Negative test declaration now mandatory for all international air travel to the Netherlands

From 00.01 on 29 December 2020 all passengers, including Dutch nationals, must have a recent negative PCR test declaration in order to board an aircraft bound for the Netherlands. Everyone arriving in the Netherlands is strongly advised to self-quarantine for a period of 10 days. The negative test required for boarding is not a substitute for self-quarantining on arrival. The government made this decision today.

The rule requiring passengers to submit a negative test declaration before the start of their trip has already been in effect since 15 December for non-EU residents. As of today it applies to all passengers travelling to the Netherlands from the United Kingdom and South Africa. The government has decided to expand the requirement to all flights bound for the Netherlands.

Airlines that fly to the Netherlands from high-risk areas have been instructed by the Dutch authorities to check that all passengers are in possession of a negative PCR test result before boarding. The test must have been conducted no more than 72 hours prior to the passenger’s scheduled arrival in the Netherlands. Anyone who does not have a negative test declaration will be denied boarding. Airlines will provide passengers with information explaining the measures in place in the Netherlands.

The government is looking at options for expanding the stricter entry requirements to EU passengers travelling to the Netherlands by other means of collective transport, such as trains, coaches and passenger ships. Belgium has already imposed this rule on residents of the Netherlands travelling to Belgium. And France has introduced the same requirement for Eurostar passengers travelling from the UK to the Netherlands.