Healthcare in Almere

Healthcare Navigation

Health Insurance (Zorgverzekering)

Finding a General Practitioner (GP)/Huisarts

Hospital Care in Almere

Pharmacies in Almere

Preventive Care & Screening

Child Healthcare

Health Insurance

You MUST have health insurance within 4 months of arrival

All residents in the Netherlands are legally required to take out Dutch health insurance, even if you have insurance from your home country. You have 4 months from registration to get insured, but coverage starts from your registration date.

Key Points

• Average cost: €159/month for basic insurance (2025)

• Fines apply if you wait too long to get insured

• Healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) available if income under the threshold. Always consult with authorities about your eligibility

• You need a BSN (citizen service number) to apply

What's Covered

Basic insurance covers GP visits, hospital treatment, prescription drugs, mental health care, and emergency care

Where to Compare

• Zorgwijzer.nl (English version available)

• Independer.nl

General Practitioner/Huisarts

Why You Need a GP

Your GP is your first contact for all health issues and the gateway to specialized care. They can perform minor procedures and refer you to specialists when needed.

How to Find a GP in Almere

1. Search tools:

   • Zorgkaart Nederland (enter your postal code)

   • KiesUwHuisarts.nl

   • Ask other internationals or your neighbors in Almere for recommendations

2. Almere-specific options:

   • Zorggroep Almere: Over 30 years experience, offers services in English, multiple GP practices.

Registration Requirements

Bring to your registration:

• Valid ID

• BSN (Burger Service Nummer)

• Health insurance details (name and policy number)

• Medical records from your home country

• List of current medications

GP practices also provide online registration.

Important Notes

• GPs only accept patients within their service area (15-minute travel time for emergencies). Check the nearest GPs in your area.

• Most GPs in Almere speak English

• If language is an issue, GPs can use interpreter services (you pay for this)

Hospital Care

Flevoziekenhuis (Flevo Hospital)

• Address: Hospitaalweg 1, 1315 RA Almere

• Phone: 036-868 8888

• Services: 24/7 Emergency Department, specialist care, children's clinic (0-18 years), intensive care

• Languages: English-speaking staff available

Emergency Services - Spoedpost Almere

The Emergency Post combines the GP emergency service, hospital emergency department, and pharmacy. Access through the main entrance of Flevo Hospital.

When to call 036-5454 380:

• Urgent health issues that can't wait until your GP's next working day

• Always call first - they work by appointment only

• Trained assistants will assess your situation

How to Access Hospital & Specialist Care

⚠️ IMPORTANT: You cannot access hospital specialists without a GP referral (except emergencies)

The Dutch Referral System

The Netherlands uses a referral system where your GP controls access to specialized healthcare.

Process for Specialist Care:

Step 1: Visit Your GP

• Book appointment for any non-emergency health issue

• Explain your symptoms and concerns

• GP will examine you and determine next steps

Step 2: GP Decision

Your GP will:

• Treat you directly, or

• Refer you to a specialist, or

• Order additional tests first (blood work, X-rays)

Step 3: Getting the Referral

If specialist care is needed:

• Digital referral: GP sends referral electronically to hospital/specialist

• Paper referral: Given to you to hand-deliver

• Referral includes: Your medical history, symptoms, GP's assessment, recommended specialist type

Step 4: Making the Appointment

• Hospital contacts you: By phone/email to schedule appointment

• Or you call them: Using contact details on referral letter

• Waiting times: Urgent cases within days, non-urgent can be weeks to months

Tip: Flevoziekenhuis has their own app called MijnFlevoziekenhuis. If you get an email to download and activate this app, make sure that you do as it helps to make our visits and medical history viewing comfortable.

What we can do in MijnFlevoziekenhuis:

• See our medical record

• View appointment letters

• View treatment reports

• View test results

• Make, change or cancel appointments

• Pre-register online for our appointment

• View an overview of all our appointments

• Read brochures that have been prepared by the healthcare provider

• Complete questionnaires that have been prepared by the healthcare provider

Pharmacies in Almere

Almere has 20+ pharmacies serving different neighborhoods. You don't need to register with a specific pharmacy, but it's convenient to choose one close to home.

How to Use Pharmacy Services

Getting Prescription Medications:

1. Bring your prescription from your GP/specialist to any pharmacy

2. Show your health insurance card for covered medications

3. EU prescriptions accepted - Ask your home country doctor for a paper copy

4. Most costs covered by basic insurance (except co-payments for branded vs generic drugs)

Key Services Available:

• Prescription filling and medication counseling

• Free home delivery (many pharmacies)

• Medication pickup lockers available 24/7 at some locations

• Medication consultations in private rooms

• Automatic repeat prescriptions management

• Medication passports for travel (showing your current medications)

Emergency/After-Hours Medication

Apotheek De Brug (24/7 Emergency Pharmacy)

• Location: inside Flevoziekenhuis, Hospitaalweg 1 1315RA Almere

• Hours: daily 9:00-22:00 (for regular service)

• Emergency hours: 22:00-9:00 via tube post system through Emergency Post

• Phone: 0900-203 0203 (emergency only)

• Special features:

  • Medication safe in hospital central hall for 24/7 pickup

  • Specialized in hospital discharge medications

  • Direct coordination with your GP and regular pharmacy

Important Information for Internationals

Prescription Requirements:

