Finding Your Nearest Emergency Room (Spoedeisende Hulp) in the Netherlands

When to Go to the Emergency Room (Spoedeisende Hulp - SEH)

The SEH in Dutch hospitals is strictly for serious, acute conditions that require immediate medical attention and cannot be handled by a GP or the GP out-of-hours service ('Huisartsenpost').

You should go to the SEH (or call 112) for:

• Life-threatening situations: Heart attack, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulties.
• Serious accidents: Road traffic accidents with significant injuries, severe falls, major burns.
• Sudden, extreme pain: Especially if accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
• Fractures or severe injuries: Requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment.
• Sudden onset of severe allergic reactions.

Finding Your Nearest Emergency Room

Most general hospitals in larger cities and towns have an SEH. The best ways to find your nearest ER are:

• Call 112: If it's a life-threatening emergency, they will dispatch an ambulance and take you to the most appropriate hospital.
• GP or Huisartsenpost: If your GP or the Huisartsenpost determines you need hospital emergency care, they will direct you or arrange transport.
• Online Search: For future reference, you can search for "Spoedeisende Hulp [your city]" or "Emergency Room [your city]" to locate hospitals with an SEH department. Hospital websites typically list their services.

Remember that the closest hospital might not always be the most appropriate for your specific emergency; ambulances are trained to take you to the facility best equipped to handle your condition.

Accessing the ER Through Other Channels

For many urgent (but not life-threatening) situations, the Dutch system funnels patients through primary care first:

• Your GP ('Huisarts'): During regular office hours, your GP is your first point of contact for all medical concerns. If they believe you need emergency hospital care, they will provide a referral or arrange direct admission.
• Huisartsenpost (GP Out-of-Hours Service): For urgent medical issues outside of GP office hours, you must call your local Huisartsenpost first. They assess your situation and, if necessary, will either see you at their facility (often co-located with the ER) or, in rare severe cases, directly refer you to the SEH.

Costs and Insurance for ER Visits

Visits to the Emergency Room (SEH) are covered by your Dutch basic health insurance ('basisverzekering'). However, these costs do count towards your mandatory 'eigen risico' (deductible), which is €385 in 2025.

If you have not yet met your annual deductible, you will receive a bill for the costs incurred at the SEH, up to your 'eigen risico' amount. The cost of an ambulance ride is also subject to the 'eigen risico'. GP services, including those provided at the Huisartsenpost, are exempt from the 'eigen risico'.