India
Netherlands
Why patients from Netherlands travel abroad for treatment
Patients from the Netherlands occasionally seek medical treatment abroad when they encounter limited availability of highly specialised procedures at home — particularly complex surgeries, advanced cancer therapies, and organ transplants — or when capacity constraints lead to waiting periods that feel difficult to accept when a condition is pressing. For certain interventions that sit outside the standard covered package, out-of-pocket costs in Western Europe can also be a factor in the decision to look further afield.
India has grown into one of the most sought-after destinations for international patients precisely because it addresses these concerns directly. Its leading hospitals bring together internationally trained specialists, accredited facilities, and technologies that stand comparison with the best anywhere in the world — at a fraction of what comparable private care would cost in Europe. English is widely spoken in clinical settings, which eases communication considerably, and care coordinators experienced with European patients make the practical side of the journey far more manageable than many travellers expect.
India is increasingly being trusted for medical care
India & Netherlands: a friendship that extends to healthcare
India and the Netherlands share a structured healthcare partnership anchored in a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Healthcare and Public Health (signed January 2014) and a dedicated Joint Working Group (JWG) on Healthcare. The 5th meeting of this JWG, held virtually in February 2024, covered antimicrobial resistance, COVID-19 vaccination strategy, and digital-health collaboration. In June 2025, the two governments went further, signing a new MoU on pharmaceuticals and medical devices between India's Department of Pharmaceuticals and the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. During the Vaccine Maitri initiative (launched January 2021), India supplied 11.36 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Netherlands commercially, reflecting India's standing as a global pharmaceutical hub — a role reinforced by drug formulations and biologicals ranking among India's top exports to the Netherlands.
People-to-people ties reinforce this medical familiarity. The Netherlands is home to roughly 240,000 members of the Indian diaspora — the second-largest Indian-origin community in mainland Europe — according to the Embassy of India in The Hague. In April 2024, India's Union Health Secretary visited vaccine-manufacturer Bilthoven Biologicals in Utrecht to explore pandemic-preparedness and vaccine-production collaboration, signalling how deeply the two countries' health ecosystems are intertwined. For a Dutch patient considering treatment in India, this shared institutional history, active pharmaceutical trade, and large resident Indian community mean that India is far from an unfamiliar destination.
Sources: India–Netherlands Bilateral Brief, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (2026 edition, mea.gov.in); India–Netherlands Relations & Indian Community in Netherlands pages, Embassy of India, The Hague (indianembassynetherlands.gov.in); Brief on India–Netherlands Bilateral Trade & Investment, Embassy of India, The Hague; India–Netherlands trade & health cooperation summary, IBEF (ibef.org, citing April 2024 Health Secretary visit).
Specialties for which patients generally travel to India
Heart treatment leads the corridor — across Cardiac Surgery, patients from Netherlands most often travel for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), Heart Transplant Surgery and Heart Valve Replacement Surgery.
Fertility & women's health is another major draw: Infertility & IVF, with Donor Egg IVF, ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Treatment among the most sought treatments.
Many patients also come for Cancer care — Medical Oncology — particularly Cancer Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy for Cancer.
Eye, ear & dental care (Ophthalmology) is also among the care patients from Netherlands commonly seek in India.
Bone & joint care is another major draw: Orthopedics, with Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement Surgery among the most sought treatments.
Spine Surgery also brings patients from Netherlands to India, most commonly for Microdiscectomy and Spinal Fusion Surgery.
Popular Hospitals for Netherlands patients in India
Accredited partner hospitals — specialties, doctors, facilities and accreditations. →
Medical visa from Netherlands to India
Visa requirements for Dutch travellers are set by the Government of India and change from time to time. Rather than publish a procedure that may be out of date, we point you to the official source and confirm your position with you personally.
Check the official Indian government portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in — it is the only authorised site, and no third party can issue an Indian visa on your behalf.
Tell us you are travelling from Netherlands and we will confirm what applies to you, what documents you need and what it costs — usually the same day you ask. Whichever route applies, we arrange the hospital invitation letter free of charge and guide you through the paperwork.
What to bring
- Medical reports & scans — all recent reports, imaging (on disc or drive), prescriptions and discharge summaries, ideally also as digital copies;
- Passport & photos — valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, plus a few passport-size photographs;
- Current medicines — in original packaging, with the prescriptions that cover them;
- A letter from your local doctor — diagnosis and treatment history, if available;
- Payment — an internationally enabled card and/or US dollars; hospitals accept both, and our team advises on the best way to pay;
- Comfortable clothing — loose, layered clothes for hospital stays and recovery;
- Travel documents & hospital papers — your passport, any visa or entry documents that apply to your nationality, and the hospital invitation letter;
- Your companion's documents — passport, photographs and their own travel documents.
