Note: This information is no longer current.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.
The European entry ban applies to travelers from countries outside the EU. This means that they are the European Union/the Schengen area and therefore not allowed to travel into the Netherlands. Also applies a flight ban to the Netherlands for aircraft carrying passengers from South Africa and countries in Central and South America.
There are exceptions to the EU entry ban. These include business travellers, students, highly skilled migrants, professionals from the cultural and creative sector and long-distance lovers.
Exceptions to the European entry ban
The European entry ban applies to travelers from countries with a high COVID-19 risk outside the European Union/Schengen area (including the United Kingdom). If the purpose of your trip is on the list of exceptions, you can still travel to the Netherlands. Bring the necessary documents with you to prove the purpose of your trip upon arrival at the airport in the Netherlands.
Countries outside the EU to which the entry ban in the Netherlands does not apply
Are you a safe country for a necessary purpose in a country outside the European Union/Schengen area with a low risk of COVID-19? Or do you live in a safe country outside the EU and still want to return to the Netherlands? Then you may enter the Netherlands. There is no EU entry ban for safe countries. Countries outside the EU that are not on the list of safe countries are regarded as high-risk areas. The EU entry ban does apply to these countries.
No negative test result or home quarantine necessary
Are you traveling from a country outside the EU with a low COVID-19 risk, a safe country, to the Netherlands? Then you don't have to negative test result to have. You don't have to either in home quarantine (stay home) upon arrival in the Netherlands. Whether this also applies to you if you travel back from a country with a low COVID-19 risk within the EU can be found in the travel advice on the Netherlands worldwide.
Safe countries with low COVID-19 risk outside the EU
Safe countries with a low COVID-19 risk outside the European Union/Schengen are:
- 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.
Safe countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands are:
- Sint Maarten
- Saba
- St. Eustatius
Visa requirement
Are you a national of a country for which a visa requirement then the usual visa procedure applies. Just apply for a Schengen visa if you can submit your application to an embassy or External Service Provider and actually travel to the Netherlands. Also check the conditions for international transport of IATA.
Exceptions to the EU entry ban
You fall into an exception category if 1 of the following situations applies to you:
Nationality and right of residence
- You have the nationality of an EU country or a Schengen country. Your family members may also travel to the Netherlands if they travel with you or want to join you. Read the rules for relatives
- You have the nationality of or are a resident of one of the following countries: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino and Vatican City. Your family members may also travel to the Netherlands if they travel with you or want to join you. Read the rules for relatives en check if they need a Schengen visa.
- You have the nationality of a third country (non-EU) and you have a residence card or residence permit. This complies with Directive 2003/109/EC (the Long-Term Residents Directive). Your family members may also travel to the Netherlands if they travel with you or want to join you. Read the rules for relatives and check whether they need a visa..
- You have the nationality of a third country (non-EU), but you derive your right of residence from other European directives or from the national law of a Schengen country. Your family members may also travel to the Netherlands. When they travel with you or want to join you. Read the rules for relatives and check if they need a visa.
- You have a long stay visa (MVV).
- You have a residence permit for the Netherlands. Your family members may also travel to the Netherlands if they travel with you or want to join you. Read the rules for relatives and check if they need a visa.
Study, knowledge and research
- You are a student coming to the Netherlands for a short stay (less than 3 months). You also have proof of registration from an educational institution that is on the list of recognized sponsors.
- You are a highly skilled migrant short stay in the Netherlands comes (less than 3 months). You also have proof of the work to be performed or work permit.
- You are a researcher or scientist in accordance with the action framework for researchers or scientists.
For work
- You have a vital function or need: healthcare staff, doctor or nurse.
- You are a frontier worker.
- You are a seasonal worker.
- You work in the transport sector:
- freight transport
- container ships
- bulk carriers (e.g. ore or coal)
- tankers (fuels and chemicals)
- fishing
- You work in the energy sector:
- oil and gas platforms
- wind farms
- offshore companies that provide services to the energy sector.
- You are a professional who performs urgent technical work for the vital sector, which requires specialist knowledge and physical presence.
- You are part of a flight crew.
- You are a seafarer and in possession of a seaman's book. This does not concern seafarers on commercial yachts and pleasure craft.
- You are a diplomat.
- You are in possession of a service passport and you have to travel to perform your job.
- You are a soldier and have to travel to perform your job.
- You work for an international or humanitarian organization.
- You are a journalist according to it framework for journalists.
- You are a top athlete according to it action framework for top athletes.
- You are a researcher or scientist according to it action framework for researchers or scientists.
- You are a business traveler according to the framework of action Exception from entry ban for business travelers.
- You are a professional in the cultural and creative sector according to the exception entry ban culture, science, journalism.
For family visits in the event of illness, death or childbirth
You have compelling reasons to visit your family. This is really about traveling in exceptional cases such as:
- You visit a terminally ill family member or attend a funeral. You are a first-degree or second-degree relative.
- You come to the Netherlands for the delivery of your legal partner. This only applies to you as a father. If you are not officially married, you have acknowledged the unborn child as the father. You must also prove that your partner has been pregnant for more than 34 weeks.
Transit, transfer and transfer
- You are in transit to a country outside the EU. You must prove that you have a connecting flight to a country outside the Schengen area. This flight must depart within 48 hours of arrival in Amsterdam. You are not allowed to leave the international transit area of the airport during this time.
- You travel from a third country via the Netherlands to another Schengen country. This is possible if you have permission from the Schengen country to go there. You can show this by, for example, showing a note verbale from the embassy. Or another document showing that you are allowed to travel to that country. Don't you have such kind of document? Then it will be assessed at the Dutch border whether or not you are allowed to enter the Netherlands. Without a document from the Schengen country you want to travel to, the advice is to travel to your destination with a direct flight. You may have one airport transit visa necessary. This depends, among other things, on your nationality. If you travel to another country via the Netherlands, you need a negative test result.
International Protection and Humanitarian Considerations
- You have received international protection.
- You are admitted to the Netherlands for humanitarian reasons.
- You are a foreign partner according to the Temporary arrangement long-distance lovers.
Negative test statement and home quarantine
Are you allowed to travel to the Netherlands because you fall into an exception category? Check if you need a negative test statement. And keep in mind that you quarantine for 10 days upon arrival goes.
Source: National Government – Date of publication: April 21, 2021
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