One of the small shocks of moving to the Netherlands is the medicine aisle. In many countries a single drugstore sells everything from cough syrup to stronger painkillers. In the Netherlands a drogist (DRO-khist, a drugstore such as Kruidvat or Etos) is only one of three places that sell medicine. A prescription goes to an apotheek (ah-po-TAYK, a pharmacy), and some products are sold in supermarkets too.
This guide is for people who have just arrived, or are about to, and want to know where to buy what, how a prescription travels, who pays, and what happens to the medicines you bring from home. We opened pages from Rijksoverheid (the Dutch government), Zorginstituut Nederland (the body that defines insured care), the health inspectorate IGJ and KNMP (the pharmacists' association) on 31 October 2026, and read expat guides from IamExpat, DutchReview, The Hague International Centre and XPAT.NL alongside them.
This is not medical advice. Which medicine suits you, and whether a symptom needs a medicine at all, depends on you. When in doubt, ask a pharmacist, your registered huisarts (GP), or the out-of-hours huisartsenpost by phone. How to register with a GP is covered in our guide to the Dutch GP system.
What this article is based on
- Rijksoverheid, "Waar kan ik medicijnen kopen?": prescription medicines, the UA, UAD and AV classes and where each is sold
- Rijksoverheid and Zorginstituut Nederland on reimbursement, the eigen bijdrage and its €250 cap, and how it differs from the eigen risico
- Rijksoverheid on the 2026 eigen risico of €385 and on which GP costs count towards it
- Rijksoverheid, NederlandWereldwijd, government.nl and IGJ on carrying medicines and buying them online
- IamExpat, DutchReview, The Hague International Centre and XPAT.NL on registering with a pharmacy, repeat prescriptions and out-of-hours pickup
| What you will learn | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Where medicine is sold | Prescription: pharmacy only. Over the counter: pharmacy, drogist or supermarket depending on class |
| How to tell the class | UA, UAD or AV is printed on the package |
| How a prescription works | Your GP issues a recept, the pharmacy dispenses it |
| What you pay (2026) | Eigen risico €385; eigen bijdrage up to €250 a year |
| Out of hours | Find the dienstapotheek on apotheek.nl |
| Medicines from abroad | Mostly fine; Opium Act medicines need a declaration |
1. Why can't I buy everything at the drugstore here?
In the Netherlands the shelf you buy from is set by rules, not by habit. Rijksoverheid explains that prescription medicines can only be bought at a pharmacy. Medicines that do not need a prescription (zelfzorgmedicijnen, self-care medicines) are split again into three groups by how much advice they come with. If you expect to pick up every remedy in one shop, you may find the one you want is not on the drogist's shelf.
A difference in design, not a ranking
This is not a story of one country being strict and another relaxed. Many countries separate prescription from over-the-counter products, and some also keep a pharmacist-only tier. What stands out in the Netherlands is that the tier is printed on the package and tied to the type of shop, so it is visible to the buyer.
What this guide leaves out
It covers human medicines: where to buy them, how a prescription flows, who pays and what to check when carrying them. It does not cover supplements, veterinary medicines, or the effects and interactions of any particular drug. Those questions belong with a pharmacist.
2. What do UR, UA, UAD and AV mean?
Every medicine sold in the Netherlands sits in one of four classes. The CBG (the Medicines Evaluation Board) is the body that classifies them. For non-prescription products, the package carries the abbreviation UA, UAD or AV, so you can check on the spot.
| Class | Full name | What it means | Where you can buy it |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR | Uitsluitend Recept | Prescription needed | Pharmacy only |
| UA | Uitsluitend Apotheek | Pharmacy only; the pharmacist explains use and checks other medicines you take | Pharmacy only |
| UAD | Uitsluitend Apotheek en Drogist | Pharmacy or drugstore; advice is available if you ask | Pharmacy, drogist |
| AV | Algemene Verkoop | General sale, usually small packs | Any shop, including supermarkets |
Rijksoverheid does not give prescription medicines a class name on its page; it simply says they are sold only at pharmacies. UA, UAD and AV are the three classes that need no prescription.
