Traveling to Amsterdam with diabetes requires an extra layer of planning that most travel guides never mention.
You’re not only deciding where to stay, which museums to visit, or how many Stroopwafels you can reasonably eat in one trip. Or can you actually have one at all. You may also be wondering where the closest pharmacy is, how you would replace lost insulin or medication, whether your hotel can safely refrigerate it, and where you could find medical care in English if something went wrong.
This guide was inspired by my mother-in-law, who has Type 1 diabetes. During a conversation about traveling, she explained how much additional research goes into every trip—research that travelers without a medical condition may never have to consider.
That made me realize something: recommending a conveniently located hotel should mean more than being able to walk to the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, or a canal cruise. For some travelers, it also means knowing that a pharmacy, medical care, a grocery store, and a dependable source of help are nearby.
In this guide, I’ve gathered practical information for travelers managing diabetes in Amsterdam, including:
- Pharmacies near my recommended Amsterdam hotels
- How to find medical help at night or on weekends
- English-speaking medical-care options
- Emergency and non-emergency medical information
- Information to have available if medication or supplies are lost
- Questions to ask hotels about insulin refrigeration
- Restaurant features that may make meals easier to manage
- Helpful Dutch words and phrases
Although this guide was inspired by someone with Type 1 diabetes, much of the information can also help travelers with Type 2 diabetes, including those who use insulin, oral medication, glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, or insulin pumps.
This guide is not a substitute for advice from your own diabetes-care team. Use it as a starting point for planning, and always verify pharmacy hours, medical services, medication availability, and hotel amenities before your trip.
If you’re looking for additional destinations, check out my other traveling with diabetes destination guides.
Diabetes & Medical Help in Amsterdam
Save these numbers before your trip so you know exactly where to turn if you need help.
- Medical emergency/Ambulance: 112
- European emergency number: 112
- Urgent medical care outside normal GP hours: 088 003 0600
- GP Emergency Stations Amsterdam: 088 003 0600
For a Serious Medical Emergency: Call 112
For a serious or potentially life-threatening medical emergency, call 112.
This is the European emergency number and can connect you with an ambulance, police, or the fire department. Amsterdam’s official visitor information says 112 operators speak English as well as Dutch.
If the situation is life-threatening, don’t spend time trying to locate an English-speaking doctor or a particular hospital first. Call 112.
For Urgent Medical Help Outside Normal Office Hours: 088 003 0600
This is an especially useful number for travelers to save.
Amsterdam’s GP Emergency Stations (Huisartsenspoedposten Amsterdam) provide urgent GP care during evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays.
Call 088 003 0600 if you have an urgent medical problem that cannot reasonably wait until the next working day but is not a life-threatening emergency.
Importantly for travelers, the service says that people who aren’t registered with a GP in Amsterdam but are currently in the region and need urgent care can also contact them.
When you call, a trained triage professional will assess the situation. Depending on what is happening, you may receive medical advice by phone, be given an appointment at a GP emergency station, or—in situations where traveling isn’t medically appropriate—a doctor may come to you.
The service currently operates:
- Weekdays: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- Weekends: Friday at 5:00 p.m. through Monday at 8:00 a.m.
- Public holidays: 24 hours
Amsterdam has four GP emergency-station locations, including locations associated with OLVG East, OLVG West, BovenIJ Hospital, and Amsterdam UMC.
Call first rather than simply showing up.
Tourist Medical Care in Amsterdam
Amsterdam also has medical services aimed specifically at international visitors.
The city’s official visitor information recommends contacting your hotel reception for help arranging a doctor when needed and lists tourist-doctor services for non-life-threatening problems such as forgotten medication, minor injuries, or other medical concerns that shouldn’t necessarily require a hospital emergency department.
This could be particularly useful if you’ve lost medication, need help obtaining a local prescription, or aren’t sure how to navigate the Dutch healthcare system.
For a problem that is urgent and can’t wait until ordinary GP hours, I would start with 088 003 0600.
For a life-threatening emergency, call 112.
And I wouldn’t automatically head to a hospital emergency department for every medical problem. In the Netherlands, the GP is generally the first point of contact for non-life-threatening medical issues and can refer you to hospital care when necessary.
If you’re staying at a hotel, the front desk may also be able to help you contact an appropriate doctor or medical service.
One More Thing for American Travelers
Don’t assume medical care will be free because you’re visiting Europe.
Amsterdam’s GP Emergency Stations specifically state that foreign tourists who cannot demonstrate applicable insurance may need to pay for care themselves and then seek reimbursement from their insurer.
Before your trip, save your travel-insurance information along with your medication list, prescriptions, and other diabetes information.
I would also keep a copy of your passport or identification information handy. If you’re asked to visit one of Amsterdam’s GP emergency stations, they advise bringing valid identification.
Save These Before Your Trip
112 — life-threatening medical emergency
088 003 0600 — urgent GP care during evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
Your travel-insurance medical-assistance number
Your hotel’s front desk/concierge number
Your diabetes-care team’s contact information
Before relying on any phone number during your trip, save it in your phone and confirm that you can make calls in the Netherlands.
Quick Navigation
Before Traveling to the Netherlands With Diabetes
The goal isn’t to plan for every possible disaster. It’s to answer the most important questions before you leave so you aren’t trying to solve them while standing in an unfamiliar pharmacy—or after realizing an essential supply is missing.