• EU prescriptions: valid in Netherlands - bring paper copy in case necessary

• Non-EU prescriptions: please consult your GP

• Prescription validity: 1 year from issue date

• Repeat prescriptions: pharmacy can manage automatic refills

Medication Categories:

• Prescription-only: only available at pharmacies with doctor's prescription

• OTC (Over-the-counter): available at pharmacies, drugstores (Kruidvat, Etos), some supermarkets

• Controlled substances (sleeping pills, strong painkillers, ADHD medication): need special documentation for travel

Payment & Insurance:

• Basic insurance covers most prescription medications

• Co-payments required if you choose branded over generic versions

• Annual deductible (eigen risico) applies: €385 in 2025

• International insurance: Check coverage with pharmacy before pickup

Useful Pharmacy Services

Online Services:

• MijnGezondheid.net: order repeats, ask questions, check costs

• Websites: most pharmacies offer online prescription requests

Finding Your Nearest Pharmacy

• Google Maps: search "apotheek near me"

• Apotheek.nl: official pharmacy finder (Dutch)

• Ask your GP: they can recommend nearby options

• Emergency pharmacy info: posted in every pharmacy window

Preventive Care & Screening

The Dutch government offers free national screening programs to detect cancer early. All legal residents are automatically invited - you just need to be registered with your municipality.

Cancer Screening Programs (Free & Voluntary)

Breast Cancer Screening

• Who: Women aged 50-75

• Frequency: Every 2 years (currently extended to max 3 years due to staff shortages)

• Process: Mammogram at mobile screening center or fixed location

• How: Automatic invitation by mail → schedule appointment → attend screening

• Results: Received within 10 working days

Cervical Cancer Screening

• Who: Women aged 30-60

• Frequency: Every 5 years (at ages 30, 35, 40, 50, 60)

• Process: Two options:

  • Traditional smear test at GP practice

  • Self-sampling kit (request online or by phone)

• How: Invitation includes choice between both methods

Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer Screening

• Who: Everyone aged 55-75 (all genders)

• Frequency: Every 2 years

• Process: Home stool test kit (FIT test)

• How: Kit mailed to you → complete at home → mail back

How the System Works

Automatic Invitations:

• Sent based on municipality registration data (you need a BSN)

• Invitations arrive 2-3 weeks before appointment/screening period

• Available in multiple languages (English, Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish, Arabic)

• No cost - fully covered by government

Participation Options:

• Want to participate: Follow invitation instructions, bring ID

• Want to decline: Return form indicating you don't wish to participate

• Lost invitation: Request new one via "Mijn Bevolkingsonderzoek" portal (need DigiD) or call information line

• Want to change appointment: Use online portal or call

Important for Internationals:

• EU citizens and legal residents receive invitations automatically

• Language support: information available in English and other languages online

• No interpreters provided during screenings

• Recent newcomers: once registered with municipality, you'll be included in next screening round

• Cultural considerations: female staff available for breast/cervical screenings upon request

What's NOT Included

General Health Check-ups:

Unlike many countries, the Netherlands does not recommend routine annual physical exams for healthy adults. Dutch medical practice focuses on evidence-based preventive care rather than general screenings.

Private Health Checks:

• Available through private clinics (not covered by insurance)

• Often unnecessary according to Dutch medical standards

• Discuss with your GP if you have specific health concerns

Check Invitation

Children Healthcare

The Netherlands has one of the world's most comprehensive child healthcare systems, providing free preventive care for all children 0-18 years. International families are automatically included once their child is registered with the municipality.

Youth Healthcare (Jeugdgezondheidszorg - JGZ)

In Almere, JGZ Almere provides all child healthcare services from birth to 18 years.

Ages 0-4: Child Health Clinic (Consultatiebureau)

Automatic enrollment: Once your child is registered with Almere municipality, you'll receive invitations for regular check-ups from consultatiebureau in your area.

Services include:

• Growth and development monitoring (weight, height, motor skills, speech)

• Complete vaccination program (free, following Dutch national schedule)

• Health advice (feeding, sleep, safety, parenting support)

• Early problem detection (hearing, vision, developmental delays)

• Home visits in first weeks after birth

Schedule: Multiple appointments in first year, then gradually less frequent until age 4

Ages 4-18: School Health Services

• Age 5: Health examination when starting primary school

• Age 10: Mid-primary school health check

• Ages 14 & 16: Secondary school health examinations focused on lifestyle, mental health, and development

National Vaccination Program

Free for all children - JGZ Almere manages the complete schedule:

• Under 4: Vaccinations at consultatiebureau

• School age: Vaccinations at school or special vaccination locations

• Schedule changed in 2025 - check RIVM website for updated schedule

• High fever: Only reason to postpone (mild cold is usually OK)

Common vaccines include: DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), polio, Hib, pneumococcal, meningococcal, HPV (girls age 12)

Mental Health Support for Children

• Mild issues: often addressed during regular JGZ consultations

• Serious concerns: JGZ can refer to specialized child psychology/psychiatry services

• School problems: schools have Care and Advice teams for early intervention

Special Circumstances

• Children with chronic conditions: Extra monitoring and coordination with specialists

• Developmental concerns: Early intervention programs available

• Family support: Parenting classes and support groups (some in English)

Contact JGZ Almere

• Website: jgzalmere.nl

• Vaccinations: No appointment needed for walk-in vaccination times

• Questions: Contact your assigned youth healthcare nurse/consultatiebureau or visit during open hours

Check Invitation