business travel from uk to netherlands

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Business Customs

Straightforwardness, courtesy, and efficiency are highly valued in Dutch business culture. Keep the following guidelines in mind when conducting business with the Dutch:

• Honest, open discussions are appreciated. Boasting and insinuation are frowned upon.
• Reply promptly to requests for price quotations and other information.
• Punctuality is expected. Always try to be on time for appointments. If you know that you will be late, be sure to phone ahead and explain why you are running late.
• The Dutch like to use their time efficiently. Spontaneity is not seen as desirable. Schedule meetings far in advance.
• It is best to refrain from using first names in initial correspondence.
• A firm handshake (under normal circumstances) and proper eye contact are crucial for effective face-to-face interactions.

Bear in mind that Dutch executives frequently take extended vacations during July and August, and in late December. Avoid planning a business trip to the Netherlands in the summer or around Christmas.

Travel Advisory

The State Department Consular Information Sheet for the Netherlands can be found on the State Department’s travel website .

Visa Requirements

The Netherlands is a signatory of the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Netherlands for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. If you are traveling for any other purpose, you may need to obtain a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. The 90-day period begins when you enter any of the Schengen countries. Anyone intending to stay longer than 90 days must obtain the appropriate visa issued by the Dutch government. Detailed passport and visa information is available on the website of the Dutch Embassy in Washington DC.

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link: State Department visa website .

The euro is the official currency of the Netherlands. ATMs are widely available. U.S. debit and credit cards are accepted at most points of sale.

Telecommunications/Electronics

The telecommunications infrastructure in the Netherlands is highly developed. U.S. cellular telephones can be used throughout the country and (free) Wi-Fi is widely available.

The Netherlands uses plug types C and F, so an adapter is required for U.S. electronics. The power supply is 230 volts (220-240 volts alternating current).

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in the Netherlands is considered to be one of the best in the world. The main airport in the Netherlands, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, offers daily direct flights to over 20 U.S. cities as well destinations around the world. The public transportation system in the Netherlands is modern and reliable. The rail network connects cities throughout the country as well as Belgium and Germany (and on to the rest of Europe). Various modes of public transport are available within cities and towns, including buses, trams, and ferries. The Netherlands has an extensive network of well-maintained roads and highways. Visitors should revue basic traffic rules before driving in the Netherlands. Major rental car companies operate at Schiphol Airport and locations throughout the country. Taxis are available at designated taxi stands and can be requested by telephone. Uber is available in large cities.

Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands. English is widely spoken and can be used in commercial correspondence.

Health and sanitation standards in the Netherlands are very high.

Local time, Business Hours, and Holidays

The standard time zone for the Netherlands is Central European Time (CET) / UTC +1 (six hours ahead of Washington DC for most of the year). Daylight saving time is observed from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October.

Business hours in the Netherlands have become more varied in recent years. It is always a good idea to check online for exact times. Offices and banks are generally open Monday through Friday from around 8:30 a.m. until around 5:30 p.m. Retailers are generally open from Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Many stores open later on Mondays and have reduced hours on weekends. Cities generally have a dedicated shopping night each week when stores are open later. Supermarkets in large cities tend to be open on Sundays and stay open until 10 p.m. during the week.

A full list of local holidays can be found on the U.S. Embassy The Hague website .

Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings

Detailed information on the customs rules for travelers entering the Netherlands from outside the European Union can be found on the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration website .

What you need to know when you travel to the Netherlands

News item | 20-08-2021 | 10:28

There are certain things you need to know if you’re planning to travel to the Netherlands during the current pandemic. In this article Conrad van Tiggelen, director of strategy and branding at the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions , helps fill you in so you can properly prepare for your trip.

What is the current situation in the Netherlands?

