Diabetes in the Netherlands: Insulin Import Rules and Pharmacy Access
Netherlands pharmacies stock major insulin brands. Know the import rules, local brand names, and cold-chain steps before you fly.
Diabetes in the Netherlands: what changes when you travel
The Netherlands has a dense pharmacy network, reliable insulin availability, and a health system that EU/EEA travellers can access through their EHIC card[7]. The main planning considerations are documentation at customs, cold-chain management during travel, and understanding which medications require a Dutch prescription for in-country refill[1].
This guide covers medication import rules, local brand names, prescription access, cold-chain steps, and emergency phrases for clinician communication. It also explains the value of carrying your International Patient Summary from Nomedic.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your specialist before travelling, particularly regarding changes to your treatment schedule and travel insurance.
Key risks for diabetes travellers in the Netherlands
Cold-chain disruption during transit
Insulin and GLP-1 injectables require refrigeration at 2-8°C during storage and can degrade if left in a warm car or checked luggage hold. Carry all temperature-sensitive medication in your hand luggage with a validated travel cooler.
Prescription barriers for in-country refills
Dutch pharmacies (apotheken) require a Dutch prescription or a valid EU cross-border prescription for dispensing[2]. Bring your full supply from home and carry your specialist letter[6] in case emergency access is needed.
Cycling and physical activity changing glucose patterns
The Netherlands has a cycle network of around 154,000 km[9], and many visitors cycle more than usual during their stay. Increased activity can affect glucose levels unpredictably, so monitor more frequently on cycling days.
SGLT2 inhibitors and Lyme disease or urinary infection risk
Lyme disease is a moderate endemic risk in Dutch forests and dunes.[8] If you take an SGLT2 inhibitor, tick bites and urinary tract infections both warrant prompt medical attention; seek care at a huisartsenpost (GP out-of-hours centre) without delay.
Documentation missing at customs
The Netherlands follows EU rules on personal medication import: carry your prescription, a doctor's letter, and keep medications in original labelled packaging[1]. Quantities beyond a 90-day personal supply may be queried at customs[1].
Preparation checklist
- Book a pre-travel appointment with your endocrinologist — Confirm your current regimen is stable and get a signed specialist letter in English or Dutch.
- Request a supply for the full trip plus a 2-week buffer — Dutch apotheken cannot dispense without a Dutch or EU cross-border prescription.
- Confirm EHIC or GHIC validity if applicable — Check the expiry date and whether your card covers the full travel period.
- Arrange travel insurance that names diabetes — Ensure the policy covers emergency hospitalisation, medication replacement, and repatriation.
- Obtain your International Patient Summary via Nomedic — Download and save offline so clinicians can scan your QR code without an internet connection.
- Keep all medication in original labelled packaging — Required for customs clearance and pharmacy identification in the Netherlands.
- Carry a glucagon emergency kit if prescribed — Confirm your travel companion knows how to use it.
- Pack a validated insulin travel cooler — Use a FRIO wallet or similar for insulin in use; keep spare pens refrigerated at the hotel.
- Research the nearest huisartsenpost to your accommodation — These out-of-hours GP centres are the first port of call for non-emergency issues.
- Save the Dutch emergency number (112) and nearest hospital address offline — Amsterdam UMC, Erasmus MC (Rotterdam), and UMC Utrecht are the major academic centres.
Documents to carry when travelling to the Netherlands with diabetes
Keep these documents accessible on your phone and in print; the Nomedic app stores the most critical items in one offline-accessible record.
Your International Patient Summary (IPS)
The IPS is a structured medical record that any clinician worldwide can read, including Dutch hospital staff. It captures your diagnosis, current medications with INNs, allergies, and relevant history.
Nomedic generates your IPS to the HL7 FHIR standard and makes it available offline with a shareable QR code. In a Dutch emergency department, handing your phone to a nurse with the QR visible removes the need for verbal explanation.
Full document checklist
Keep the following accessible on your phone and ready to share. Your Nomedic IPS covers items 1 and 6 automatically.
- ·Your Nomedic IPS Covers your diabetes diagnosis, medications, allergies, and functional status. Offline and QR-accessible.
- ·Specialist letter Signed by your endocrinologist, listing your diagnosis, all medications by INN and brand name[6], and the medical necessity for each.