Before traveling to Amsterdam, talk with your diabetes-care team about your plans, particularly if you’ll be crossing several time zones. Ask about medication timing, insulin adjustments, managing highs and lows during travel, and what to do if your normal routine changes.
Amsterdam can also mean considerably more walking than you expect. Between museums, canal neighborhoods, restaurants and the inevitable “it’s only a 12-minute walk”, your normal daily routine may look very different on vacation.
Diabetes Travel Checklist
Before your trip, consider bringing:
- More medication and diabetes supplies than you expect to use
- Insulin, oral medication and essential supplies in your carry-on
- A written list of your medications using both brand and generic names
- Copies of your prescriptions
- A letter from your healthcare provider explaining your diagnosis, medications and medical devices
- Your clinician’s contact information
- Your travel-insurance information
- A medical identification card or bracelet
- Backup glucose-testing supplies
- Extra CGM sensors, pump supplies, batteries or charging cables
- Fast-acting glucose or whatever you normally use for low blood sugar
- A temperature-appropriate insulin travel case if needed
- Supplies divided between two carry-on bags when traveling with someone you trust
I would also photograph your prescriptions, medication packaging, device model numbers and insurance documents. Store the photographs somewhere you can access even if your phone or primary bag is lost.
One Amsterdam-specific thing I’d add to the folder is 088 003 0600, the number for Amsterdam’s GP Emergency Stations. They provide urgent GP care during evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, and travelers who aren’t registered with a local Amsterdam GP can contact the service when they need urgent care that can’t wait until the next working day.
My Practical Advice
Create one diabetes-information folder on your phone before leaving home. Include your medication list, prescriptions, clinician’s letter, insurance information, emergency contacts, device details, photographs of your supplies, and the Amsterdam medical numbers we saved earlier.
I’d keep a printed copy of the most important information somewhere in my luggage too.
It may feel excessive while you’re packing.
If something is lost or damaged—or you find yourself trying to explain exactly which medication you need to a Dutch doctor or pharmacist—it could save hours of stress.
Bringing Diabetes Medication Into the Netherlands
Travelers can bring most medications into the Netherlands for their own personal use, but I would still travel with enough documentation to make it clear what the medication is and why you need it.
The Dutch government recommends being able to show that the medication is for your personal use. Certain medications are subject to additional rules under the Netherlands’ Opium Act and may require an official certificate.
For insulin and other diabetes medications, I would bring:
- Medication in its original pharmacy-labeled packaging
- A copy of your prescription
- A letter from your healthcare provider
- A list showing both the brand and generic or active-ingredient names
- Medication strength and usual dosage
- Enough medication and supplies for the trip, plus extra for delays or problems
If you take other prescription medications in addition to your diabetes medication, check those individually too. Some medications—including certain strong pain medications, sleeping or anxiety medications, ADHD medications and medicinal cannabis—can fall under the Dutch Opium Act and require additional documentation.
Don’t assume that because one medication can enter the Netherlands without additional paperwork, everything in your medicine bag can.
Keep Medication in Its Original Packaging
Whenever possible, carry insulin and other medication in its original pharmacy-labeled packaging.
The Dutch government specifically recommends original packaging because it makes it clear that what you’re carrying is medication.
It also makes things considerably easier if you’re questioned by airport security or customs—or if you later need to show a Dutch pharmacist or doctor exactly what you normally use.
I wouldn’t rely solely on pill organizers or unlabeled containers.
They’re convenient once you arrive.
They’re considerably less convenient when you’re trying to explain what is in them to someone in another country.
Carry Your Medication in Your Hand Luggage
I would keep insulin, diabetes medication and essential supplies in your carry-on luggage, rather than checked baggage.
NetherlandsWorldwide specifically recommends carrying medications in hand luggage when flying into the Netherlands so you can show them during an inspection if necessary.
It also prevents your essential medication from disappearing along with a delayed suitcase.
Keep the documentation with the medication rather than buried somewhere else in your luggage.
Know the Generic Names
The medication brand you use at home may not be the name a pharmacist or doctor recognizes in Amsterdam.
Before leaving home, make a list that includes:
- Brand name
- Generic or active-ingredient name
- Medication strength
- Your usual dosage
- Manufacturer, if relevant
- Exact model of your pump, CGM, meter or other diabetes device
If you lose medication or supplies, that little list could suddenly become extremely important.
A Medication List Is Useful—but It Isn’t the Same as Required Travel Documentation
Dutch authorities recommend having a medication overview or medication passport when traveling because it can help if you lose medication or need to see a doctor or pharmacist.
But there’s an important distinction.
A medication passport or medication list is not a travel document and doesn’t replace an official certificate when one is legally required for a particular medication.
For most travelers with diabetes, the practical takeaway is simple: bring good documentation for everything you use, and separately check whether any of your medications fall under Dutch controlled-medication rules.
Don’t Assume a U.S. Prescription Will Work in Amsterdam
Bring copies of your U.S. prescriptions with you.
I would absolutely want them if something went wrong.
But I wouldn’t assume that handing an American prescription to an Amsterdam pharmacy automatically means the pharmacy can dispense the medication.
The prescription is still extremely useful because it gives a Dutch pharmacist or doctor important information about the medication, strength and dosage you normally use.
If you need a replacement prescription during your trip, you may need help from a Dutch doctor or other appropriate healthcare provider before the pharmacy can dispense a prescription-only medicine.