‘The Netherlands has re-opened for the most part. Some basic rules still apply, however: avoid busy places, stay 1.5 metres away from other people, wash your hands often and – if you have symptoms – stay at home and get tested. Face masks are no longer required in most public spaces. Public transport is the only exception: everyone aged 13 or older must still wear a face mask at stations and airports, on trains, buses and ferries, and in taxis.’

Is the Netherlands ready to welcome foreign tourists again?

‘Absolutely. The Netherlands is a welcoming country and is looking forward to receiving tourists in a safe, responsible way. We’ve missed having visitors from abroad and are excited for their return. The Dutch are always happy to put their knowledge of other languages to use to help foreign visitors.’

What do tourists need to bear in mind when travelling to the Netherlands?

‘Exactly what you need to bear in mind when travelling to the Netherlands depends on where you’re travelling from, how you are travelling and whether the country you’re travelling from is on the list of safe countries and regions.’

See the information below and this checklist  for more about travelling to the Netherlands from abroad.

Find out whether you are required to self-quarantine and what documents you need when you travel via the check on reizentijdenscorona.rijksoverheid.nl . It will give you a personal travel overview, based on your travel details.

Travelling from within the EU/Schengen area

See the list of safe countries and regions in the EU/Schengen area .

• You are travelling from a place that is on the list of safe countries/regions: you may travel to the Netherlands. You do not need proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test result. You do not need to self-quarantine. You are, however, advised to get tested or take a self-test after you arrive.
• You are travelling from a high-risk area: you may travel to the Netherlands. If you are 12 or older you must have a Digital COVID Certificate (proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or negative COVID-19 test result) . You do not need to self-quarantine. You are advised to get tested or take a self-test after you arrive.

Travelling by air

If you are 13 or older and are travelling to the Netherlands by air, you are required to complete a health declaration form.  Download the health declaration form here .

Travelling from outside the EU/Schengen area

See the list of safe countries and regions outside the EU/Schengen area .

• You are travelling from a place that is on the list of safe countries/regions: you may travel to the Netherlands. You must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result. You do not need to self-quarantine. You are, however, advised to get tested or take a self-test after you arrive.
• You are travelling from a high-risk area:  an EU entry ban is in place for people travelling to the EU/Schengen area from places not on the list of safe countries and regions. Generally speaking you may not, therefore, travel to the Netherlands – although certain exceptions do apply. Find out who is exempt from the EU entry ban and may travel to the Netherlands. You must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result. You do not need to self-quarantine. You are advised to get tested or take a self-test after you arrive.
• You are travelling from a very high-risk area: you are required to show a negative test result and to self-quarantine. When arriving in the Netherlands after a stay in a very high-risk area, you must self-quarantine for 10 days – this applies whether or not there is a virus variant of concern in that area. And it applies even if you have proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. If you get tested on day 5 you can shorten your quarantine period.

If you are 13 or older and are travelling to the Netherlands by air, you are required to complete a health declaration form. Download the health declaration form here.

Type of negative COVID-19 test result required when travelling to the Netherlands

If you need a negative COVID-19 test result to travel to the Netherlands, it must be from either a NAAT (PCR) test conducted no more than 48 hours before your departure or an antigen test conducted no more than 24 hours before your departure. There are additional measures if you are travelling from a high risk area.  Find out more about test result requirements here.

Changing planes in the Netherlands

If you change planes in the Netherlands and you board your connecting flight within 24 hours without leaving the airport in the meantime, you do not need to show a negative COVID-19 test result. If, however, you are travelling from a very high-risk area you must have a completed and signed quarantine declaration form with you, even if you have been vaccinated.   Download the quarantine declaration form here.

If you are 13 or older and travelling to the Netherlands by air you are also required to complete a health declaration form, even if you are only changing planes. Download the health declaration form here .

Please note that in some cases you may require an airport transit visa .

You are travelling through the Netherlands by car/motorcycle and will be in the country for less than 12 hours

If you will be in the Netherlands for less than 12 hours you do not need to show a negative COVID-19 test result. If, however, you are travelling from a high-risk area you must have a completed and signed quarantine declaration form with you.  Download the quarantine declaration form here.

