travel netherlands from uk

Netherlands Travel Restrictions

Traveller's COVID-19 vaccination status

Travelling from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Ready to travel?

Find flights to the netherlands, find stays in the netherlands, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, netherlands, new zealand, philippines, switzerland, united arab emirates, united states, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to the Netherlands from the United Kingdom?

Most visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Netherlands.

Can I travel to the Netherlands if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter the Netherlands without restrictions.

Can I travel to the Netherlands without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter the Netherlands without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter the Netherlands?

Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the Netherlands.

Can I travel to the Netherlands without quarantine?

Travellers from the United Kingdom are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in the Netherlands?

Mask usage in the Netherlands is not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in the Netherlands?

Restaurants in the Netherlands are open. Bars in the Netherlands are .

DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

What you need to know before you travel between the netherlands and the uk.

The discovery of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has prompted governments to tighten up their travel restrictions, including the Netherlands and the UK.

In August the coronavirus rules were relaxed to allow more travel between the two countries. However, strict rules on testing and quarantining are still in force on both sides of the border and there are heavy penalties for breaking them.

Many DutchNews.nl readers have been in touch to say they found the rules confusing and contradictory. We’ve done our best here to sum up the key points and answer your questions and will try to keep you updated on any changes.

For full details of the two countries’ rules check the relevant web pages for the Dutch government and the British government .

Travelling to the UK

Use the Dutch government’s interactive guide here .

Can I travel to the UK from the Netherlands?

The UK has scrapped its traffic light system in favour of a single ‘red list’ of the highest risk countries. The Netherlands is not on it, so travel is still permitted. However, from December 7 you will need to take a pre-travel test no more than 48 hours before you leave.

Travellers vaccinated in the EU no longer need to go into quarantine. However, from November 30 everyone arriving in the UK must take a PCR test within two days of arrival and self-isolate until they know the result. If you are staying for less than two days you still need to order a PCR test.

Children under 18 can follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers, even if they have not been vaccinated. Children under 5 do not have to take PCR or antigen tests.

Children under 11 travelling to Scotland do not need to take a PCR test on day 2.

What documents do I need to travel?

A passenger locator form , which includes your proof of vaccination and a booking code for the PCR test that you booked before travelling. You can take the test either at home or in a clinic.

You can complete the passenger locator form online in the 48 hours before travelling. You will get a QR code that you can either print off or store on your phone.

What tests do I need to take?

From Tuesday, December 7, all visitors to the UK aged 12 and over must take a PCR or antigen test no more than 48 hours before travelling, even if they have been vaccinated. Dutch pre-travel tests are no longer free: an antigen test will cost about €40, a PCR test €80.

Is my vaccine passport accepted in the UK?

The EU Covid Certificate is recognised by health authorities in all UK nations. Digital or paper versions are acceptable. You must have had all your vaccinations at least 14 days before travelling.

Do I have to quarantine in the UK?

If you have proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated, you do not have to quarantine. You will still need to book and take a PCR test on day 2 . If you don’t have proof of vaccination, you will need to quarantine for 10 days after you arrive. Children under 18 are not required to quarantine.

If you’ve only had one vaccine in the Netherlands because you tested positive for coronavirus in the last six months, you do not count as fully vaccinated under UK rules. A government spokesman told DutchNews: ‘The UK does not recognise natural immunity for international travel at this time.’

The quarantine supervision team will call you on the number you give on the passenger locator form and may visit you to check you are quarantining. The maximum fine for breaking quarantine is £10,000.

Do I have to test after I arrive?

Even if you’re vaccinated, you’ll need to take a PCR test on day 2 and send it away for results. You need to book this test before you leave and state the booking reference on your passenger locator form.

If you haven’t been vaccinated you’ll need to book and take tests on day 2 and 8 – even if you’re leaving before day 8. There’s an optional ‘test to release’ which will allow you to end your quarantine after five days if it’s negative, but you’ll still need to take the day 8 test.

The UK government’s website has a list of approved test providers for travel to England. Also check independent rating sites such as Covid Testing Network .

If you’re travelling to Wales you must book an NHS test through the CTM booking portal . Travellers to Scotland can use the booking portal or the list of approved test providers in England .

Travelling to the Netherlands

Can I travel to the Netherlands from the UK?

The UK is currently classed as very high-risk, but people who are fully vaccinated are exempt from the ban on travelling to the EU.

There are also exemptions from the ban for people in long-term relationships, essential workers, people travelling for pressing family reasons, and students, researchers or skilled migrants on short visits. You will need documentation to prove this.

If you have had two vaccines, or one vaccine dose and a recent infection, or one dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine, you will be allowed to enter the Netherlands as long as you had your second vaccine at least 14 days before travelling. For those who had the Janssen vaccine the waiting period is 28 days.

What documents do I need?

If you are fully vaccinated and travelling by plane you will have to fill in a Health Declaration Form stating you do not have Covid-19 symptoms before you leave.

Non-residents and anyone who is not fully vaccinated will need to complete a quarantine declaration , even if you are exempt.

Either a PCR test no more than 48 hours before departure, or a rapid antigen test (also known as a lateral flow test) taken no more than 24 hours beforehand. An antigen test must be supervised.

Unvaccinated children are allowed to travel with their parents, but they still have to take a coronavirus test before departure.

Is my vaccine passport accepted in the Netherlands?

The NHS Covid Pass issued in England and Wales, the Scottish Covid Status app and the CovidCert app in Northern Ireland, or their paper equivalents, are valid as proof of vaccination at the border.

You will need to show a QR code proving you have been vaccinated or tested negative in the last 24 hours when you go to restaurants, bars, sports stadiums, theatres, cinemas and other indoor venues. NHS apps are now compatible with the Dutch ‘test for entry’ system. Unvaccinated travellers who need to obtain a QR code can book a free test for entry at testenvoortoegang.org .

If you’ve been vaccinated in the UK and live in the Netherlands, the GGD health service in Utrecht can validate NHS certificates. Visit https://www.ggdru.nl/corona or call 0300 800 2899.

Do I need to quarantine in the Netherlands?

Fully vaccinated travellers no longer have to quarantine in the Netherlands . Others will have to quarantine for 10 days or claim exemption. You can leave quarantine after five days with a negative test result (see below).

There are numerous exemptions from quarantine for cross-border workers and commuters, informal carers and people travelling for funerals. There is also an exemption for ‘necessary family visits’ to first and second-degree family members, i.e. parents, children, brothers and sisters, including step-families and relatives by marriage. The government’s website states: ‘Examples of necessary family visits include reunification with family members after a long period of separation due to the COVID-19 pandemic or a visit to a sick family member.’

If you’re not fully vaccinated you must fill in a quarantine declaration before travelling, either online or on paper . If you are claiming exemption you still need to complete the form and tick the relevant box. The form states that you need to take documents supporting your case, but the government website advises that ‘only a quarantine declaration is necessary’.

Your quarantine address and phone number are passed to the supervision team, who will call you to check you are complying . If you break quarantine you could be fined €339.

Testing on arrival is not mandatory, but if you’re required to quarantine you can end it early if you test negative on day five. This must be a PCR test. You can book a free test by calling the GGD hotline on 0800 1202 or +31 850 659 063 if you’re calling from abroad. If you have a Dutch DigiD you can book the test online at coronatest.nl. You are allowed to leave quarantine to take a coronavirus test.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

• Français

COVID desk: Information for visitors to The Netherlands

The Netherlands is open and welcomes you! All Covid-19 related measures have been abolished.

All travelers to the Netherlands will no longer require a test, proof of recovery or proof of vaccination.

• You can find up to date information and travel advice at Government.nl .
• Find the answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 at the bottom of this page.

Handy links to the official travel advice

If you are travelling to the Netherlands from Belgium , Germany , France , the United Kingdom , the United States or China , please check these respective links to the official travel advice issued by your national foreign office.

FAQ - Current COVID-19 situation in the Netherlands

The current status of COVID infections, vaccinations and hospital admissions in the Netherlands at a glance.

The travel rules and COVID measures apply to all persons aged 13 and over.

Please follow the link and enter your country in the search box to retrieve the contact details.

The rules for entering the Netherlands depend on whether you are travelling from inside or outside the European Union (EU). Please read the handy travel checklist to see which rules apply to you.

You can use the (European) Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) to enter the Netherlands. You need a QR-code to proof that you have been vaccinated against COVID-19, have tested negative or have already been infected and are therefore protected. For more information about the DCC please visit this website.

If you are travelling to the Netherlands from another EU country you will no longer need to show proof of vaccination, a Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) based on proof of recovery or a negative test result. If you are travelling by air, complete a health declaration form. Do a self-test after arriving in The Netherlands and on day 5 of your stay. Use the travel advice tool on Reizentijdenscorona.nl to get specific advice for your trip. This tool also works if you are travelling through several countries.

An EU entry ban is in effect for people from countries outside the European Union/Schengen area. This includes the United Kingdom. There are exemptions to the entry ban, for example for some countries that are considered safe. Countries from outside the EU/Schengen are classified into two categories: 1. Safe countries and 2. Countries that are not on the ‘safe country list’. Please always check which category your country belongs to. Travellers from outside the EU/Schengen area do no longer have to carry a negative test result, if one of the following applies: Their country of origin is on the EU’s list of safe countries, they hold a valid vaccination certificate or recovery certificate.

If you are fully vaccinated, you can travel to the Netherlands. You will have to show the following documents to the Dutch border authorities: 1. a completed 'Vaccine Declaration COVID-19' form*; 2. proof of vaccination accepted by the Netherlands; 3. a negative Covid-19 test result; 4. proof of your return journey (return ticket issued by airline, bus company or railway company); 5. a visa (if you require a visa). *This declaration must be completed by all travellers aged 12 and over from outside the Schengen area. Children under the age of 18 travelling with their vaccinated parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are exempt from this requirement, but they must show a negative COVID-19 test result. There are some exemptions for the test result requirement.

