Healthcare
The average life expectancy in the Netherlands is nearly 81 years. The Netherlands ranked seventh in the Legatum Institute’s Health Sub-Index (2012) out of 142 countries measured, reflecting the country’s excellent healthcare system. Legatum also reported that nearly 90 percent of the Dutch are satisfied with their personal health. The OECD Better Life Index (2012) showed that the Netherlands spends about US$4,063 per person on healthcare, about 12 percent of its GDP and well above the Index average.
Immunizations
No vaccinations are required for entry into the Netherlands, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges travelers to be up-to-date with their routine shots. These shots include measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine and the poliovirus vaccine. The CDC also recommends that travelers receive a vaccination to prevent Hepatitis B. Visit the CDC website prior to your move for the most up-to-date health warnings.
Health Insurance
Any health insurance plan that you have in the U.S. likely will not cover you in the Netherlands. It is highly recommended that you and your family register with the Dutch national health insurance program as soon as you establish residency. This insurance plan is funded by payroll deductions and government funds and is made available to all legal residents of the Netherlands. Most necessary health services will be covered in the plan, such as doctor consultations, hospital treatments and dental services for those less than 18 years of age. Private health insurance plans can help cover any costs not covered otherwise. This is especially helpful for covering dental work, as the national health insurance program does not cover dental work for people over 18. Private health insurance companies offer plans at a fixed price, regardless of age or health status. For a list of health insurance companies in the Netherlands, visit the website Kiesbeter.
Hospitals
Hospitals in the Netherlands are private, non-profit facilities or public university hospitals. Both provide excellent care, extensive services and are equipped with advanced medical equipment.
Doctors
Your health insurance provider will have a list of registered doctors in your area. You need to register with a doctor before receiving any medical services in the Netherlands. Many Dutch doctors speak English and are very well qualified. Medical programs are offered at eight different universities in the country. Unlike medical programs in the U.S., where courses are divided into undergraduate and graduate studies that can take up to eight years, schools in the Netherlands use an accelerated program. To become a Doctor of Medicine, students complete six years of education at a university. The first four years focus on lessons, while the final two require internships and other hands-on experience.
Dentists
The national health insurance program covers dental costs only for those under the age of 18. All dental practices in the Netherlands are small and private, usually consisting of just one dentist. The dentist sets fees, but they are generally reasonably priced. You can find a registered dentist in your area by visiting http://www.tandarts.nl/ tandart.nl and typing in your postal code. Becoming a dentist in the Netherlands can take up to six years of school, consisting of a bachelor’s program and a master’s program. When education is completed, graduates must register under the Individual Health Care Professions Act before practicing dentistry.
Emergency Medical Care
The emergency number in the Netherlands is 112 and can be used to request police, firefighters or medical responders. Many operators speak English, but if they do not, you can request an English-speaking operator.
Personal Safety
The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in Europe, with very low rates of serious and violent crime. The Netherlands ranked eighteenth globally in the Legatum Institute’s Safety and Security Sub-Index (2012) out of 142 countries studied. Legatum also found that over 82 percent of the population feels safe walking alone at night and less than 5 percent of the population reported being assaulted in the past year. Homicide rates in the Netherlands are lower than most other countries as measured by Euromonitor International (2011). The country’s rate of 1.0 per 100,000 people is much lower than the U.S. rate of 4.3 per 100,000.
Despite low crime rates, the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends that Americans be cautious of popular tourist areas like Amsterdam, where petty thieves are likely to target unaware visitors. Still, the severity of such crimes is minor, with bike theft being the most common crime.