Note: This information is no longer current.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.
On March 8, the cabinet announced that the entry ban for the Netherlands will be adjusted as of March 16, 2021. For example, Dutch people who have a relationship with a person from outside the EU may receive their foreign partner again for a short stay of a maximum of 90 days.
Travelers from countries outside the EU are subject to an entry ban due to the corona pandemic. The list of exceptions to this was temporarily suspended for a number of groups. Those exceptions apply again. This means that the following groups are allowed to enter the Netherlands again:
- business travelers
- student
- highly skilled migrants
- professionals from the cultural and creative sector
- Long distance lovers
Long distance relationship with someone from abroad
Are you in a long-distance relationship with someone from abroad? If this meets the conditions that your long-distance relationship must meet, your partner may travel to the Netherlands. This is allowed for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days. Minor children up to the age of 18 are allowed to travel. Check whether you need a visa to travel to the Netherlands.
Long distance relationship with someone from a safe country
Do you have a foreign partner who lives in a safe country? Then there are no entry restrictions or entry bans. However, a partner requiring a visa must have a Schengen visa.
Safe countries outside the European Union/Schengen:
- Australië
- New Zealand
- Rwanda
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
- China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau). The EU entry ban applies to China until China also allows European travelers again. Travelers from China do not need to be able to show a negative test statement.
If you come from a country with a low COVID-19 risk, a safe country, you do not have to have a negative test result when you travel to the Netherlands.
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 partner visa required for the Netherlands? Then the basic conditions apply for one short stay visa. Including the mandatory ones medical insurance.
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.
Show 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;
- evidence for your relationship.
Here the border guard will assess whether your partner meets all the conditions. Your partner must also be able to show a valid travel document, proof of a medical insurance and if necessary, a visa (see below).
Your partner is advised to travel to the Netherlands with a direct (flight) connection and not via others countries of the EU or Schengen countries. Your partner may not be able to travel to the Netherlands with the long-distance loved ones scheme via these countries.
Short stay visa (up to 90 days)
Your partner may have one short stay visa 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 this end, you must submit the completed form Relationship Declaration Exemption from the COVID-19 Entry Ban and supporting documents for your relationship.
Need a visa
Does your partner need a short stay visa? Here you can read more about the application for a short stay visa.
No visa required
Does your partner not need a short-stay visa and would you like advice about your application for the long-distance loved ones scheme? Then you can receive advice from the IND before your partner travels. Mail the completed relationship statement and your supporting documents to customer information center@ind.nl (subject: Advice partner arrangement COVID-19).
The advice from the IND states whether, according to the IND, your partner meets the conditions of the scheme. Your partner can take this advice with you during the trip, together with the relationship statement and supporting documents. Your partner can show this to the airline or the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.
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 are going 10 days in quarantine upon arrival in the Netherlands. Even if they have no complaints that resemble corona.
Longer than 90 days in the Netherlands
Do you want your partner to be allowed to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days? Then your partner must apply for a residence permit (and often also a provisional residence permit) from the IND.
Medical insurance for foreign partner
There is a special medical insurance for foreign partners who come to the Netherlands temporarily (maximum 90 days). You can take out this insurance from € 2 per person per day and it offers cover for assistance, emergency medical assistance and repatriation. You must take out this insurance before your partner leaves for the Netherlands. For more information: Medical insurance for foreign partners »
Please note: Always check the website of the central government for the latest state of affairs regarding the entry conditions for long-distance relations. The regulations may have been changed or amended in the meantime. No rights can therefore be derived from the above text.
