Dutch Pharmacy Guide: Apotheek for Expats 2026

Before any of this is relevant, you need to be registered in the Netherlands. Your BSN registration comes first. You also need mandatory Dutch health insurance, which covers most medicines your doctor prescribes (the eigen risico applies). The Dutch healthcare system overview is useful background if this is your first time navigating the system.

How the Dutch Pharmacy System Works: An Overview

The Dutch apotheek is a pharmacy run by pharmacists (apothekers) and pharmacy assistants (apotheekassistenten). Unlike a drogisterij (drugstore), your apotheek:

• Dispenses prescription medication
• Keeps your medication history (medicatiedossier)
• Can check whether your medicines combine safely

Use one apotheek where you can. The medication history it keeps lets it check your medicines together.

Prescription Medication (Recept): What Requires One

The table below shows the Dutch status of common medicines, from apotheek.nl (the medicine information site of the Dutch pharmacists’ association KNMP), checked 30 October 2026. Rules in other countries differ; check them with that country’s authority.

Prescription Rules in the Netherlands

If you managed a condition at home with a medicine that is prescription-only here, register with a GP to continue the treatment. See the guide to finding an English-speaking GP.

What Is Available Without a Prescription

Examples of medicines you can buy without a prescription (apotheek.nl):

• Paracetamol (most forms)
• Ibuprofen (200 mg and 400 mg; small packs also at the drogisterij)
• Low-dose omeprazole for stomach complaints (the Losec brand needs a prescription)
• Antihistamines such as cetirizine and loratadine
• Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, mouth spray)

Apotheek vs Drogisterij: Knowing Which to Use

For prescriptions, pharmacist advice and interaction checks, go to your apotheek. For everyday non-prescription items, check whether the drogisterij sells what you need.

Getting a Prescription: The Step-by-Step Process

First Prescription

1. Book a GP appointment (huisarts) via the practice website, app or phone. Read the Dutch healthcare system overview if you are unfamiliar with how the GP works as the first point of contact.
2. The GP assesses your situation: they may prescribe, refer you to a specialist or recommend a non-prescription medicine.
3. The prescription goes to your apotheek. Ask your practice and pharmacy how they let you know it is ready.
4. Collect from the apotheek.

If you prefer to see an English-speaking GP, see the English-speaking doctor guide.

Prescription Costs and Insurance

If you are 18 or older, you pay the eigen risico (€385 in 2026) for all medicines in the basic insurance; insurers can exempt certain medicines. After that, covered medicines are reimbursed, except for an own contribution (at most €250 per calendar year) if your medicine costs more than the reimbursement. The own contribution is separate from the eigen risico (Rijksoverheid).

Medicines outside the basic package are not reimbursed by the basic insurance; some supplementary policies cover part of them. Check the aanvullende verzekering guide to see what supplementary plans can cover.

Not insured in the Netherlands yet? You need Dutch health insurance no later than 4 months after arriving, and cover starts from the day you arrived (Government.nl). The basic package is the same at every insurer, so the choice comes down to premium, supplementary packages and service. a.s.r. is one option; check per package which medicines it covers.

Compare a.s.r. basic and supplementary cover →

Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →

Repeat Prescriptions (Herhaalrecept): Ongoing Medication

If you take long-term medication, your GP can set it up as a repeat prescription (herhaalrecept).

How It Works

Once your GP has assessed your medication, ask your practice and your apotheek how to request new supplies and how long it takes. Request a repeat well before you run out.

Online Pharmacies in the Netherlands

Some pharmacies deliver medication to your door. Customs seizes medicines ordered from abroad and sent to the Netherlands unless you hold the required licence (douane.nl), so use a pharmacy that is established in the Netherlands. Apotheek.nl advises ordering medicines through your own apotheek; if you do use an online pharmacy, check that it shows the European common logo for online medicine sales.

Duty Pharmacies (Dienstapotheek): When You Need Medication Out of Hours

Opening hours of regular pharmacies vary. When they are closed, the dienstapotheek (duty pharmacy) is the one that is open. Ask your own apotheek how it handles out-of-hours prescriptions. If you need a doctor outside office hours, call your regional huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service).