The further right you go, the more places sell the product. The same active ingredient can sit in different classes depending on strength and pack size. IamExpat gives the example that standard-strength painkillers are AV while stronger ones or bigger packs are UA. Always read the package rather than assuming.
3. What can I buy at a pharmacy, a drogist and a supermarket?
With the classes clear, the three kinds of shop are easy to compare. The expat guides line up with the official classes: DutchReview and The Hague International Centre describe pharmacies as the place for prescriptions and drogisten as the place for non-prescription products.
| Product | Pharmacy (apotheek) | Drogist | Supermarket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription (UR) | Yes | No | No |
| Pharmacy only (UA) | Yes | No | No |
| UAD | Yes | Yes | No |
| AV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advice at the shelf | Pharmacist | Shop staff | Mostly self-service |
What a pharmacy sells
Prescription medicines, UA products, and UAD and AV products too. XPAT.NL adds that pharmacies also stock vitamins, homeopathic remedies, infant formula, bandages and thermometers. DutchReview points out that general toiletries such as shampoo or make-up are not sold there.
What a drogist sells
Kruidvat, Etos and Trekpleister are the big names, according to IamExpat, and they sell shampoo and toothpaste next to the medicines. Rijksoverheid notes that most hay fever medicines need no prescription and are sold in more places than before.
What a supermarket sells
Only AV products. Rijksoverheid's examples are nicotine patches and paracetamol.
How this compares with home
If you come from a country where one drugstore sells almost everything, expect to make two stops in the Netherlands. If you cannot find a product at the drogist, ask the staff; if they do not stock it, try an apotheek.
4. Which place should I try first for a cold, hay fever or a sore head?
The figure below is a way to choose the shop, not a diagnosis. If symptoms are severe, if the person is a child, pregnant or has a long-term condition, phone a medical professional before buying anything.
How to read the figure
The left column is your situation; the right column is the first place to try. If a GP has already prescribed something, the pharmacy is your only option. For a product you choose yourself, a drogist or supermarket may be enough.
When you cannot choose
For UAD products, Rijksoverheid says advice is always available, though you can buy without asking. For UA products, the pharmacist explains how to use the medicine and takes other medicines you use into account.
A quick reference
| Situation | First move | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A prescription was issued | Go to a pharmacy | Repeat prescriptions are collected there too |
| Looking for hay fever relief | Pharmacy or drogist | Most need no prescription |
| You take other medicines | Ask the pharmacist | They can check interactions |
| Unwell out of hours | Phone first | Duty pharmacy or huisartsenpost |
| Severe symptoms | Call 112 | Phone before you shop |
The notes column is general information, not advice about your symptoms.
5. How does a Dutch prescription (recept) work?
The starting point is your huisarts. After a consultation, the GP issues a recept if a medicine is needed. DutchReview says the doctor sends the prescription straight to the pharmacy, and IamExpat adds that registering with a pharmacy lets your GP send it electronically.
New and repeat prescriptions
DutchReview says a new prescription can sometimes be taken to another pharmacy, while repeat prescriptions are normally collected at your registered one. IamExpat adds that many practices run a message line for repeat orders, and the medicine is often ready at the pharmacy the next day. Ask your practice how it works when you register.
Collecting for someone else
IamExpat notes that medication is generally handed only to the person named on the prescription. If someone else collects, the pharmacy needs your written consent; ask your pharmacy how it handles this.
Will a foreign prescription work?
IamExpat reports that Dutch pharmacies generally do not accept foreign prescriptions. EU prescriptions are often accepted if they meet certain conditions, and non-EU ones only after the pharmacist has verified them. If you want to continue a medicine you took at home, the most reliable route is to ask a Dutch GP to prescribe it. The Hague International Centre likewise advises asking your GP whether to continue or switch brand.
