If you need medical care while in Amsterdam, knowing where to go makes a big difference.
Whether you face an emergency, need general treatment or require specialist care, the city has a strong network of hospitals, clinics and medical centres.
This guide covers academic hospitals, major teaching hospitals, general hospitals and specialised institutions that visitors and residents may rely on.
Table of Contents
What types of hospitals operate in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam’s healthcare network includes several categories that serve different medical needs:
Academic Medical Centres
These centres provide complex treatments, advanced diagnostics and highly specialised care. They are also major research and training centres.
Top Clinical / Teaching Hospitals
These hospitals combine general care with specialist departments. Many run residency and training programs and provide broad emergency services.
General Hospitals
These facilities offer routine medical care, emergency departments and referrals to higher-level centres when required.
This structure helps visitors quickly identify the right hospital based on urgency and condition.
Which major academic hospitals serve Amsterdam?
Amsterdam UMC (AMC and VUmc locations)
AMC Address: Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam Zuid-Oost
VUmc Address: De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam Zuid
Phone: 020 566 9111 (AMC) and 020 444 4444 (VUmc)
Amsterdam UMC combines two university hospitals:
- AMC in the south-east
- VUmc in the southern district
This integration forms one of the leading medical centres in Europe.
What makes Amsterdam UMC important?
- Level I trauma care at AMC
- Neurosurgery, cardiology, oncology, and intensive care
- Research-driven treatments
- Highly specialised surgeons and consultants
- International patient departments
- English-language support
Which top clinical and teaching hospitals are available?
OLVG Hospital (East and West locations)
OLVG East: Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC
OLVG West: Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE
Phone: 020 599 9111
OLVG is one of the city’s most reliable teaching hospitals, with two central locations. It offers emergency care, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, paediatrics and maternity.
Why travellers rely on OLVG:
- Easily accessible from central Amsterdam
- Strong multilingual communication
- Wide range of specialists on call
BovenIJ Hospital
Address: Statenjachtstraat 1, 1034 CS
Phone: 020 634 6346
Located in Amsterdam Noord, BovenIJ provides essential services for the northern part of the city.
Key functions include:
- Emergency care
- Orthopaedics
- Internal medicine
- Maternity and paediatrics
- Outpatient clinics
This hospital is especially convenient for visitors staying near Noord, NDSM Wharf or across the IJ.
Which specialised hospitals and centres may be needed?
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (Netherlands Cancer Institute)
Address: Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX
Phone: 020 512 9111
This is the national oncology centre and one of Europe’s foremost institutions for cancer care, research and radiotherapy.
Boerhaave Medical Centre
Address: Dintelstraat 60, 1078 VV, Amsterdam
Phone: +31 20 305 0030 (alternative: +31 88 40 00 200)
A private clinic in central Amsterdam offering cosmetic treatments and selected medical procedures.
Sanquin Blood Bank
Address: Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX
Phone (donors): 0800 366 6736
General phone: 020 512 3281
Sanquin manages blood donation and plasma supply across the Netherlands.
Red Cross Amsterdam
Address: Valkenburgerstraat 24, 1011 LZ
Phone: 020 622 6211
This is a service and support centre (first aid, humanitarian support, volunteer services, social support), not a full hospital
How do you access emergency care in Amsterdam?
What number should you call in an emergency?
Call 112, the European emergency number.
Can you go directly to a hospital?
Yes. Amsterdam’s major hospitals have emergency departments equipped for sudden illness or injury.
What should visitors bring to the hospital?
- Passport or ID
- Insurance details
- Travel insurance documents
- Medication list
- Referral letter (if non-emergency and requested)
Is English spoken in hospitals?
Yes. Hospital staff across Amsterdam communicate in English, especially in emergency and international patient departments.
Which hospital should you choose for different needs?
| Medical Need | Best Options |
|---|---|
| Serious emergency, trauma, major accidents | Amsterdam UMC (AMC) or OLVG |
| Heart, brain or complex internal issues | Amsterdam UMC |
| General illness, infection, fractures | OLVG or BovenIJ |
| Cancer diagnosis or treatment | Antoni van Leeuwenhoek |
| Cosmetic or elective procedures | Boerhaave Clinic |
| Blood donation or plasma tests | Sanquin Blood Bank |
This structure helps travellers and residents make informed choices under pressure.
Where can you get help from the Amsterdam police if the situation involves safety concerns?
If your situation involves an accident, theft, loss of documents, public safety concerns or any non-medical issue, contacting the Amsterdam police may be necessary.
You can learn how to contact the police in Amsterdam, when to call, and what services they provide through this guide.