That’s another reason to save the Amsterdam medical-care information we covered earlier.
Pack More Than You Expect to Need
Bring enough medication and diabetes supplies for your entire trip plus extra.
Flights get canceled.
Trips get extended.
Sensors fail.
Infusion sets come loose.
Things get left in hotel rooms.
Amsterdam is not where I’d want to discover that I packed exactly seven days of supplies for a seven-day trip.
Keep insulin, medication and the diabetes supplies you can’t easily replace with you rather than putting them in checked luggage.
Traveling With Needles, Pumps and CGMs
Keep syringes, lancets, insulin pens, pumps, CGMs and testing supplies together with your medication labels and medical documentation so they’re easy to explain during airport screening.
For your flight from the United States, follow the current TSA instructions for medications and your particular medical devices.
For the trip home, remember that you’ll be going through Dutch airport security at Schiphol, not TSA.
And before flying, check the screening instructions from the manufacturer of your particular CGM or insulin pump. Different devices can have different recommendations about X-ray equipment and security scanners.
Don’t rely on another traveler’s experience with a different device.
One More Thing I’d Check
If you take any medication besides your diabetes medication, check it individually before your trip.
The Netherlands has specific documentation requirements for certain medicines covered by its Opium Act.
I would check the complete medication list with your doctor or pharmacist well before departure and verify the current Netherlands requirements for anything that might be restricted.
I’d rather discover that paperwork is necessary while I’m still sitting at home than while I’m standing at customs at Schiphol.
What to Do if Insulin, Medication or Diabetes Supplies Are Lost in Amsterdam?
Losing insulin, medication, a CGM sensor, or other diabetes supplies while traveling is stressful anywhere. It feels considerably more stressful when you’re in another country and don’t know how the healthcare system works.
The good news is that Amsterdam has pharmacies throughout the city, tourist medical services, and an after-hours GP system that travelers can use when an urgent medical problem can’t wait.
If you lose something essential, I wouldn’t wait until you’re completely out to start figuring out how to replace it.
Step 1: Gather Your Medication Information
Pull out the information you saved before your trip:
- Prescription or copy of the prescription
- Original medication packaging, if you still have it
- Brand and generic/active-ingredient name
- Medication strength and dosage
- Your doctor’s letter
- Your healthcare provider’s contact information
- Travel-insurance information
- Passport or other identification
If you use a CGM, insulin pump, or another device, have the exact manufacturer and model information available too.
This is where those photographs of your medication labels and supplies suddenly become very useful.
Step 2: Contact a Pharmacy
A Dutch pharmacy is called an apotheek.
Start with a nearby pharmacy and explain what happened. Bring your identification, medication information, prescription copy, and original packaging if you have it.
The pharmacist can tell you whether the medication or an appropriate equivalent is available and what documentation or local prescription may be required.
One important thing to remember is that medication brand names can vary between countries. Having the generic or active-ingredient name makes it much easier to identify what you normally use.
Don’t assume that a U.S. prescription will automatically be accepted and filled exactly as it would be at home.
Dutch government guidance about cross-border prescriptions specifically emphasizes the generic/substance name because medication names and availability can differ between countries. The formal EU cross-border prescription rules apply to prescriptions issued within the EU, so an American traveler may need assistance from a Dutch doctor to obtain a replacement prescription. (government.nl)
Step 3: If You Need a Dutch Prescription, Contact a Doctor
If the pharmacy cannot replace your prescription medication without a Dutch prescription, the next step is to contact a doctor.
During normal hours, your hotel may be able to help you locate or contact a local GP.
Amsterdam’s official visitor information also lists TouristDoc for visitors dealing with non-life-threatening medical problems, including forgotten medication. (iamsterdam.com)
Bring as much documentation as possible.
The easier you make it for the doctor to determine exactly what medication you normally use, the easier the process is likely to be.
Step 4: If It's Urgent and After Hours, Call 088 003 0600
If you urgently need medication and the problem cannot wait until normal GP hours, call the Amsterdam GP Emergency Stations at 088 003 0600.
Travelers who aren’t registered with an Amsterdam GP can still contact the service when they are in the area and need urgent care. (huisartsenpostenamsterdam.nl)
There’s also something particularly useful to know about medication.
Amsterdam’s GP Emergency Stations say repeat prescriptions are normally handled by your regular GP, but an on-duty GP can issue a repeat prescription in an urgent situation. They generally prescribe enough medication to cover the period until regular GP care becomes available again. Additional pharmacy charges can apply outside normal hours. (huisartsenpostenamsterdam.nl)
That makes this number worth saving before you leave home.
Step 5: Know Where to Find an After-Hours Pharmacy
Amsterdam has pharmacies associated with its GP emergency stations for medication that is urgently needed outside normal pharmacy hours.
The Amsterdam GP Emergency Stations currently identify pharmacies serving their North, West, Southeast and CentrumOost locations.
They also state that Pharmacy OLVG West is the only pharmacy in Amsterdam open 24 hours a day. Higher pharmacy charges may apply outside normal opening hours. (huisartsenpostenamsterdam.nl)
I would still call before traveling across the city, particularly if you need a specific insulin or prescription medication. Confirm that the pharmacy is open, can help with your situation, and has—or can obtain—what you need.
Step 6: Contact Your Travel Insurance Company
If you purchased travel insurance, contact its medical-assistance line.