- ·Prescriptions with INN names Carry your original prescriptions; an EU cross-border prescription is accepted at Dutch apotheken under Directive 2011/24/EU[2].
- ·EHIC or GHIC card (if applicable) Provides access to state-funded care in the Netherlands for eligible EU/EEA travellers[7].
- ·Travel insurance schedule Policy number and insurer's 24-hour line saved in your Nomedic profile.
- ·Dutch emergency numbers Ambulance, police, and fire: all 112. Saved offline in Nomedic.
Bringing your diabetes medications to the Netherlands
The Netherlands applies EU rules on personal medication import: travellers may carry a personal supply sufficient for the trip duration[1] without a specific import permit, provided medication is in original labelled packaging and accompanied by a prescription or doctor's letter.
Under EU Directive 2011/24/EU on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare[2], a prescription issued in any EU member state is valid at Dutch apotheken, though the pharmacist may need to verify the prescribing clinician's registration. Bring a 90-day maximum personal supply and a signed specialist letter.
Do not post your medication to the Netherlands.
Posting prescription medication across EU borders is generally prohibited under national pharmaceutical law in the Netherlands. Always carry your full supply in person, in your hand luggage.
Diabetes medications: brand names, INNs, and Netherlands availability
Dutch apotheken stock a wide range of diabetes medications; the table below lists common INNs alongside brand names registered in the Netherlands via the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB).[6]
Requires refrigeration at 2-8°C until first use; in-use pen stable at room temperature for up to 28 days per EMA SmPC.
In-use pen stable at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 28 days.
In-use pen stable below 30°C for up to 28 days (Lantus/Abasaglar) or 42 days (Toujeo).
Ozempic and Wegovy pens require refrigeration at 2-8°C; in-use pen stable below 30°C for up to 56 days (Ozempic) or 28 days (Wegovy).
SGLT2 inhibitors and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
If you take empagliflozin or another SGLT2 inhibitor alongside topiramate, acetazolamide, or another carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, the combination can increase the risk of metabolic acidosis. Dutch hospital clinicians may not be aware of your full regimen; show your Nomedic IPS immediately on arrival.
Travelling with injectable therapies
These steps apply to insulin pens, GLP-1 injectables, and any other injectable diabetes therapy, regardless of which Dutch city or airport you are travelling through.
Your medication list, ready to share.
Nomedic stores your medication name, INN, dosage, and frequency, readable by any clinician worldwide.
Healthcare and prescriptions in the Netherlands
The Netherlands operates a regulated private health insurance system under the Zorgverzekeringswet (Health Insurance Act)[3]. EU/EEA travellers with a valid EHIC or GHIC card are entitled to medically necessary state-funded care at the same cost as Dutch residents.
For non-EHIC travellers, a GP consultation at a private clinic costs approximately €80-€120 (~$92-$137), and a specialist outpatient appointment at a private facility ranges from €150-€300 (~$172-$344). Dutch apotheken will dispense diabetes medications against an EU cross-border prescription; a prescription from a non-EU country will not be accepted directly and you will need to see a local GP first.
For out-of-hours non-emergency care, the huisartsenpost (GP out-of-hours centre) is the correct first contact; every region has at least one, open evenings and weekends. Major apotheken in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht operate extended hours, and some 24-hour duty pharmacies (dienstdoende apotheek) rotate daily. See our Netherlands travel guide for a full picture of the healthcare system.
Insulin and GLP-1 injectables are dispensed at retail apotheken
Most insulin brands are stocked at standard Dutch apotheken. For emergency supply, bring your IPS and specialist letter; the pharmacist will contact a local GP to issue a Dutch prescription. GLP-1 injectables such as semaglutide (Ozempic) are also available but may require a short wait if your brand is not in stock.
Finding a diabetes specialist
Diabetes care is managed by internisten (internal medicine specialists) with a subspecialty in diabetologie at Dutch university medical centres (UMC) and teaching hospitals. Amsterdam UMC, Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, and UMC Utrecht are the principal academic centres.[4] Walk-in access is not available; referral from a huisarts (GP) or the emergency department is required for non-emergency specialist appointments.
