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 | Translation |
|---|---|
| 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 | Translation |
|---|---|
| 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 | Translation |
|---|---|
| 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