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Allergy Testing for Children in the Netherlands

Where to go, what it costs, and when you need a referral — a practical guide for parents in the Leiden–Den Haag region.

Persistent eczema, a scary reaction to a new food, endless sniffles every spring — at some point many parents wonder: should we get our child tested for allergies? Here are the routes that actually work in the Netherlands, from fully covered specialist care to a private test within the week.

A young child with a caring pediatric doctor during a friendly check-up

Last updated: 23 July 2026

When is testing worth it?

Not every rash or sneeze needs a lab. But some signals are worth taking seriously: a clear reaction (hives, swelling, vomiting) shortly after a specific food, eczema that keeps coming back despite good skin care, or hay-fever symptoms that return every season and disturb sleep or play.

The good news: the Netherlands has excellent pediatric allergy care — and for children it is better covered than most parents expect. The main choice you face is between the insured specialist route (via your huisarts) and fast private testing without a referral.

Which three testing routes exist and how they differ
When you need a huisarts referral — and when you don't
What it costs: children under 18 pay no eigen risico on insured care
How to prepare so the appointment actually gives answers

Three routes to an answer

Each route fits a different situation. Compare speed, depth and coverage before you pick.

DC Klinieken — Kinderallergologie

Best specialist choice

Dedicated pediatric allergology for babies and children: food allergies, eczema and hay fever, with blood tests and skin prick tests done by a pediatric allergist. Locations include Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Naarden. You need a huisarts referral, but it is insured care — and children under 18 have no eigen risico, so it is fully covered.

  • Pediatric allergist, made for young children
  • Skin prick + blood tests in one place
  • Fully covered for children (referral required)

OneDayClinic

Fastest — no referral

Private allergy blood tests (RAST-type panels) through an accredited lab, with no huisarts referral needed and quick appointments. Locations in Den Haag, Leiden/Leiderdorp, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Note: this is a testing clinic, not a pediatric specialist — call first (085 070 3483) to check the minimum age for blood draws, and take the results to a doctor for interpretation.

  • No referral, fast appointments
  • Locations across the whole region
  • Self-pay — check prices on their site

Hospital pediatric allergy clinics

Hospital-grade care

For complex cases or when multiple issues play together (allergy + asthma + eczema): HMC in Den Haag runs a special children's allergy, asthma and eczema clinic at Bronovo, and Reinier de Graaf in Delft has the 'Allergie en Kind' center. Both need a referral and waits are longer — but you get top-level pediatric specialists and food challenge tests under supervision.

  • Multidisciplinary: allergy, asthma and eczema together
  • Supervised food challenge tests
  • Fully covered for children (referral required)

How the referral route works

The insured route takes a few steps, but for children it is free of charge and ends with a specialist who can actually treat — not just test.

  1. Document what you see

    Photograph rashes and swelling, and keep a short food-and-symptoms diary for a week or two. Concrete observations make every next conversation twice as effective.

  2. Visit your huisarts (or ask the consultatiebureau)

    Share the diary and photos and ask specifically about allergy testing. The consultatiebureau can advise, but the referral itself comes from your huisarts.

  3. Ask for a referral to a pediatric allergist

    You may name a preference — for example DC Klinieken Kinderallergologie, HMC Bronovo or Reinier de Graaf. Ask about current waiting times before choosing.

  4. Testing and a treatment plan

    The allergist chooses the right tests (skin prick, blood test, sometimes a supervised food challenge) and translates the results into a plan: what to avoid, what to treat, and what to re-check later.

Questions parents ask

Skin prick test or blood test — what's the difference?

A skin prick test puts tiny drops of allergens on the skin and reads the reaction within twenty minutes — quick, nearly painless, great for young children. A blood test (RAST-type) measures antibodies against specific allergens and needs one small blood draw. Specialists often combine both; neither alone is a verdict, which is why interpretation by a doctor matters.

Does my child need a referral?

For DC Klinieken and the hospital clinics: yes, from your huisarts. For OneDayClinic: no — you book directly and pay yourself.

What does it cost?

The referral route is insured care, and children under 18 have no eigen risico in the Dutch system — so testing and treatment via a referral cost you nothing extra. Private tests without a referral are self-pay; check current prices on the clinic's website.

From what age can children be tested?

Pediatric allergists test even babies when there's a good reason — the method is adapted to age. Private testing clinics may have a minimum age for blood draws, so call ahead to confirm before booking.

Clinics and further reading

Details like prices, locations and waiting times change — always check the clinic's own website before booking.

About this guide

This guide is for general information and is based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Teddy Kids has no partnership with the clinics mentioned and receives nothing for naming them. It does not replace medical advice — always discuss your child's symptoms with your huisarts or consultatiebureau, and verify prices, ages and waiting times directly with the clinic.

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