The Netherlands has had a national PrEP programme since 2019, but it's been plagued by capacity problems — the free GGD route frequently has waiting lists or is closed to new patients in major cities. The result: most gay and bisexual men in the Netherlands pay for PrEP themselves via their huisarts or a private service. The medication is cheap; the system is the obstacle.
Route A: The GGD Pilot Programme (Free)
The national PrEP pilot provides free medication and monitoring at GGD clinics for eligible participants. When it works, it's excellent — free pills, free testing, specialist sexual health staff.
The problem: "Patiëntenstop" — in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and other major cities, the programme is frequently closed to new patients. Check your city's GGD website directly for current availability. In smaller cities and towns, access may be better.
What to do: Check ggd.nl or your city's GGD website regularly. Sometimes spots open. But don't wait unprotected while checking — use one of the routes below in parallel.
Route B: Via Your Huisarts (The Standard Route)
This is what most Dutch gay and bisexual men actually use. Your huisarts can prescribe PrEP directly — no specialist referral needed.
Process:
- Book a consultation with your huisarts
- Request PrEP — most Dutch GPs are now familiar with it
- Initial tests (HIV negative, kidney function, STIs): these come out of your Eigen Risico
- Prescription for generic tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC or TAF/FTC)
- Collect from your pharmacy
Medication cost: Approximately €25–35/month for generic PrEP at a Dutch pharmacy (significantly cheaper than several years ago). This is not covered by basic insurance — you pay out of pocket.
Monitoring: Every 3 months. Lab tests come out of Eigen Risico unless you use the GGD (where tests are free).
Smart combination: Get your PrEP prescription from your huisarts, but get your quarterly monitoring tests at the GGD (HIV, STIs, kidney function) — the GGD is free and doesn't touch your Eigen Risico.
Route C: PrEP Direct / Private Subscription Services
Several Dutch private services have emerged to provide PrEP via online consultation and home delivery. These include subscription models that bundle prescription + medication + monitoring into a monthly fee (typically €40–70/month all-in).
These services are convenient for people who want to avoid the huisarts system entirely or who have had trouble getting a prescription. Search for "PrEP bestellen Nederland" or ask at Man tot Man (manman.nl) for current recommended services.
On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1)
On-demand dosing — 2 tablets 2–24 hours before sex, then 1 daily for 2 days after — is widely used in the Netherlands and dramatically reduces monthly cost. Many Dutch gay and bisexual men use this approach. Discuss with your huisarts or GGD provider.
See PrEP Mechanics for full detail.
Key Community Resource
Man tot Man / Manman manman.nl — the Soa Aids Nederland platform specifically for gay and bisexual men. Excellent navigation resource for PrEP access routes in the Netherlands, updated regularly.
Soa Aids Nederland soaaids.nl — the national sexual health NGO. Comprehensive information on testing, PrEP, and the broader landscape.