If you develop coronavirus symptoms, you are advised to stay in your accommodation, avoid contact with others and get tested by the municipal health service (GGD) or do a self-test. If the result of your self-test is positive, you must isolate. Get tested by the GGD to confirm the result. Do not travel if you have symptoms (except to a test centre).

If you are visiting The Netherlands and you test positive for coronavirus, you must isolate: • If you booked your trip through a tour operator, contact them if you need to isolate due to a positive test. • If you are travelling independently, you must arrange a place to isolate yourself. If you continue to test positive, contact the country you are travelling to after your stay in the Netherlands to find out about the entry rules for that country.

Self-quarantine means that you stay at home and do not receive visitors. You should do this if there is a risk that you may have been infected by COVID. By staying at your holiday accommodation you prevent the virus from spreading further.

No, you can go to a PCR or rapid antigen test provider of your own choice for appointments. You must pay for these tests.

You can go to a PCR or rapid antigen test provider of your own choice for appointments. You must pay for these tests.

To contact the 24/7 BZ Contact Centre directly, dial +31 247 247 247.

The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train or ferry

London to the netherlands.

• Buy train tickets
• Buy ferry tickets
• Book a hotel
• Privacy & cookies
•   Home

Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, london to amsterdam in comfort.

Fed up with flying?  This page explains how to travel from London or anywhere in the UK to Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands by train or ferry, avoiding airport hassle and reducing your impact on the environment .  Upgrade from a stressful flight to the civilised comfort of Rail & Sail or Eurostar.

Times, fares & tickets

International trains to/from Amsterdam

Other useful information, interactive map.

Click a route for times, fares & tickets.

Holland or the Netherlands?

What's the difference.

Holland is a region made up of 2 of the 12 provinces of the Netherlands, Noord Holland & Zuid Holland .  The other 10 provinces are not Holland.  Telling someone from Utrecht, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Groningen or Maastricht that they come from Holland is like telling a Glaswegian that he comes from England...  Check out this nifty video explanation .

Useful country information

What are the options , option 1, london to amsterdam by eurostar.

Eurostar runs direct from London St Pancras to Rotterdam in around 3h30 and Amsterdam in around 4 hours, as fast as flying, but a lot more comfortable and with far, far lower emissions.  See the London to Amsterdam by Eurostar page for times, fares & how to buy tickets .

Option 2, London to Amsterdam by Stena Line train & ferry

Travel overnight on this classic rail & ferry service.  Leave London at 18:45 by train, sleep in a private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV on the luxurious Stena Line superferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, then take the metro to Rotterdam and a Dutch train to Amsterdam Centraal next morning, arriving around 10:25.  Watch the video .  See timetable, fares & how to buy tickets .

One ticket covers train, ferry, metro & Dutch train.  Ideal for a weekend break or eco-friendly business trip, with your emissions cut by up to 80% compared to a flight .  There's a daytime service too, with cabins optional.

Option 3, Hull to Rotterdam by overnight ferry

Take a luxurious overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam with bars, restaurants & cosy cabins, a comfortable & time-effective option, by-passing London.  A transfer bus takes you from the Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal , for a train to anywhere in the Netherlands.  Details for P&O ferry Hull to Rotterdam .

Option 4, Newcastle to Amsterdam by overnight ferry

DFDS Seaways sail overnight from Newcastle to IJmuiden near Amsterdam, with cosy private cabins including the luxurious Commodore Class, bars & restaurants.  Details for DFDS ferry Newcastle to Amsterdam

Option 5, London to Rotterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem & other Dutch cities

Stena Line Rail & Sail :  Travel from London or any Greater Anglia station to Harwich, then sleep in a cosy private cabin on the Stena Line overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  Next morning, take the metro to Rotterdam and a Dutch train to anywhere in the Netherlands, Utrecht, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Apeldoorn, Groningen, wherever...  Or travel by Eurostar to Rotterdam or Amsterdam then connecting Dutch train, booked at www.nsinternational.nl .

Back to top

London to other Dutch destinations

London to rotterdam.

Eurostar trains link London with Rotterdam several times a day in just 3h30, see the London to the Netherlands by Eurostar page .

You can also travel from London to Rotterdam overnight in a cosy en suite cabin using the excellent Stena Line train-ferry-train service, see the London to Amsterdam by train & ferry page .

London to Den Haag (The Hague)

Take a Eurostar from London St Pancras to Rotterdam Centraal in just 3h30, then take a frequent Dutch Intercity train from Rotterdam Centraal to Den Haag HS taking 18 or 19 minutes more.  These Intercity trains run roughly every 10 minutes.

Alternatively, Eurostar runs more frequently from London to Brussels Midi, from where there are hourly Intercity trains to Den Haag, a handful direct, most with 1 change.

Buy tickets from London to Den Haag as one transaction with no booking fee at www.nsinternational.nl .  You print your own ticket.

Alternatively, the excellent Stena Line Rail & Sail service via Harwich-Hoek van Holland also goes via Den Haag, see the London to Amsterdam by train & ferry page .

London to Maastricht

Maastricht, at the southern tip of the Netherlands, is most easy reached by Eurostar changing in Brussels.  There are hourly Belgian InterCity trains from Brussels to Maastricht with one easy and quick change in Liège, journey time 1h46.

You can buy a through ticket from London to Liège, simply go to www.eurostar.com and buy a ticket from London to a destination listed as Brussels Midi/Zuid + any Belgian station ticket from £51 one-way or £69 return.  This is valid on a specific Eurostar to Brussels, then onwards to any station in Belgium using any suitable connecting train (including Belgian InterCity trains but not international Eurostar (formerly Thalys) or ICE trains) within 24 hours of arrival in Brussels, and (on your return) within 24 hours of your Eurostar departure from Brussels.  This will take you all the way to Liege, you can easily buy an onward ticket from Liege to Maastricht online at www.thetrainline.com .

Note that at www.eurostar.com all you are reserving is your Eurostar seat, from Brussels to Liège a seat reservation is unnecessary you can just hop on any train you like. The Eurostar website won't give schedules for the onward trains, but you can use www.thetrainline.com to find train times between Brussels and Maastricht.

Alternatively, you can travel from London to Maastricht by comfortable overnight train+ferry if you like, using the special Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland, see the London to Amsterdam by train & ferry page .

London to anywhere else in the Netherlands:  Utrecht, Apeldoorn, Groningen, Arnhem, Eindhoven, etc.

Other destinations in the Netherlands can also be reached just as easily as Amsterdam, using either train+ferry or Eurostar.  Decide which you want to use by reading the London-Amsterdam train & ferry and Eurostar information, then check connections to your chosen destination as follows:

By train+ferry via Harwich-Hoek van Holland

The Stena Line Rail & Sail service gets you from central London or any Greater Anglia station (including Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Ely, Chelmsford, Colchester...) to Hoek van Holland.  There's a daytime service and an overnight 'sleeper' service with cosy private cabins with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  You can then travel from Hoek van Holland to anywhere in the Netherlands.  For full details, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .

To check train times from Hoek van Holland to anywhere else in the Netherlands, first check what time your chosen train+ferry service reaches Hoek van Holland using the London to Amsterdam train+ferry timetable here .

Then go to the Dutch Railways website www.ns.nl , enter Hoek van Holland Haven as origin and your Dutch destination as destination, enter your travel dates and time of departure from Hoek (allowing at least 20 minutes from the arrival of the ferry) and hit search .

You'll find some journeys involve taking the metro from Hoek to Schiedam Centrum and changing onto a mainline train (for example, to Den Haag) whilst others are better taking the metro from Hoek to Rotterdam Alexander and changing there for a mainline train (for example, to Utrecht or Groningen).

It will then sell you a ticket for the NS (Dutch Railways) part of the journey which you can print out or show in the NS app on your phone.  You then need to buy a metro ticket at the station from the ticket machines for a few euros.  Buy your Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland at www.stenaline.co.uk/rail-and-sail/to-holland .

By Eurostar to any Dutch station from €60!

The popular ticket from London to Any Dutch Station by Eurostar and connecting InterCity train (not valid on high-speed Eurostar (formerly Thalys) ) , one-way from €60, return from €119.  But it has to be booked at the Dutch railways website www.nsinternational.nl , which can book these as a one-way or a round trip in either direction.  You print your own tickets.  In the search results you can compare prices with faster options via Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed trains , and make a choice on speed versus price.

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

European rail timetable & maps.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in Amsterdam

Cheapies:   There are many cheap hotels, including many near the station, but very few get outstanding reviews.  For ones that do, try the floating boat hotel AmiciA (formerly Friesland), around €45 per night 15 minutes walk from the station or the Rembrandt Hotel from €80, 10 min walk from Dam Square though 20 minutes walk from the station.

Hotels in Rotterdam

The SS Rotterdam :  Easily the most original place to stay in Rotterdam is aboard the moored 1959 transatlantic liner, the SS Rotterdam .  It's a taxi ride or 50 minute walk from Rotterdam Centraal .

AirBnB:  www.airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

City breaks in Amsterdam

Or put together your own break, using the overnight train+ferry option and booking a hotel separately.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

Back to home page

• How to get to Netherlands

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• Netherlands
• getting-there
• Travel guide
• Itineraries
• Local Experts
• Travel Advice
• Accommodation

Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert

Book securely with money-back guarantee

Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support

There are plenty of flights from a bevy of UK airports to Amsterdam’s Schiphol (pronounced skip-oll) airport as well as a sprinkling of flights to several second-string Dutch airports, primarily Eindhoven and Rotterdam. Alternatively, travelling from the UK to the Netherlands by train via the Channel Tunnel is just as easy and about the same price as a flight, and neither, if you live in the southeast of the UK, does it take much longer. You can also get there by long-distance bus, which is usually the most affordable option, though more time-consuming. By car and ferry, deals for drivers on ferry routes into Dutch and Belgian ports are particularly competitive.

