Antibiotic-Resistance in the Netherlands: What You Need to Know

You may well have heard about antibiotic-resistance in bacterial strains of diseases. It’s as serious as it sounds, but it is often a distant thought for us in daily life. However, if the world’s present course of action is not checked, lives may be lost to this menace, and healthcare systems worldwide will be put under considerable strain—even in a country as advanced as the Netherlands.

What’s The Deal With Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotics are powerful tools for fighting disease and infection. But when overused or misused, they cease to be as effective. Why? Well, the bacteria ‘learns’ to survive the treatment. And becomes “resistant,” and quite simply, the drugs don’t work.

The implementation of infection control measures, the use of antibiotics in animals and humans in an overzealous or inappropriate manner, poor sanitation systems, and global travel only serve to increase the spread of resistance. Resistant infectious diseases are able to kill several hundred thousand people each year, and if these are not checked, the projection will increase to alarming dimensions in the next few decades.

This is a huge problem. In September 2025, Prof. Heiman Wertheim, a clinical microbiologist with Radboud University and an advisor to WHO, warned that in 25 years’ time, should the situation remain as is, more people could be dying from infections (which at the moment could be treated with antibiotics) than from cancer.

Economist Jim O’Neill raised a warning in 2014 that, amongst other things, if antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance is not addressed, deaths could rise to even 10 million per annum by 2050. The recent projections by the GRAM Project and its affiliated groups suggest an even higher death toll running to tens of millions, attributable to bacterial antimicrobial resistance.

The Dutch Approach: “Less Is More”

If you have ever been to a Dutch doctor (huisarts) with a bad cold and left the clinic with only the advice to drink tea and rest, then you have already experienced the Dutch approach to antibiotics. Antibiotic stewardship is a venerated concept in the Netherlands. Where, in many countries, GPs would overprescribe, GPs in the Netherlands remain relatively scarce; thus, infection control and surveillance systems are deemed robust. But there is a trend that very few countries have been able to avoid: resistant bacteria are circulating in the environment.

When it comes to antibiotics and resistance, the philosophy of “less is more” is a fundamental part of the fight against resistance. Though it can be annoying when you are ill and only want a quick solution, it has helped keep the resistance rates in the Netherlands relatively low compared to many other countries.

The country also adopts a “One Health” strategy regarding antibiotics and resistance, monitoring them not only in humans but also in livestock and the environment to gain a comprehensive picture. Though the Netherlands is in a better position than many, it is still not entirely risk-free. Resistant bacteria do not acknowledge boundaries.

Your Role In The Battle

To keep you and everyone else safe, you can do the following;

Trust your Huisarts (GP): Antibiotics ought to be taken only when prescribed by your family doctor.
Wait and See: Treat the symptoms, or report back if the condition worsens.
Finish the Course: If your GP has prescribed antibiotics, please complete the entire course. Antibiotic resistance is often caused by patients who discontinue their medications halfway.
Ask Questions: Ask about the antibiotics you are prescribed; ask why they were prescribed, what you expect to get out of them, and if there are alternatives. Don’t be afraid.
Think Good Hygiene: With basic measures, such as hand hygiene, safe food handling, and good wound care, one can generally prevent infections and hence decrease antibiotic use.
Be Mindful of Your Food: Buy food from producers who practice responsible antibiotic use and always follow good food safety practices at home.
Stay Up-to-Date on Vaccines: Vaccinations for illnesses like the flu can prevent secondary bacterial infections that would otherwise require antibiotics.
Be Cautious When Traveling: If you receive medical treatment in another country, let your Dutch doctor know. You may need to be screened for resistant bacteria, especially after a hospital stay abroad.

If symptoms worsen following antibiotic use within 48-72 hours, contact a GP again, as further evaluation may be needed or an alternative treatment may be considered. If a definitive diagnosis has not yet been made, most doctors in the Netherlands can either conduct or organize a rapid test (for example, a throat swab) so that the doctor can prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.

Vaccines may prevent infections caused by bacterial species, such as pneumococcus and meningococcus, as well as viral infections, including influenza, that can lead to secondary bacterial infections. Easing these infections subsequently lowers antibiotic use and complication rates. As a result, immunization should be considered.

While traveling comes with the adventure of exploring itself, it also brings with it resistant strains that can be brought home. A Dutch GP must be notified if one undergoes hospital treatment abroad, as in some instances, resistant bacteria are screened for during admission.

Despite advances in reducing antibiotic use in livestock in the Netherlands, resistant bacterial pathogens can still enter animal products and contaminate the environment. Buy food products from producers that follow responsible antibiotic policies, and always remember to practice good food safety.

Final Thoughts

International health organizations and research programs emphasize the importance of coordination, including enhanced surveillance, the development of new diagnostics, the responsible use of antibiotics, incentivizing the development of new drugs, and investment in sanitation. Living in the Netherlands means benefiting from a healthcare system that takes antibiotic resistance seriously. The Netherlands contributes to many aspects of these activities, providing research and policy leadership along the way; however, this must be a global effort.