When I help expats settle in the Netherlands, vaccination questions come up more than people expect. Not just for children joining the Dutch school system, but for adults wondering whether they need anything updated, parents trying to understand where the Dutch programme picks up, and families planning travel back home or to other countries.
The Dutch approach to vaccination is thorough, well-organised, and entirely voluntary. Understanding how it works — and what you need to arrange yourself — will help you manage your family’s health properly from the start.
The Dutch National Vaccination Programme (Rijksvaccinatieprogramma)
The Rijksvaccinatieprogramma (RVP) is managed by the RIVM (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu — the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). It is one of the most complete free childhood immunisation programmes in the world.
All children registered in the Netherlands receive automatic invitations from the RIVM at the appropriate ages. Vaccinations are administered by the jeugdgezondheidszorg (JGZ) — the youth health service — at consultation bureaus (consultatiebureau) for younger children and at schools for older children.
Schedule Overview (2026)
| Age | Vaccines |
|---|---|
| 6 weeks | Hepatitis B (first dose) |
| 3 months | DKTP-Hib-HepB (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Hib, hepatitis B) + PCV (pneumococcal) |
| 4 months | DKTP-Hib-HepB + PCV + Rotavirus |
| 6 months | DKTP-Hib-HepB + PCV + Rotavirus |
| 11 months | PCV |
| 12 months | DKTP-Hib-HepB + PCV + MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) |
| 14 months | MenC (meningococcal C) |
| 4 years | DKTP booster + MMR booster |
| 9 years | DKTP booster + Polio booster |
| 10 years (girls and boys) | HPV (2 doses) |
| 14 years | MenACWY (meningococcal ACWY) |
Vaccinations continue to evolve — check the current schedule at rivm.nl for updates.
Is My Child Automatically Enrolled?
Yes, once your child is registered at the gemeente with a BSN, they are enrolled in the programme. The RIVM sends invitations to your registered address. If you move, update your municipality registration promptly to avoid missing invitations.
If your child has already received some vaccinations abroad, bring their vaccination record to the first consultation bureau appointment. Dutch health workers will assess which vaccines your child still needs and catch them up within the Dutch schedule. The consultatiebureau also functions as a general child health monitoring service — regular check-ups at scheduled ages track development, hearing, vision, and growth.
Vaccinations for Expat Adults
The Dutch national programme focuses on children. Adult vaccinations in the Netherlands are handled differently.
What Expat Adults Should Be Up To Date On
The Dutch health authorities generally recommend adults be current on:
- DKTP (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio): Booster recommended every 10 years for tetanus; the DTP adult booster is available through your GP
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): If you were born after 1965 and are not sure about your vaccination history, ask your GP to check immunity via blood test
- Influenza: Annual flu vaccination is recommended for people over 60, those with chronic conditions, pregnant women, and healthcare workers. Dutch GPs send invitations to eligible patients in autumn
TB Testing
If you come from a country where tuberculosis is prevalent, the GGD (Municipal Health Service) or your GP may recommend a TB test. The IND also requires TB testing for some nationalities as part of the visa process. See the IND website for the current list.
COVID-19
The Netherlands participates in the EU COVID-19 vaccination programme. Booster recommendations are reviewed periodically by the RIVM. Check rivm.nl for current guidance on boosters.
Travel Vaccinations
If you travel back to your home country or visit destinations outside Western Europe, you may need additional vaccinations that the Dutch national programme does not include.
Common travel vaccines not covered by the basic programme:
| Vaccine | When needed |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Travel to many regions in Asia, Africa, Latin America |
| Typhoid | Travel to South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America |
| Yellow fever | Required for entry to some African and South American countries |
| Malaria prophylaxis | Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia and Latin America |
| Japanese encephalitis | Rural Asia |
| Rabies | Extended time in regions with dog or bat exposure risk |
| Cholera | Specific outbreak areas |
| Meningococcal | Hajj pilgrimage; some African destinations |
Where to Get Travel Vaccinations in the Netherlands
Travel health clinics (reisklinieken): The most complete option. Most can administer all travel vaccines including yellow fever (which requires a certified centre). Major cities all have at least one travel clinic. Use the LCR clinic finder at lcr.nl to find a clinic near you.