6. How do I choose and register with a pharmacy?
You can walk into any pharmacy, but sticking to one registered pharmacy is what the guides recommend. The Hague International Centre and DutchReview both say you register at your first visit, bringing your insurance details and the name of your GP.
What registration involves
Expect to give your name and contact details, your health insurance and your GP. The pharmacy then keeps your medication history, which lets it check for conflicting medicines. DutchReview recommends using one pharmacy for everything so the record stays complete.
Finding a pharmacy
Use "Vind een apotheek" on apotheek.nl and search by postcode or town. Results list address, phone number and opening hours. IamExpat describes typical opening hours as office hours on weekdays; what happens outside them is covered in section 8.
Sharing medication data (LSP)
According to KNMP, sharing medication data between pharmacies and doctors through the LSP (Landelijk Schakelpunt, the national exchange point) needs your opt-in consent. You can give it verbally, on a paper form or online via volgjezorg.nl. Mainly the active medication dispensed in the last six months is shared, and with consent allergies and intolerances can be added. Refusing does not stop your treatment, but you are then responsible for passing relevant information to other providers yourself.
Delivery and out-of-hours pickup
DutchReview mentions that some pharmacies deliver to your home, and that many have a locker or vending machine for out-of-hours collection. These services differ by pharmacy, so ask when you register.
7. Is medication covered by Dutch health insurance?
Mostly yes for prescribed medicines, with some conditions. Rijksoverheid says basic insurance covers most medicines your doctor prescribes. Three mechanisms decide what you actually pay.
| Mechanism | What it is | 2026 figure |
|---|---|---|
| Eigen risico | The first amount of insured care you pay each year | €385 (age 18+) |
| Eigen bijdrage | The difference when a medicine costs more than the reimbursement limit | Up to €250 a year |
| Not reimbursed | Medicines outside the insured package | Paid in full by you |
The eigen risico and medicines
Rijksoverheid puts the 2026 mandatory eigen risico at €385 for everyone aged 18 or over, and nothing for under-18s. A GP consultation itself does not count, but medicines your GP prescribes and blood tests done outside the practice do. Insurers may also exclude certain medicines from the eigen risico, so check yours if a particular drug matters to you. For the GP side, see our guide to the Dutch GP system.
The eigen bijdrage and the GVS
Medicines with the same active ingredient that can replace each other are grouped under the GVS (Geneesmiddelenvergoedingssysteem, the medicines reimbursement system), and basic insurance pays up to a set maximum per group. If your medicine costs more than that maximum, you pay the difference. Zorginstituut Nederland and Rijksoverheid set the 2026 cap at €250 a year.
You do not pay it at the counter: Rijksoverheid explains that the pharmacy tells you which medicines carry an eigen bijdrage and bills your insurer, who charges you later. Zorginstituut Nederland stresses that it is separate from the eigen risico: you pay the eigen bijdrage first and the rest then falls under your eigen risico.
Preferred brands
Rijksoverheid explains that an insurer sometimes reimburses only one brand of a GVS medicine. If your doctor decides you should not use that brand, a different brand is reimbursed; this is arranged between your doctor and pharmacist.
Over-the-counter products you pick yourself
Rijksoverheid's reimbursement page does not discuss self-care medicines. Treat them as an out-of-pocket purchase, and ask your insurer if your policy says otherwise. Supplementary insurance differs by insurer.
Checking a specific medicine
Rijksoverheid points to medicijnkosten.nl, where you can see whether basic insurance covers a medicine and whether an eigen bijdrage applies. IamExpat mentions a pharmacy service charge of roughly €7 that is higher outside office hours and for first-time dispensing; that is an expat-media figure, and amounts vary by pharmacy and insurer.
What about 2027?
