Health Advice
The US Center For Disease Control maintains an updated list of medical advice for those travelling to Netherlands
The CDC recommends being up to date with all your regular shots. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot
They also suggest being vaccinated for hepatitis A. There is also some advice about protection for hepatitis B and rabies – but this depends to some degree on where you are heading and what you are doing.
Health Insurance
The Netherlands has a public health system that is legally bound to provide emergency care to everyone. EU nationals are entitled to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical care with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is available from your home health authority; non-EU citizens should take out medical insurance.
If you do need health insurance, make sure you get a policy that covers you for the worst possible scenario, such as an accident requiring an emergency flight home. Find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures.
It’s also worth finding out if there is a reciprocal arrangement between your country and The Netherlands. If so, you may be covered for essential medical treatment and some subsidised medications while in The Netherlands. Australia, for instance, has such an agreement; carry your Medicare card.
Recommended Vaccinations
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for the Netherlands. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for the Netherlands: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
The state-owned healthcare systems in the Benelux lands are among the world’s best, even if they have begun to show signs of the strain of universal healthcare for all. It’s easy to get over-the-counter medicines for minor ailments, and both local brands and generic equivalents of the most common prescription drugs are available. Many doctors speak English
Tap Water
The tap water is safe to drink, the milk is pasteurized, and the healthcare is excellent.
Safety
Here is a link to the US State Department Travel Advisory for The Netherlands for the latest information on travelling to Netherlands
Remember the emergency number in Italy is 112. It works from any phone.
The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in Europe. Amsterdam and other larger Dutch cities require the same ‘big-city street sense’ as any other big European city.
- Bicycle theft is common; always use two locks (the standard bike lock with key built into most Dutch bikes plus a sturdy chain lock) and park in guarded bike parks when possible.
- Watch out for speeding bikes when crossing the road. Straying into a bike lane without looking both ways can cause serious accidents.
- In Amsterdam, pickpockets work tourist-heavy zones such as Centraal Station, the Bloemenmarkt and Red Light District. Stay alert.
