Nearly 200,000 Dutch Residents Still Without a GP
With nearly 200,000 residents lacking a general practitioner (GP) and thousands more struggling for access, health officials warn of growing risks and call for immediate action.
A worsening shortage of general practitioners (GPs) in the Netherlands has left between 45,000 and 194,000 people without access to a registered doctor, with another 289,000 looking to switch GPs after moving. The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) is sounding the alarm, warning that current efforts are not enough and urgent solutions are needed.
According to recent investigations, around 60% of Dutch GP practices are no longer accepting new patients, leaving many people calling weekly in hopes of finding care. Others have given up entirely, resorting to online self-treatment or skipping medical attention altogether — practices that can lead to worsening health.
Health Risks and System Pressure
Patients without a GP report significant challenges:
Delayed or missed treatment, especially for chronic conditions
Stress and anxiety due to the uncertainty of where to turn for care
Increased pressure on hospitals and emergency services, as people turn to them for issues typically handled by a GP
Some patients still registered with their old GP after a move are unsure what services they can still receive, given the distance. Many GPs cannot offer home visits or consistent care in such situations.
Patients and Professionals Want Change
In conversations with both patients and professionals, several key needs were identified:
From patients:
A temporary point of contact for simple medical questions while searching for a permanent GP
Fairer and clearer admissions policies, with priority given to those with chronic or serious conditions
Better support from health insurers, including help in finding an available GP and clarity on patients' rights
From professionals:
Better regional data on how many people are affected
Temporary access to ad hoc GP care, such as daytime emergency walk-ins or triage centres
A national patient swap system allowing practices to redistribute patients more fairly
Structural Reforms Too Slow
Despite national agreements like the Integrated Care Agreement (IZA) and the Supplementary Care and Welfare Agreement (AZWA), the inspectorate says change isn’t happening fast enough. The shortage is driven by a combination of factors, including an ageing population, heavy workloads, and limited capacity to train new GPs.
The IGJ is calling on regional networks — including GP organisations, municipalities, and insurers — to step up efforts. In the short term, this includes expanding local initiatives, improving insurer outreach, and setting up temporary care options for the unregistered. In the long term, only structural changes — such as opening more practices and streamlining referrals — will ease the crisis.
Until then, tens of thousands of people remain caught in limbo, with no GP and nowhere to turn.