Undocumented migrants are not entitled to take out health insurance in the Netherlands. An act from 1998 linked certain rights, such as the right to state medical insurance to the condition of authorized residence. This means you need a residence permit in order to obtain health insurance. However, in case of 'medical necessity', doctors have to help everyone. In practice though, there is much misunderstanding about the meaning of 'medically necessary care' which makes it hard for undocumented migrants to get treated.
General information about health care in the Netherlands (English)
GGD municipal health services
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (English)
- Dokters van de Wereld – Netherlands (Médecins du Monde) They fight for medical care for illegal migrants in the Netherlands. They give information, answer questions, help undocumented people to find medical care and organize consults.
- LAMPION is a platform for cooperation on health issues in the Netherlands.
- PHAROS aims at providing qualitative health care and making the Dutch health care system more accessible to refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants.
- Picum platform for international Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants
- AIDS & Mobility Europe (A&M) is a network for the support of European organizations that provide HIV/AIDS prevention and care to mobile and migrant populations. A&M pays special attention to young migrant people
- Dutch Ministry of Justice information on residence rights and services for undocumented (English).
- Gezondheidszorg Illegalen Leiden (GIL). This is a healthcare foundation for undocumented migrants. Every Tuesday, they have a medical consult for illegals.
