Healthcare & Pharmacy

The community service subsidy (maatschappelijke dienstverleningsubsidie) is a municipal grant for community organizations in areas such as arts and culture, tourism, sports, welfare, care, or education. The subsidy supports activities that strengthen social cohesion and community spirit, particularly for organizations celebrating significant milestones such as 25th, 50th, or 100th anniversaries.Recognized associations and foundations can apply for this subsidy at the municipality. The municipality determines the eligibility criteria, maximum subsidy amount, and application procedure. You typically need to submit a plan describing your anniversary activities and how they benefit the community. The available budget is set annually, and applications are assessed on their contribution to social engagement, accessibility, and community value.

Issued by: Municipality

Social care subsidy (maatschappelijke zorg subsidie) is intended for organizations that organize activities that strengthen the social foundation of residents. This subsidy supports initiatives in the areas of welfare, participation, elderly care, youth work, and other forms of social support.The subsidy aims to make communities more resilient and prevent social isolation. Organizations can apply for subsidies for structural or incidental activities that contribute to the well-being and self-reliance of residents. Applications for the coming year can usually be submitted during the summer months.

Issued by: Municipality

If you manufacture, prepare, or wholesale medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), blood products, or bodily materials, you need a license from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. This license ensures that the production and distribution of medicines meets strict quality and safety standards under Dutch and European pharmaceutical legislation.The license is mandatory for pharmaceutical manufacturers, compounding pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and wholesale distributors of medicines. You must demonstrate compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) or Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards. The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) supervises licensed businesses through regular inspections and can suspend or revoke your license if you fail to maintain the required standards.

Issued by: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

If your business manufactures, imports, or distributes medical devices in the Netherlands, you must comply with the requirements set out in the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR 2017/745) and the Dutch Medical Devices Decree (Besluit medische hulpmiddelen). These regulations set strict standards for the safety, quality, and performance of medical devices placed on the market.Manufacturers must obtain CE marking through a notified body before placing devices on the market. Importers and distributors must verify that devices carry proper CE marking and are registered in EUDAMED, the European database for medical devices. The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) supervises compliance in the Netherlands and can order product recalls or impose fines for non-compliant devices.

Issued by: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

An Opium Act exemption (opiumontheffing) is required for manufacturing, processing, selling, delivering, or transporting controlled substances listed on List I or List II of the Dutch Opium Act. Without this exemption, handling these substances is prohibited.The exemption is granted by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). It applies to pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, laboratories, and other businesses that work with controlled substances for medical, scientific, or industrial purposes. Applications are assessed on the intended use, security measures, and record-keeping procedures. The exemption specifies which substances are covered, in what quantities, and under which conditions they may be handled.

Issued by: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

The healthcare provider notification (zorgaanbiedersmelding) is the mandatory registration under the Healthcare Providers Entry Act (Wet toetreding zorgaanbieders, Wtza). Every new healthcare provider must file this notification with CIBG before starting care activities. The notification ensures that the Healthcare Inspectorate (IGJ) has oversight of all active care providers in the Netherlands.The notification applies to both new providers and existing providers who undergo significant changes, such as expanding into a new type of care. You submit the notification digitally through the CIBG care provider portal (Zorgaanbiedersportaal). CIBG forwards the information to the IGJ, which uses it to organize risk-based supervision of healthcare quality and safety.

Issued by: CIBG

A healthcare institution admission license (toelatingsvergunning) is required under the Healthcare Providers Entry Act (Wet toetreding zorgaanbieders, Wtza) for healthcare institutions that provide medically specialized care, personal care to more than ten clients, or care under the Long-term Care Act (Wlz). The license ensures that organizations meet quality and governance requirements before they may deliver care.The license is handled by CIBG on behalf of the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport. Applications are submitted through the CIBG care provider portal. The assessment covers governance structure, quality management, financial administration, and compliance with conditions set by law. Existing providers who previously held a WTZi admission were automatically converted to a Wtza license.

Issued by: CIBG