Your GP (huisarts): Some GPs offer common travel vaccines (hepatitis A, typhoid). Not all do — call ahead.
GGD (Municipal Health Service): The GGD offers some vaccination services including hepatitis B and some travel vaccines. Check your local GGD website.
Pharmacies: An increasing number of pharmacies in the Netherlands offer vaccination services. Check with your local apotheek.
Cost
Travel vaccinations in the Netherlands are generally not covered by basic Dutch health insurance (basisverzekering) unless medically indicated (for example, hepatitis B for healthcare workers). Expect to pay out of pocket:
| Vaccine | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A (2 doses) | EUR 50-70 per dose |
| Typhoid | EUR 35-55 |
| Yellow fever | EUR 65-85 |
| Combination Hep A + typhoid | EUR 65-85 |
Some aanvullende verzekering (supplementary insurance) packages include partial coverage for travel vaccinations. Check your policy before booking — you may be able to claim back a portion of the cost. See our Dutch health insurance guide for how supplementary policies work.
If you are on international health insurance rather than Dutch basic insurance, check your policy’s preventive care provisions — international policies sometimes include travel vaccination coverage.
Health Insurance and Vaccinations
What Is Covered Under Basic Dutch Insurance
Vaccinations within the Rijksvaccinatieprogramma are free and not counted against your eigen risico (deductible). They are funded by the Dutch government directly, not through your health insurance.
Medically indicated adult vaccinations (for example, influenza for at-risk groups, hepatitis B for healthcare workers) may be covered. Ask your insurer and your GP.
What Is Not Covered
Travel vaccinations are generally excluded from basic coverage. You pay these yourself or claim from supplementary insurance if your policy includes them.
If You Have International Insurance
If you have international health insurance rather than Dutch basic insurance (for example, you are a recent arrival, an au pair, or a student on a short-term stay), check your policy’s vaccination and preventive care section. Some international policies include a preventive care budget that covers recommended vaccinations.
Compare Dutch health insurance options on Independer to find a policy with supplementary coverage that suits your travel patterns. This is particularly relevant if you travel frequently to regions where travel vaccinations are recommended.
Finding a GP and Getting Vaccinated
Registering with a GP
Before you can access most vaccination services in the Netherlands, you need a registered GP (huisarts). Register as soon as you have a Dutch address. See our guide on finding an English-speaking doctor in the Netherlands.
At the Consultatiebureau (for Children)
Newborns and young children attend the consultatiebureau — a child health service that manages the vaccination schedule for children up to approximately age 4. After that, vaccinations are administered through school health services.
When you register at the gemeente, mention that you have a child — they will give you information about the local consultatiebureau or you can find it through your municipality’s website.
Requesting a Vaccination History Check
If you are unsure about your own vaccination history or your child’s records from another country, ask your GP. A blood test (serological testing) can confirm immunity for common diseases including measles, rubella, and chickenpox. This is particularly useful if your vaccination records are incomplete or from a country with different standard schedules.
HPV Vaccination
The Netherlands offers HPV vaccination to all children at age 10 through the national programme, regardless of gender. The vaccine (Gardasil 9) protects against the strains of HPV responsible for most cervical, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as genital warts.
If you have an eligible child who missed the scheduled invitation (for example, because you arrived in the Netherlands after the standard age), contact your GP or the RIVM to arrange catch-up vaccination.
Adults who were not vaccinated as children can receive HPV vaccination through their GP or a travel clinic, but it is not covered by the basic insurance for adults — you pay out of pocket.