Depending on your policy, the insurer may be able to help locate an appropriate medical provider, explain your coverage, or tell you what documentation you’ll need for reimbursement.
Keep receipts for doctor visits, prescriptions, medication and other medical expenses.
Foreign tourists who cannot demonstrate applicable insurance may have to pay directly for treatment at an Amsterdam GP emergency station and then seek reimbursement from their insurer. (huisartsenpostenamsterdam.nl)
Step 7: Call 112 for a Medical Emergency
If the loss of medication or supplies has become a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, stop trying to solve the pharmacy problem yourself and call 112.
That’s the emergency number throughout the Netherlands and the European Union.
My Practical Advice
If I were traveling to Amsterdam with insulin or another medication I absolutely couldn’t go without, I’d save three things in my phone before leaving home:
My medication information
088 003 0600 — Amsterdam GP Emergency Stations
The address and phone number of a pharmacy near my hotel
I’d also identify that pharmacy before the trip rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
And that’s exactly what we’re going to do later in this guide: I’ll show you the closest practical pharmacy and grocery options near the Amsterdam hotels I recommend.
Hopefully you’ll never need any of this.
But if a bag disappears, a sensor fails, or medication is accidentally left somewhere, you’ll already know what your first phone call should be.
What if You Cannot Find Your Exact CGM, Pump or Diabetes Supplies?
Medication isn’t the only thing that can be difficult to replace while traveling. If a CGM sensor fails, a transmitter stops working, or you lose part of your insulin-pump supplies, you may discover that your exact product isn’t readily available at an Amsterdam pharmacy.
Don’t assume that a Dutch pharmacy will stock your specific CGM sensor, pump infusion set, transmitter, or other proprietary device supply. Availability can depend on the manufacturer, model, and how diabetes supplies are distributed in the Netherlands.
If you can’t find your exact device or supply:
- Contact the device manufacturer first. Use the manufacturer’s Netherlands or European customer-support number if one is available. Tell them you’re a visitor and give them the exact model and supply you need. They may be able to tell you whether it is sold in the Netherlands and where it can be obtained.
- Don’t substitute a different sensor, infusion set, transmitter, or other device component on your own. Even products from the same manufacturer aren’t necessarily interchangeable. Confirm compatibility with the manufacturer or your diabetes-care team.
- Contact your diabetes-care team at home. This is another reason I recommend having their contact information available while traveling. They can help you determine what to do if your usual technology isn’t available.
- Have a backup monitoring plan before you leave home. If you normally rely on a CGM, ask your diabetes-care team what backup supplies you should carry in case your CGM stops working or can’t be replaced during the trip.
- If your insulin-delivery device fails, use the backup plan you established with your diabetes-care team before traveling. Don’t wait until you’re standing in Amsterdam with a broken pump to figure out what that plan should be.
- If you need medical help in Amsterdam, contact a local doctor. During evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, Amsterdam’s GP Emergency Stations can be reached at 088 003 0600 for urgent problems that can’t wait until regular GP hours.
Write Down More Than the Brand Name
Before leaving home, photograph or write down the exact information for your diabetes technology:
- Manufacturer
- Device name
- Model
- Sensor type
- Transmitter information, if applicable
- Pump model
- Infusion-set type and size
- Manufacturer customer-service number
- Serial number, if your manufacturer recommends having it available
I’d keep this information in the same folder as your prescriptions and medication list.
This is also why I would pack more CGM sensors and pump supplies than you think you’ll need. A pharmacy may be able to help replace a prescription medication, but replacing a very specific piece of proprietary diabetes technology in another country can be considerably more complicated.
If You Are Staying at a Hotel
Ask the front desk or concierge for help locating the nearest open pharmacy or appropriate medical provider.
But don’t just take “there’s a pharmacy around the corner” as the final answer.
If you need something specific, ask the hotel to call first and confirm:
Is it open? Do they carry the medication or supply? Do I need a prescription?
And if you’re trying to replace a CGM sensor, pump supply, or another specific piece of diabetes technology, give them the exact manufacturer and model. A nearby pharmacy may carry diabetes supplies without carrying the particular item you need.
A ten-minute phone call sounds considerably better than walking across Amsterdam only to discover the pharmacy is closed—or doesn’t have what you need.
Finding a Pharmacy in Amsterdam
Pharmacies in the Netherlands are called apotheken, and you’ll find them throughout Amsterdam.
But there is one thing I wouldn’t do: assume the pharmacy closest to your hotel will be open—or that it will have the exact insulin, medication, CGM, or pump supply you need.
If you need something specific, call first.
Pharmacy or Drugstore? They Aren’t the Same Thing
This is worth knowing before your trip.
In Amsterdam, an apotheek is a pharmacy where prescription medications are dispensed.
You’ll also see stores called drogisterijen around the city. These are drugstores where you can buy toiletries, personal-care items, and some non-prescription medicines, but they are not substitutes for an apotheek when you need prescription medication.
If you’re searching Google Maps for somewhere to replace prescription medication, search for “apotheek” rather than simply “drugstore.”
How to Find an Open Pharmacy
Normal pharmacy hours vary, and many pharmacies are not open overnight.
If you need medication outside normal business hours, Amsterdam uses designated service pharmacies associated with its GP emergency stations.