Bringing Medication from Abroad

Moving to the Netherlands

When relocating, bring enough supply to last while you register with a GP. Points to check:

• Personal use only: you may only bring in medicines for your own use (or your children’s). Customs sometimes asks for proof, for example a medication passport from your doctor or pharmacy
• Opium Act medicines need an official statement; Rijksoverheid explains what you need when you take medication with you
• Do not have medicines posted to the Netherlands: Customs seizes them unless you hold the licence required for import (douane.nl, checked 30 October 2026)
• Check Dutch Customs (douane.nl) for current rules before you travel

Medication Name Differences

Many medicines have different brand names between countries but the same active ingredient. Dutch brand names include (apotheek.nl):

At your apotheek, use the active ingredient name if you are unsure about brand availability. Brand names differ per country, so check the ingredient.

Insurance and Medication: What Is Covered

Dutch basic health insurance pays most medicines your doctor prescribes: the registered medicines in the GVS (geneesmiddelenvergoedingssysteem), the government’s medicine reimbursement system. Key rules (Rijksoverheid):

• Own contribution: if the price of a medicine is higher than the reimbursement, you pay the difference yourself, at most €250 per calendar year. This is separate from your eigen risico.
• Eigen risico applies: from age 18, you pay the eigen risico for all medicines in the basic insurance; insurers can exempt certain medicines. GP care is exempt from the eigen risico.
• Preferred brands: insurers sometimes reimburse only one brand of a medicine in the GVS; if your doctor decides you may not have that brand, you get another brand reimbursed.

Aanvullende Verzekering for Medication

If you take medicines outside the basic package, check whether a supplementary policy (aanvullende verzekering) covers them. Terms differ per insurer and policy.

Still choosing a policy? a.s.r. offers basic health insurance with supplementary packages on top. Its correspondence is in Dutch, but its advisers answer questions in English (asr.nl, checked 30 October 2026).

Check a.s.r. health insurance →

Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →

Practical Tips for Expats Using Dutch Pharmacies

Register early. Read the BSN registration guide; the first 30 days checklist sets out the order to do things.

Use one apotheek where you can. Your apotheek keeps your medication history, so using one keeps it complete.

Ask questions. If you are unsure about a medicine, ask the pharmacist.

Call ahead for less common medicines. Ask whether your apotheek has the medicine in stock.

Never share prescription medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mental health medication prescription-only in the Netherlands?

The antidepressant sertraline and the ADHD medicines methylphenidate and atomoxetine are prescription-only in the Netherlands (apotheek.nl). Mental health support for expats covers how to access care. Arrange your GP registration before your existing supply runs out.

Can I buy codeine at a Dutch pharmacy without a prescription?

Codeine tablets require a prescription; cough syrups with codeine, such as Bronchicum, are sold without one (apotheek.nl). Most forms of paracetamol, and ibuprofen 200 mg and 400 mg, are available without a prescription.

What happens if I run out of medication over a weekend?

If it is urgent, call the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service). For non-urgent situations, contact your regular GP practice on the next working day. Requesting repeat prescriptions well in advance prevents this.

How long does a prescription take to fill at a Dutch apotheek?

That depends on the pharmacy and on whether the medicine is in stock. Call ahead if you need it quickly.

Does my supplementary insurance cover medication abroad?

Check your own policy; terms vary per insurer. The health insurance comparison guide covers this in more detail.

Can my apotheek recommend medication without a GP visit?

For questions about medicines, including non-prescription ones, you can ask your apotheek. For anything requiring prescription medication, you need a doctor.

Apotheek Costs: What to Budget

The eigen risico: if you are 18 or older, you pay the eigen risico (€385 in 2026) for medicines in the basic insurance before your insurer pays; some insurers exempt certain medicines. The eigen risico applies per calendar year.

After the eigen risico: covered medicines are reimbursed; you may still pay an own contribution of at most €250 per calendar year if the price is higher than the reimbursement (Rijksoverheid).

For a comparison of Dutch health insurance plans, including supplementary packages:

Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →