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Expats at A1–B1 Dutch contacting a Dutch GP practice · NL

Dutch for making a GP reception appointment

When you call a huisartspraktijk, the assistant may ask questions before offering an appointment. Give a short reason in your own words, answer what you can, and say when you do not understand. This guide teaches communication only. It does not assess symptoms, urgency or treatment; use your practice's official instructions for care.

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Published 10 Sept 2026 · Editor: Flalingo

Read it once. Then take one role.

A complete Dutch exchange

Requesting an appointment

The doktersassistent is part of the practice and may ask why you are calling. Keep the description brief and factual.

Patiënt

Goedemorgen. Ik wil graag een afspraak maken met de huisarts.

Good morning. I would like to make an appointment with the GP.

Assistent

Waarvoor wilt u een afspraak maken?

What would you like to make an appointment for?

Patiënt

Ik heb sinds drie dagen last van mijn keel en ik wil dit graag bespreken.

I have had trouble with my throat for three days and I would like to discuss it.

Assistent

Heeft u ook koorts?

Do you also have a fever?

Patiënt

Dat weet ik niet zeker. Ik heb mijn temperatuur niet gemeten.

I am not sure. I have not taken my temperature.

Assistent

Ik stel nog een paar vragen en dan kijken we wat passend is.

I will ask a few more questions and then we will see what is appropriate.

Notice: Do not memorise a symptom story. Replace it with your actual reason. The assistant's questions help the practice decide the next contact.

Confirming the booking

Repeat practical details and ask for extra conversation time only if you need it.

Assistent

U kunt morgen om kwart over negen komen.

You can come tomorrow at quarter past nine.

Patiënt

Morgen om negen uur vijftien, klopt dat?

Tomorrow at 9:15, is that correct?

Assistent

Ja. Wilt u tien minuten eerder aanwezig zijn?

Yes. Would you please arrive ten minutes early?

Patiënt

Prima. Ik heb twee onderwerpen. Is daar genoeg tijd voor?

Fine. I have two topics. Is there enough time for that?

Assistent

Dan plan ik een langere afspraak in.

Then I will schedule a longer appointment.

Patiënt

Dank u. Moet ik nog iets meenemen?

Thank you. Do I need to bring anything?

Notice: Kwart over negen is 9:15. Repeating the digital time is a safe comprehension check.

Keep the structure. Change the detail.

Useful phrases

Ik wil graag een afspraak maken.

I would like to make an appointment.

Graag softens the request.

Ik heb sinds … last van …

I have had trouble with … since …

Use only for your own truthful description.

Dat weet ik niet zeker.

I am not sure about that.

Better than guessing.

Kunt u de vraag anders formuleren?

Could you phrase the question differently?

Useful when repetition alone will not help.

Om negen uur vijftien, klopt dat?

At 9:15, is that correct?

Repeat Dutch quarter-hour times in digits.

Moet ik iets meenemen?

Do I need to bring anything?

A practical closing question.

Repair the sentence

Common mistakes and clearer alternatives

Avoid

Ik wil afspraak huisarts.

Use

Ik wil graag een afspraak maken met de huisarts.

Dutch needs the articles and the fixed phrase een afspraak maken.
Avoid

Ik ben pijn in keel.

Use

Ik heb last van mijn keel.

Dutch commonly uses last hebben van for a complaint.
Avoid

Negen en kwart?

Use

Kwart over negen, dus negen uur vijftien?

Kwart over names 15 minutes after the hour; repeating digits prevents confusion.

Make it fit your situation

Two useful adaptations

You need more time to explain

Nederlands is niet mijn eerste taal. Kunt u iets langzamer spreken?

Dutch is not my first language. Could you speak a little more slowly?

Say this early, before important details.

You have more than one topic

Ik wil twee dingen bespreken. Is een langere afspraak mogelijk?

I would like to discuss two things. Is a longer appointment possible?

Ask the assistant; the practice decides what can be booked.

Your turn

Say a version that belongs to you

Rehearse a safe appointment call

Use a non-sensitive invented reason, then practise the scheduling language.

  1. Say your name and request an appointment.
  2. Give a one-sentence reason with a duration.
  3. Answer one follow-up with yes, no or not sure.
  4. Repeat an offered time in digital form.
  5. Ask what to bring and close politely.
This exercise does not submit or save your draft.
Self-check after you speak

Common questions

Before you practise

Why does the assistant ask what the appointment is about?

GP practices use the assistant to ask questions and arrange the appropriate contact. Answer briefly and truthfully.

What should I do in an emergency?

Follow the emergency instructions from your GP practice or out-of-hours service. This page cannot judge urgency.

Can I ask for a longer appointment?

Yes. Thuisarts advises discussing extra time with the assistant when you have more than one issue.

Checked context

Sources