Accessing Healthcare

1. Health Insurance (Zorgverzekering)

Basic Policy: Everyone living or working in the Netherlands is required to have basic health insurance. This covers GP visits, hospital stays, and most prescriptions.

Zorgtoeslag (Healthcare Allowance): If you have a lower income, you may be eligible for a government subsidy through the Belastingdienst.

2. Primary Care: The GP (Huisarts)

The GP is your gatekeeper to the Dutch system. Register with a GP in your neighborhood. For any non-emergency health issue, the GP is your first point of contact and provides referrals (verwijsbrief) to specialists or hospitals.

3. Specialized LGBTIQA+ Care

Gender-Affirming Care: Accessing hormone therapy or surgeries usually requires a referral from your GP to a specialized gender clinic (e.g., Amsterdam UMC or Radboudumc). Please be aware that waiting lists can be long.

HIV and STI Prevention: Sexual health services, including PrEP and regular testing, are available through the GGD (Public Health Service) or specialized clinics. SLP also organizes workshops on HIV/STI prevention.

4. Mental Health and Wellbeing

If you are experiencing trauma, stress, or mental health challenges, your GP can refer you to a POH-GGZ (mental health assistant) or a specialized psychologist. SLP offers safe spaces and Trigger and Trauma workshops tailored to our community.

How SLP Can Help

• Assistance with GP registration and navigating insurance.
• Workshops on sex positivity and health wellness.
• Peer support groups for sharing experiences with Dutch healthcare.