Flights from the UK

Flights from ireland, flights from the us and canada, flights from australia and new zealand, flights from south africa, by train from the uk, by train and ferry from the uk, by ferry from the uk, driving from the uk, by bus from the uk, tailor-made travel itineraries for netherlands, created by local experts.

8 days  / from 2782 USD

The best of the Netherlands and Belgium

This trip will bring you the best of two countries: the Netherlands and Belgium. From the quaint streets, canals and windmills of Holland to beer and Belgium chocolate tasting in three beautiful Belgium cities. This trip has it all.

9 days  / from 2996 USD

Experience the Liberation Route in BeNeLux

Explore the path of the World War II Liberation Route through Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Visit important landmarks and museums on the way with this self drive itinerary, with enough time to explore cities such as Brussels and Rotterdam on the way.

From North America and Canada the main decision is whether to fly direct – easy enough as Amsterdam’s Schiphol is a major international air travel hub – or to route via London, picking up a budget flight onwards from there. From Australia and New Zealand, all flights to Amsterdam require one or two stops on the way; from South Africa, there are direct flights.

Amsterdam is one of the UK’s most popular short-haul destinations and its international airport, Amsterdam Schiphol , is extremely easy to reach. Among many operators, easyJet, Jet2, Air France and British Airways all have flights to Amsterdam, but the airline with the widest range of flights is KLM, who fly there direct and nonstop from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Teeside, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds, Liverpool, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and Southampton. Alternatively, Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Eindhoven and CityJet flies from London City Airport to Rotterdam .

Prices for flights to Amsterdam vary enormously, but begin at about £170 return from a regional airport, slightly less from London. Flying times are insignificant: Aberdeen and London to Amsterdam takes one and a half hours, one hour from Norwich.

Flying from Ireland , Aer Lingus has daily flights to Amsterdam from Dublin and Cork, easyJet flies to Amsterdam from Belfast, and Ryanair has flights from Dublin to Eindhoven.

Prices for flights vary considerably, but begin at about €140 return from Dublin to Amsterdam. Flying times are modest: Dublin to Amsterdam takes one hour and forty minutes.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is among the most popular and least expensive gateways to Europe from North America, and finding a convenient and good-value flight is rarely a problem. Direct, nonstop flights from the USA are operated by KLM and Delta Airlines, but many more airlines fly via London and other European centres – and are often cheaper because of it. KLM offers the widest range of flights, with direct or one-stop flights to Amsterdam from several US cities, and connections from dozens more. Return fares from major cities in the US to Amsterdam start at around US$900, but average around US$1500. Flying times to Amsterdam on direct flights are as follows: New York (7hr 10min), Chicago (8hr 30min), Atlanta (10hr), and Los Angeles (11hr).

From Canada , KLM flies direct to Amsterdam from Vancouver (9hr 30min) and from Toronto (7hr 10min). Fares from Toronto go for around Can$1200, while from Vancouver you can expect to pay around Can$1500.

There are no direct/nonstop flights from Australia or New Zealand to the Netherlands and most itineraries will involve at least one stop in the Far East – Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur – before proceeding onto Amsterdam (or the gateway city of the airline you’re flying with). You can get tickets to Amsterdam from Sydney, Melbourne or Perth for AUS$1500–2500, NZ$2000–3000 from Auckland.

From South Africa , KLM offers direct/nonstop flights to Amsterdam from Cape Town and Johannesburg. With other airlines, you will have to change at a gateway city – for example Lufthansa via Frankfurt – but this can often be more economical. As for sample fares , direct/nonstop return flights with KLM from South Africa begin at about ZAR7000. The flying time , direct, is about 11 hours.

Aer Lingus w aerlingus.com

Air France w airfrance.co.uk

British Airways w britishairways.com

CityJet w cityjet.com

Delta Airlines w delta.com

easyJet w easyjet.com

Jet2 w Jet2.com

KLM w klm.com

Ryanair w ryanair.com

Eurostar trains ( w eurostar.com) departing from London St Pancras (plus Ebbsfleet and Ashstead in Kent) reach Brussels via the Channel Tunnel in a couple of hours. In Brussels, trains arrive at Bruxelles-Midi station (Brussel-Zuid in Dutch), from where there are onward services to Rotterdam (1hr 10min) and Amsterdam Centraal station (2hr) with two high-speed train companies, Fyra ( w fyra.com ) and Thalys ( w thalys.com ). Eurostar can arrange through ticketing from any point in the UK to any point in the Netherlands, as can Rail Europe ( w raileurope.co.uk ). A standard return fare from London to Amsterdam, with some flexibility, costs around £150, but special deals and bargains are commonplace. Obviously enough, travelling time from London to Amsterdam depends on how long you have to wait for the connection in Brussels – but 5 hours in total is about average.

For other Dutch destinations accessible from Brussels, consult the encyclopedic website of Dutch Railways, NS ( w ns.nl ).

Stena Line ( w stenaline.co.uk ), in conjunction with Greater Anglia trains ( w greateranglia.co.uk ), operates the Dutchflyer , an inexpensive if somewhat time-consuming rail-and-ferry route from the UK to the Netherlands. Trains depart London’s Liverpool Street station bound for Harwich, where they connect with the ferry over to the Hook of Holland – the Hoek van Holland (though you can also join the Dutchflyer at stations in between Liverpool Street and Harwich). The whole journey takes between eight and nine hours, including the six-hour ferry crossing. From the Hook, there are frequent trains onto Rotterdam (every 30min to 1hr; 30min), from where you can reach a host of other Dutch towns. One-way fares start at £39, or £90 on an overnight sailing, cabin included – cabins are compulsory on overnight sailings. Tickets are available from Greater Anglia trains.

Three companies operate car ferries from the UK to the Netherlands. They are Stena Line ( w stenaline.co.uk ) with services from Harwich to the Hook of Holland (6hr); DFDS Seaways ( w dfdsseaways.co.uk ) from Newcastle (North Shields) to IJmuiden near Amsterdam (16hr); and P&O Ferries ( w poferries.com ) from Hull to the Europoort, 40km west of Rotterdam (11hr).

Tariffs vary enormously, depending on when you leave, how long you stay, if you’re taking a car, what size it is and how many passengers are in it. As a sample fare, a weekend excursion from Hull to the Europoort for two adults, a car and a cabin might cost as little as £120 each way.

To reach the Netherlands by car or motorbike from the UK , you can either take a ferry or use Eurotunnel ’s shuttle train through the Channel Tunnel ( w eurotunnel.com ) from Folkestone to Calais. Eurotunnel fares , which are charged per vehicle including passengers, depend on the time of year, time of day and length of stay and the journey takes about 35min. As an example, a five-day return fare in the summer costs in the region of £100. Advance booking is advised. Amsterdam is roughly 370km from the Eurotunnel exit in Calais, Rotterdam 200km, Arnhem 260km.

Travelling by long-distance bus is generally the cheapest way of reaching the Netherlands from the UK, but it is very time-consuming: the main route, from London to Amsterdam, takes around twelve hours. There are three or four services daily and all of them use the Eurotunnel. For timetable details, consult the operator, Eurolines ( w eurolines.co.uk ). One-way fares start from as little as £30, £60 return. There are discounts for seniors (60+) and the under-26s.

The Rough Guides to Netherlands and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Netherlands

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Netherlands

• Eating and drinking in Netherlands
• Culture and Etiquette in Netherlands
• Getting around Netherlands: Transportation Tips
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Netherlands
• Travel Tips Netherlands for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Netherlands

Find even more inspiration here

• Travel Tips

written by Keith Drew

updated 26.04.2021

A former Rough Guides Managing Editor, Keith Drew has written or updated over a dozen Rough Guides, including Costa Rica, Japan and Morocco. As well as writing for The Telegraph, The Guardian and BRITAIN Magazine, among others, he also runs family-travel website Lijoma.com. Follow him @keithdrewtravel on Twitter and @BigTrips4LittleTravellers on Instagram.

Ready to travel and discover Netherlands?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Where to stay
• Travel advice

Netherlands to reopen further with coronavirus entry passes

News item | 14-09-2021 | 19:08

As of 25 September, we no longer have to stay 1.5 metres from others. This is a big step forwards. It means restaurants and bars can open to maximum capacity, and all events will again be allowed. Nearly 13 million people in the Netherlands have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 11 million are fully vaccinated. Hospital and ICU admissions are stable. The majority of people who are admitted to hospital or who test positive for coronavirus are still unvaccinated. Vaccination coverage is high enough that we can lift the rule to stay 1.5 metres from others. But it’s not yet high enough to do this without putting other conditions in place. Only maximum vaccination coverage will allow us to lift all the measures, protect people with chronic health conditions, and ensure everyone has access to healthcare when they need it. In November the government will reassess the measures remaining in place for now.

Coronavirus entry pass is extra safeguard

The coronavirus entry pass system is being introduced for locations that will get busier when the 1.5 metre distancing rule is lifted. The aim is to keep the risk of transmission as low as possible while enabling people to socialise as safely as possible. The system also plays an important part in allowing most locations to open at maximum capacity – and to stay open.

As of 25 September, the coronavirus entry pass system will apply to bars and restaurants (but not takeaways), events (such as festivals, concerts and professional sports matches), and cultural venues (such as cinemas and theatres). Whether people have a fixed seat or not, and whether the location is indoors or outdoors, everyone aged 13 and over will have to show a valid coronavirus entry pass to gain admission. Everyone aged 14 and over will also have to show their ID along with their coronavirus entry pass.

