Over half of Dutch out-patient clinics have long waiting lists

Waiting times for medical care in the Netherlands have continued to increase in recent years, according to an ANP analysis on waiting lists for specialist care, tracked by the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). Last year, just over half of outpatient clinics had excessively long waiting times.

According to national healthcare agreements, patients should wait no longer than four weeks for treatment. In 2022, approximately 45 percent of outpatient clinic treatments had longer waiting lists.

Between 2022 and 2025, the average waiting time for outpatient care rose from 34 to 42 days, meaning patients now wait an average of 1.5 months for treatment.

Waiting times have increased most rapidly at the Diabeter Nederland clinics. The average waiting time there rose from almost three months in 2022 to 7.5 months in 2025.

Starting this year, health insurers can access clinics’ waiting lists, allowing them to more proactively assist policyholders in finding the fastest care, even if that means traveling a bit farther. Insurers can step in if policyholders consent and the waiting time is longer than the agreed-upon maximum of four weeks.

According to Ipsos I&O, 68 percent of people in the Netherlands would use this option if available.