1. Healthcare
Access to Healthcare
Access to healthcare is a human right. Everyone has the right to be treated by a doctor or nurse. A doctor or nurse may not discriminate in treatment based on legal status, insurance, religious beliefs, or appearance. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Undocumented and in Need of Care?
As a doctor, you are obligated to provide medically necessary care, even if the patient is uninsured and cannot pay for the care out of pocket. This can be quite costly in some practices. General practitioners can receive compensation for this, although many healthcare providers and reception staff are unaware of this. Do not let yourself be turned away. Click here for more information.

If the general practitioner refers you, you can go to a hospital. Ask your general practitioner for a letter stating that you are illegally in the Netherlands and cannot obtain insurance. Take this letter with you to the hospital. Agreements have been made with two hospitals in Amsterdam regarding care for undocumented individuals: VU University Medical Center (VUmc) and the AMC in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. It is best to have your general practitioner refer you to one of these hospitals.

If you do not have a general practitioner, you can use the Kruispost. Here, volunteer general practitioners provide medical and psychosocial care to the uninsured and undocumented in Amsterdam. Other support services include Doctors of the World – support centers in Amsterdam, and Het Wereldhuis: Nieuwe Herengracht 18, Amsterdam. Phone: 06-2282 1472 (please call to make an appointment) – Helpdesk Care for Uninsurable Foreigners. Phone: 0800 – 5028 (free). Practical information about the funding scheme and care for undocumented migrants can be found here. Information for general practitioners about care for migrant patients can be found here. A national information and advice center on care for undocumented migrants can be found on the Lampion and Straatdokter websites.

Medications
Do you need medication? The pharmacy dispenses these on behalf of the Dutch government. Note that you can only collect medications from a pharmacy that has arrangements for uninsured individuals. See the list of pharmacies for uninsurable foreigners.

No Treatment Without Your Consent
No treatment or care without your consent. If you visit the doctor with health complaints, it does not automatically mean you agree to a treatment. The doctor must first clearly inform you about your illness, treatment methods, and possible alternatives. This way, you get a clear picture of what is happening with you. Based on this information, you can decide whether to agree to the proposed treatment or refuse it. The doctor must at least clearly inform you about:

The diagnosis
The treatment options and expected results
The risks and side effects
The consequences for your health if you are not treated
Other treatment options and their pros and cons
Second Opinion
If you want to hear the opinion of another doctor, you can request a second opinion. You can ask for this at any time, and your own doctor must not oppose it. For example, if you think another treatment is possible. However, this does not mean that the doctor who provides the second opinion will also take over the treatment. Also, contact your health insurer and have it documented in writing that the costs of a second opinion will be reimbursed. Special rules apply to psychiatric patients. More information about this can be found here.

Medical Records
You have the right to access all medical information about yourself. This also applies to records from other care providers, such as social workers or GGD employees. If you want to read what is in your (medical) record, it is best to write a letter to your healthcare provider. Here is a sample letter to request access to your medical record.

Confidentiality
Doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers have a duty of confidentiality. This confidentiality can only be broken in exceptional situations. Read more information here. See the detailed KNMG guideline.

When Can Treatment or Guidance Be Stopped?
A doctor or care provider can end your treatment. There must be a valid reason for this. They must provide a proper explanation and arrange for aftercare. The doctor or care provider can only terminate the treatment agreement in the following situations:

You no longer need treatment or guidance.
The doctor or care provider is closing their practice. They must then refer you to a colleague.
The trust between you and the doctor or care provider is broken, for example, in cases of aggression or a serious threat.
They have personal feelings for you.
You request a treatment that goes against medical standards and the conscience of the doctor or care provider, such as euthanasia.
Before stopping the treatment or guidance, there must be another caregiver or guide available for aftercare.
Palliative Care for (Ex-)Homeless People
This guide addresses palliative care for people who are homeless or formerly homeless.

Complaints About Healthcare
Are you not satisfied with a treatment by your doctor or caregiver? Have you been a victim of a medical error? As a patient, you have the right to file a complaint about your healthcare provider or healthcare institution. This is regulated by the Healthcare Sector Clients’ Complaints Act (Wkcz). A healthcare provider is anyone who practices a medical profession and performs medical procedures, such as (general) doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, but also hospitals. If you have a complaint about a healthcare provider, you must first approach the provider directly to give them a chance to resolve the complaint. The healthcare institution must disclose how a complaint can be filed, usually on their website. You can file a complaint about a doctor, nurse, or psychologist with the Medical Disciplinary Board.

Medical Disciplinary Board
P.O. Box 84500, 1080 BN Amsterdam
Medical Disciplinary Board Amsterdam

Complaints in Mental Health Care
As a client in mental health care (GGZ), you may have questions about your rights or a complaint about the treatment. A patients’ confidant (pvp) can help advocate for your rights together with you.

2. Health Insurance
Are you homeless and want to take out health insurance? Below is what you need for health insurance and the steps you can take. Basic insurance is mandatory; supplementary insurance is not.

What Do You Need for Health Insurance?

Registration in the Personal Records Database (see: mailing address)
Citizen Service Number (BSN), passport, or ID card
Bank account number
Collective Insurance Amsterdam
The municipality of Amsterdam, together with Zilveren Kruis, offers health insurance for Amsterdammers with a low income and little savings. This insurance provides a discount on the premium for the basic insurance. The additional package AV1 is completely free.

You can register for the collective health insurance of the municipality of Amsterdam and Zilveren Kruis.

Compensation Scheme for Additional Costs
Amsterdammers with a chronic illness or disability can receive a monthly allowance for certain types of costs (e.g., extra laundry, extra energy costs, clothing wear and tear). The maximum allowance is €91.25 per month. More information about the conditions and the application form can be found here.

Apply for Healthcare Allowance
You can apply for healthcare allowance via the tax office’s website or by calling 0800 0543.

Not Insured for Healthcare Costs?
People who are not insured can still receive necessary care. You cannot be turned away, as the healthcare provider can apply for a subsidy for necessary care for someone who is not insured. Many healthcare providers and reception staff are unaware of this. Do not let yourself be turned away. More information can be found on the CAK website and in the Medical Necessary Care Subsidy Scheme for the Uninsured. Residents of the Netherlands must have health insurance. If you are not insured after three months, you will be fined about three months’ worth of premiums. Read more about this scheme here. It often happens that someone has no income and then also receives a fine of more than 350 euros for not being insured for healthcare. In such situations, the highest court in social insurance matters reduces this fine. Therefore, file an objection within six weeks and refer to this ruling of the Central Appeals Tribunal.

What If You Have a Premium Arrears?
Note: If you have a premium arrears of six months, you will start paying a higher premium. This premium will be directly deducted from your benefits or wages under the so-called defaulters’ scheme.

More debts? Do not wait too long to ask for help. Your municipality offers debt counseling services. Make use of them. Notify your health insurer that you are starting debt counseling. This will prevent you from paying a higher premium.