How to get mental health care in the Netherlands

Two steps to receive mental health care in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, every resident is obligated to purchase basic health insurance. This health insurance entitles you to receive medical care without additional costs. Healthcare institutions like hospitals or mental health organisations have contracts with health insurance companies and can invoice all their provided care to these insurers. However, to be able to do this, there are certain rules the medical care provider must comply with. For example, mental health organisations need a referral from a GP (family doctor) before they can start treatment. 

People insured under the RMO or RMA (Ukrainian displaced persons and asylum seekers) do not pay monthly insurance premiums and do not have a deductible (‘eigen risico’) when starting treatment.

Mental health care is organised in different levels. In general, these levels range from low-intensity to more intensive care:

• preventive care (social workers at shelter locations for example)
• primary mental health care provided through the GP / POH-GGZ
• and specialised mental health care delivered by mental health organisations (GGZ)

The first step is always to contact a GP (‘huisarts’ in Dutch), who will assess your situation and, if needed, refer you to specialised mental health care. 

Step 1: Visit your family doctor

If you do not yet have a family doctor (GP), or if no GP has been assigned to you by the municipality, you can find one via zorgkaartnederland.nl/huisarts. Use the telephone number listed on the website to call the practice and make an appointment. There are more than 8,000 GPs in the Netherlands, so you should be able to find one close to where you live.

You can also contact a POH-GGZ, a mental health professional that works within a GP practice. The POH-GGZ can help you identify your mental health needs and provide advice, guidance, and short-term support. This is often a good way to receive psychological help without immediately starting intensive therapy. If needed, the POH-GGZ can also refer you to a psychologist. You can call the GP practice and request an appointment with the POH-GGZ.

At the moment, there are several POH-GGZ in the Netherlands who speak other languages, including Ukrainian. They are listed here on the right. Appointments with both the GP and POH-GGZ are covered by health insurance.

Step 2: Get a referral for a psychologist

For primary mental health care (treatment by the POH-GGZ for example) you don’t need a referral. For specialised mental health care, a referral is necessary. Your GP or POH-GGZ will assess whether a referral is the most appropriate next step. This happens when short support does not help and the problems are more serious.

Only with an official referral from your GP can you access specialised mental health care. In most cases, this care is covered by health insurance, meaning there are no additional costs if you are insured under RMO or RMA.

For Ukrainian-speaking clients, you can consult the map below, which shows Ukrainian psychologists working in the Netherlands. This can help you and your GP decide where to refer you. Your GP can contact the psychology practice or organisation on your behalf, or you can contact the practice directly to schedule an appointment.