For urgent diabetes-related issues, present to the nearest ziekenhuis (hospital) spoedeisende hulp (emergency department) and state that your condition requires endocrinology input. Identify the nearest diabetes clinic to your accommodation before you travel[4] and save the address and phone number offline.
Search for providers near your destination
Use Nomedic's provider search to find diabetes specialists in the Netherlands. Save the address and phone number offline before you travel.
If your cold chain breaks in the Netherlands
An in-use insulin pen left at room temperature is not automatically ruined. EMA-approved SmPCs for insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin glargine specify per-product stability at room temperature. Check your product leaflet for the specific window before discarding a pen. Do not use insulin that has become cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles.
Managing cycling, activity, and glucose day to day in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has a cycle network of around 154,000 km[9], about 40% of it on paths and routes not shared with cars[10], and cycling is the dominant short-distance transport mode in cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Groningen. Visitors typically cycle significantly more than at home, which can shift glucose patterns across the day.
Check glucose before and after extended cycle rides, particularly if visiting canal districts or touring outside cities. Dutch supermarkets (Albert Heijn, Jumbo) and apotheken carry glucose tablets, dextrose products, and fast-acting sugar sources.
In warm summer months (July and August, when temperatures can reach 25-30°C), hydration affects glucose control; carry water on any cycling route longer than 30 minutes. If you use a CGM, confirm your sensor brand is available in the Netherlands as a backup: Dexcom and Libre sensors are stocked at major apotheken and medical suppliers.
Low glucose from unexpected activity is not the same as an emergency
Mild hypoglycaemia resolved by fast-acting glucose does not require an emergency department visit. If symptoms persist after two standard correction attempts, or if you lose consciousness, call 112 immediately. Follow the guidance in the Emergency tab if the situation escalates.
Dutch phrases for clinicians
Show your Nomedic IPS first, it removes the need to explain your diagnosis verbally. If verbal communication is needed:
“Ik heb diabetes.”
I have diabetes.
“Ik heb een hypo. Ik heb snel suiker nodig.”
I am having a hypoglycaemic episode. I need sugar quickly.
“Ik heb een internist of diabetoloog nodig.”
I need an internal medicine specialist or diabetologist.
“Ik gebruik insuline voor mijn diabetes.”
I take insulin for my diabetes.
“Waar is de dichtstbijzijnde apotheek of spoedeisende hulp?”
Where is the nearest pharmacy or emergency department?
“Ik heb een noodvoorraad insuline nodig.”
I need an emergency supply of insulin.
Insurance considerations
What to know about travel insurance
Emergency hospital care in the Netherlands can reach €1,500-€5,000 (~$1,719-$5,730) per admission for non-EHIC patients. A policy that explicitly covers diabetes ensures medication replacement, specialist consultations, and hospital stays are included.
What to look for in a policy
Not just 'pre-existing conditions covered'. Your condition should be named on the policy schedule.
Covers repatriation to your home country if local care is insufficient.
Covers emergency replacement if your medication is lost, damaged, or delayed.
So someone can communicate with Dutch clinicians on your behalf.
What to declare at application
Declare thoroughly. Incomplete disclosure can invalidate your entire policy, not just the diabetes-related claim.
State whether you are on insulin, oral agents, GLP-1 therapy, or a combination.
Use the INN alongside the brand name.
Insurers classify risk partly based on recent control and any episodes needing third-party help.
Declare hypertension, neuropathy, retinopathy, renal impairment, or cardiovascular disease.
Your policy number and emergency assistance line, saved alongside your IPS and accessible offline.
An EHIC or GHIC card gives EU/EEA travellers access to medically necessary state-funded care in the Netherlands at the same cost as Dutch residents. It does not cover private care, repatriation, or medication that runs out due to poor planning. A separate travel insurance policy remains essential for diabetes-specific cover.
Emergency protocol
Getting to the emergency department
Severe hypoglycaemia (loss of consciousness, seizure, or inability to self-treat) and diabetic ketoacidosis are medical emergencies. Call 112 for an ambulance or go directly to the spoedeisende hulp (emergency department) at the nearest ziekenhuis. Contact your travel insurer as soon as you are stable.
When you arrive, follow in order
Full clinical picture in seconds, no verbal explanation needed.