The current after-hours pharmacy locations include:
- BovenIJ Pharmacy — Amsterdam North
- Pharmacy OLVG West — Amsterdam West
- Amsterdam UMC outpatient pharmacy, AMC location — Amsterdam Southeast
- Pharmacy OLVG Oost — Amsterdam CentrumOost
Amsterdam’s GP Emergency Stations say these pharmacies are intended for urgently needed medication that cannot wait until the next working day.
There Is a 24-Hour Pharmacy in Amsterdam
This is one address I would save before traveling with diabetes.
Pharmacy OLVG West
Jan Tooropstraat 164
1061 AE Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s GP Emergency Stations currently identify OLVG West as the only pharmacy in Amsterdam open 24 hours a day.
That does not mean I would automatically travel there if I lost insulin or another medication.
Call first.
If you need a prescription, make sure you understand how to obtain it. And if you need a specific insulin, CGM sensor, infusion set, or other specialized supply, ask whether they actually have it before making the trip.
If You Need Medication at Night
If your medication need is urgent and cannot wait until normal GP hours, call:
Amsterdam GP Emergency Stations: 088 003 0600
The service can determine what kind of care you need and, in an urgent situation, the on-duty GP may be able to provide a short repeat prescription to cover the period until normal care becomes available again.
The GP Emergency Stations also recommend asking which pharmacy your prescription was sent to rather than assuming where you should pick it up.
Keep in mind that medications obtained outside normal pharmacy hours may cost more.
Don't Assume Every Pharmacy Has Your Exact Medication or Supply
This is especially important with diabetes.
A pharmacy may stock insulin without carrying your particular insulin.
And finding a pharmacy that handles diabetes supplies does not mean it will have your exact Dexcom sensor, FreeStyle Libre sensor, Omnipod pod, Medtronic supply, infusion set, or other proprietary equipment.
Before traveling across Amsterdam, call and ask:
Do you have the exact medication or supply I need?
Give them the generic or active-ingredient name for medication and the exact manufacturer and model for devices and supplies.
If they don’t have it, ask whether they know another pharmacy or supplier that does.
Insulin Storage at Your Amsterdam Hotel
Insulin-storage requirements vary by product. Before traveling, check the manufacturer’s instructions for each insulin you use, and ask your pharmacist or diabetes-care team how to store it during your flight, hotel stay, and days sightseeing around Amsterdam.
Write down:
- The recommended storage-temperature range
- How long the insulin may remain unrefrigerated
- Whether the instructions differ before and after opening
- What to do if the insulin becomes too hot
- What to do if it freezes
- How to recognize possible damage
Do not assume that the storage directions for one type of insulin apply to another.
The Dutch Ministry of Health recommends checking the package instructions for the exact storage requirements of every medication. Its summer medication guidance specifically notes that insulin requiring refrigeration should be kept at a controlled temperature between 2°C and 8°C (35.6°F–46.4°F).
The important part is still the instructions for your particular insulin, especially once it is in use.
Do You Need a Refrigerator at Your Amsterdam Hotel?
That depends on the particular insulin, whether it has been opened, how long you will be traveling, and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some insulin products can remain at specified room temperatures for a certain period after opening, while other supplies may require refrigeration.
Confirm the requirements for your exact medication before deciding what hotel accommodations you need.
And don’t assume that a minibar equals a medication refrigerator.
A hotel minibar may:
- Be warmer than a household refrigerator
- Have an inconsistent temperature
- Switch off when you leave the room
- Become too cold near its cooling element
- Have no temperature display
- Be completely unsuitable for medication storage
If you haven’t chosen your hotel yet, this article can help: Best Hotels in Amsterdam guide.
Questions to Ask Your Hotel
Contact the hotel directly before booking and explain that you need refrigeration for medication, not just somewhere to keep drinks cold.
Ask:
- Is there a working refrigerator inside the room?
- Does it remain powered when the room is unoccupied?
- Can its temperature be adjusted or monitored?
- Does it contain a freezer compartment that could accidentally freeze medication?
- Can the hotel provide a separate medical refrigerator?
- Can staff securely refrigerate medication if the room doesn’t have a suitable refrigerator?
- Will the medication be accessible early in the morning or late at night?
- Can the hotel refrigerate or freeze a reusable cooling pack before departure?
Get the arrangement in writing and reconfirm shortly before your trip.
“There’s a minibar in the room” isn’t enough information if your medication actually requires refrigeration.
If the Hotel Stores Your Insulin
If hotel staff will store medication in a central refrigerator:
- Keep it in a labeled, sealed container
- Include your name and room number
- Make sure staff understand that it must not be frozen
- Ask who can retrieve it outside ordinary daytime hours
- Keep immediately needed medication with you
- Confirm the retrieval procedure when you check in
I wouldn’t hand over all of my insulin without knowing exactly where it’s going and whether I can get to it at 6:00 a.m. if I need it.
Consider Bringing a Small Thermometer
A compact refrigerator thermometer can help you determine whether an in-room refrigerator is maintaining the temperature required for your medication.
This is particularly useful when the refrigerator has no temperature display.
If insulin has frozen, overheated, changed appearance, or you think it may have been stored incorrectly, don’t guess whether it’s still safe to use. Check the manufacturer’s instructions and contact a pharmacist, manufacturer, or your diabetes-care team for guidance.
The Dutch Ministry of Health also recommends consulting a doctor or pharmacist if a medication develops an unusual appearance, color, odor, or consistency.