All hospitality establishments must be closed between midnight and 06.00. All events will once again be allowed, but visitors will have to show a coronavirus entry pass. Events held outdoors, or indoors with fixed seating, are not subject to a maximum number of visitors or a compulsory end time, but they must close at midnight. Events held indoors without fixed seating can receive up to 75% of the maximum number of visitors and must be closed between midnight and 06.00. The government is developing support measures for nightclubs and discos and for events that are subject to capacity limitations. The details will be announced as soon as possible.

You can get a coronavirus entry pass if you are fully vaccinated, have valid proof of recovery or a negative result from a coronavirus test taken less than 24 hours before entry. For people without proof of vaccination or recovery, getting tested will remain free of charge.

You can generate a coronavirus entry pass using the CoronaCheck app on your mobile phone. Staff at hospitality establishments and organisers of events, sports matches and cultural activities can get the CoronaCheck Scanner app, so that they can easily check the validity of entry passes.

Basic rules still apply

Many measures have been lifted and we have gotten many of our freedoms back. But the virus has not gone away. It’s still important to keep following the basic rules, even if you’re fully vaccinated. Staying 1.5 metres from others is no longer mandatory, but is now an urgent advice. As long as the virus is circulating, giving each other space is common sense, and 1.5 metres is a safe distance that’s proven to help prevent transmission of the virus. Just like the other basic rules: washing hands, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, not shaking hands, staying home and getting tested by the GGD if you have symptoms, and ensuring a good flow of fresh air indoors.

The advice to work from home unless that is impossible is being modified. The advice is now: work from home if you can, and go to the office if you must. It’s up to employers and employees to make satisfactory arrangements on hours worked at home and at the office.

Face masks mandatory on public transport and at airports

Face masks are still mandatory in airports (in any case the airside area and any other locations designated by airport management, such as arrival and departure halls), on aircraft, trains, buses, trams and metros, in taxis and on other commercial passenger transport. Face masks no longer need to be worn in train stations and at bus, tram and metro stops.

As of 25 September, the maximum group size of 75 people in secondary vocational and higher education will be abolished.

Face masks no longer need to be worn outside classrooms and lecture halls at institutions for secondary, secondary vocational and higher education.

If there is an isolated positive case in a daycare group or primary school class, it is no longer mandatory for everyone in the group or class to self-quarantine and get tested.

Third dose and booster shots

People with a severe immune system disorder will receive an invitation from their attending doctor to get a third vaccine dose.

The vaccines are still very effective in preventing serious COVID-19 and death, so the Health Council of the Netherlands advises against booster shots for the general population at this time.

The rules on self-quarantining for people travelling to the Netherlands will change as of 22 September. Vaccinated travellers from very high risk areas such as the United States or the United Kingdom no longer have to self-quarantine on arrival in the Netherlands. Prepare your journey well. Before you leave, check the travel advice on wijsopreis.nl (in Dutch) and reizentijdenscorona.rijksoverheid.nl/en .

The government remains alert

The above measures will enter into effect on 25 September and will apply until further notice. If the number of hospital and ICU admissions remains low for a longer period of time, the government will lift some of the measures still in place. But the government will remain alert. If there is a sudden spike in the number of people admitted to hospital or the ICU, extra measures may be needed. The government will try to take targeted measures where possible. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the government are staying alert to the emergence of new coronavirus variants.

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Netherlands

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Netherlands - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the Netherlands due to  terrorism.

Country Summary : Terrorists continue plotting possible attacks in the Netherlands. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to the Netherlands.  

If you decide to travel to the Netherlands:   

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by large crowds or foreign nationals.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities including movement restrictions related to any ongoing police action.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for the Netherlands.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

A passport must be valid for at least three months beyond planned date of departure from the Schengen area . The 12-page U.S. emergency passport is not accepted by Dutch authorities for visa-free entry into the Netherlands.

Two pages required for entry stamp

Not required for stays under 90 days

10,000 Euros or equivalent

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy the hague.

John Adams Park 1 2244 BZ Wassenaar Telephone: +(31) (0) 70 310 2209 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +31 (0) 70 310 2209 Fax: +(31) (0) 70 310 2207

U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam Museumplein 19 1071 DJ Amsterdam Telephone: +(31) (0) 20 575-5309 (Emergencies involving U.S. citizens only ) Telephone: +(31) (0) 70 310 2209 (All other calls) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(31) (0) 70 310-2209 Fax: +(31) (0) 20 575 5330 Email:   [email protected]  

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on the Netherlands for information on U.S.-Netherlands relations.  

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

COVID-19 Requirements

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens. 

Visit the  Embassy of the Netherlands  website for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe : If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
• If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page .    
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket. 
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

Dutch immigration authorities do not recognize the 12-page U.S. emergency passport, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, as a valid travel document for visa-free entry into the Netherlands.  If traveling on this emergency passport, please be aware that you will be refused entry by immigration officials and/or held at the airport until a return flight to the United States is available.  We strongly urge U.S. citizens in possession of the 12-page U.S. emergency passport to replace it with a full-validity passport before traveling to the Netherlands by air. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Netherlands.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) 

Crime: While the rate of violent crime in the Netherlands is low, tourists are often targeted by pickpockets, bag snatchers, and other petty thieves and are active in and around train, tram, and metro stations in city centers; and aboard public transportation, especially to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Thieves often work in pairs: one distracts you, often by asking for directions, while the other moves in on your unguarded property. Use your hotel safe, and keep baggage locked or secured when you are away. Avoid leaving valuables in automobiles, especially electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets, GPS devices, and mobile telephones. Never leave your personal items or baggage unattended.

Most retailers in the Netherlands only accept a “chip and pin” card and will not accept a standard U.S. credit card containing only a magnetic strip. ATM and credit card users are advised to keep an eye on their cards at all times. If you feel uncomfortable using your card for any reason, use cash. Contact your credit card provider for further guidance.

Demonstrations occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories. 

International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 112 or 0900-8844 for non-emergency cases.  See above for contact information for the U.S. Embassy The Hague and U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes in the Netherlands.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

The organization Slachtofferhulp Nederland (Victim Support Netherlands) provides a range of services for victims of crime, traffic accidents or disasters within the Netherlands. For more information, visit their webpage .

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is well-regulated and rules in regard to best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide lifesaving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.  

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Despite common misperceptions, marijuana and hashish are controlled substances in the Netherlands, and although not enforced in defined tourist areas, possession is a crime that can result in a fine. “Coffee shops” are havens for petty criminals who prey on tourists and other individuals under the influence of drugs. Persons who visit “coffee shops” have become victims of pickpocketing, identity theft, sexual assault, and other crimes. Visitors are cautioned against using such substances, as they are often counterfeit and can cause illness or death. It is illegal to take any controlled substance, such as marijuana, into or out of the Netherlands.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers  
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad   

LGBTQI+ Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in the Netherlands. See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities : Dutch law guarantees equality and the right to access for people with disabilities. Information about accessibility in the Netherlands for travelers with disabilities is available on the Netherlands main online portal for visitors.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers : See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

COVID-19 Testing:  For information about COVID-19 testing in the Netherlands, visit the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport webpage .

COVID-19 Vaccines: The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in the Netherlands if they are residents.  Visit the Dutch government’s COVID-19 page for more information about obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine in the Netherlands. Visit the FDA's website to  learn more about FDA-approved vaccines  in the United States.  

Good medical facilities are widely available in the Netherlands. Pharmacies (“Apotheek”) are widely available and can assist with emergency prescription needs. Some common medications are not available in the Netherlands without a prescription, and some prescription drugs cannot be imported into the country.

For emergency services in the Netherlands, dial 112.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on overseas coverage.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Carry an adequate supply of prescription drugs in their original container in your carry-on luggage. Carry a letter from your pharmacist or medical doctor with you, as some drugs are subject to confiscation by local customs agents.  Check with the government of the Netherlands to ensure the medication is legal in the Netherlands. If you are traveling with any pre-existing medical conditions, bring a letter from your physician that describes your medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of any prescribed drugs.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:

• Lanes in the center of many urban two-way streets are reserved for buses, trams, and taxis.
• In cities, pedestrians should be mindful of trams and buses, which often cross or share bicycle and pedestrian paths. Serious and sometimes fatal accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists colliding with trams and buses occur each year.
• Motorists should be especially mindful of the fact that bicyclists have the right-of-way; motorists must yield to bicyclists.
• Pedestrians should not walk along bicycle paths, which are often next to the sidewalk and usually designated by red pavement.

Traffic Laws:  

• A valid driver’s license issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles in the United States is valid for use in the Netherlands while in tourist or visitor status. Please check here (Dutch only) for more information.
• You must use seat belts and child seats.
• Driving is on the right side of the road, as in the United States.
• Speed limits are strictly enforced by radar. Traffic cameras are common throughout the Netherlands, and it is possible to receive a ticket for traveling even 2-5 km/h over the limit. Different limits may apply to certain hours of the day, as posted.
• Drivers must yield the right-of-way to vehicles and bicyclists coming from the right at intersections or traffic circles unless otherwise posted.
• The maximum allowable blood-alcohol content in the Netherlands is 0.05 percent.
• The maximum allowable blood-alcohol limit for those who have had a driver’s license for less than five years is 0.02 percent.
• Use of cellular telephones for talking or texting while driving without the use of a hands-free device is prohibited and is punishable by significant fines.
• Bicyclists and pedestrians should be particularly cautious during the winter months, when paths, roads, and especially bridges can become icy and extremely slippery.

Public Transportation: 

Rail is often a convenient alternative to driving, particularly in the areas around Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, where road congestion is frequent. Rail network information is available at http://www.ns.nl/en . It is relatively safe to travel by rail from city to city, compared to some other European countries but be aware of pickpockets. Taxi service in the Netherlands is safe but expensive. Trams and buses are both convenient and economical but are often frequented by pickpockets.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions .

