New data highlight increased investment in primary care, but GPs argue much of the additional funding merely corrects years of undercompensation
Dutch general practitioners (GPs) are participating in a rolling strike over rates they say fail to cover the growing cost of running practices, even as new figures from the Dutch Healthcare Institute show general practice is among the fastest-growing areas of healthcare spending this year.
Spending covered by the Health Insurance Act (Zvw) is projected to increase by 6.1% to €65.6 billion. Costs under the Long-Term Care Act for elderly and special care, known as the WLZ, are also expected to rise by 5% to €40.8 billion.
These figures are based on claims submitted by health insurers and regional care offices for the first quarter of 2026 and could still be revised. Currently, they show GP care is growing almost two percentage points faster than overall Zvw spending. The institute linked the increase largely to higher regulated tariffs and pay adjustments across primary care.
Salaried GPs received a structural 3% pay increase from February while a 2.97% increase in the minimum hourly wage for medical assistants took effect in July.
