COVID certificate for travel outside the EU/Schengen area (step-by-step plan)

Step 1: Check the travel advice

Check the travel advice for your destination (in Dutch only) to find out:

• what you need to arrange for your trip;
• what measures apply in the country you are travelling to;
• what measures apply when returning to the Netherlands. 

Some countries ask that you complete additional forms or declarations. Take printed copies of your COVID certificates and other documents with you. Outside the EU/Schengen area electronic versions of these documents are often insufficient. 

Rules for air travel

Familiarise yourself with the coronavirus rules for air travel. Check with the airline as well to find out what other rules may apply.

Rules for international travel by sea

Familiarise yourself with the coronavirus rules for international travel by sea. Check with the passenger shipping company as well to find out what other rules may apply.

Rules while en route

Check the travel advice of the countries you are travelling through. Be aware of the measures that apply at each stage of your journey, including when transiting and during stopovers.

Step 2: Get a COVID certificate for travel

Find out whether you can travel with CoronaCheck

You can generate a COVID certificate in the CoronaCheck app and on CoronaCheck.nl based on proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result. The CoronaCheck app is for travel within the EU and a number of countries outside the EU. Find out which countries you can travel to using CoronaCheck (ec.europa.eu).

Get proof of vaccination: a paper certificate (from CoronaCheck.nl) or the yellow vaccination booklet

If you fulfil the requirements for proof of vaccination and are travelling to a country outside the EU/Schengen area where CoronaCheck is accepted, go to CoronaCheck.nl to print a paper COVID certificate. The paper certificate contains the same information as the CoronaCheck QR code. 

Find out from the travel advice what you need for your trip: 

• CoronaCheck;
• proof of vaccination; 
• and/or your yellow vaccination booklet.

Get proof of recovery

If you fulfil the requirements for proof of recovery and are travelling to a country outside the EU/Schengen area where CoronaCheck is accepted, go to CoronaCheck.nl to print a paper COVID certificate. The paper certificate contains the same information as the CoronaCheck QR code. 

The travel advice will tell you whether you can use CoronaCheck and/or proof of recovery for your trip.

Get a negative test result

You can also get a COVID certificate for travel with a negative test result. Make an appointment for a PCR test or an antigen test (rapid test) at a test location of your choice. You will have to pay for the test yourself.

If you are travelling to a country outside the EU/Schengen area where CoronaCheck is accepted, go to CoronaCheck.nl to print a paper COVID certificate. The paper certificate contains the same information as the CoronaCheck QR code.

If you are travelling to a country outside the EU/Schengen area where CoronaCheck is not accepted, check the travel advice to see what the test requirements are.

Step 3: During your trip, show your COVID certificate when asked

If you can travel to your destination with CoronaCheck, show the QR code on your paper COVID certificate when you travel. For example, when you board the aeroplane.

If you don’t have CoronaCheck, make sure you have another type of COVID certificate that you can show and which is valid for your travel destination.

Even with a COVID certificate, the coronavirus rules still apply

Even when you are travelling with a COVID certificate, you must comply with the measures in effect in your country or region of destination (in Dutch only).