What should tourists bear in mind while they are visiting the Netherlands?

‘You can have a great holiday in the Netherlands. Hotels, camp sites and holiday parks are all open. There may, however, be additional rules in place. Shops, museums, amusement parks and other sights and attractions are also open, but you may need to book tickets in advance. Make sure you find out ahead of time what rules apply at your accommodation and any locations you want to visit.

Restaurants, cafés and bars are open, although guests must be assigned a seat and everyone must keep 1.5 metres apart. Establishments serving food and drink may not stay open past midnight or open before 06.00 in the morning. Nightclubs and similar venues are currently closed.

Multi-day events with overnight stays are not permitted before 20 September. One-day events are permitted subject to certain conditions. Event organisers may request that you show a COVID certificate to enter – for this the Dutch CoronaCheck app is required.’

What should tourists do if they become ill while in the Netherlands?

‘Stay in your accommodation and do not leave except to get tested. You can make an appointment to get tested by calling 0800 1202 (or +31 850 659 063 if you’re calling from a foreign phone) between 08.00 and 20.00. COVID-19 tests are free of charge in the Netherlands at all test locations run by the municipal health services (GGD). If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the instructions given to you by the healthcare professionals. If your symptoms are life-threatening, call the Dutch emergency number 112.’

What should foreign visitors bear in mind before leaving the Netherlands to return home?

‘Many countries consider the Netherlands to be a high-risk area. Your home country may therefore require you to show a negative test result when you return. Before leaving the Netherlands, always check the latest rules for entering your home country.’

Do you have any additional tips for holidaymakers travelling to the Netherlands?

‘There is a lot to explore in the Netherlands within a relatively short distance. Avoid busy places and seek out different adventures. Stray from the beaten path and discover some of our country’s lesser-known spots. Do as the locals do and explore by bike, for example. There are many places in the Netherlands where you can rent bikes (including e-bikes). Visit Holland.com for inspiration.

Another option is to take in Dutch culture in our museums, many of which now offer reduced admission. If you are planning to visit several museums, the Netherlands Museum Pass could be a good option for you – it offers unlimited access to more than 400 museums across the country. Due to the restrictions in place, museums may require you to book tickets. You should therefore plan your visit in good time to be sure you can get in during your stay in the Netherlands.’

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.

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Dutch drop UK entry ban; Relax rules for couples, business travel

The Dutch government decided to lift the ban on passenger flights and ferries from the United Kingdom. It also relaxed travel restrictions for a number of people who want to travel to the Netherlands from outside the European Union, including business travelers and people in a long-distance relationship.

The travel ban from the UK was meant to prevent the spread of the B117 coronavirus strain, first identified and currently dominant in the UK. But this strain has already spread in the Netherlands to such an extent that a travel ban no longer has any added value, the government said on Monday when updating the Netherlands on the state of affairs around the pandemic.

From today, Tuesday March 9, passenger flights and ferries can come to the Netherlands again. Travelers from the United Kingdom still need to test negative for the coronavirus before boarding, and they are still urged to quarantine upon in their arrival in the Netherlands.

The ban on incoming flights from South Africa and a number of countries in South- and Central America still applies.

Exceptions were also added to the travel restrictions for countries outside the EU. The following groups are now allowed to enter the Netherlands: business travelers, students, highly skilled migrants, professionals from the cultural and creative sector, and people in a long-distance relationship.

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Moving your business to the Netherlands

Do you run a company abroad, and are you considering moving to the Netherlands or establishing an office presence here? Make sure you know what to take into account and find out which option works best for you.

On this page

Business structures for moving companies, running your business: staff, which country are you from, testing the water first.

