Health care in the KNM exam
Gezondheid en gezondheidszorg (health and healthcare) is one of the eight official themes of the KNM exam. The questions test what you know about health care in the Netherlands: who does what, where you go for which problem, and what your health insurance pays. They ask about facts and rules, not about what you personally would do.
Many KNM questions, here too, have three real institutions as options. Only one fits the situation. The huisarts, the pharmacy and the hospital are the usual mix, so know the role of each. The Dutch healthcare system uses the GP as a gatekeeper: you see your huisarts first, and only then a specialist.
The huisarts: your first contact
The huisarts (GP) is a general practitioner and your first contact for most health problems. You register with a GP practice near your home. When you are ill, you call your huisarts first.
The huisarts treats many problems in the practice. For a specialist or the hospital you usually need a referral (verwijzing) from your GP. Without it, your insurance may not pay. Our guide on finding a huisarts explains how to register.
Many GP practices also have a praktijkondersteuner (POH). This is a practice nurse who helps patients with a chronic condition, such as diabetes, or with mental health complaints. Since 1 July 2025 the POH is part of this KNM theme.
An example of the question style since 2025, with options like these:
Wie bel je eerst als je ziek bent?
- A. De huisarts
- B. De apotheek
- C. Het ziekenhuis
Who do you call first when you are ill? The answer is A: the huisarts.
Evenings, weekends and emergencies
GP practices are open on weekdays during the day. For urgent care that cannot wait:
- Evening, night or weekend: call the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service).
- A life-threatening emergency: call 112.
- The hospital emergency department (spoedeisende hulp, SEH): you usually go there after the GP or the huisartsenpost sends you, or in an emergency.
The apotheek: medicines
The apotheek (pharmacy) gives you medicines. For many medicines you need a prescription (recept) from your doctor. The pharmacist also explains how to take them. You can also buy simple medicines, such as painkillers, at a drogist (chemist).
Waar haal je medicijnen op met een recept van de huisarts?
- A. Bij de gemeente
- B. Bij de apotheek
- C. Bij de zorgverzekeraar
Where do you pick up medicines with a prescription from the GP? The answer is B: at the pharmacy.
Health insurance and the eigen risico
If you live or work in the Netherlands, you must have Dutch health insurance. The basic health insurance is the basisverzekering. You choose a zorgverzekeraar (health insurer) yourself and pay a monthly premium.
A parent's policy covers children under 18 for free. Dutch health insurance is private, but the law sets what the basic package covers, and insurers must accept every applicant for it.
The eigen risico is the deductible. In 2026 it is € 385 a year for everyone aged 18 and over. You pay that part of some costs yourself, such as hospital care or medicines. Care from your huisarts and the huisartsenpost does not count towards it. Our guide to the eigen risico explains what counts. With a low income you may get zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) towards the premium.
Welke organisatie betaalt je zorgkosten uit de basisverzekering?
- A. De huisarts
- B. De zorgverzekeraar
- C. De apotheek
Which organisation pays your care costs from the basic insurance? The answer is B: the health insurer.
How to prepare for KNM healthcare questions
The KNM exam has 40 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, with three options each. You pass with at least 28 correct. For this theme:
- Learn who does what: huisarts, POH, huisartsenpost, 112, apotheek, hospital and zorgverzekeraar.
- Learn the words in Dutch, because the questions are in Dutch.
- Know the basic rules: register with a GP, get a referral for the hospital, health insurance is compulsory and GP care does not use your eigen risico.
Read how the KNM exam works for the full format, and try questions like these in our free KNM practice.
