This guide explains how the Dutch medication system works. It isn't medical advice: it can't tell you whether to take, change, switch, start or stop any medicine. That decision is always between you, your GP and your pharmacist. Two products containing the same active ingredient aren't automatically interchangeable for you specifically — a pharmacist can tell you whether an alternative is suitable in your situation.
1. Pharmacy (apotheek) or drugstore (drogist)?
The Netherlands splits where a medicine can be sold into a few official categories, decided by the Dutch medicines authority (CBG):
- Prescription only (UR). Only a pharmacy (apotheek) can dispense it, and only against a prescription.
- Pharmacy only, no prescription needed (UA). You can buy it at a pharmacy without a prescription, but not at a drugstore.
- Pharmacy or drugstore (UAD). Available at a pharmacy or a drugstore like Kruidvat, Etos or Trekpleister.
- General sale (AV). Very low-risk products, sold even at supermarkets.
Source: CBG, "Afleverstatus"; government.nl, "Where can I buy medicines in the Netherlands?" — checked 2 October 2026.
Some medicines sold freely at home need a pharmacy or a prescription here, and the reverse. Check a specific medicine's category in the official medicines register (CBG), or ask a pharmacist.
2. Using a prescription from abroad
From another EU or EEA country: a prescription issued by a doctor in another EU/EEA country can, in principle, be filled at a Dutch pharmacy, under EU rules on cross-border healthcare. Ask your doctor for an international prescription before you travel, and always get a paper copy — most pharmacies only accept paper, not a photo or digital copy.
Source: Your Europe (official EU citizen portal), "Presenting a prescription at a pharmacy in another EU country"; government.nl, "Obtaining prescription medicines within the EU" (government.nl page last updated 14 August 2025) — checked 2 October 2026.
From outside the EU/EEA: Dutch pharmacies don't automatically recognise the prescription; your pharmacist will assess it individually and may refer you to a Dutch doctor — typically your GP once you're registered — for a new Dutch prescription instead.
Source: KNMP, "Buitenlandse recepten" (official pharmacist guidance) — checked 3 October 2026.
3. Bringing medication when you move
For ordinary (non-controlled) medication, bring enough to bridge the time until you're registered with a Dutch GP and have a Dutch prescription, along with a doctor's letter listing what you take. Keep medicines in their original packaging, and carry proof they're for your own use — a medication passport or a pharmacy printout of what you've been prescribed works for this.
Source: Netherlands Worldwide (Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs), "Can I take medication into the Netherlands?"; Dutch Customs (douane.nl), "Medicines" — checked 2 October 2026.
Controlled medicines need an official statement, not just a prescription. Medicines controlled under the Dutch Opium Act — for example strong painkillers, some sleep and anxiety medication, and ADHD medication such as methylphenidate — must be in your own name and travel with an official statement. You're never allowed to have Opium Act medication posted or mail-ordered into the Netherlands: Customs will seize it unless the sender holds an import licence from Farmatec (part of the Ministry of Health), which isn't something an individual patient arranges.
Source: Netherlands Worldwide, "Mag ik medicijnen meenemen naar Nederland?"; Dutch Customs, "Medicines" — checked 2 October 2026.
Which statement you need depends on where you're travelling from — the certificate comes from your departure country's own system, not from the Netherlands:
- From another Schengen country, it's that country's own Schengen certificate. This is a standard form used across all Schengen states, filled in and signed by your prescribing doctor and then authenticated by the competent health authority where you live — for the Netherlands that authority is the CAK, but if you're moving from elsewhere, it's the equivalent body in that country, not the CAK. It's valid for 30 days from the date you state you're travelling.
- From outside Schengen, it's typically an English-language medical certificate from your prescribing doctor, and some countries require it to be legalised before you travel. Dutch sources advise checking this with the embassy or health authority of the country you're travelling from.
