Expat health care in Amsterdam, in your own language
Looking for expat health care in Amsterdam that takes time for you? Mesology Amsterdam offers integrative care in English, Spanish or Dutch. Adriana Guarin, a certified mesologist, looks for the underlying causes of chronic complaints such as stress, fatigue, gut problems, hormonal imbalance and fertility issues. You don’t need a GP referral, and an intake takes 90 minutes, so there is time to tell your whole story.
Adriana knows expat life from the inside. She came to the Netherlands from Colombia in 2002, studied in Rotterdam and built her career in Amsterdam before becoming a mesologist. She understands what a move abroad does to your routine, your diet, your stress levels and your health, and how confusing the Dutch health care system can feel at first.
Mesology does not replace your GP (huisarts). It works alongside regular care, and Adriana refers you to a doctor when medical treatment is needed.
Why expats choose Mesology Amsterdam
Moving to Amsterdam brings new food, a new climate, a new language and often a demanding job, far from family and familiar doctors. Many expats notice that complaints appear or get worse in their first years here, while the Dutch system can feel short on time and quick to say “wait and see”.
Good expat health care gives you time, a clear explanation in your own language, and a plan that fits your life here. That is what you get at Mesology Amsterdam.
How I support expats
Every plan is personal, but these are the themes expats most often bring to my practice.
- No referral needed
You can book directly, without a referral from your GP. Mesology works alongside your huisarts and specialist, and I refer you to a doctor when that is needed.
- Care in your language
Expat health care starts with being understood. Consultations are in English, Spanish or Dutch, and your written plan comes in the same language. No need to explain your health in a language you are still learning.
- Stress and settling in
A new job, culture and social circle can overload your nervous system. We work on sleep, energy and stress resilience with nutrition, breathing and lifestyle steps.
- Gut and digestion
New food, water, routines and stress often show up in your gut: bloating, irregular bowels or new food reactions. We look for the cause and calm your digestion step by step.
- Hormones and fertility
Cycle problems, menopause complaints or trying to conceive far from home. I support women and couples, also alongside IVF or IUI at a Dutch clinic.
- Energy in the Dutch climate
Long, grey winters with little sunlight can affect your energy, mood and vitamin D levels. We look at what your body needs to stay well all year.
How Dutch health care works for expats
The Dutch system in four steps
Health insurance: if you live or work in the Netherlands, you are usually required to take out Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering), even if you have international cover.
Your GP (huisarts): register with a GP near your home as soon as you can. The GP is your first point of care for illness and treats most complaints.
Referrals: to see a hospital specialist you need a referral from your GP. Many expats find the Dutch approach cautious, with fewer tests and prescriptions than they are used to.
Complementary care: for expat health care beyond the GP, you can see a mesologist directly, without a referral. Mesology is not covered by basic insurance, but many supplementary policies (aanvullende verzekering) partly reimburse it.
Keep your GP informed and keep taking any prescribed medication. Mesology complements regular care; it does not replace it.
Expat health care in Amsterdam: common concerns
In expat health care, the complaints I see most are often connected: stress affects your gut, your gut affects your hormones, and poor sleep affects everything. At Mesology Amsterdam I help with:
Stress, burnout and poor sleep after a move or in a demanding job
Gut and digestion: bloating, irritable bowel complaints and histamine intolerance
Fatigue and low energy, especially in the darker months
Hormonal balance: cycle problems, PMS and menopause complaints
Fertility: female subfertility, male fertility and support alongside IVF or IUI
Chronic complaints where regular tests have not found a clear cause
Read more about what mesology is and how it works. Feeling well and want to stay that way? See the preventive health check.
Your GP and a mesologist: how they work together
Your GP (huisarts)
Dutch, and most GPs also speak English. Spanish rarely.
Not needed: you need to be registered with one GP practice. Changing GP is difficult.
Usually about 10 minutes per health topic or question
Diagnosis, acute illness, prescriptions and referrals
Mesology
English, Spanish and Dutch
Not needed: book directly.
90-minute intake, 60-minute follow-ups. Time for all health questions or topics.
Finds underlying causes of chronic complaints and complements your GP
Hospital specialist
Dutch, often also English
Needed from your GP
Varies per specialism
Diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions
Qualified and registered
The title Mesologist (Mesologie®) is protected in the Netherlands. Only practitioners who completed the programme at the Academy for Mesology can register as mesologists, and they keep their registration through continuing education.
Adriana Guarin has practised since 2022 and is a member of the NVVM (Dutch Association for Mesology), VBAG and RBCZ. Dutch supplementary insurers usually require this membership before they reimburse your consultations. More about Adriana.
Cost and insurance for expats
Intake consultation: €180 (90 minutes)
Follow-up consultation: €150 (60 minutes)
All rates are VAT-exempt. No referral is needed.
Basic health insurance does not cover mesology. For expat health care, many Dutch supplementary insurances partly reimburse consultations, and some international health insurances cover complementary care too: check your policy. You receive an invoice by email after each visit to submit to your insurer. Reimbursement from supplementary insurance does not affect your eigen risico (mandatory excess). See prices and insurance.
Frequently asked ~
questions from expats
Questions ~
No. For expat health care at Mesology Amsterdam you can book directly, without a referral. Mesology works alongside your GP (huisarts), and Adriana refers you to a doctor when medical care is needed.
Yes. Expat health care at Mesology Amsterdam is offered in English, Spanish or Dutch, and your written plan is in the same language.
Dutch basic insurance does not cover mesology. Many supplementary insurances partly reimburse it, as Adriana is a member of the NVVM, VBAG and RBCZ. If you have international health insurance, check your policy for complementary or alternative care. You receive an invoice after each visit.
Yes. You don’t need a GP to book. We do recommend registering with a GP near your home, as the GP is your first point of care for illness and referrals in the Netherlands.
Yes, please bring them. Test results, reports and a list of your medication and supplements from abroad help to build a complete picture, even if they are in another language.
Yes, video consultations are possible, for example if you live outside Amsterdam or travel a lot. The EPD measurement can only be done at the practice in Amsterdam.
The practice is at Kiekstraat 71d (second floor, with a lift) in IJburg, Amsterdam. Tram 26 runs from Amsterdam Central Station about every 7 minutes, and the stop is a 5-minute walk away. There is paid parking around the practice.
Settling into life in Amsterdam?
Book your expat health care intake with Adriana, in English, Spanish or Dutch.