In this guide
This guide explains eye care in the Netherlands: the difference between an opticien and an oogarts, what Dutch health insurance does and does not cover, and how to claim a contribution from supplementary insurance.
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Quick answer: You can see an optician (opticien) without a referral, but you need a GP referral for an ophthalmologist (oogarts). Basic Dutch health insurance does not pay for glasses; contact lenses only in specific medical cases. Medical eye care is covered, subject to the eigen risico (€385 in 2026). A supplementary policy may pay a contribution towards glasses or lenses.
The Dutch Eye Care System: Who Does What
| Provider | Dutch Term | Role | Referral Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optician | Opticien | Measures vision, fits glasses and contact lenses | No |
| Optometrist | Optometrist | More extensive eye examination than a standard optician | No |
| Ophthalmologist | Oogarts | Medical specialist, diagnoses and treats eye disease | Yes (from GP) |
| GP | Huisarts | First point of contact for medical eye concerns | No |
The Opticien (Optician)
Your first port of call for routine vision correction. Opticians measure your prescription and fit and sell glasses (brillen) and contact lenses. Large chains include Specsavers, Hans Anders, Pearle, GrandOptical and ECI, and there are many independent opticians. Whether the eye test is free, and under which conditions, differs per optician, so check before you book.
The Optometrist
Optometrists carry out more extensive eye examinations than a standard optician. They are not medical specialists, and some practices and chains employ them.
The Oogarts (Ophthalmologist)
A medical specialist who treats eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. You need a GP referral. This care is covered by the basisverzekering, subject to the eigen risico (€385 in 2026). The eigen risico does not apply to children under 18.
Health Insurance and Eye Care: What Is (and Is Not) Covered
Basic Insurance (Basisverzekering)
Glasses (frames and lenses) are not part of the basic package. Children’s glasses are covered only in narrow medical cases, such as certain severe eye conditions; in September 2026 the Zorginstituut advised against adding children’s glasses to the basic package. Contact lenses are covered only under specific medical conditions. Ask your insurer before you buy. Treatment by an ophthalmologist is covered, subject to the eigen risico.
Supplementary Insurance (Aanvullende Verzekering)
Many supplementary policies include a contribution towards glasses or contact lenses. The amount, the period (for example once every one or two years) and the conditions differ per insurer and per package, so read your policy conditions or ask your insurer. Supplementary insurance is optional and insurers may apply acceptance conditions.
Important: The contribution is normally claimed after a purchase. Keep the invoice (factuur) from the optician and submit it through your insurer’s portal or app.
Finding English-Speaking Eye Care
We do not have a reliable list of opticians or ophthalmologists that offer English-language service, so we do not name individual practices. Ask the optician when you book. If you are referred to an oogarts and want an English-speaking specialist, ask your GP or hospital whether one is available.
Driving and Your Eyes
When you apply for or renew a Dutch driving licence, the CBR may ask about your health through a health declaration (gezondheidsverklaring). For most renewals of a car licence there is no vision test, but the CBR can request an eye examination if you declare a vision problem. See the CBR page on the health declaration for the current rules.
Practical Tips for Expats
Bring your prescription with you when you move. It can help the optician, even if the optician decides to measure again.
Ask about direct billing. Some opticians can bill your supplementary insurance directly. Ask before you order.
Check the contribution period. Some policies reset the glasses contribution per calendar year and others after a set period from your last claim. Check your policy conditions.
Children’s vision. The youth health service (JGZ) monitors children’s development, including their eyes. Ask the consultatiebureau or school doctor about screening ages.
Laser eye surgery. Laser correction is not covered by basic insurance. Check with your supplementary insurer whether it pays any contribution, and ask each clinic for a written quote and an explanation of its pre-screening.
Claiming Your Supplementary Insurance Contribution
- After buying glasses or lenses, keep the itemised invoice. It should show your name, the practice, the date and the amount; some insurers also want the practitioner’s AGB code.
- Log in to your insurer’s portal or app.
- Open the claims section (declaraties) and upload the invoice.
- Your insurer pays the contribution to your bank account according to its own processing time.
If you buy glasses near the end of the year, check whether your insurer counts the purchase date or the claim date for the annual allowance.
Internal Links
- Dutch health insurance for expats: complete guide 2026
- What Dutch health insurance covers (and what it doesn’t)
- Best health insurance add-ons for expats
- DSW health insurance review for expats
- CZ health insurance review for expats
- Physiotherapy in the Netherlands: expat guide
- English-speaking dentist in the Netherlands
- Finding an English-speaking doctor in the Netherlands
- Dutch healthcare system explained
Summary
Optician visits need no referral; ophthalmologist visits do. Basic insurance does not pay for adult glasses, so check whether your supplementary policy includes a contribution before you buy. Claim it with the invoice.
And check if your Dutch health insurance covers glasses and eye care: Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →
External source: SKGZ — the dispute committee for health insurance complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dutch health insurance cover glasses and contact lenses?
Not as a rule. Glasses are not part of the basic insurance (basisverzekering) for adults or, with narrow medical exceptions, for children, and contact lenses are covered only under specific medical conditions (Zorginstituut Nederland; Rijksoverheid). Many supplementary policies (aanvullende verzekering) pay a contribution towards glasses or lenses; the amount and period differ per insurer, so check your policy. Treatment by an ophthalmologist for an eye disease falls under the basic insurance, subject to the eigen risico.
Do I need a referral to see an optician in the Netherlands?
No. You can visit an optician (opticien) directly for an eye test, glasses or contact lenses. To see an ophthalmologist (oogarts) you normally need a referral from your GP (huisarts).
How much does an eye test cost in the Netherlands?
Prices differ per optician and some chains offer a free eye test when you buy glasses, so check the conditions on the optician's own website before you book. An examination by an ophthalmologist for a medical problem is covered by the basic insurance, subject to the eigen risico.
What is the difference between an opticien and an oogarts in the Netherlands?
An opticien measures your vision and fits glasses and contact lenses. An oogarts is a medical specialist (ophthalmologist) who diagnoses and treats eye diseases. An optometrist is a trained eye-care professional who performs more extensive eye examinations than a standard optician but is not a medical specialist.
Can I bring my existing glasses prescription from another country?
You can show it to a Dutch optician, but the optician decides whether to use it. Many opticians prefer to take their own measurements, so ask before you order.