Influenza Vaccination
The annual flu vaccination campaign in the Netherlands runs in October-November. The Dutch GP system sends invitations to all registered patients who fall into risk categories:
- Age 60 and over
- Diabetes
- Severe asthma or COPD
- Serious heart or kidney conditions
- Compromised immune system
- Pregnant women
- Healthcare workers
If you receive an invitation, the vaccination is free and covered by the national programme. If you are not in an eligible group but want the flu vaccine, you can request it from your GP (typically EUR 10-20) or from some pharmacies.
Yellow Fever: Special Requirements
Yellow fever vaccination requires a certified yellow fever vaccination centre and results in an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) — the “yellow card” required for entry to certain countries. Not every clinic can administer this vaccine legally.
Find a certified centre in the Netherlands via the LCR website (lcr.nl) or the WHO’s database. Major cities all have at least one certified centre.
Vaccinations and the BSN: Why Registration Matters
One aspect of the vaccination system that expats sometimes miss: all the automatic services depend on your BSN registration. If your children are not registered at the gemeente with a Dutch address, the RIVM invitation system will not reach them. If you are not registered, you will not appear in GP systems or receive automatic flu vaccination reminders.
Register at your local gemeente as soon as you have a Dutch address. For details on what documents to bring and what to expect, see our BSN registration guide.
Once registered, your family enters the Dutch public health tracking system. Your children will receive invitation letters for vaccinations at the correct ages. Your GP will have your details for preventive health contacts. The system works well — but it requires registration to start.
Pregnancy and Vaccinations
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the Netherlands, vaccination considerations are relevant:
Whooping cough (kinkhoest): The Dutch national programme recommends a pertussis booster for pregnant women in the third trimester. This provides passive immunity to the baby before they can be vaccinated themselves. This vaccination is free and offered through your midwife (verloskundige) or GP.
Influenza: Pregnant women are in the at-risk category for flu vaccination — your GP will invite you for a free flu jab in autumn.
Other vaccines: Live vaccines (MMR, yellow fever) are not recommended during pregnancy. Check with your midwife or GP before any vaccination while pregnant.
For full guidance on pregnancy care in the Netherlands, see our pregnancy and maternity care guide.
Vaccinations and Expat Arrival: Timing Your Health Setup
When you first arrive in the Netherlands, health setup happens in a specific order. Getting this right means vaccinations and preventive care are sorted without delays.
- Register at the gemeente — provides your BSN. See our BSN registration guide.
- Register with a Dutch GP (huisarts) — you need a GP before you can access most Dutch health services. See our guide to finding an English-speaking doctor in the Netherlands.
- Set up Dutch health insurance — required as a Dutch resident employee. See our Dutch health insurance guide.
- Bring vaccination records — for yourself and your children. Your GP will review them and flag any gaps.
- Register children with the consultatiebureau — the RIVM will begin sending vaccination invitations once your children are in the registration system.
For the full arrival checklist including all administrative steps, see our first 30 days in the Netherlands guide.
Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers
If you work in Dutch healthcare, additional vaccinations are typically required or strongly recommended:
- Hepatitis B: Required for most clinical roles; usually arranged by your employer
- Annual influenza: Recommended and usually offered free by Dutch healthcare employers
- MMR: Confirmation of immunity or vaccination required in many settings
- Varicella (chickenpox): Immunity check and vaccination for seronegative healthcare workers
Your employer’s occupational health service (arboarts or bedrijfsarts) will manage the requirements for your role.
School and Childcare Vaccination Requirements
The Netherlands does not have mandatory vaccination requirements for school or childcare attendance. However:
- Some kinderopvang (daycare) centres have policies asking about vaccination status, particularly during disease outbreaks (measles, for example)
- Schools may notify parents of vaccination events organised through the school health service
- Schools with religious objectors to vaccination may have lower herd immunity — worth considering when choosing a school
For help choosing schools for your children, see our moving to the Netherlands with kids guide and international schools guide.
