Note: This information is no longer current. Since September 17, 2022, there are no longer any corona rules for travelers to the Netherlands. You can travel to the Netherlands without a long-distance relationship statement, proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or negative test result. If you are subject to a visa requirement, you must of course first apply for a Schengen visa.
Do you have a partner or family living outside the EU and would you like to know whether they can travel to the Netherlands? You can read that here. Entry restrictions apply during the corona pandemic. But there are also exceptions. If you are fully vaccinated, you can travel to the Netherlands under certain conditions.
Do you not have the Dutch nationality? Then you may only travel to the Netherlands from a country outside the EU or Schengen if you meet one of the following conditions:
- You are traveling from a safe country; or
- You are fully vaccinated and you have a valid vaccination certificate; or
Otherwise, you will be subject to a European entry ban.
- Read the information about the EU entry ban and the rules for family members.
Lenote: more and more countries outside the EU/Schengen are using the European Digital Corona Certificate (EU-DCC). The EU entry ban will continue to apply to travelers from countries outside the EU/Schengen who use the DCC. Unless they fall under an exception.
Corona-safe countries and areas outside the EU
Do you live or are you in a safe country or area outside the European Union or the Schengen area? Then you may enter the Netherlands. Safe countries and areas with a low COVID-19 risk are not subject to an EU entry ban. You do need a vaccination certificate or test certificate if you enter the Netherlands from a safe country outside the EU/Schengen.
No EU entry ban for safe countries/areas
Countries/territories outside the European Union/Schengen area with a low COVID-19 risk are not subject to an EU entry ban. It does not matter what nationality you have or what the purpose of your trip is.
Lenote: The United Kingdom is not a country within the EU/Schengen area.
Safe country/area and proof of vaccination or test
You have a vaccination certificate or proof of recovery (issued by an EU member state) is required for your (return) trip to the Netherlands after a stay in a safe country. If you do not have this, you must be able to show a negative test result when boarding or when checking in the Netherlands.
Safe country/area: no home quarantine
After staying in a safe country/area you don't have to in home quarantine (stay home) upon arrival in the Netherlands.
Safe countries with low COVID-19 risk outside the EU
Safe countries and areas with low COVID-19 risk outside the European Union/Schengen are:
- Argentina (from 4 November 0:01)
- Australië
- Bahrain
- Canada
- Chile
- China, mainland (for China, the EU entry ban applies until China also allows European travelers again)
- Colombia (from November 4, 0:01 a.m.)
- Faroe Islands
- Greenland
- Hong Kong SAR
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Macau SAR
- Monaco
- Namibia (from November 4 0:01am)
- New Zealand
- Ukraine
- Peru (from November 4 0:01 a.m.)
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Spitsbergen
- Taiwan
- Uruguay
- Vatican
- United Arab Emirates (from October 15)
- South Korea
Safe islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands are:
- Saba
- St. Eustatius
Changes in list of safe countries outside the EU
These are the only countries outside the EU with a low COVID-19 risk. This list of safe countries is subject to change. So keep an eye on this page for the latest information.
However, EU entry ban for high-risk areas
Areas outside the EU that are not on the list of safe countries and areas are regarded as high-risk areas. The EU entry ban does apply to these countries or areas. If the purpose of your trip is on the list of exceptions, you can still travel to the Netherlands.
Bring proof of your travel purpose
Is your destination on the list of exceptions and are you traveling to the Netherlands? Bring the documents with you to prove the purpose of your trip upon arrival at the airport in the Netherlands. These documents may be in Dutch, English or Spanish.
List of exceptions to entry ban
You fall into an exception category if 1 of the following situations applies to you:
Full vaccination
If you are a resident of a country that is not on the list of safe countries and you are fully vaccinated, you can be exempted from the EU entry ban. You may enter the Netherlands if you travel with a vaccination certificate can demonstrate that you have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or World Health Organization (WHO).
Border control documents in the Netherlands
If you meet the above conditions for traveling to the Netherlands after vaccination, you will need the following documents at the border control in the Netherlands:
- a completed vaccination statement;
- one through Dutch recognized vaccination certificate;
- proof of the return journey (return plane, bus or train ticket);
- a visa (if the visa requirement applies).
Travelers aged 12 and over from outside the Schengen area must complete the vaccination statement. Children under the age of 18 traveling with their vaccinated parents or guardians do not need to complete a vaccination statement. They are required to have one negative COVID-19 test result show, unless they do so be excluded.
Request a visa
Are you a traveler and a national of a country for which a visa is required? Then the usual visa procedure applicable.
For family visits in the event of illness, death or a visit to a grandchild
You have compelling reasons to visit your family. This is really about traveling in exceptional cases such as:
- You visit a seriously ill or terminally ill family member or attend a funeral. You are a first-degree or second-degree relative. Fill the sick visit statement .
- You come to the Netherlands for the delivery of your legal partner. If you are not officially married, you have recognized the unborn child as your partner. You must also prove with a letter from the gynecologist or obstetrician that your partner has been pregnant for more than 34 weeks.
- From 16 September 00:01, all (great) grandparents who want to visit (great) grandchildren in the Netherlands up to the age of 18 are exempt from the EU entry ban. Previously, this only applied if they wanted to visit newborn (great) grandchildren. Fill out the form Visit to (great) grandchild .
- You are a divorced parent from a third country who wants to visit your child. Fill the statement divorced parent .
Source: Rijksoverheid.nl – The above text is for information only, no rights can be derived from it.
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