Medical care

If students have a medical problem which is not of immediate danger they should first consult a “huisarts” (general practitioner [GP] or family doctor). GP’s can be visited during consulting hours, usually after making an appointment by telephone.

If treatment by a specialist is needed, the GP will refer students to one. It is not customary in the Netherlands for a patient to make an appointment directly with a specialist.

We strongly advise students to register with a GP in their neighbourhood as soon as possible. Students can also sign up with the "studentarts", the GP for students from the University of Groningen.

Students who urgently need to consult a GP at night or in the weekend should call the Central GP Office (Centrale doktersdienst). In most cases students are asked to come to the ‘After-hours GP Service’.

After-hours GP service (Centrale Doktersdienst)

Never come to the Doktersdienst without an appointment, always call first. This way, you can help prevent long waiting times for yourself and others.

T: 0900 92 29

Van Swietenlaan 2b (near the Martini Hospital in the south of Groningen)

More information about medical care

Please take notice of the following:

• In the Netherlands it is not permitted to go directly to the hospital unless in cases of emergency; students should first consult their GP.
• Always bring your insurance card.
• In principle students are required to pay cash, approximate costs: regular consultancy ± € 25; consultancy by phone ± € 15; house call ± € 35; ask for a receipt / proof of payment and get a refund from your insurance later. Students who have health insurance through the University of Groningen are not required to pay cash, because AON Insurances has an agreement with the ‘Academische Huisartsenpraktijk’ that the invoice will be sent directly to AON.
• Clients will be registered at their first visit. In case of an emergency or night/weekend visit, students should always mention who their GP is.
• The GP will not always automatically prescribe medicine.
• In case of emergency students should mention that the University has agreed with the GP’s of the ‘Academische Huisartsenpraktijk’ that they will act as GP for international students of the University of Groningen.

Dentist
If students need a dentist, they can contact the information desk at the Department of Dentistry for an appointment +31 (0)50 363 7505. Students are required to pay cash. Students should check in advance if dental care is included in their insurance! If so, ask for the receipt and get a refund from the insurance later.

The national emergency number in the Netherlands is: 1-1-2