Conditions and additional rules for traveling with children
If you are traveling to the Netherlands with or without a Schengen visa with a child under the age of 18, please note that additional rules apply and that an identity check may be carried out.
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar) carries out such checks to prevent child abduction. They may ask you for your identity document. KMar employees can also carry out checks when a child has the Schengen area enter or exit with only 1 of the parents. You will need written permission from the other parent of the child for this.
Permission to travel
The non-accompanying parent who has custody of the child can complete the consent form for traveling with a minor child to give permission for the accompanying parent to travel abroad with the child. A separate form must be completed for each child.
Single parent situations
There are several possible situations in which a parent travels alone with a minor child. For example:
- Parent with joint parental authority travels alone with child. You need permission for this.
- Parent with sole parental authority (single person) travels alone with child. You do not need permission for this, but you do need additional documents.
- Parent without parental authority travels alone with child. You do need permission for this.
- 1 parent has died.
If you need permission, you can permission form for traveling abroad with a minor to fill in. You sign this together with the other parent. If you have several children, you must complete a consent form for each child.
You need the permission form to enter and leave the Netherlands. You may need other documents or forms for the country you are traveling to. Please check with the local authorities.
More detailed information about these situations can be found at childabduction.org. Here you can also read which documents you need to bring with you.
Be on time!
The extra checks that are performed will take up a little more of your time. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and Border Police (KMAR) therefore advises parents traveling with children to be present at the airport on time and to give them the opportunity to carry out these checks.
Checklist
There is a checklist available for a Schengen visa application for parent(s) of a minor Dutch child.
