Moving to the Netherlands is exciting. Still, settling into a new country can really mess with your mental well-being.
Isolation, language barriers, and culture shock all pile on stress—sometimes you don’t even notice it until you’re overwhelmed. If you know how to access mental health care in the Netherlands before you need it, you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.
The Dutch mental healthcare system, called GGZ (Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg), runs on a publicly funded model. It’s woven into the national health insurance, so you can usually get therapy in the Netherlands at little or no cost, as long as you tick the right boxes.
But here’s where it gets tricky: the system doesn’t work like it does in the US or UK. You can’t just book a psychologist and expect insurance to pay.
Everything goes through your GP (huisarts). You’ll need referrals, might face waiting lists, and there’s a yearly deductible you can’t avoid.
The upside? English-speaking therapists are pretty easy to find, especially in big cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.
About 48% of Dutch adults have struggled with mental health at some point, so people here are generally open about seeking help. Whether you’re anxious, burned out, or just stressed from expat life in the Netherlands, this guide will help you figure out the steps to get support.
How To Start Care: Huisarts, Referrals, And First-Line Support
Your huisarts is the gatekeeper for almost all mental healthcare in the Netherlands. Without registering with one, you can’t get a referral for insurance-covered therapy.
The system uses a stepped-care approach. Basically, you start with the least intensive support, and only move up if you really need it.
So, after moving to the Netherlands, go register with a local GP as soon as you can. It’s not optional if you want access to mental health services that insurance pays for.
When you talk to your huisarts about what you’re experiencing, they’ll decide if short-term in-practice support is enough or if you need a formal referral into the GGZ system.
Your GP might refer you to a POH-GGZ, a mental health nurse who works right in the GP practice. According to Learn Dutch for Expats, these sessions are usually free and don’t count toward your deductible.
You’ll typically get up to seven sessions with a POH-GGZ. It’s a good way to get support while you wait for longer-term care.
If you need more help than the POH-GGZ can offer, your huisarts will write a referral (doorverwijzing) for you. They’ll refer you to either BGGZ (basic mental healthcare) or SGGZ (secondary mental health care).
BGGZ covers short-term therapy—up to 12 sessions—for things like mild to moderate anxiety or depression. SGGZ is for more complex or ongoing issues, and can last a year or more.
Here’s a tip: register with a huisarts even if you feel totally fine. Waiting lists can be long, and having a GP sorted out in advance saves you time if you suddenly need help.
Your GP referral stays valid for 9 months from when you register with the mental health provider, so you don’t have to rush.
What Insurance Covers And What You May Pay
Dutch basic health insurance (zorgverzekering) pays for mental healthcare through the GGZ system. Still, you’ll want to understand how the deductible works and how provider contracts affect your bill.
Everyone living or working in the Netherlands must have Dutch health insurance. The basic package covers BGGZ and SGGZ care, so therapy and psychiatric treatment are included once you get a GP referral.
The Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS) sets the rules every year.
Before insurance kicks in, you have to pay your eigen risico (annual deductible). In 2025, that’s about €385.
Once you’ve paid that much across all your health expenses for the year, you won’t pay more for mental health treatment. Sessions with a POH-GGZ at your GP’s office are usually exempt from the deductible.
Contracted versus non-contracted providers can trip people up. If your therapist or clinic is contracted with your insurer, the bill is settled directly and you only pay your eigen risico.
If the provider isn’t contracted, your insurer might only reimburse 60–80% of the standard rate. That leaves you paying the rest yourself, which can add up. Always check with your insurer about your provider’s contract status before starting therapy.
If you want to skip the referral process and pay privately, you’ll usually pay €80–€150 per session. Some expats go this route to avoid long waits.
Supplemental insurance with your private insurance plan might cover some private or alternative therapies, so it’s worth double-checking your policy.
Choosing The Right Provider And Therapy Format
To find the right therapist, check their registration, decide if you want in-person or online sessions, and choose between the public GGZ path or private practices that cater to expats.
In the Netherlands, legit mental health pros have a BIG registration—a government register that confirms they’re qualified. The main protected titles are psychotherapeut (psychotherapist) and psychiater (psychiatrist).
A psychiater can prescribe medication. A psychotherapeut focuses on talk therapy. You can look up any provider’s credentials in the BIG-register online.
For English-speaking therapists, directories like TherapyRoute and the NAP (Netherlands Association of Psychologists) are good places to start.
If you’re in Amsterdam, check out this list of psychologists and counselors in Amsterdam to narrow things down.
Many Dutch employers offer an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). This gives you a set number of free, confidential therapy sessions—no GP referral needed. Ask your HR if this is available; it’s a quick way to get support while waiting for a GGZ referral.
Online therapy has really taken off. Platforms like iPractice work within the Dutch GGZ system, so sessions can be covered by insurance with a referral.
International options like BetterHelp are also available, but Dutch insurance usually won’t cover them—they’re private and out-of-pocket. If you’re leaning toward remote sessions, check with your insurer to see if online therapy is reimbursed under your plan.
Urgent Help, Crisis Lines, And Trusted Support Resources
If you or someone you know faces immediate danger, call 112 right away.
For urgent mental health crises that aren’t life-threatening, the Netherlands offers dedicated crisis teams and 24/7 helplines. Trained professionals staff these lines and can help any time, day or night.
The key number to remember is 113 Suicide Prevention. You can call 113 or 0800 0113 (free), and someone will answer in Dutch or English, no matter the hour.
If talking feels tough, you can also reach out through online chat at 113.nl. Sometimes typing feels a bit easier, especially in a crisis.
Crisis intervention teams operate in every region of the Netherlands, even outside regular office hours. You can contact them via your GP’s after-hours service (huisartsenpost) or by calling the emergency number.
Under the Dutch Mental Health Care Act (Wet verplichte GGZ), authorities can arrange involuntary crisis care if someone poses a serious risk to themselves or others.
For non-emergency support, Mind Korrelatie provides free confidential counseling by phone and chat. You might find it helpful to talk things through with someone who listens without judgment.
The Trimbos Institute acts as the national center for mental health and addiction expertise. They publish research and practical resources, so you can get a better sense of what options are out there.
Honestly, building a support network outside clinical care helps a lot. Maybe check out third spaces in Amsterdam or join social activities—finding community can really ease the isolation that sometimes hits expats hard.