Compared to other EU countries, the Netherlands has a flexible and liberal legal framework for the organisation of enterprises by non-resident companies or individuals. There are no special restrictions on foreign-owned companies that wish to start a business in the Netherlands. Depending on what kind of business you have and what you want to do with your existing company, there are several options. But to be part of the European single market and have access to the free movement of goods and services you must set up a physical presence / representation in the Netherlands, with a registration at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK and an address in the Netherlands. Seek legal advice to find out which option best suits your company. Here are some options:

• Moving your headquarters to the Netherlands: this entails deregistration in your home country and setting up as a Dutch company, for instance a private limited partnership (besloten vennootschap, bv) or a public limited company (naamloze vennootschap, bv). EU regulations regarding the financial sector stipulate that companies working in the financial sector doing business in Europe must have their HQ in Europe.
• Set up a subsidiary with full, independent legal status: this can be a distribution facility, usually in the form of a private limited partnership. Setting up a subsidiary allows you to reproduce services for the EU market. Your head office remains in the UK. Your foreign legal structure does not have to change if you move your business to the Netherlands. Dutch company law recognises all foreign business structures , except sole proprietorships.
• Upgrading the role of the distributor you were already working with in the Netherlands. The distributor company will already be a legal entity, such as a bv. The distributor then becomes the director of the Dutch company branch and the BV becomes part of the original business structure. Your head office remains in your home country.

Note : a branch office may seem the easy solution, but in practice it brings the same amount of work and obligations as a BV. Also, some European clients will prefer doing business with a European business structure rather than one from a third country. Another aspect to consider is liability. With a branch office, the foreign director in their home country is responsible for everything that happens in the Netherlands, like the need to comply with legal obligations. Setting up a separate, independent legal personality makes it easier. The co-director in the Netherlands will monitor all local affairs, including liability.

Whichever option you choose, you will have to deal with:

• changing your business registration in your home country
• registering your business
• business taxes
• rules and permits regarding your sector

Where will you locate your new business? Ask yourself what you and your clients need and search accordingly. The KVK location scan (in Dutch) can help you decide which location is best for your company. Regional development agencies (ROMs) can help you with specific information about locations in their region. Many things with regard to the business location, such as zoning plan and permits are arranged locally, through the municipality.

Read more about business locations .

Running a business in the Netherlands is fundamentally different than in most other countries. Michiel van Deursen, Executive Director Projects & Services of Netherlands-British Chamber of Commerce explains: “Foreign companies that start a branche company in the Netherlands expect it to be the same as it is in their country. But suddenly they are faced with lots of rules, for instance about dismissal law, the works council ( ondernemingsraad ), salaries , pension , dismissal , and payroll-tax . These matters are fundamentally different and it is something they tend to underestimate. If I tell a foreign entrepreneur that he has to continue to pay the salary of an employee with a long-term illness for two years, he is very surprised, while of course this is something that we are accustomed to.”

Read more about hiring staff , health and safety at work , and about terms of employment in the Netherlands.

What you need to arrange and which changes you may need to make to your business operations partly depend on where your business is from. Laws and regulations can be different in the Netherlands from what you are used to.

There are several webinar recordings available on this website that explain business in the Netherlands.

From an EU country

As an established company in an EU country, many aspects will be easy to arrange when moving the company to the Netherlands, as the EU rules remain the same. And people from another EU country can easily come to the Netherlands and work for your company, without a visa. However, there are specific Dutch rules and regulations that you need to take into account. For example:

• Professional qualifications and diplomas for certain professions
• Rules in regard to your business location
• Rules, permits and conditions for specific industries .

Contact one of the organisations listed below in this article to check which rules apply to your specific situation.

From a country outside the EU

Companies from outside the EU wishing to move to the Netherlands will probably need to make many changes to their business operations and adjust them to Dutch rules. For businesses many rules are relevant in regard, for example, to staff, product safety, waste,

All the relevant information can be found on this website.

If you are not quite ready to start a business in the Netherlands, or if you are new to doing business in Europe, a first step to test the waters can be done via other means than starting a business here right away. This can later result in a more permanent form of incorporation.