Hand your phone to the triage nurse:
Ik heb diabetes en heb dringend medische hulp nodig.
I have diabetes and need urgent medical assistance.
Confirm your current regimen and recent glucose readings to the attending clinician.
If you take an SGLT2 inhibitor or metformin alongside other medications, highlight this to the triage nurse to avoid contraindicated treatments.
Calls and location
Call 112 for ambulance, police, or fire in the Netherlands. Share your location using a Dutch city name, street address, or the nearest landmark. Major Dutch hospitals with 24-hour emergency departments include Amsterdam UMC (locations VUmc and AMC), Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, and UMC Utrecht.
In hospital
Peripheral neuropathy or vascular compromise can delay wound healing and mask pain from an injury. Tell the attending clinician about your diabetes immediately so wound care and infection monitoring are adjusted accordingly.
After any emergency
Before you leave the hospital if possible.
Required for insurer reimbursement and continuity of care.
Open Nomedic and tap Share to generate a QR code any clinician can scan.
Frequently asked questions
Are insulin and other diabetes medications legal to bring into the Netherlands?
All common diabetes medications, including insulin, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 injectables, and sulfonylureas, are legal to bring into the Netherlands. No import permit is required. Carry your medications in original labelled packaging with a prescription or doctor's letter for quantities covering your trip.
Is semaglutide (Ozempic) available in Dutch pharmacies?
Semaglutide is registered in the Netherlands under the brand names Ozempic (injectable) and Rybelsus (oral). Availability at individual apotheken varies; contact the pharmacy in advance to confirm stock. A Dutch prescription is required for dispensing.
Can I refill my insulin prescription at a Dutch pharmacy?
Dutch apotheken will dispense insulin against a valid EU cross-border prescription under Directive 2011/24/EU[4]. A prescription from a non-EU country is not accepted directly; you would need to see a huisarts (GP) first to obtain a Dutch prescription. Bring your full supply from home to avoid this.
Do not rely on posting medication to the Netherlands
Mailing prescription medications across borders is prohibited under Dutch pharmaceutical law. Always carry your supply in person.
How can I communicate my diabetes diagnosis to a Dutch clinician in an emergency?
Show your Nomedic IPS first. If verbal communication is needed:
“Ik heb diabetes.”
I have diabetes.
“Ik gebruik insuline voor mijn diabetes.”
I take insulin for my diabetes.
Do I need special travel insurance to visit the Netherlands with diabetes?
Standard travel insurance policies may exclude pre-existing conditions including diabetes unless you declare it at application. Emergency hospital treatment for non-EHIC travellers can reach €1,500-€5,000 (~$1,719-$5,730), so a policy that explicitly names diabetes as covered is essential.
Declare thoroughly
Subtype, current medication, last episode, and associated conditions. Incomplete disclosure invalidates the entire policy.
Does cycling in the Netherlands affect glucose management?
Cycling is the standard transport mode in Dutch cities, and visitors typically cycle more than in their usual daily routine. Extended cycling sessions can lower glucose levels significantly, particularly over routes of 30 minutes or more. Check your glucose before and after rides and carry fast-acting glucose on any longer excursion.
Local glucose sources
Albert Heijn and Jumbo supermarkets, as well as apotheken, stock glucose tablets and dextrose products across the Netherlands. Most are open from 8 am to 10 pm on weekdays.
What are the emergency numbers in the Netherlands?
Ambulance
112
Police
112
Pan-European emergency number
112
Sources
- [1] NetherlandsWorldwide: Can I take medication into the Netherlands?
- [2] European Commission — EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive 2011/24/EU
- [3] Rijksoverheid — Zorgverzekeringswet (Health Insurance Act)
- [4] Amsterdam UMC: Diabetescentrum
- [6] Government of the Netherlands: Finding medicine in the Medicines Information Bank (Medicines Evaluation Board)
- [7] NHS — EHIC and GHIC: healthcare abroad
- [8] RIVM — Lyme disease in Netherlands
- [9] CBS (Statistics Netherlands): Lengte van fietsnetwerk; fietswegkenmerken, regio (table 85020NED)
- [10] CBS (Statistics Netherlands): 10 procent van Nederlands fietsnetwerk loopt door de natuur (22 September 2023)
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