Getting to India from Netherlands
Most patients travelling from the Netherlands to India depart from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), which offers well-connected onward routes to major Indian medical hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Travellers based in Rotterdam or The Hague reach Schiphol conveniently by train, typically in under an hour. Flights from Amsterdam Schiphol to major Indian cities such as Delhi and Mumbai take approximately 8 to 10 hours non-stop, with carriers including KLM and Air India operating direct services to Delhi and KLM and IndiGo flying direct to Mumbai; airlines such as Lufthansa, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, among others, offer one-stop connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and other Indian destinations. Direct and single-stopover services are both available, with journey times and layover cities varying by carrier and season. On arrival in India, Ginger Healthcare's coordination team arranges airport pick-up and transfer directly to your hospital or accommodation, so the transition from a long international flight to your first clinical appointment is as smooth as possible.
Live prices from real airline searches — compare dates, airlines and stopovers before you budget. Opens in a new tab. See routes & fares →
Planning the cost of treatment in India
Planning a medical trip to India involves more than the treatment bill itself. Understanding the full picture of likely expenditure before you travel helps you budget with confidence and avoids unwelcome surprises at a time when your focus should be entirely on your health.
- Treatment cost — varies with your specific diagnosis, the hospital you attend, and the specialist who treats you.
- Visa fees: Whatever visa applies to your nationality carries a government fee, plus a small bank processing charge. We confirm the current route and fee with you before you apply — see the visa section below.
Pulling all of these elements together into a single realistic estimate is exactly what the Medical Tourism Cost Calculator is designed to do — giving you a tentative figure covering treatment, visa, airfare and stay in one place. Dedicated counsellors are available around the clock should you have questions or want a more personalised breakdown.
Treatment + visa + travel fare + stay — one tentative estimate, free. Estimate now →
Frequently asked questions — Netherlands
Will language be a barrier during my treatment in India?
For most patients from the Netherlands, language is not a significant obstacle. English is the working language in leading Indian hospitals — consultations, written reports and discharge summaries are routinely provided in English, and most senior specialists have trained or presented internationally.
Google Reviews
What patients say about treatment in India & experience with us
Mironela Nebel“We came from Germany for treatment at BLK-Max Hospital, and our experience has been excellent from start to finish. A special thanks to Emad Hussain for his outstanding support, coordination, and care throughout our entire journey. He was always available, professional, and made everything smooth and stress-free. We would also like to thank Anushka for her kind support and excellent assistance. We truly appreciate everything the team has done for us. We highly recommend their services to anyone planning to come to India for medical treatment. They are trustworthy, reliable, and genuinely care about their patients. Thank you so much for everything!”
Helena Garrigos Martin “Very nice experience with Emad and Anushka , they guided me through the whole process and medical consultations! I recommend Ginger Healthcare with no doubt”
Amondeep Mandiar “I can honestly say that my experience seeking treatment abroad was nothing short of exceptional, and it really highlighted just how disappointing my experience with the NHS had been in comparison. After facing long delays, lack of clear communication, and a general feeling of being overlooked in the UK system, making the decision to travel overseas for care felt like a last resort—but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. From the moment we arrived, everything was handled with a level of professionalism and efficiency that immediately put me at ease. The hospital itself was spotless, modern, and incredibly well-organised. There was no sense of chaos or long waiting around; every appointment, test, and consultation was arranged promptly and ran exactly on time. It felt like the entire system was built around patient care and comfort, rather than patients having to fit into an overstretched system. The medical team were outstanding. Every doctor and nurse I interacted with took the time to listen carefully, explain things clearly, and make sure I fully understood my treatment plan. I never once felt rushed or dismissed. Instead, I felt genuinely cared for and respected, which made a huge difference during what was already a stressful time. One of the standout parts of the entire experience was the support we received from Natasha, our international client coordinator. From the very beginning, she went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. She organised appointments, helped with paperwork, arranged transport, and was always available whenever we had questions or concerns. Her communication was excellent, and she made what could have been a very overwhelming experience feel simple and manageable. Natasha didn’t just do her job—she genuinely cared. She checked in on us regularly, made sure we were comfortable, and provided reassurance every step of the way. Having someone like her there made a huge difference, especially being in a foreign country where things can easily feel unfamiliar or stressful. Overall, the level of care, attention, and efficiency we experienced abroad was on a completely different level. It’s frustrating to say, but the contrast with the NHS was stark. Where we had previously faced delays and uncertainty, we instead found clarity, speed, and genuine compassion. I would highly recommend this hospital to anyone considering treatment abroad. The quality of care, combined with the incredible support from staff like Natasha, made what could have been a difficult experience into a very positive one. I’m truly grateful for the care I received and wouldn’t hesitate to make the same decision again if needed.”
Hakeem Rasully“Hi I just wanted to share my sincere appreciation for the outstanding experience I had. Everything exceeded my expectations, and I am especially grateful to Mr. Emad Hussain and Anushka . They took exceptional care of me throughout my time there, always ensuring I was comfortable and well looked after. Their support meant so much. I will absolutely recommend your services to everyone I know. Thank you once again for such a wonderful experience.”
Ana Maria Ghimbulut“Amazon experience all day at the hospital under caring fii dance and patience. Very help full and kind staff ready to help all the time.”
Maidul Islam“I extremely grateful for the Ginger Healthcare team. They helped me including airport-hotel transport, in the hospital registration, etc I want to sincerely thank you for the wonderful support throughout my medical journey in India.”