The Netherlands has two main entry points for sexual health care, and understanding the difference saves you money and frustration. The GGD is free but triaged. The huisarts is accessible but costs money. Here's how to navigate.

The GGD (Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst)

The GGD is the municipal public health service. Its Soa Poli (STI clinic) is specifically designed for sexual health and is:

  • Free — including tests, consultations, and treatments
  • Anonymous — no insurance card required
  • Specialist — the staff specifically understand gay and bisexual men's health

The catch: Triage. The GGD serves high-priority groups — gay and bisexual men, sex workers, people from high-prevalence countries. If you meet the criteria (which most gay and bisexual men with any recent sex do), you'll get a slot. But in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, the demand far outstrips capacity, especially at the GGD Amsterdam Soa Poli (Weesperplein 1).

For PrEP: The GGD runs a national PrEP pilot programme, but it has waiting lists or is closed to new patients in most major cities. See PrEP Access.

For PEP: During GGD opening hours, they have PEP lines and can dispense or arrange PEP. Outside hours, go to the hospital SEH (see PEP Emergency).

The Huisarts (GP)

Your huisarts (family doctor) is the backbone of Dutch primary care. For sexual health:

Consultation: Free (covered by your basisverzekering — mandatory basic insurance).

Lab tests: NOT free. Blood tests and swabs are billed as "zorg" (healthcare) and come out of your Eigen Risico (annual deductible). The minimum Eigen Risico in the Netherlands is €385/year (higher if you've chosen to voluntarily increase it for lower premiums). Once you've paid your Eigen Risico for the year through any combination of healthcare costs, further lab tests are free.

Practical implication: If it's January and you haven't used any healthcare yet, a full STI panel at the GP costs ~€80–120 from your deductible. If it's November and you've already had a dentist appointment and some physio, it may cost nothing more.

Verwijsbrief (Referral): You need a referral letter from your huisarts to see a specialist (like an infektioloog at a hospital). Without it, you pay privately. For most gay and bisexual men's sexual health needs, the huisarts or GGD is sufficient without a specialist referral.

Strategy: Which to Use When

Use GGD for:

  • HIV testing (always free, doesn't touch Eigen Risico)
  • Full STI panels when you qualify for their criteria
  • PEP during GGD opening hours
  • Vaccines (Mpox, Hep B — free at GGD for eligible groups)
  • PrEP consultations (if you can get a slot)

Use Huisarts for:

  • PrEP prescription when GGD pilot is full
  • STI panels when GGD turns you away
  • Ongoing healthcare and referrals
  • Later in the year when Eigen Risico is already met

Use hospital SEH for:

  • PEP outside GGD hours (nights, weekends, public holidays)

The Eigen Risico Trap

Gay and bisexual men who test quarterly at a GP will potentially hit their Eigen Risico early in the year from testing alone. This can feel like healthcare is expensive. Two things help:

  1. Use the GGD whenever you qualify — it doesn't touch Eigen Risico
  2. If you've already met your Eigen Risico for the year, test freely via the GP — it's then fully covered

Your huisarts can tell you how much of your Eigen Risico you've used.

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