The sources disagree. Rijksoverheid's eigen risico page gives €385 for both 2026 and 2027, while a government news item from 15 September 2026 says it will rise from €385 to €400 in 2027. Treat €400 as a plan rather than settled. Check the official pages before relying on either figure. For help with switching insurers, see our guide to switching health insurance for 2027.
8. What if I need medicine in the evening, at night or on a Sunday?
Pharmacies keep office hours. XPAT.NL and IamExpat explain that an on-duty pharmacy covers evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays in each area, and that its details are often posted at your regular pharmacy.
Finding a dienstapotheek
On apotheek.nl, search for a pharmacy and filter by "Dienstapotheek". The page itself does not define the term. Hours differ widely by region: one listing shows weekday evenings from 17:00 to 08:00 plus all weekend, another weekday evenings from 17:30 to 23:00 and weekends 08:30 to 23:00. Phone before you set off.
| What to check | How |
|---|---|
| Nearest duty pharmacy | apotheek.nl, filter "Dienstapotheek" |
| Opening hours | Phone or the pharmacy's website |
| Do you need a recept? | Yes, for prescription medicines |
| How you collect | Counter or a pickup point |
An example around The Hague
The Hague International Centre lists duty pharmacies for The Hague, Delft, Rijswijk and Leidschendam-Voorburg, including an Emergency Pharmacy The Hague and SMASH. Contact details change, so use the current listing.
When you feel ill at night
Do not start with a pharmacy hunt. Phone a medical professional first. If life is in danger, call 112; otherwise call the huisartsenpost in the evening, at night and at weekends. The split between your GP and the huisartsenpost is explained in our GP guide.
9. Can I bring my own medicines into the Netherlands?
It depends on the medicine. Below is what the official pages say; whether one particular medicine is allowed is something this article cannot judge.
The Dutch side
NederlandWereldwijd, the foreign ministry's traveller site, says most medicines can simply be brought in. Medicines on Lists I and II of the Dutch Opium Act (Opiumwet) need a declaration, with sleeping pills, strong painkillers (opioids), ADHD medication and medicinal cannabis given as examples. It also warns that the law of the country you travel from matters: a medicine outside the Dutch Opium Act may still be controlled there.
| Who to check with | What to check |
|---|---|
| Your prescriber or pharmacist at home | The active ingredient and whether it is controlled |
| Your home country's authority | Rules for taking it out of the country |
| Dutch customs (Douane) or an embassy | Whether you may bring it in and what to carry |
| A Dutch GP | Whether to continue it or switch |
The CAK declaration is for leaving the Netherlands
The CAK (Centraal Administratie Kantoor) Schengen and English declarations are for people taking Opium Act medicines out of the Netherlands. Per government.nl, the Schengen declaration is valid for 30 days and the English one usually for one year, and processing can take up to four weeks. They matter when you travel home and back, but they are not the document that covers your first arrival.
Taking medicines into Japan is a separate matter. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare states that stimulants such as amphetamine and methamphetamine cannot be carried in or out even for your own treatment, and that stimulant raw materials need a permit from a regional bureau at least two weeks before travel. The ministry's page does not say where ADHD medicines prescribed in the Netherlands, such as dexamfetamine, fall. Before carrying one to Japan, ask your prescriber and the regional Narcotics Control Department (Kanto-Shinetsu, Kinki and so on).
What to carry
Rijksoverheid and NederlandWereldwijd advise keeping medicines in the original packaging and carrying any required declaration with you. On a flight, keep medicines in your hand luggage and follow the rules for liquids and sharp objects. Douane lets you send a photo to ask whether an item is allowed.
After you arrive
If you take a medicine regularly, book a GP appointment early. The same product may not exist under the same name here, and you should not adjust doses on your own.