Aviation Safety Oversight: 

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the Netherlands’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the Netherland’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:

Mariners planning travel to the Netherlands should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Netherlands . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, netherlands map, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

• Search How can we help you? Search

Travelling to the Netherlands

Visa for the netherlands.

• Do I need a visa?
• Applying for a Schengen visa
• Applying for a long-stay visa (MVV)
• Tracking the status of your visa application
• More about visa for the Netherlands

Visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom

• Do I need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom?
• Short-stay visa (up to 90 days)
• Long-stay visa (more than 90 days)
• More about visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom

Transiting at a Dutch airport

• Do I need a visa when transiting?
• Applying for an airport transit visa
• More about transiting at an airport in the Netherlands

Preparing for travel to the Netherlands

• What do I need to travel to the Netherlands?
• What items can I take into the Netherlands?

Travelling from the Netherlands

Preparing for travel from the netherlands.

• Dutch travel advice by country (information in Dutch)
• What do I need for travelling from the Netherlands?
• What items can I take from the Netherlands?
• More about travelling from the Netherlands

Urgent assistance outside the Netherlands

• Robbed outside the Netherlands
• Lost or stolen Dutch passport or ID card
• Getting sick while travelling outside the Netherlands
• More about urgent assistance

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Netherlands travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

It’s not just amsterdam: from opulent canal palaces and museums crammed with masterpieces, to miles of patchwork polders and caramel-coloured sand dunes, the netherlands provides culture and countryside galore, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get simon calder’s travel email, thanks for signing up to the simon calder’s travel email.

With a sixth of the Netherlands reclaimed from water, a pretty tree-lined canal, peaceful lake or scenic harbour is never far away. Endless stretches of sandy beach trace the contours of the coast, from the peninsulas of Zeeland with their whitewashed beach houses to the untamed Wadden Islands in the north.

As for culture , this small country birthed some of the biggest names in art – Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Mondrian for starters. In Amsterdam , you’ll get your fill of all three, and then immerse yourself in its Unesco-listed canal district − a living museum of stunning 17 th century architecture just four hours by train from London.

Current travel restrictions and entry requirements

You no longer have to show proof of vaccination or a test at the Netherlands border. Masks are no longer obligatory on public transport, in taxis or in health centres. According to the Foreign Office, Britons can use the “All passports” queue at passport control.

• Amsterdam city guide: Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in the Dutch capital

Best time to go

Visit between early April and mid-May to see the spectacular flower fields in bloom with row upon row of tulips, narcissi and hyacinths. Travel to the area between Haarlem and Leiden, where you’ll also find the splendid Keukenhof gardens; or take a trip to Flevoland’s North-East polder for the highest concentration of fields.

To see the country really let its hair down, time your trip for King’s Day (April 27), where an all-day orange-themed street party takes place in celebration of the monarch’s birthday.

But if you’re in the Netherlands for the boating, come in summer. Few things are nicer than cruising down a canal with the sun on your skin.

• Best hotels in Amsterdam 2022: Where to stay for location and style

Top regions and cities

Once best known for its red light district, coffee shops and all-night boozing (it’s all still there if you want it), gorgeous Amsterdam now attracts a more eclectic crowd. The art museums are a big draw, with the gigantic Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh topping the bill. Visitors should also book well ahead for the world-famous Anne Frank House in the city’s historic canal district. Here splendid gabled houses tell a story of Golden Age decadence, while across the IJ harbour, beach cafés, street art and trendy new dining spots beckon visitors to the regenerated North. But the biggest showstopper is surely the canals themselves. Rent an electric boat and explore them yourself or soak up the atmosphere from a waterside terrace.

The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and its vibe is suitably stately. Setting the tone is the elegant Hofvijver lake, bordered by the parliament buildings of the Binnenhof and encircled with museums, from the medieval Prison Gate telling grizzly stories of crime and justice, to the sumptuous Mauritshuis where Vermeer’s celebrated Girl with a Pearl Earring hangs. The northwest of the city offers more treasures, including the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, home to the world’s largest collection of Mondrians. The city’s borders dissolve into beautiful sandy dunes to the north and the west. Sprawled between them is Scheveningen. With its ferris wheel and pier, it offers a classic seaside experience; while its miniature park, Madurodam, lets you take in Holland’s highlights – in model form – in one fell swoop.

Turning devastating bomb damage during the second world war into its pièce de résistance, Rotterdam has rebranded with a wealth of cutting-edge architecture, from the quirky cube houses in the Old Harbour to the Museumpark’s dazzling Depot Boijmans van Beuningen, a giant silvery sphere containing works by all the big names in Dutch art. Grab lunch under the mirrored dome of the Market Hall, harbour-hop by water taxi from one waterside bar to the next, or – for something different – walk through the Brutus Garden, once the stomping ground of sex workers, now a rough-and-ready open-air gallery for Van Lieshout’s controversially kinky sculptures. And if you need a windmill fix to feel you’ve visited the Netherlands, take a day trip to nearby Kinderdijk – there are nineteen.

• How Rotterdam’s funky, climate-adapted architecture is putting it on the tourist map

West Frisian islands

This string of unspoilt islands – of which just five are inhabited and several are car-free – is paradise for cyclists in search of a few days of island-hopping. Even Texel, the largest and most accessible of the islands, has a far-flung feel, with rugged heathlands dotted with wild flowers and miles of uncrowded golden beaches. Visit the eccentric Beachcombers Museum Flora to see all the crazy things the North Sea has tossed onto its shores, take a boat tour to spot seals and porpoises, or climb the lighthouse’s six storeys of steps for an unrivalled view of the island.

Best under-the-radar destinations

Marker wadden.

The Marker Wadden in Flevoland is the Netherlands’ newest land and perhaps most unlikely nature reserve. It comprises five man-made islands, all experimental off-grid eco-systems brought to life in 2018 with materials dredged from the depths of the Markermeer lake. Today, the once bald piles of silt are carpeted in flowers. One, the Haveneiland, is open to daytrippers arriving by ferry from Lelystad, visiting yachts, and holidaymakers renting one of the four eco cabins. Meander through the undulating dunes, cross boardwalks over the thriving wetlands, birdwatch from an observatory or take a dip on the island’s powdery beach. Few other places have such a strong sense of the regenerative power of nature or are as quiet at night.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park

There are 54km² of woodland, heathland and drift sands waiting to be explored in this immense nature reserve in Gelderland province which bursts into colour in late August when the purple heather blooms. In the heart of the park is De Pollen, a vast desert where you’ll feel like you’ve crossed into another continent. Book a guide and go on safari in search of the park’s ‘big four’: roe deer, red deer, mouflon and wild boar. You might even spot one of the Veluwe’s newest and most controversial residents: wolves. Also lurking within all this nature is the impressive Kröller-Müller Museum, home to one of Europe’s largest sculpture parks and a collection of Van Goghs second only to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, but blissfully free of its crowds.

South Limburg

Hard-fought battles for land have left Limburg, the Netherlands’ most southernly province, hanging pendulously from the bottom of the country between Belgium and Germany, creating a unique cultural mix. To see all three countries at once, make a beeline for the south and do the scary Skywalk in Vaals, a glass-bottomed lookout tower at the highest point in the Netherlands. Spend a weekend in Maastricht soaking up the continental atmosphere and taking in its basilicas, gourmet food and handsome architecture, and then explore the surprisingly rolling landscape beyond for vineyards, caves, and generous portions of vlaai – the region’s sticky fruit tart.

• Groningen city guide: Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in this under-the-radar Dutch gem

Best things to do

Bike beyond amsterdam.

Some of the Netherlands’ prettiest little villages lie just outside Amsterdam – all you need is a bike. From Amsterdam Noord, cycle east past the tiny clock-gabled houses of Nieuwendam and onto Durgerdam, a former fishing village. If you’ve energy, follow the shore another hour or so to Marken, once an island and now attached to the mainland by a long thread of road slicing through the lake. The green timber-clad houses with their gardens criss-crossed with canals make this traditional Dutch village picture perfect.

Cruise the Frisian lakes

If a winter freeze sets in hard enough, the network of lakes and waterways connecting eleven of Friesland’s cities become the race tracks for the legendary Elfstedentocht ice skating marathon. For the rest of the year, the huge watery landscape is a picturesque playground for boaters. Check into a houseboat or rent a small motor sloop and explore the quiet lakes bordered by meadows and reeds. Frisian specialities such as pea soup and smoked sausage will help keep out the cold.

Walk on mud flats

‘Wadlopen’ (mud flat walking) on the sticky ground that the tide has left behind is just about the messiest thing you can do in the Netherlands – and dangerous too without a guide. Typically undertaken on the north coast, where the Wadden Sea washes between the mainland and the Frisian Islands, it’s a fun way to explore the fauna and flora revealed at low tide. Pick a culinary tour and you can even harvest your own shellfish for supper.

• Best cheap hotels in Amsterdam in 2022 to stay on a budget

Getting around

The Netherlands has an extensive and reliable rail service and many towns also have trams and metro. If you are making a lot of journeys on public transport, consider investing in an OV-chipcard. Loading money onto the card cuts journey costs and time spent at the turnstiles.

The cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands is fantastic, but biking in the capital can be nail-biting for novices. The city’s small scale means most of the main attractions are within walking distance of the centre anyway.

If you don’t mind driving on the right, the Netherlands’ well-maintained roads are easy to navigate by car − just watch out for all those cyclists.