Eating in Amsterdam With Diabetes
Amsterdam is a relatively easy city for finding food throughout the day. You’ll find restaurants, cafés, bakeries, markets, and grocery stores throughout the central neighborhoods.
Dutch food can include everything from sandwiches and soups to potatoes, meat, fish, cheese, and plenty of sweets and pastries. Amsterdam is also extremely international, so you aren’t limited to traditional Dutch food.
If you count carbohydrates or need specific information about a meal, don’t be afraid to ask about ingredients, sauces, or portion sizes. Later in this guide, I’ve included a few Dutch phrases that may help.
And bring whatever you normally use to treat a low while sightseeing. Amsterdam is compact, but it’s very easy to rack up a surprising number of steps walking along the canals and between attractions.
Mealtimes May Be Different From Home
Dutch dinner tends to be earlier than many American travelers expect, often around 6:00–7:00 p.m. Many restaurant kitchens also close around 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., although you’ll find later options in Amsterdam.
If timing matters for your usual diabetes routine, check restaurant hours and make reservations when necessary, rather than assuming you’ll be able to sit down for dinner late at night.
Carry Whatever You Normally Use to Treat a Low
This is not the trip where I’d assume, It’s Amsterdam. There will be food everywhere.
There probably will be.
That doesn’t mean the food you need will be available at the exact moment you need it.
Carry the fast-acting glucose or other treatment you normally use and that your diabetes-care team has recommended.
The CDC specifically recommends traveling with snacks or glucose tablets in case access to food is delayed.
I’d keep some with me every day rather than relying on finding a café.
Grocery Stores Can Make Things Much Easier
One of the first things I would locate after checking into an Amsterdam hotel is the nearest grocery store or supermarket.
Not because you’re going there to eat grocery-store dinners.
You’re not.
But having a few familiar foods in the hotel room can make mornings, sightseeing days, and unexpected schedule changes considerably easier.
Depending on what works for you, you might pick up things you normally use at home for breakfast, snacks, or treating lows.
Ask Questions About the Food
If you’re unsure what’s in a dish, ask.
Restaurant staff can often explain ingredients, sauces, or how something is prepared. If there’s a language barrier, use a translation app or the Dutch phrases later in this guide.
If you need detailed nutrition or carbohydrate information, keep in mind that independent restaurants may not have it available.
Hydration Is Surprisingly Easy in Amsterdam
Tap water in Amsterdam is safe to drink, so carrying a reusable water bottle is an easy way to stay hydrated while sightseeing.
You’ll also find bottled water at supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and convenience stores throughout the city.
My Practical Advice
I wouldn’t try to make eating in Amsterdam look exactly like eating at home.
That’s part of the reason you’re going.
I’d figure out the things that do need to stay predictable—medication timing, access to food, treatment for lows, monitoring, hydration, or whatever matters for your individual plan—and give everything else a little room.
Have the pasta.
Get the gelato.
Just don’t discover at 6:00 p.m. that the restaurant you planned on doesn’t open for another two hours and the snack you meant to put in your bag is still sitting on the hotel nightstand.
Traveling With a CGM or Insulin Pump in Amsterdam
If you use a CGM or insulin pump, Amsterdam itself shouldn’t require much extra planning beyond what you normally do when traveling.
Bring more sensors, infusion sets, pods, transmitters, charging supplies, batteries, and other device-specific supplies than you expect to need. I’d also bring whatever backup monitoring or insulin-delivery supplies your diabetes-care team recommends in case your usual device stops working.
Before leaving home, save the exact manufacturer and model of your CGM or pump along with the manufacturer’s customer-service information.
That matters because replacement parts and supplies may not be interchangeable—and your exact sensor, pod, infusion set, or other component may not be readily available in Amsterdam.
I’d also download any apps, updates, instructions, or manufacturer documents you may need before leaving home, rather than assuming you’ll be able to set everything up once you’re overseas.
Airport Security With a CGM or Pump
If you’ll be flying home through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, check the security instructions for your exact CGM or insulin pump before your trip.
This is important because manufacturer recommendations aren’t the same for every device.
For example, Dexcom currently says its G7 sensor can be worn through walk-through metal detectors and Advanced Imaging Technology body scanners, while its guidance for the G6 recommends avoiding AIT body scanners and baggage X-ray machines and requesting an alternative screening method instead.
Medtronic also publishes specific airport-security instructions for its devices and advises users of certain systems to request alternative screening rather than expose the pump and CGM to particular scanning equipment.
Schiphol currently uses millimeter-wave security scanners for passengers and CT scanners for hand baggage. The airport also says travelers who do not want to use the passenger scanner can undergo a manual security check.
So rather than relying on a general diabetes travel rule:
Check the manufacturer’s current airport-security instructions for your exact CGM or pump before you fly.
If your device shouldn’t go through a particular scanner, tell the security officer that you’re wearing a medical device and ask about an alternative screening procedure. Bringing a doctor’s letter or manufacturer medical-device documentation can also make it easier to explain what you’re carrying.
And keep your diabetes supplies in your carry-on, along with the documentation for them. Schiphol allows medically necessary medicines in hand baggage and provides exceptions to its usual liquid restrictions when you can demonstrate the medical need.
My Practical Advice
Bring backups for the backups.
Not because Amsterdam is a difficult place to travel with diabetes.
