How to choose a medical spa or aesthetic clinic in Amsterdam
Botox and filler injections are reserved medical procedures under the Individual Healthcare Act (BIG Act), so the person holding the needle must be a doctor, dentist, physician assistant, nurse specialist, or obstetrician registered in the public BIG register. A beautician is not qualified to inject, regardless of how the treatment is marketed.
Laser and IPL work, including hair removal and scar or pigmentation treatment, is not a reserved procedure, so a beautician can legally perform it, but the clinic still has to meet the Healthcare Quality, Complaints and Disputes Act (Wkkgz) standard of care. For a fuller breakdown of how Dutch rules split cosmetic medicine from beauty treatments, see our guide to medical spas and aesthetic clinics in Amsterdam.
If the goal is a facial, massage, or peel rather than a medical procedure, Amsterdam's beauty salons and wellness spas cover that ground without the regulatory questions above. Ask any clinic directly which category its treatment falls into before booking.
Questions people ask
Do I need to check anything before booking botox or filler injections?
Confirm the practitioner is listed in the BIG register and holds one of the qualifying professions: doctor, dentist, physician assistant, nurse specialist, or obstetrician. A dentist may inject as part of dental treatment but is not automatically qualified to inject botox or fillers as a cosmetic procedure.
Can a beautician legally perform laser hair removal or IPL treatments?
Yes, laser and IPL treatments are not reserved procedures under the BIG Act, so a beautician can perform them. The clinic must still provide good-quality care under the Wkkgz, the law covering healthcare quality and complaints.
Is there a minimum age for cosmetic treatments in the Netherlands?
Patients must be at least 18 years old for cosmetic procedures. This applies to treatments such as botox, fillers, and cosmetic surgery.
Which authority oversees medical spas and cosmetic clinics in Amsterdam?
The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) monitors compliance with both the BIG Act and the Wkkgz. IGJ can act on complaints about a treatment and enforces penalties against providers operating outside their qualifications.
What happens if someone performs a cosmetic procedure without the right qualifications?
Causing, or risking, harm to a person's health through an unqualified cosmetic procedure is a criminal offense under article 96 of the BIG Act. Penalties can include a fine or a prison sentence, and the IGJ is the body that investigates and reports such cases.