• Representative / liaison office: In the initial phase you may open a liaison office to explore the market and to establish contacts with prospective customers. In general, the office carries out preparatory or supporting activities exclusively for the benefit of the foreign headquarter.
• Sales agents : The nomination of a sales agent can be a first step in doing business abroad. A sales agent negotiates agreements and concludes them on a commission basis in the name and for the account of the principal.
• Importers and distributors : An importer/distributor purchases goods in their own name and at their own risk and sells them to third parties. A large portion of the goods is handled by importers who distribute throughout the country and Europe.

There are several organisations you can turn to for assistance when moving or starting your business in the Netherlands.

• Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK : informs, advises and supports businesses and manages the Business Register.
• RVO, Netherlands Enterprise Agency : facilitate entrepreneurship, improve collaborations, strengthen positions and help realise national and international ambitions with funding, networking, know-how and compliance with laws and regulations.
• NFIA : To find out how the Netherlands can work for you, you can contact the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). The NFIA is an operational unit of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy tasked to help foreign companies find their feet in the Netherlands.
• NDL, national distribution council : a private, non-profit organisation providing advisory and matchmaking services for supply chain operations in Europe.
• ROMs (RDAs, Regional Development Agencies) : help entrepreneurs with innovation, investments and internationalisation so that they can accelerate the growth of their companies.

Related articles

• How to start a business in the Netherlands - a checklist
• Starting a business in the Netherlands from abroad
• Foreign entities and branches

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Exporting guide to

The Netherlands

The Netherlands has a thriving economy and is a major gateway to Europe. It is culturally similar to the UK, making it an ideal test market for products.

Trade statistics

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted Last updated: January 2024)

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Check duties and customs

Check for trade barriers, how to pay vat when exporting to the eu.

Understand the VAT requirements when exporting goods and services to EU countries.

Major gateway to Europe

The Netherlands has excellent access to the European mainland and many goods enter the EU through it. Its transport infrastructure was ranked as one of the world’s best by the World Economic Forum in 2018.

High regard for British products

Dutch consumers are open to new products and experiences and often look to the English-speaking world for new trends. English is widely spoken and the Dutch have a taste for British goods.

Top five UK goods exported to The Netherlands , in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2023

Source: ONS Trade in goods: country-by-commodity exports Last updated: February 2024 Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for The Netherlands.

Top five UK services exported to The Netherlands , in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023

Source: ONS UK trade in services: service type by partner country, non-seasonally adjusted Last updated: January 2024 Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for The Netherlands.

Total import value (into the UK from The Netherlands) and export value (from the UK into The Netherlands) over time

Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted Last updated: January 2024 Total trade is the sum of all exports and imports over the same time period. Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for The Netherlands.

The Netherlands: at a glance

Economic growth

Actual figure (IMF, 2022) The UK is 4.1% (IMF, 2022, actual figure)

GDP per capita

Actual figure (IMF, 2022) The UK is $45,461 (IMF, 2022, projected figure)

Business languages

Dutch, English

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Opportunities for exporters

Export opportunities include defence and security, food and drink, offshore wind energy and technology.

There are opportunities in food retail and services, including plant-based meals, dairy alternatives, spirits, organic food, private label products and healthy snacks.

Taste for British products

The Netherlands’ affluent, UK-friendly population has a taste for traditional British tea room products, whisky, gin and cheese. Younger generations are embracing trends from the London ‘foodie’ scene. The UK’s ethnic cuisines are also becoming more popular.

Own-brand products

The leading Dutch supermarkets are always looking for new suppliers for their own-brand products, both traditional products (including tea, baked goods, snacks and cereals) and new healthy options (including ‘free from’ and low-sugar ranges).

Healthier foods

The government is promoting healthier lifestyles to fight the growing problem of obesity and diabetes in the country. There is also a national campaign to introduce more plant-based eating to everyday diets.

