Note: This information is no longer current.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.
For travelers from outside the EU who want to travel to the Netherlands, travel restrictions or sometimes an entry ban apply due to the corona crisis. However, there are also exceptions such as for essential travel and long-distance relationships.
The Netherlands has reintroduced the entry ban for Algeria on 5 August 2020 due to an increase in infections.
List of green countries (no entry ban for the Netherlands)
The lifting of the travel restriction, effective July 1, for travelers who reside permanently in the following countries: Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay remains power. For travelers from China, the entry ban will be lifted as soon as China itself also allows EU citizens.
Entry ban for non-essential travel
For all non-essential travel by persons from other third countries (other than the EU+ area) to Europe, the current entry restriction will remain in force with the aim of preventing the spread of the corona virus. This means that persons who do not have permanent residence in a country mentioned above on the green list and who do not fall under the following exemption, will not be allowed to enter the Netherlands.
Exception for long-distance relationships
From 27 July 2020, partners from a country with an entry ban may travel to the Netherlands under certain conditions. A foreign partner may stay in the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days. Minor children up to the age of 18 of a partner may also travel.
Conditions temporary arrangement long-distance lovers
The conditions for the temporary arrangement for long-distance lovers are:
- You have the Dutch nationality or the nationality of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
- You live and stay in the Netherlands yourself when your partner wants to travel to the Netherlands.
- You and your partner have been in a relationship for at least 3 months.
- Prior to the entry ban due to corona, you have physically seen each other for a period of at least 2 times. For example, during a stay in a house or hotel. Or 1 time for a period of at least 4 weeks. You have supporting documents for this, such as airline tickets and hotel bookings.
- Your partner has purchased a return ticket prior to the trip to the Netherlands. Also for any accompanying minor children (up to 18 years).
- You both sign the Relationship Statement Exemption from the Entry Ban COVID-19 form. In it you indicate from when you have a relationship. With this statement, you must enclose supporting documents proving that you are in a relationship and that you have spent time together. You can decide for yourself which supporting documents you submit. These are for example:
- airline tickets;
- previously used visas;
- stamps in your passport;
- payment details showing that you have been somewhere together (such as hotel bookings);
- statements from third parties indicating that you are in a relationship, such as a statement from parents or friends;
- photos.
Please note: This arrangement only applies if you are a Dutch citizen. Or if you are a national of a country that belongs to the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. You live in the Netherlands and are registered at the time of the application and when your partner travels in.
Is your relationship visa required for the Netherlands? Then the basic conditions for one apply to him/her short stay visa.
Third-country nationals with a residence permit residing in the Netherlands, or relationship couples who are third-country nationals, cannot use this exception to travel.
Mandatory documents upon arrival in the Netherlands
Your partner will show the following documents to the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee or the seaport police upon arrival in the Netherlands during border control:
- the completed form Declaration of Relationship Exemption from Entry Ban COVID-19;
- the return ticket;
- Any medical travel insurance;
- evidence for your relationship.
Here, the border guard will assess whether your partner meets all the conditions. Your partner must also be able to present a valid travel document and, if necessary, a visa (see below).
Short stay visa (up to 90 days)
Your partner may have one Schengen visa for short stay required for a maximum stay of 90 days in the Netherlands. This depends on the nationality of your partner.
When applying for this visa, it will be assessed whether your partner meets the conditions for the long-distance lovers scheme. To do this, you must submit the completed form Relationship Declaration Exemption from the COVID-19 Entry Ban and supporting documents for your relationship.
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and the seaport police always have the right to refuse your partner entry, if there is a reason to do so.
Home quarantine
Your partner and any children of your partner may be urgently advised to go into quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the Netherlands. Even if they have no complaints that resemble corona. You can read in the travel advice per country of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) whether home quarantine upon return is an urgent advice.
Source: Central government