Source: Netherlands Worldwide, "Mag ik medicijnen meenemen naar Nederland?" (certificate type depends on country of departure; legalisation "hangt af van het land vanuit waar u naar Nederland reist" — depends on the country you're travelling from); Schengen Implementing Convention, Article 75 and Annex 1, as described by Austria's Federal Ministry of Social Affairs (certificate "must be completed by the prescribing doctor" and "certified by the medical officer... of your district authority," valid for "journeys of up to 30 days") — checked 2 October 2026.
If you need more than 30 days' supply — for example because you're relocating permanently, not just travelling — contact the CAK before you travel.
4. Why the active ingredient matters more than the brand name
The same medicine can be sold under different brand names in different countries, or not be available under any name at all. An international prescription should list the generic or active-ingredient name — not only the brand name — along with the form, strength and quantity, because that's what a pharmacist anywhere can actually match.
Source: government.nl, "Obtaining prescription medicines within the EU" — checked 2 October 2026.
If a Dutch pharmacist suggests a different product, it will contain the same active ingredient as what you're used to — never assume it's "the same" or automatically interchangeable for you; a pharmacist can tell you whether it's a suitable alternative in your situation.
Not sure what your medicine's active ingredient is, or whether it's registered here at all? Try our medicine checker — a small pilot tool covering a first batch of commonly-asked-about medicines.
5. Getting a Dutch prescription, and repeat prescriptions
Once you're registered with a GP, they (or a specialist they refer you to) can issue a Dutch prescription, which any Dutch pharmacy can fill.
For medication you take long-term, many GP practices and pharmacies offer a repeat prescription (herhaalrecept) service: once it's set up, you request a refill — often online, via an app, or by phone — without needing a brand-new prescription each time, and the pharmacy flags when you're due.
Source: apotheek.nl (KNMP, the Dutch pharmacists' professional body) and individual GP/pharmacy practice information — checked 2 October 2026.
Request refills early; ask your pharmacy how long they need. If you've only just registered with a new GP, repeat-prescription requests usually can't be processed immediately — your medical records need to arrive first. Ask your practice how long that takes for new patients.
6. Is it covered by insurance?
Many prescription medicines are reimbursed under Dutch basic insurance through the Geneesmiddelenvergoedingssysteem (GVS) — the medicines reimbursement system. The government sets a maximum reimbursement per medicine; if the actual price is higher, you pay the difference yourself as an "eigen bijdrage" (own contribution), capped at €250 per person per calendar year.
Source: rijksoverheid.nl, "Welke medicijnen krijg ik vergoed?" ("U betaalt maximaal € 250 per kalenderjaar") — checked 2 October 2026.
You can check whether a specific medicine is in the GVS, and whether an eigen bijdrage applies, on medicijnkosten.nl. The eigen bijdrage is separate from your eigen risico (annual deductible); some supplementary insurance plans reimburse the eigen bijdrage, so it's worth checking your policy.
7. If you're about to run out
Don't wait until you're out. Contact your GP as soon as you notice you're running low, especially for medication you can't safely stop suddenly — that's a question for your GP or pharmacist, not something to decide alone. Outside your GP's opening hours, the huisartsenpost can help with urgent medication problems; for a life-threatening emergency, call 112.
Dutch terms you'll meet
| Dutch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Apotheek | Pharmacy — the only place for prescription medicines |
| Drogist | Drugstore (e.g. Kruidvat, Etos) — some non-prescription medicines only |
| Receptplichtig | Prescription-required |
| Herhaalrecept | Repeat prescription for ongoing medication |
| Werkzame stof | Active ingredient |
| Eigen bijdrage | Your own contribution when a medicine costs more than the reimbursement limit |
| Schengenverklaring | Schengen declaration for travelling with controlled medicines |
| Huisartsenpost | Out-of-hours GP service |
This guide explains how the Dutch medication system works. It isn't medical, legal or financial advice, and it never recommends starting, stopping, switching or substituting a medicine — those decisions belong with you, your GP and your pharmacist. Always confirm current rules with the official source linked above, since fees, limits and processes change. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@zorglane.com.