Medical certificate

Patients regularly ask their GP to issue a medical certificate regarding, for example, illness, disability, or incapacity for work.

In the Netherlands, the KNMG (Royal Dutch Medical Association) has adopted a position on this matter, which is as follows:

“The KNMG takes the position that a treating physician does not issue certificates for their own patient in which they provide a judgment on the (medical) suitability or unsuitability of a patient to perform or refrain from certain activities. Examples include: is someone fit to work, drive a car, go to school, or care for children; was a booked trip rightly cancelled; or is someone entitled to a parking permit or adapted housing? Such certificates may only be issued by an independent physician. The independent physician can make their own assessment of the situation. If necessary, the independent physician can, with the patient’s consent, request additional information from the treating physician(s).”

You can inform organizations (travel agencies, schools, employers, etc.) that require such a certificate by providing them with the letter below.
Refusal letter

What can you do yourself?

• You can ask the organization requesting a medical certificate if a self-declaration regarding your health status would suffice, possibly in the form of a questionnaire to be completed.

• You can ask your doctor for a copy of your medical records containing specific relevant facts about your health status and send these to the organization requesting a medical certificate.

• For the necessary assessment, you can turn to a physician who is not treating you. With your consent, they can also request factual information about your health status from the treating physician and include this information in their assessment.