Note: This information is no longer current.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 relationship with a partner from abroad (outside the EU) who requires a visa and do you want to bring him or her to the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days? Then you can still use the temporary arrangement for long-distance loved ones.
An EU entry ban applies to many countries in the world. This means that people from these countries are not allowed to enter the Netherlands. An exception can be made for a partner abroad with the temporary arrangement for long-distance lovers. The partner from abroad may stay in the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days in a period of 180 days. Minor children of that person may travel with you.
The conditions state, among other things, that you have been in a relationship for at least 3 months. You must be able to demonstrate this with, for example, photos, plane tickets and statements from friends and family that you are in a relationship. From July 1, 2021, fully vaccinated people can get an exception to the entry ban. This does not apply to partners from a very high-risk area, where there are new variants of the virus.
Long distance relationship arrangement
This arrangement was specially introduced during the corona crisis because a European entry ban applies. And as a result, lovers would not be able to see their partner from abroad for a long time. The entry ban for Europe has now been relaxed. For example, foreign guests, including partners, who are fully vaccinated travel to the Netherlands without many restrictions.
Don't forget for your foreign partner a medical travel insurance to close! Which can here >>
Exception for long-distance relationship from EU entry ban still applies
The long-distance relationship exception to the EU entry ban still applies . This information is also available in English on the website of the Dutch government: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/exemptions-to-the-entry -ban/temporary-arrangement-for-partners-in-long-distance-relationships Under the exception categories on government.nl this exception category is mentioned under “International protection and humanitarian reasons”: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/exemptions-to-the-entry-ban /eu-entry-ban-exemption-categories
The persons who meet the conditions can use this. This also applies, for example, to a Dutch national or foreigner living in the Netherlands who has a long-distance relationship with a foreign partner and who meets the conditions set.
Conditions temporary arrangement long-distance lovers
Your partner from a country with an EU entry ban can travel to the Netherlands under certain conditions. Your partner may stay in the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days. Your partner's minor children up to the age of 18 may also travel with you.
If your partner is fully vaccinated, he/she can be exempted from the EU entry ban from 1 July 2021.
The conditions for the temporary arrangement for long-distance lovers are:
- You yourself have the Dutch nationality or the nationality of one country from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. As of 15 May: Or you have British nationality and you have a residence document showing that you are covered by the Brexit withdrawal agreement. Your partner must bring a copy of this residence document as proof: Permanent Residence Document Withdrawal Agreement 18(1) and Residence Document Withdrawal Agreement 18(1).
- 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.
- You have physically seen each other for a period of time at least twice (within two separate trips) in the context of your relationship. For example, during a stay in a house or hotel. Or 2 time for a period of at least 2 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.
- Check in advance whether you have to show a negative test result upon arrival in the Netherlands. And or your partner 10 days in home quarantine must after arrival in the Netherlands.
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.
Does your partner require a visa for the Netherlands? Then the basic conditions for a 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.
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.
- As of 15 May: for partners of British citizens under the withdrawal agreement: a copy of your partner's Article 50 residence document.
Here the border guard will assess whether your partner meets all the conditions. Your partner should also have one valid travel document 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 of 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 do this, you must submit the completed form Relationship Declaration Exemption from the COVID-19 Entry Ban and supporting documents for your relationship.
No visa required
Has your partner no short stay visa required 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 quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands. Even if they have no complaints that resemble corona.
Longer than 90 days in the Netherlands
Does your partner want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days? Your partner must apply for a residence permit (and often also a provisional residence permit). at the IND.
Source: Rijkoverheid.nl – This text is for informational purposes only, no rights can be derived from it.
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