Because your exact CGM sensor or proprietary pump component may be considerably harder to replace than something common like a glucose meter.
If you come home with an unused sensor and a few extra supplies?
Great.
I’d much rather unpack supplies I never needed than spend an afternoon of my vacation trying to find ones I didn’t bring.
Choosing an Amsterdam Hotel When Traveling With Diabetes
Where you stay can make managing diabetes while traveling a little easier.
When I normally recommend Amsterdam hotels, I look at things like location, price, reviews, transportation, and how easy it is to reach the major sights.
For this guide, I’d add a few more things to that list:
- Medication storage: Does the room have a refrigerator suitable for medication, or can the hotel arrange appropriate refrigerated storage?
- Nearby pharmacy: Is there an apotheek within an easy walk?
- Grocery store: Is there somewhere nearby to pick up food, drinks, or snacks?
- Food options: Are there restaurants and cafés close enough that finding a meal doesn’t become a project?
- Transportation: Is the hotel near a tram, metro, or train stop if you don’t want to walk across the city?
- Medical help: Would the hotel staff be able to help you contact a doctor or appropriate medical service if necessary? Amsterdam’s official visitor guidance specifically suggests contacting hotel reception when visitors need help arranging medical care.
Amsterdam is compact and easy to explore, but that doesn’t mean every location is equally convenient. The city’s official tourism site notes that walking is often a practical way to get around, which also means your daily activity level can add up quickly.
For someone traveling with diabetes, I’d put a little more weight on what’s immediately around the hotel.
Being five minutes closer to a major attraction may matter less than having a pharmacy, grocery store, restaurants, and public transportation within a few minutes of your room.
That’s why the hotel recommendations below include more than the usual price and location information. I’ve also looked at refrigerator availability, nearby pharmacies, grocery stores, food options, and approximate walking times.
Practical Amsterdam Hotel Details for Travelers with Diabetes
| Hotel/ Check Availability | Refrigerator | Nearby Essentials | On-site Dining/food options |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minibar; hotel can provide secure medication storage. Confirm requirements for temperature-sensitive medication. |
Pharmacy: BENU Apotheek, Rozengracht — <10 min walk (confirmed by hotel). Grocery: Albert Heijn, Elandsgracht 13A — ~7 min walk. |
À-la-carte menu includes fish, chicken, beef and vegetarian mains, plus salads and separately ordered sides such as green salad, sweet corn and potatoes. |
|
|
Minibar and refrigerator listed; confirm suitability |
Pharmacy: Apotheek Koek, Schaeffer & van Tijen, Nieuwe Looiersstraat 3H — ~7 min walk. Grocery: AH Leidsestraat, Leidsestraat 106–108 — ~10 min walk. |
Brasserie-style menu includes seafood, meat and vegetable-based choices rather than requiring guests to order a fixed tasting menu. |
|
|
Refrigerator listed but confirm medication refrigeration directly. |
Pharmacy: Leidsestraat Pharmacy — ~8 min walk. Grocery: Albert Heijn, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 226 — ~5 min walk. |
Breakfast + Maria’s Bar/snack menu. Maria’s Bar is 24/7, but its kitchen is a small-menu operation, not a full restaurant. |
|
|
Minibar in rooms; confirm medication storage directly. |
Pharmacy: Dam Apotheek, Damstraat 2 — ~8 min walk. Grocery: AH Nieuwendijk, Nieuwendijk 182 — ~5 min walk. |
Modern-classic menu and true all-day restaurant. Published menus have included salads, chicken, fish, steak and vegetarian dishes rather than a single fixed meal format. The hotel also asks guests to advise staff of dietary wishes/allergies. |
|
|
Confirm medication refrigeration directly. |
Pharmacy: Leidsestraat Pharmacy, Amsterdam — ~12–15 min walk. Grocery: Albert Heijn Museumplein — ~4–5 min walk. The Museumplein area map places the supermarket very close to the hotel. |
Ottolenghi Amsterdam + Taiko + The Lounge + 24-hour in-room dining. This is one of the strongest onsite-food setups of the five. |
Flexible Places to Eat Near Hotels
These restaurants are included because their published menus appear to offer proteins, vegetables, salads, side dishes or separately ordered items that may make it easier to build a meal around your own needs. They are not specifically endorsed as “diabetes-friendly,” and menus, ingredients and preparation methods can change. Confirm ingredients and make food and insulin decisions based on your own diabetes-care plan.
| Hotel | Restaurants | Approximate Walk | Why the menu appears flexible |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pulitzer Amsterdam |
Jansz. |
At the hotel |
Excellent variety. Current à-la-carte dinner menu has fish, beef, lamb, chicken and a vegetable main, plus separately ordered sides including salad, corn and potatoes. They also specifically ask guests to tell staff about dietary requirements. |
|
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam |
Goldfinch Brasserie |
At the hotel |
Brasserie rather than a fixed tasting-menu-only experience, with classic local/international dishes and à-la-carte dining. Peacock Lounge provides another all-day option from 9 a.m.–10 p.m. |
|
Hotel Estheréa |
Haesje Claes |
~3–4 min |
The hotel has used Haesje Claes for its warm-meal room-service offering, which is an indication of just how close/convenient it is. |
|
INK Hotel Amsterdam – MGallery |
PRESSROOM |
At hotel |
Modern-classic menu and true all-day restaurant. Published menus have included salads, chicken, fish, steak and vegetarian dishes rather than a single fixed meal format. The hotel also asks guests to advise staff of dietary wishes/allergies. |
|
Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam |
Ottolenghi Amsterdam |
At hotel |
Seasonal, vegetable-focused food with sharing plates, fermentation/fire cooking and breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel also has Taiko, The Lounge and 24-hour room service if that menu doesn’t work for someone. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Amsterdam with Diabetes
Can I travel to Amsterdam with insulin?
