli — STI clinic (specifically at the GGD). Soa = Seksueel Overdraagbare Aandoening (sexually transmitted infection).
Apotheker / Apotheek — Pharmacist / Pharmacy.
Appointments and Administration
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Afspraken maken | To make an appointment |
| Huisartsenpraktijk | GP practice |
| Patiëntenstop | Full / not taking new patients |
| Wachtlijst | Waiting list |
| Wachtkamer | Waiting room |
| Verwijsbrief | Referral letter |
| Recept | Prescription |
| Vergoeding | Reimbursement/coverage |
Useful phrases:
"Spreekt u Engels?" — Do you speak English? (Almost certainly yes.)
"Kan ik me aanmelden voor PrEP?" — Can I register for PrEP?
"Ik wil me laten testen op soa's." — I want to get tested for STIs.
"Valt dit onder mijn verzekering?" — Is this covered by my insurance?
Sexual Health and Testing
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Seksueel overdraagbare aandoening (soa) | Sexually transmitted infection (STI) |
| HIV-test | HIV test |
| Kweek / Kweken | Swab / Swabs (culture) |
| Keelkweek | Throat swab |
| Anale kweek | Anal/rectal swab |
| Urethrakweek | Urethral swab |
| Bloedtest / Bloedonderzoek | Blood test |
| Urinetest | Urine test |
| Uitslag | Test result |
| Positief / Negatief | Positive / Negative |
| Soa Poli | STI clinic (at GGD) |
Asking for complete testing:
"Neemt u ook kweken van de keel en de anus, naast de bloedtest?" (Are you also taking swabs of the throat and anus, in addition to the blood test?)
HIV, PrEP, and PEP
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| PrEP | PrEP |
| PEP (Post-expositieprofylaxe) | PEP |
| HIV-positief / -negatief | HIV positive / negative |
| Niet-detecteerbaar | Undetectable |
| Viruslading | Viral load |
| CD4-cellen | CD4 cells |
| Antiretrovirale therapie (ART) | Antiretroviral therapy |
| Infectioloog | Infectious disease specialist |
Requesting PEP at an SEH:
"Ik heb risico gelopen op HIV-besmetting. Ik heb PEP nodig — ik ben binnen 72 uur." (I've been at risk of HIV infection. I need PEP — I'm within 72 hours.)
In an Emergency
Emergency numbers:
- 112 — General emergency (police, ambulance, fire) — English-speaking
- 0900 8844 — Non-emergency police
Signs:
- SEH / Spoedeisende Hulp — Emergency department
- EHBO — First aid
- Ingang — Entrance