• Why Rotterdam is Europe’s coolest foodie destination

How to get there

Travelling by bus tends to be the cheapest way to get there from the UK. FlixBus and Eurolines serve several Dutch cities, with London to Amsterdam taking from 10 hours. Ferries can also be good value and operate between Harwich and the Hook of Holland, Hull and Rotterdam, and Newcastle and IJmuiden. The Eurostar rail service connects London with Rotterdam and Amsterdam in around four hours. Meanwhile Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has the most frequent flights to the UK, but Rotterdam and Eindhoven airports also have services.

• Scandinavia opens up by sea with new Netherlands-Norway ferry line

Money-saving tip

In Amsterdam, buy a digital City Card and you’ll get free entry to most of the big name attractions in the wider area. Also included is one free canal cruise, free bike rental and public transport, as well as discounts on various tickets and meals.

What’s the weather like?

The Netherlands’ climate broadly resembles the south of England and tends to be fairly mild, although its flat landscape and long coastline do make it prone to wind. Extreme temperatures are unusual, but summer can exceed 30 degrees and winter can dip below zero. It is not unusual to see a difference of three or four degrees between Maastricht at the country’s southern tip and the cooler, windswept Frisian islands in the north.

What time zone is it in?

CET (one hour ahead of the UK).

What currency do I need?

What language is spoken.

You might hear regional variations such as Frisian and Limburgish, but Dutch is spoken throughout the country. English is pretty much a second language in the Netherlands, particularly among the younger generation, so make yourself at home.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

New Schengen Visa Rules for Indian Visitors: Key Questions Answered 

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

April 23rd, 2024 at 5:39 AM EDT

Destinations value Indian travelers, but lengthy visa processing times lasting months act as significant deterrents. The adoption of these new regulations by European authorities reflects a proactive effort to tackle these concerns, aiming to boost tourism flow.

Peden Doma Bhutia

The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.

Indian travel agents had been complaining of Schengen visa delays as a major challenge to the summer travel rush from India.

• How does one qualify for the longer duration visas?

The European Commission can issue a two-year multiple-entry visa after a traveler “has obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.” This demonstrates a positive travel history and compliance with previous visa regulations.

Subsequently, after granting the two-year visa, authorities may issue a five-year visa if the passport has has adequate validity remaining.

• What benefits do holders of these extended visas enjoy?

During the validity period of these visas, holders can enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals within the Schengen area, allowing for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

• Which countries are part of the Schengen area?

The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, including 25 European Union member states: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. Additionally, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen area.

• Are there any restrictions or conditions to these visas?

Schengen visas do not grant the right to work within the Schengen area and are for short stays only. Additionally, the visas are not purpose-bound, providing flexibility for travel within the specified period.

Industry Take

Skift also spoke to players in the Indian outbound travel industry to understand what has changed in the new Schengen visa rules.

• How is this different from the earlier visas that Schengen countries offered? Don’t they already offer multi-entry visas with longer duration to Indians?

Mahendra Vakharia, managing director of Pathfinders Holidays, said there was no standard policy of Schengen states for issuing these long-term visas earlier. Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Italy and Spain usually issued long-term visa, but it was all subjective. “With this new policy it should be a standard rule now,” Vakharia said.

• Travelers mainly complain of longer processing times, has that changed?

Here too, there is no standard processing time as it varies from country to country, according to Vakharia. “France and Spain have been processing visas within four days, and then there’s Croatia, which takes 60 days,” he said.

Processing time will not change as of now, it will take time for the visa rules to be enforced, said an industry source, while highlighting that the visa would be especially useful for corporate travelers.

What Promoted The Move?

Speaking on the possible motivations, Vakharia acknowledged various reasons, including administrative capacity constraints at embassies to cater to the huge inflow of applications.

“As there is an overwhelming demand from Indian travelers, the process of securing visa appointments has posed significant challenges , especially for travelers residing in cities lacking VFS Global centers,” he said.

The European Commission said in an statement that the decision reflects the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, aimed at fostering comprehensive cooperation on migration policy. Facilitating people-to-people contacts is a key aspect of this agenda, acknowledging India’s importance as an EU partner.

The decision also reflects a realization of the strong economic benefits derived through the spending power of Indian tourists. As Vakharia aptly puts it, “Why let go of the Golden Indian Goodie Bag?”

Skift India Report

The Skift India Report is your go-to newsletter for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: asia monthly , europe , european commission , European summer travel , european union , india , india outbound , schengen , visa , visas

Photo credit: Park Guell in Spain. Unlike many Schengen countries, Spain has been processing visas within four days for Indian travelers. Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz / Pexels

Accessibility Links

These are the ferries to avoid this summer

As a new report reveals the best and worst routes from the uk, here’s our guide to making your next trip plain sailing.

A holiday by ferry can be a wonderful thing, replacing the hassle and guilt of flying with the freedom of no-weight-limit packing (“just throw it in!”), the chance to keep the family together — Fido can come too, as can the bikes and paddleboards — and a supermarket sweep of cheese and wine on the way back.

However, ferry travel isn’t always plain sailing — post-Brexit rules and port staff strikes have played their part in long queues and missed departures. And from October, if it’s not postponed again, the UK will become subject to the Entry/Exit System, which will require every passenger to be fingerprinted and to have their facial biometrics scanned. Delays are expected.

However, while the port queue may be a great leveller, all ferries are not created equal, as underlined by a new report from the consumer group Which?, revealing the best and worst ferry companies to France, Ireland and the rest of Europe.

Journeys on the Dover to Calais route in particular have been plagued by high demand, strikes, poor weather and slow processing times, with waits of up to 17 hours reported by travellers in April. These are not necessarily the fault of the ferry companies, but according to the Which? Travel survey of UK passengers, the route is one of the poorest.

Dover-Calais services attracted the lowest scores in the survey, regardless of operator. Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries and DFDS all received just two stars for food and drink quality and lavatory facilities on the route. Better-rated services between the UK and France included those to Dunkirk, St Malo and Roscoff.

Advertisement

Brittany Ferries came out on top for its England-France services, with its Plymouth-Roscoff and Portsmouth-St Malo routes receiving the best consumer scores in total, 88 per cent and 80 per cent respectively. DFDS was rated best for Dover to Calais crossings, with an overall score of 69 per cent.

However, the report recommends avoiding Calais altogether for a Dover-Dunkirk ferry, which often costs the same and deposits you just 30 minutes’ drive east along the French coast from the busier port. “Sailings are 30 minutes longer, but Dunkirk port is much quieter, and passengers reported boats with more space on board and better quality facilities,” Rory Boland, the editor of Which? Travel, said.

For trips to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Stena Line racked up the highest scores. The same operator’s Harwich-Hook of Holland route also beat Netherlands routes from P&O Ferries, with an 85 per cent score, including five-star ratings for customer service, cabins and lavatories. Meanwhile, Irish Ferries scored top for the Pembroke to Rosslare route, with a 70 per cent consumer score.

• 40 best no-fly holidays for an eco-friendly getaway • 10 of the best no-fly cruises

The lowest scorers for UK-France routes were P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries, with a 55 per cent and 54 per cent score respectively. P&O Ferries was rated Best to Avoid, with the report referencing the company’s controversial mass sackings in 2022, as well as poor survey scores for facilities, food, drink and lavatories.

The survey of Which? members gathered ratings and reviews for nearly 2,000 ferry passenger experiences over the past three years, with consumers rating operators on customer service, the booking process, food and drink, lavatories and value for money.

One P&O Ferries customer who travelled to Calais told Which?: “I couldn’t believe how poor P&O Ferries are now compared with a few years ago. The staff are poor and the food was dreadful. A plate of fish and chips looked as if it had done several crossings.”

The report also drew attention to operational problems with ferry routes that island-dwellers rely on for regular transport. The Isle of Man Steam Packet line between Heysham in Lancashire and the island’s capital, Douglas, only managed a 56 per cent score, with only two stars for facilities. “Long-suffering islanders complain about poor facilities, too many cancellations and ‘sky-rocketing prices’,” the report said. Meanwhile, railing against frequent cancellations by CalMac, the Hebrides ferry operator, one passenger said: “Making a booking is like hitting a gambling button and hoping for the best.”

Boland said: “Taking a ferry should be a simple and relaxing way to travel, but all too often we’ve heard from passengers dismayed by long delays, dirty boats and a lacklustre food offering after sailing with the worst-rated operators.

“Unsurprisingly, given the regular disruption to sailings between Dover and Calais, all providers on the UK’s most popular ferry route were rated poorly.

“If you can, sail with Brittany Ferries, whose Plymouth to Roscoff route is unmatched for journeys to France.”

Three holidays by ferry on the best-rated routes:

1. beach gîte near roscoff, france.

Supervised by lifeguards in season, Pouldu beach is a long, little-developed sweep of dune-backed pale sand in Brittany’s Finistère department. Couples can stay just ten minutes’ walk away in a bright, open-plan apartment with sea views. The elegant nearby town of St-Pol-de-Léon holds a good farmers’ market on Tuesdays, while attractive Roscoff — only four miles away, and served by Brittany Ferries from Plymouth — is famed for crêpes, seafood soups (best paired with local ciders) and thalassotherapy spas. Details Seven nights’ self-catering for two from £864, including return ferry travel for two with a car (brittany-ferries.co.uk)

2. Le Touquet, northern France

Known for its silvery sand dunes and extensive cycling paths, Le Touquet is a chic little seaside town stacked with cheesemongers, patisseries and a historic food market. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Calais, where you’ll arrive on your top-rated DFDS ferry service (or take Which?’s tip and travel to Dunkirk, adding 30 minutes to the drive). You’ll stay at the chic, self-catering La Parenthèse Touquettoise apartment, a short stroll from the town’s beach, with a balcony, kitchenette and close proximity to restaurants for just-caught seafood. Details Five nights’ self-catering for two from £427pp, including return ferry travel for two with a car (dfds.com)

3. Netherlands self-drive tour

For a whistle-stop tour around the land of tulips, clogs and international justice, try this self-guided week in the Netherlands. You’ll take Stena Line’s passenger-approved ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, then stop in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and the Hague and stay in three and four-star hotels. Amsterdam’s charms go without saying, but Rotterdam is increasingly loved by city-breakers for its modern architecture, cutting-edge museums and docklands warehouses turned food venues. Details Seven nights’ room only from £520pp, including return ferry travel for two with a car (sembo.co.uk)

What’s your favourite ferry route? Let us know in the comments below

Become a subscriber and, along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times, you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners, especially for Times+ members

Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X

Related articles

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Business and industry

Travel to the Netherlands for work

Check if you need a visa or permit to work in the Netherlands and how to get one if you do.