The Netherlands plans to build 5 new wind farms by 2023. These should create a total installed capacity of 4.5 gigawatts. There will be opportunities for UK companies throughout the project lifecycle.

Development and planning

Developers will need support during and after the bidding process for the offshore wind power site, and following the award of the contract.

Project delivery

There are opportunities for UK businesses in forming strategic alliances with Dutch companies to offer project and delivery expertise.

Operations and maintenance

Limited domestic experience in operations and maintenance may create opportunities for experienced UK companies to offer their services.

The Netherlands’ growing technology sector offers a range of opportunities for UK companies, including in logistics, sustainable cities and renewable energy.

Logistics technology

The Netherlands has a dense network of road, rail, water and flight connections, so there is strong demand for innovative technology for the logistics industry. The road network needs innovations to help monitor and manage the flow of traffic.

Sustainable cities

There is a strong trend towards urbanisation in the Netherlands. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht are growing rapidly. There are opportunities to offer sustainable solutions to water management, energy usage and 'liveability' challenges in these cities.

Transition to renewable energy

Netherlands is moving away from the use of gas and towards renewable energy. The large-scale industrial, agriculture and logistics sectors, as well as consumers, will need support with this change.

The Netherlands has a large banking sector, and Amsterdam is at the heart of the financial industry.

Services for the logistics sector

The importance of the logistics sector is creating opportunities to provide financial, legal and advisory services. Banks, insurance companies, legal firms and consultancies with good knowledge of international markets will find significant opportunities.

Multinational headquarters

An attractive economic environment for international businesses, Netherlands is home to many international companies’ headquarters. These headquarters need English speakers who can provide high quality financial and professional services.

Fintech demand

The Dutch financial sector is moving towards a cashless economy, and banks are rapidly introducing mobile banking. Exporters that can offer innovative, safe and secure solutions for mobile banking and investment will find strong interest from Dutch companies.

Trade barriers, such as tariffs or taxes, can raise costs, cause delays, or even stop you from exporting. Check for any issues that may impact your business when exporting.

See current trade barriers

See resolved trade barriers

Find information on how to export goods from the UK. View the duties, rules, restrictions, and the documents you need for your products.

See current duties and customs procedures

Doing business in the Netherlands

Preparing to export.

VAT is called BTW in the Netherlands. The usual rate is 21%. A lower rate of 9% applies to some products and services, such as food, medicines, and paint and plaster for homes.

Standards and regulations

Products and services should meet relevant EU safety standards , including clear instructions for proper use, and include warnings against misuse.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is responsible for standards.

Services regulations

Information on rules for selling services and business travel to the Netherlands is available on gov.uk

Packaging and labelling

EU standards apply to packaging.

Payment terms

Dutch law requires that every invoice should be paid within 30 days, unless the buyer and supplier agree on other payment conditions.

A payment term of over 60 days is only allowed if it can be shown that it is not detrimental to either party.

Netherlands Enterprise Agency has provided more information on payment terms .

Trade barriers

Check for any reported barriers to trading with the Netherlands.

Report any trade barriers that are affecting your business so we can help fix them.

Operating in The Netherlands

Local partnerships.

The Netherlands is a small and well developed market, so a local representative can be very helpful.

Dutch government: Doing business in Netherlands

Intellectual property

Intellectual property (IP) rights are territorial and rights granted in the UK do not provide protection elsewhere. You should consider getting IP protection abroad if you want to trade overseas or sell to overseas customers via the internet.

The Intellectual Property Office provides practical information to help you protect, manage and enforce your IP abroad. Further support for British businesses can be found through a network of IP attachés , based in key UK export markets.

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Step-by-step lessons to accelerate your exporting ability.

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The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train or ferry

London to the netherlands.

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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 .

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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!

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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 2756 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 2968 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.

Tailor-made trips for   Netherlands

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.

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