Meningococcal Vaccines: What Changed in 2020
The Dutch vaccination programme expanded meningococcal coverage significantly in 2020-2021. The programme now includes:
- MenC at age 14 months (since 2002)
- MenACWY at age 14 as a one-time catch-up programme for teenagers
The MenACWY catch-up campaign targeted all 14-year-olds and offered retrospective vaccination to older teenagers who missed it. If your teenager arrived in the Netherlands without a MenACWY vaccination, ask your GP — they may still be eligible for catch-up vaccination.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child was vaccinated to a different schedule in our home country. How does the Dutch programme handle this?
Bring all vaccination records to your first consultatiebureau or GP appointment. Dutch health workers will assess the records and identify what catch-up vaccinations are needed. The schedule can be adjusted for children who have received partial vaccination series elsewhere.
Can I refuse vaccinations for my child in the Netherlands?
Yes. The Dutch programme is entirely voluntary. However, some daycare centres (kinderopvang) and schools ask for vaccination records and may have policies around unvaccinated children during disease outbreaks. There is no legal penalty for not vaccinating.
Is chickenpox (varicella) in the Dutch vaccination programme?
Not routinely as of 2026. Chickenpox vaccination is not part of the standard Dutch Rijksvaccinatieprogramma, which differs from several other countries (including the US). It is available on request through a GP or travel clinic for children and adults who want it, but not free and not standard. Most Dutch children contract chickenpox naturally.
Do I need a flu shot every year?
If you are in a risk category, yes — the vaccine is updated annually to match circulating strains, and immunity from the previous year’s vaccine wanes. Your GP will send you a reminder.
Are vaccines available in English at Dutch clinics?
The vaccinations themselves are the same. Consultation and paperwork are typically in Dutch, but most GPs in international cities speak good English. In tourist-heavy areas, travel clinics often offer services in English. See our guide to Dutch healthcare in English.
What is the RIVM and what does it do?
The RIVM (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu) is the Netherlands’ national public health institute. It manages the national vaccination programme, tracks infectious disease outbreaks, and provides health guidance to the Dutch government. Their website (rivm.nl) is available in both Dutch and English and is the authoritative source for vaccination schedules and health advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are vaccinations mandatory in the Netherlands?
No. The Netherlands does not have mandatory vaccination. All vaccinations are voluntary and free under the national programme (Rijksvaccinatieprogramma). However, participation rates are generally high — typically 90-95% for childhood vaccines — and the programme has effectively eliminated many serious diseases in the Netherlands.
What is the Dutch national vaccination programme (Rijksvaccinatieprogramma)?
The Rijksvaccinatieprogramma (RVP) is the Dutch national immunisation programme managed by the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). It provides free vaccinations to all children and young people up to age 18. Vaccines covered include DKTP (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), hepatitis B, meningococcal C and ACWY, HPV, pneumococcal, and others.
Can my children join the Dutch vaccination programme as expat children?
Yes. Children registered in the Netherlands (with a BSN and registered at the gemeente) are automatically enrolled in the Rijksvaccinatieprogramma and will receive invitations for all age-appropriate vaccines. The programme is free for all registered children regardless of nationality or health insurance status.
What vaccinations do expats typically need before moving to the Netherlands?
The Netherlands does not require any specific vaccinations for entry. However, your GP or travel health clinic will typically recommend being up to date on DKTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio) and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) if you are not already vaccinated. If you are coming from a TB-endemic country, you may need a TB test before or after arrival.
Does Dutch health insurance cover travel vaccinations?
It depends. Vaccinations within the Dutch national programme are free and not counted against your deductible. Travel vaccinations (hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, etc.) are generally not covered by basic Dutch health insurance (basisverzekering). Some supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering) packages include travel vaccination coverage. Check your specific policy.
Where can I get travel vaccinations in the Netherlands?
Travel vaccinations are available at travel health clinics (reisklinieken), some GPs (huisartsen), and pharmacies. Major travel health clinic chains in the Netherlands include LCR (Landelijk Coördinatiecentrum Reizigersadvisering) affiliated clinics and private vaccination centres in larger cities. You can also use the GGD (Municipal Health Service) for some vaccines.
