If you wish to obtain a residence permit, you must undergo a test or treatment for tuberculosis. You must be able to demonstrate this in the form of a declaration issued by the Dutch Municipal Health Service (GGD) if you are applying for a residence permit for the first time. This obligation to undergo a tuberculosis test does not apply to individuals who are nationals of an EU or EEA Member State, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Surinam, Switzerland or the United States of America.

You will also be exempt from the requirement to submit a tuberculosis declaration if you hold:

• A valid residence permit in an EEA Member State
• A valid residence permit in an EU Member State or Switzerland
• An EC residence permit for long-term residents issued by another EU Member State or if you are a family member of someone who holds this document and you have already been admitted to another EU Member State as the family member of the long-term resident.

If you require a screening, simply go along to the municipal health department in your place of residency. You should bring the "Tuberculosis Examination Referral Form," which is attached to your residence permit application form. The Municipal Health Service (GGD) will forward this declaration, completed in full and signed to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.

The addresses of the Municipal Health Department (GGD) in the Southeast Netherlands are:

Visiting address Eindhoven:
Stadhuisplein 2
5611 EM Eindhoven
Phone: 088-003 1100
Email: info@ggdbzo.nl
Website: www.ggdbzo.nl

Visiting address Tilburg:

Ringbaan West 227

5037 PC Tilburg

Phone: 013-4643911 for Tuberculosis 0900 - 463 6443

Website: www.ggdhvb.nl

Visiting address Maastricht region:
GGD Zuid Limburg (only available in Dutch)

Geleenbeeklaan 2

6166 GR Geleen

Phone: 046-850 6666

E-mail: info@ggdzl.nl

Website: www.ggdzl.nl

This information is a summary of the brochure about Tuberculosis of the Community Health Service (GGD)

Periodical tuberculosis examination
Tuberculosis is a very serious and widespread disease. This is why you have to be examined for TB when you arrive in The Netherlands. This first examination is compulsory. TB is a disease that develops slowly. So after the first examination you may be asked back for more examinations. It is very important to go to these follow-up examinations.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis infection is an infectious disease that is caused by bacteria. TB bacteria can only be seen under a microscope. The examination involves an X-ray of the Lungs - which is the part of the body usually affected by bacteria.

Will I have to leave The Netherlands if I have TB?
No. If you have TB, you will be treated with medicine, here in the Netherlands. There are very good cures for TB.

Infection
People with open (= infectious) TB can infect other people - for instance by coughing or sneezing. Coughing brings the bacteria from the lungs to outside the body. By breathing in the bacteria, people can get infected.

Can I get TB by shaking hands?
No, you cannot get TB by touch and neither can you get it from using the same fork, or plate or cup.

The importance of a TB examination 
Sometimes people show symptoms of TB such as ongoing cough, a fever, tiredness, and night sweats. But this does not always occur, so it might be possible for you to have TB and not show any of the symptoms. That is why the TB examination is so important. It is the only way to see if you have TB. Sometimes the very first examination reveals TB. But because TB develops slowly there have to be several examinations. So, be sure to go for your examination when you are sent an appointment card. It is important for everyone around that you have an examination. You can infect other people without realising it.

Can I get TB in between examinations?
Yes. Therefore, it is important to go to your doctor if you show any symptoms - like coughing for longer than three weeks - even if you have recently had a TB examination.

X-rays
The amount of radiation from a lung X-ray is very small. The equipment used in The Netherlands is very modern and a lung-X-ray is not dangerous.

Can pregnant women also have a lung X-ray?
Yes; even if a woman is pregnant, it is sensible to have an examination for TB. However, the woman should always tell the person taking the X-ray about her pregnancy.

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