10. Is it safe to buy medicine online?
Online shops exist, but the IGJ (the health inspectorate) advises against buying medicines online because it can seriously endanger your health. If you do, do it in consultation with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to check a seller
The IGJ points to aanbiedersmedicijnen.nl to see whether a seller is registered and which medicines it may sell, and to the EU logo on the website. For prescription medicines, check that the seller appears in the register of established pharmacists.
| Warning sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| No prescription or age check | A legitimate seller of prescription medicines would ask |
| No instructions or side-effect information | Basic medicine information is missing |
| Looks professional but is not registered | Appearance proves nothing |
| Advertised on social media, such as slimming pills | Named by the IGJ as a typical case |
You can report a suspicious site to the Landelijk Meldpunt Zorg. For prescription medicines, going through your GP and a local pharmacy is the simplest and safest route.
11. What are the common mistakes?
| Mistake | What happens | Better move |
|---|---|---|
| Looking for prescription medicine at the drogist | It is not sold there | Take the recept to a pharmacy |
| Handing in a foreign prescription | It may be refused | Ask a Dutch GP to prescribe |
| Switching pharmacies every time | Interaction checks get harder | Register at one |
| Hunting for a pharmacy at night | Closed or far away | Phone a professional first |
| Packing medicines loosely | Trouble if they are controlled | Original packaging, hand luggage |
| Ignoring the eigen risico | A surprise bill | Check at medicijnkosten.nl |
| Buying prescription medicine online | Fake pills or nothing arrives | Use a registered pharmacy |
A difference in set-up, not a flaw
None of this means the Dutch system is awkward. Registering with one pharmacy and sending prescriptions electronically are designed to keep your medication record in one place. The trade-off, compared with shopping around freely, is a different one.
Your situation changes the answer
What you pay depends on your insurance, your voluntary deductible and the medicine. The figures here are 2026 official figures, not a forecast of your bill. Ask your insurer or use the official lookup tools.
12. How does this compare with what I am used to?
Because readers come from many countries, the table describes patterns rather than any one country. Check how your own country's system differs.
| Topic | Common elsewhere | The Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Where to buy OTC medicine | One drugstore or pharmacy | Pharmacy, drogist or supermarket by class |
| Prescription medicine | Any pharmacy, sometimes a paper slip | Pharmacy only; registration is the norm |
| Entry to care | Often a specialist directly | GP first |
| Costs | Varies | €385 eigen risico, eigen bijdrage on some medicines |
| Out of hours | Hospital or 24-hour pharmacy | Huisartsenpost and dienstapotheek |
| Medicines from abroad | Varies | Mostly allowed; Opium Act medicines need a declaration |
Getting used to it
Expect to pause at the shelf for the first few weeks. Make a habit of reading UA, UAD or AV on the box, and ask staff or a pharmacist when unsure.
13. What should I do this week?
- Register with a GP if you have not already, using our GP guide
- Find a nearby pharmacy on apotheek.nl and choose one
- Register there with your insurance details and your GP's name
- Learn how to find a dienstapotheek on apotheek.nl
- Check the active ingredients of any medicines you brought, and keep them in their original packaging
- Look up medicines you use on medicijnkosten.nl for coverage and any eigen bijdrage
- Check your eigen risico setting in your insurance policy
14. Summary
- Dutch medicines are split into UR, UA, UAD and AV, and the class decides where you can buy them
- Prescription and UA medicines come only from a pharmacy; UAD from a pharmacy or drogist; AV from any shop
- Your GP sends the prescription; register with one pharmacy and stay with it
- In 2026, anyone aged 18+ pays a €385 eigen risico, and some medicines carry an eigen bijdrage of up to €250 a year
- Out of hours, find the dienstapotheek and phone before you go; call 112 if life is in danger