This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with the Dutch embassy or immigration authorities .

Entry requirements

If you’re going to the Netherlands to work (or any other  EU country , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements .

Netherlands is in the Schengen area . If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

If you’re staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.

The Dutch authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

You must always check with Dutch embassy or immigration authorities  before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.

If you’re working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.

If you need a passport , visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.

Visa and permit documents

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in the Netherlands. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with the Dutch embassy or immigration authorities .

You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:

• ‘legalised’ (with an apostille) or notarised
• originals, or if copies are acceptable
• signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
• dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.

This guide uses the same terms used in the Netherlands, so you know which ones to use when speaking to the Dutch authorities.

Check if you need a visa or permit

You do not need a visa or permit for the following activities if their combined duration is no more than 13 weeks in a 52-week period:

• attending job interviews
• attending trade fairs
• board meetings
• business meetings with clients or customers (including entertainment such as eating at a restaurant)
• meeting contractors or sellers of products or services you’re reviewing or fact-finding
• negotiating, signing or executing deals or contracts
• team building activities to get to know the company’s culture
• attending, speaking or presenting at a conference if you’re not being paid
• leisure travel, such as holidays or visiting friends or family

You do not need a visa or permit for these activities if they’re for no more than 12 consecutive weeks in a 36-week period:

• receiving classroom-based training in the same company or company group, or in a clear training environment
• assembling or repairing hardware, machinery, or equipment on site, as long as the UK employer delivered the hardware to the customer
• installing, implementing or adjusting software, as long as the UK employer delivered the software to the customer
• providing end-user training for operating hardware or software, as long as the UK employer delivered the hardware or software
• receiving training or instructions on how to use goods manufactured in the Netherlands, or services to be performed in the Netherlands

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

You do not need a visa or permit for the following activities if they’re for no more than 90 days in a 180-day period:

• sales and commercial transactions
• after-sales or after-lease services
• market research

These activities must not involve the sale of goods or services to the general public. As a business visitor for a short stay you must not receive a financial reward in your own name from a source within the Netherlands.

These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver .

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

• proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
• health insurance that covers your stay
• proof of accommodation for your entire stay
• enough money for the duration of your trip
• an invitation letter explaining your trip, or a plan for any training you’ll be doing

Check exemptions for the Netherlands

Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.

All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.

You do not need a visa if you’re travelling to the Netherlands for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities include:

• musicians and artists who are working in the Netherlands for a maximum of 6 continuous weeks in a 13-week period
• those with an EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT) from another country –your Dutch employer must notify the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV)

These exemptions are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

Show proof of exemption

You need to be able to show proof that you’re exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:

• an assignment letter
• employment confirmation
• proof of required qualifications, such as a diploma or professional certificates

Further checks

If you’re not sure if you need a visa or permit check with the Dutch embassy or immigration authorities  before you travel.

Applying for a visa or permit

This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit, but you’ll need to check the exact rules and processes with the Dutch embassy or immigration authorities .

Taking your family

You may be able to apply for dependant permits if you have a family and want them to join you. It depends on the type of permit you have.  Find out more about taking your family with you .

Work and residence permits

If you’re working in the Netherlands for less than 90 days, your Dutch employer or the host company in the Netherlands will need to apply for a work permit for you. A residence permit is not required if your stay is for less than 90 days.

If you work in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will need both a residence and work permit or a combined residence and work permit (single permit). The combined residence and work permits can be valid for up to 5 years depending on which one you need.

You must apply for a permit if you’re in the Netherlands because you’re:

• transferring to a Dutch branch of a UK-based company
• working for a Dutch company on a Dutch employment contract
• providing services to a client in the Netherlands
• carrying out self-employed work
• a start-up entrepreneur
• conducting scientific research

Transferring to a Dutch branch of a UK-based company

You need one of these permits if your UK-based company moves you to a Dutch branch to work:

• EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT) , for managers, specialists or trainees
• national intra-corporate transfer (ICT) , for trainees, company representatives or specialists
• intra-corporate transfer (ICT) (UK only) , based on the EU and UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT)

You need an intra-company transfer permit (ICT) if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in the Netherlands to work for:

• up to 3 years, if you’re a manager or specialist
• up to 1 year, if you’re a trainee

To qualify you must:

• be a manager, specialist or trainee
• earn a salary in line with the  Dutch labour market
• have the appropriate educational qualifications for the role – trainees must have a Dutch master’s degree or an equivalent one from a university outside of the Netherlands
• have the required experience for the role
• have worked for the company abroad for at least 3 months (or 1 month for trainees)
• prove that you’re allowed to carry out your profession in the Netherlands if working in a regulated profession, for example if you’re a doctor or architect
• have employment terms and conditions at the level expected for your industry
• not have been previously transferred to the Netherlands on an EU ICT in the 6 months before you apply
• keep your UK employment contract

The branch in the Netherlands must not have been:

• created for the purpose of facilitating the transfer of employees into the EU
• fined for employing someone illegally or for not paying social security contributions 5 years before submitting the application

It can take 2 to 12 weeks to get an EU ICT. You cannot extend it beyond the 3 years, or 1 year if you’re a trainee.

If you have a family, they can join you with this permit type.  Find out more about taking your family with you .

How it works

You need to check with the Dutch authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer submits a  residence permit application  and the  necessary documents  to the immigration office (IND).

You attend an appointment at the  IND  in the Netherlands to collect your work authorisation passport sticker and submit biometric information once your application has been approved.

You register yourself on the personal records database (BRP) in the municipality where you’re living.

You collect your residence permit.

You get the required health insurance.

Application documents

Dutch authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

• completed permit application form
• passport for you and any dependants, valid for at least 6 months
• degree or qualification certificate
• employment contract with your UK employer
• antecedents certificate  (declaration of no criminal record)
• proof that your professional qualifications are recognised if you work in a regulated profession
• copy of training agreement for trainees
• birth certificates for you and any dependants, if applying with family ( legalised with an apostille )
• marriage certificate, if married, or  certificate of non-impediment  for non-married partners, if applying with family ( legalised with an apostille )
• evidence of termination of any previous marriages, if applying with family ( legalised with an apostille )

National intra-corporate transfer (ICT)

If your assignment does not meet the criteria for an EU ICT you can apply for a national ICT if your UK-based company transfers you to a Dutch branch to work for:

• up to 3 years
• 1 year if you’re a trainee
• be a trainee, company representative or specialist
• hold the relevant educational or professional qualifications
• have specialist knowledge in your field
• be transferred to an organisation included in the  Dutch commercial register  (if required by law)
• not have been previously transferred to the Netherlands in the 6 months before you apply
• keep your UK employment contract The branch in the Netherlands must:
• not have been fined for employing someone illegally or for not paying social security contributions 5 years before submitting the application
• meet corporate conditions

It can take 8 to 12 weeks to get a national ICT. Its valid for up to 3 years, or up to 1 year if you’re a trainee. You can extend it.

If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.  Find out more about taking your family with you .

Your employer submits a residence permit application and the necessary documents to the immigration office (IND).

You attend an appointment at the IND in the Netherlands to collect your work authorisation passport sticker and submit biometric information once your application has been approved.

• passport for you and any dependants, valid for at least 6 months degree or qualification certificate
• assignment letter
• copy of master’s degree for trainees and the training agreement (with training programme description)
• marriage certificate, if married, or certificate of non-impediment for non-married partners, if applying with family ( legalised with an apostille )

Intra-corporate transfer (ICT) (UK only)

If your assignment does not meet the criteria for an EU ICT or a national ICT you can apply for an  ICT based on the EU-UK Trade Agreement .

You can apply for this residence permit if your UK-based company transfers you to a Dutch branch to work in the Netherlands.

To qualify, you must:

• have been employed with your employer in the UK for no less than 1 year if you’re a manager and specialist, and not less than 6 months if you’re a trainee
• not live in the Netherlands when you apply
• be transferred to a Dutch branch of your UK employer
• hold a university degree and have at least 3 years of professional experience
• be transferred to an organisation included in the Dutch commercial register  (if required by law)
• receive a salary that is in line with the average salaries in the Dutch labour market for the position

It can take 4 to 12 weeks to get this ICT. It’s valid for a up to 1 year and it cannot be extended.

Your employer submits a residence permit application  and the  necessary documents  to the immigration office (IND).

You register yourself on the  personal records database (BRP)  in the municipality where you’re living.