Yes. Travelers routinely visit Amsterdam with insulin and other diabetes supplies. Bring enough medication and supplies for your trip, plus extra in case of delays or changes in plans. Keep insulin and essential diabetes supplies with you rather than putting them in checked luggage and follow the storage instructions for your specific medication.
Can I bring insulin and diabetes supplies through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol?
Yes. Diabetes medications and necessary medical supplies can generally be taken through airport security. Keep medications and supplies together and easily accessible, and bring supporting documentation or prescription information when appropriate. If you use a CGM or insulin pump, check the manufacturer’s current guidance about airport screening equipment before traveling.
Can I buy insulin in Amsterdam if I run out?
Insulin is available in the Netherlands, but the exact brand, formulation, device, or concentration you normally use may not be immediately available. A Dutch prescription may also be required. Don’t rely on buying replacement insulin after arrival; travel with enough for your trip plus extra. If you need help, start with a local pharmacy.
Can I buy insulin or diabetes supplies at a pharmacy in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has pharmacies throughout the city, and pharmacists can be a helpful first stop if you need assistance.
However, the exact insulin brands, CGM supplies and other diabetes products available in the Netherlands may differ from what you use at home. I would bring enough medication and supplies for the entire trip plus extras rather than planning to replace them in Amsterdam.
If you do need medication while traveling, bring the exact generic and brand names of what you use.
What if I can’t find my exact insulin, CGM, pump supplies, or test strips in Amsterdam?
Don’t assume the exact product you use at home will be stocked in the Netherlands. Bring extra sensors, infusion sets, test strips, batteries or chargers, and other essential supplies. If something is lost or fails, a pharmacy or medical professional can help determine what locally available options may be appropriate, but don’t substitute medication or equipment without appropriate guidance.
Do Amsterdam hotel rooms have refrigerators for insulin?
It depends on the hotel and room. Some hotels provide a refrigerator or minibar, while others may be able to store medication securely for guests. A minibar isn’t automatically suitable for temperature-sensitive medication. Contact your hotel before arrival and ask specifically about storage that meets the requirements for your medication.
Is it easy to find pharmacies in Amsterdam?
Yes. Pharmacies are available throughout central Amsterdam, although their hours may be more limited than travelers from the U.S. expect. In this guide, I’ve included the name and approximate walking time of a nearby pharmacy for each recommended hotel, so you can know where one is before you need it.
Are grocery stores easy to find in Amsterdam?
Yes. Amsterdam has supermarkets and smaller grocery stores throughout the city. Having one near your hotel can be especially convenient for picking up breakfast foods, snacks, drinks, or other foods you know work well for you. I’ve included a nearby grocery store and approximate walking time for each hotel in the table above.
Is Amsterdam easy to navigate with diabetes?
Amsterdam is compact and very walkable, but you may walk considerably more than you normally do at home. Public transportation makes it easy to shorten a day when needed. Carry your diabetes supplies, water, and whatever you personally use to manage low blood glucose while you’re sightseeing, and consider how increased activity may affect your usual routine.
Are Amsterdam restaurants accommodating of dietary requests?
Many restaurants have à-la-carte menus and a range of dishes, but options vary considerably. Rather than labeling restaurants “diabetes-friendly,” look at the menu ahead of time and choose places that give you enough flexibility to make choices appropriate for you. That’s why the restaurant table in this guide explains what kinds of options appear on each restaurant’s published menu.
What number should I call for a medical emergency in Amsterdam?
Call 112 for an emergency in the Netherlands. It connects you with emergency services, including ambulance, police, and fire services.
Final Thoughts on Traveling to Amsterdam With Diabetes
Amsterdam is one of those cities where a little planning ahead can make the trip feel a whole lot easier. You’ll probably walk more than you expect, meal times may be different from what you’re used to, and you may not be able to find the exact brand of insulin, CGM supplies, or other diabetes products you use at home.
But none of that means Amsterdam has to be difficult to visit with diabetes.
Before you leave, make sure you have extra medication and supplies, know how you’ll store anything that needs temperature control, and save the location of a pharmacy near your hotel. I’d also take a quick look at restaurant menus ahead of time instead of waiting until everyone is hungry and tired. That’s exactly why I included the hotel, pharmacy, grocery store, and restaurant information in this guide.
And give yourself some flexibility once you’re there. Amsterdam is a fantastic city to wander, but you don’t get bonus points for walking everywhere. Take the tram. Stop for a snack. Head back to the hotel for a while if you need to.
Diabetes requires some extra planning when you travel, but it doesn’t have to be the thing your entire trip revolves around. Do the planning at home, know where to get help if you need it, and then go enjoy Amsterdam.
Planning a Trip to Amsterdam?
If you’re heading to Amsterdam, I have a few more guides that can help with the rest of your planning:
→ 3 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary
→ Best Time to Visit Amsterdam
→ How Much Does 3 Days in Amsterdam Cost?