- Medicines from abroad are usually fine, but Opium Act medicines need a declaration
- For questions that depend on your own situation, ask a pharmacist, your GP or your insurer
Sources we used
Government and public bodies
-
Waar kan ik medicijnen kopen? — Rijksoverheid: prescription medicines and the UA, UAD and AV classes
-
Welke medicijnen krijg ik vergoed? — Rijksoverheid: reimbursement, GVS, preferred brands, eigen risico
-
Wanneer betaal ik een eigen bijdrage voor zorg? — Rijksoverheid: the medicine eigen bijdrage, the 2026 cap of €250, billing later
-
Eigen bijdrage (Zvw) — Zorginstituut Nederland: medicine groups, the cap, the link to the eigen risico
-
Wanneer betaal ik een eigen risico voor mijn zorg? — Rijksoverheid: €385 in 2026, exempt care, under-18s
-
Moet ik de huisartskosten zelf betalen? — Rijksoverheid: consultations exempt, medicines and blood tests count
-
Kabinet zet in op gezondheid en op zorg die klaar is voor de toekomst — Rijksoverheid: 15 September 2026, planned eigen risico of €400 in 2027
-
Medicijnen mee op reis — Rijksoverheid: Opium Act declaration, CAK, original packaging
-
Mag ik medicijnen meenemen naar Nederland? — NederlandWereldwijd: bringing medicines into the Netherlands
-
Medicijnen meenemen — NederlandWereldwijd: the steps for taking medicines out
-
Can I take my medication abroad? — government.nl: Schengen and English declarations, validity, processing time
-
Online medicijnen — IGJ: the risks of buying online and how to check a seller
-
Vind een apotheek — apotheek.nl: finding pharmacies and duty pharmacies
-
Landelijk Schakelpunt (LSP) — KNMP: sharing medication data and patient consent
-
麻薬・覚醒剤原料などを携帯して日本を出入国する方へ — Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan): permits for narcotics and stimulant raw materials; stimulants cannot be carried
Expat media
- Pharmacies in the Netherlands: 8 questions answered — DutchReview: updated 21 October 2025; registration, repeat prescriptions, opening hours
- Pharmacies & medicine in the Netherlands — IamExpat: updated 28 July 2025; classes, service charge, foreign prescriptions
- Pharmacies — The Hague International Centre: duty pharmacies around The Hague
- Medication in the Netherlands — XPAT.NL: what drogisten and pharmacies sell, evening pharmacies
All pages were checked on 31 October 2026. Rules and amounts change, so confirm on the official site before you act. For questions that depend on your own situation, ask a pharmacist, your registered GP or your insurer.
FAQ
- Can I buy cold medicine and painkillers at a Dutch drugstore (drogist)?
- Yes, many of them. Dutch medicines fall into four classes: UR (prescription), UA (pharmacy only), UAD (pharmacy or drugstore) and AV (any shop). A drogist such as Kruidvat or Etos can sell UAD and AV products, but not prescription or UA medicines. The class is printed on the package.
- Where do I take a Dutch prescription (recept)?
- To a pharmacy (apotheek). Prescription medicines can only be bought there. At your first visit you are usually asked to register with your insurance details and your GP's name. Repeat prescriptions are normally collected at the pharmacy you are registered with, so it helps to pick one and stay with it.
- Is medication covered by Dutch health insurance, and does the eigen risico apply?
- Basic insurance covers most medicines a doctor prescribes, but anyone aged 18 or over pays the first €385 of care (2026) as the eigen risico. For some medicines you also pay the difference above the reimbursement limit as an eigen bijdrage, capped at €250 a year. Check a specific medicine at medicijnkosten.nl.
- What do I do if I need medicine in the evening, at night or on a Sunday?
- Regular pharmacies keep office hours. Each region has an on-duty pharmacy (dienstapotheek) that you can find on apotheek.nl; hours vary by region, so phone first. If life is in danger call 112. If you are ill out of hours, call the huisartsenpost, where a medical professional decides what you need.
- Can I bring my own medicines into the Netherlands?
- Most medicines can be brought in. Medicines covered by the Dutch Opium Act, such as some sleeping pills, strong painkillers and ADHD medication, need a declaration, and the law of the country you travel from also matters. Keep them in the original packaging in your hand luggage, and ask customs or an embassy if unsure.