Dutch authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, you will need:

• proof that your professional qualifications are recognised, if you work in a regulated profession
• copy of master’s degree and the training agreement with training program description, if you’re a trainee
• marriage certificate, if married, or certificate of non-impediment  for non-married partners, if applying with family ( legalised with an apostille )

Working for a Dutch company on a Dutch employment contract

You need a permit if you have an employment offer from a company in the Netherlands and you’re:

• a highly skilled migrant (HSMP)
• highly skilled and working in the Netherlands for at least 12 months (EU Blue Card)
• working in arts and culture
• working for an international non-profit organisation
• a mass media correspondent

Residence permit for highly skilled migrants

To qualify for this residence permit you must:

• have an offer of employment from a company, or research institution in the Netherlands, listed in the  Public Register of Recognised Sponsors
• be on Dutch payroll
• meet income requirements

A residence permit for highly skilled migrants can take 2 to 12 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 5 years and you can extend it. This permit can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

• employment contract with your Dutch employer

EU Blue Card

To qualify for an EU Blue Card residence permit you must be highly skilled and:

• have an offer of employment from a company in the Netherlands for at least 6 months
• have a 3-year university degree – if it’s from outside the Netherlands it must be evaluated by Nuffic  (Dutch organisation for education)
• have proof that you’re allowed to carry out your profession in the Netherlands if working in a regulated profession, for example if you’re a doctor or architect

The Dutch branch must not have been fined 5 years before submitting your application for:

• employing someone illegally
• not paying social security contributions

An EU Blue Card can take 2 to 12 weeks to get. It’s valid for 3 months longer than your employment contract, up to a maximum of 4 years. You can extend it. This permit can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

Your employer submits a  residence permit EU Blue Card application  and the  necessary documents  to the immigration office (IND).

• degree or qualification certificate – certified copy if you have a Dutch degree, or a copy plus the original degree evaluation from Nuffic  (Dutch organisation for education) if it’s not Dutch
• payslips for the past 3 months (if available)
• proof that you’re allowed to carry out your profession in the Netherlands if working in a regulated profession, for example if you’re a doctor or architect
• an employer’s declaration
• declaration by your employment sponsor for non-recognised sponsors

Specific occupations in art and culture

To qualify for a residence permit for paid employment in specific occupations in art and culture you must:

• work in dance, classical music, opera, musicals, theatre, stage or cultural workshops
• secure work that’s listed in  ‘specific occupations in arts and culture’
• be part of an organisation included in the  Dutch commercial register  (if required by law)
• meet the income requirements

You will not need a residence permit if you’re staying for less than 6 consecutive weeks.

It takes up to 12 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it. This permit can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

Your employer submits a  residence permit application  to the immigration office (IND).

• employment contract with a Dutch employer

Work for an international non-profit organisation

You need to apply for a single permit if you want to work for an international non-profit organisation in the Netherlands. This is a combined work and residence permit.

• be an employee of an established company in the Netherlands or a Dutch branch of a non-Dutch company which is included in the  Dutch commercial register  (if required by law)
• work for an organisation that’s established in multiple countries and has at least 50 full-time employees on permanent employment contracts
• have a managerial or specialist position that requires at least a university degree
• make sure the employment period is for no more than 3 years
• earn at least the  minimum wage of a 21-year-old employee  (this amount changes every 6 months)

This permit takes up to 12 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it. It cannot lead to permanent residency.

Your employer submits a  single permit application  and the  necessary documents  to the immigration office (IND).

• employer’s declaration

Mass media correspondent

To qualify for a residence permit for mass media correspondents you must:

• work as a correspondent for a UK-based mass-media company

It takes up to 12 weeks to get. How long it’s valid for is based on the length of your employment contract or assignment. This permit can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

Providing services to a client in the Netherlands

If you work for a non-Dutch company and are providing services to a Dutch client you need one of these permits:

• residence permit for work covered by the international trade regulation  – if you’re working temporarily on a specific project and do not qualify for the EU ICT
• single permit if you’re supplying goods  by or to a non-Dutch (‘foreign’) company, or assembling or repairing equipment for a non-Dutch company

Permit for work covered by the international trade regulation

Under the  international trade regulation  a company can hire employees from other countries to work on a specific project temporarily in the Netherlands for more than 90 days.

The project can be a collaboration, partnership or agreement for the delivery of goods or services between a non-Dutch company and Dutch company.

This permit takes up to 12 weeks to get. It’s valid for the length of the project, up to 3 years.

If you have a family they may not be able to get dependant visas with this permit type. They may be able to visit you for up to 90 days under the Schengen visa waiver .

Your employer submits the project to the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV)  for approval.

Your employer submits a notification to the UWV.

You attend an appointment at the immigration office (IND) in the Netherlands to submit your  residence permit application , the  necessary documents  and your biometric information.

• passport for you and any dependants, valid for at least 6 months project approval from the UWV

Supply of goods by or to a non-Dutch (‘foreign’) company

You need a ‘single permit’ (work and residence permit) if your work in the Netherlands relates to the  supply of goods by a non-Dutch company . This includes the assembling, or repairing of equipment for a non-Dutch company.

• meet income requirements , with a wage that’s in line with Dutch market conditions and at least the  minimum wage of a 21-year-old employee
• be part of an organisation included in the  Dutch commercial register , if required by law
• be responsible for assembling and repairing tools, machines, equipment or software, supplied by your UK employer
• be working with goods manufactured in the UK
• have worked for your employer for more than 1 year
• have specific knowledge of the supply of goods This single permit takes 12 to 16 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 1 year and you cannot extend it.
• completed and signed form on page 53 (Bijlage Gegevens bij levering door of aan een buitenlands bedrijf)

Self-employed work

If you’re self-employed, you need one of these permits:

• residence permit for self-employed work , based on national legislation
• residence permit for self-employed work (UK only) , based on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

Residence permit for self-employed work

To qualify for a residence permit for self-employed work  you must:

• carry out work that’s of vital interest to the Dutch economy and unique to the Netherlands (assessed by the  Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)   using a scoring system
• be on the  Dutch commercial register
• meet legal requirements for running your business or carrying out your profession, for example having the necessary licences
• meet income requirements , which should be clear from your commercial strategy
• have one or more contracts in the Netherlands that you plan to carry out
• be registered in the  BIG-register  if you’re a medic

The residence permit for self-employment takes 12 to 16 weeks to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it as long as you have enough income, or means from your self-employed work, to support yourself. This permit can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

You submit a  residence permit application  and the  necessary documents  to the immigration office (IND) by post or in person if you’re already in the Netherlands.

• declaration of income of self-employed person
• business portfolio for self-employed commercial activities – this should consist of a business plan and proof you have the required personal experience and that the commercial activities performed are of a vital interest to the Dutch economy
• Netherlands Chamber of Commerce registration

Residence permit for self-employed work (UK only)

If you do not qualify for the standard residence permit you may be able to apply for a  residence permit based on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) .

• be established as self-employed in the UK
• have a contract for a period of no more than 12 months - the contract must not be agreed through a placement or personnel services agency
• have at least 6 years’ professional experience in your professional area, have a university degree or a qualification showing that you have the equivalent knowledge and the professional qualifications legally required to do your job
• work in one of the sectors described in annex 22 (or ‘SERVIN-4’) of the TCA agreement

You must not have an establishment in the Netherlands.

The permit is valid for up to 1 year and it cannot be extended.

As this is a new work permit, the exact process has not yet been confirmed. You will need to check with the Dutch authorities .

• business portfolio for self-employed commercial activities – this should consist of a business plan and proof you have the required personal experience
• your work contract in the Netherlands

Start-up entrepreneurs

You need a  ‘residence permit as start-up’  if you want to start a business in the Netherlands as a start-up entrepreneur.

• have an innovative product or service
• have a  step-by-step business plan
• have  sufficient financial resources  to sustain living and working in the Netherlands
• have a partnership with a reliable and experienced facilitator

Your facilitator must:

• have knowledge and proven experience in supervising innovative start-ups
• be economically sound – must not be insolvent, bankrupt or have negative equity
• not have a substantial interest in the start-up company
• not be a family member up to 3 generations (for example, child, parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle)
• have a deputy within the start-up
• be approved by the Netherlands enterprise agency (RVO) – they assess whether facilitators meet the conditions and maintain the list of facilitators

This permit takes 12 to 16 weeks to get and is valid for up to 1 year.

If the start-up is considered to be economically viable by the RVO you can apply for a self-employment permit after a year. You must then meet the conditions of the self-employment permit .

You submit a residence permit application  and the  necessary documents  to the  Dutch embassy or consulate , or your facilitator submits it to the immigration office (IND) in the Netherlands, in person, by post or online.

You attend an appointment at the  IND  in the Netherlands to collect your work authorisation passport sticker and submit your biometric information once your application has been approved.

• business plan drawn-up with the facilitator and approved by the Netherlands enterprise agency (RVO)
• proof that you have sufficient funds

Scientific research work

You need a residence permit for scientific research if you want to work for a recognised research institution in the Netherlands. The Dutch employer can apply for it on your behalf.

• work as a paid scientific researcher or doctoral candidate, or as an unpaid researcher or doctoral candidate with a grant
• carry out research at a scientific research institution which is accredited by the IND  and has approved your research project
• have a higher education degree required for PhD study
• have a Dutch employment contract or hosting agreement with the research organisation

The residence permit for scientific research takes 2 to 8 weeks to get.

It’s valid for the same length of time as the employment contract up to 5 years. This permit can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

Your employer or you can submit a  residence permit application  and the  necessary documents . Your employer submits it to the immigration office (IND). You need to submit it to the  Dutch consulate or embassy .

• hosting agreement or appointment contract between the you (the researcher) and the research organisation
• proof of income, such as payslips

Dutch government guidance

Read official Dutch government information on visas, work permits and residence permits .

Check for travel changes

European governments may update or change their rules without notice.

You should always check general travel advice for the Netherlands , for updates on issues such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.

Hyperlinks updated to offer English-language versions of webpages.

Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 11 September 2023.)

Added description of Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for Education. Updated link to Dutch Chamber of Commerce. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 21 July 2023).

Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 22 March 2023).

Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 9 January 2023).

Content reviewed. Minor changes made for clarity. The information provided is up-to-date as of 23 September 2022.

Content reviewed. No changes made. The information provided is up-to-date as of 30 November 2021.

Added 2 new permits 'Intra-corporate transfer (ICT) (UK only)' and 'Residence permit for self-employed work (UK only)'.

First published.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.