Maternity care shortages affect 69% of mothers in the Netherlands

An investigation by the Radar Panel of AVROTROS reveals that 69% of mothers in the Netherlands are receiving fewer maternity care hours than prescribed by the basic insurance package. While the legal minimum is set at 24 hours and many are initially promised 49 hours, many women report receiving only half of that amount or even falling below the 24-hour statutory minimum.

Staff shortages are cited as the primary reason for these service reductions. The findings are being presented to Sophie Hermans, the Minister of Health, Welfare, and Sport, to address the gap between promised care and actual delivery. Under current regulations, maternity care is subject to a statutory co-payment of €5.70 per hour for 2026.