Checklist for entering or returning to the Netherlands from abroad
If you wish to enter or return to the Netherlands, check these points before you travel.
Travelling from a safe country/region
Safe countries/regions outside the EU/Schengen area
- Albania
- Armenia (from 8 July onwards)
- Australia
- Azerbaijan (from 8 July onwards)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (from 8 July onwards)
- Brunei (from 8 July onwards)
- Canada (from 8 July onwards)
- China (the EU travel ban applies until China lifts entry restrictions on European travellers)
- China’s Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong
- China’s Special Administrative Regions of Macau
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan (from 8 July onwards)
- Kosovo (from 8 July onwards)
- Lebanon
- Moldova (from 8 July onwards)
- Montenegro (from 8 July onwards)
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Qatar (from 8 July onwards)
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia (from 8 July onwards)
- Serbia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- United States
Safe countries/regions within the EU/Schengen area
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy, including Sicily
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Norway
- Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira apart from:
- Area Metropolitana de Lisboa (until 8 July)
- Area Metropolitana de Lisboa and the Algarve region (from 8 July onwards)
- Poland
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain: the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands only
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Safe countries/regions within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Aruba
- Bonaire
- Curaçao
- Saba
- St Eustatius
- St Maarten
Changes to the list of safe countries/regions
These are the only non-EU countries where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low. The status of these countries may change. Please consult this page regularly for the latest information.
Checklist when travelling from a safe country/region
1. No EU travel ban
You may travel to the Netherlands, the EU travel ban and does not apply to you.
2. No negative test result or self-quarantine required
If you are coming from a country where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low (a safe country) you do not need to show a negative test result. You are also not required to self-quarantine when you arrive in the Netherlands.
3. Health declaration
If you are travelling by air you must fill in a health declaration and carry it with you. Some airlines allow you to complete this health declaration digitally when you check in.
- For operators and airlines: information for passengers flying to and from the Netherlands
Travelling from a very high risk area where there is a virus variant of concern
Below is a list of countries and areas that are considered very high risk areas where there is a virus variant of concern.
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- India
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- South Africa
- Suriname
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Checklist when travelling from an area where there is a virus variant of concern
1. EU entry ban for high-risk areas outside the EU/Schengen area
A European entry ban is in effect for some people, barring them from travelling to the European Union or the Schengen area. You may only enter the Netherlands if the purpose of your trip falls under one of the exemption categories.
- Read more about the EU entry ban exemption categories
- Family members who are exempt from the EU entry ban
2. Mandatory quarantine
Self-quarantaine is mandatory if you travel/return to the Netherlands after staying in very high risk countries. This requirement also applies even if you have been vaccinated. You must be able to show a completed, printed and signed quarantine declaration. You may be fined if you do not have a quarantine declaration or if you do not comply with the mandatory quarantine requirement.
- Read more information about the mandatory quarantine.
3. Negative COVID-19 test result
You must be able to show a negative COVID-19 test result. This applies to everyone aged 12 or over and even if you have been vaccinated. The type of mandatory negative test result you need depends on the mode of transport you use.
- Read more information about the mandatory negative COVID-19 test result and the type of result you need.
- See netherlandsworldwide.nl for a list of locations for PCR and rapid tests abroad.
4. Health declaration
If you are travelling by air you must fill in a health declaration and carry it with you. Some airlines allow you to complete this health declaration digitally when you check in.
- For operators and airlines: information for passengers flying to and from the Netherlands
Travelling from a very high-risk area
Below is a list of countries and areas that are considered very high risk.
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Fiji (as of Friday, July 16)
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- India
- Kuwait
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Oman
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Seychelles
- South Africa
- Suriname
- Tunisia (as of Friday 16 July)
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Checklist when travelling from a very high-risk area
1. EU entry ban for high-risk areas outside the EU/Schengen area
A European entry ban is in effect for some people, barring them from travelling to the European Union or the Schengen area. You may only enter the Netherlands if the purpose of your trip falls under one of the exemption categories. For example, people who have been fully vaccinated can be exempted from the EU entry ban. Unless you are travelling from a country that has been designated as a very high-risk area due to the presence of a variant of concern.
- Read more information about the requirements for proof of vaccination.
- Read more about the EU entry ban exemption categories
- Family members who are exempt from the EU entry ban
2. Mandatory quarantine
Self-quarantaine is mandatory if you travel/return to the Netherlands after staying in very high risk countries. This requirement also applies even if you have been vaccinated. You must be able to show a completed, printed and signed quarantine declaration. You may be fined if you do not have a quarantine declaration or if you do not comply with the mandatory quarantine requirement.
- Read more information about the mandatory quarantine.
3. Negative COVID-19 test result
You must be able to show a negative COVID-19 test result. This applies to everyone aged 13 or over and even if you have been vaccinated. The type of mandatory negative test result you need depends on the mode of transport you use.
- Read more information about the mandatory negative COVID-19 test result and the type of result you need.
- See netherlandsworldwide.nl for a list of locations for PCR and rapid tests abroad.
4. Health declaration
If you are travelling by air you must fill in a health declaration and carry it with you. Some airlines allow you to complete this health declaration digitally when you check in.
- For operators and airlines: information for passengers flying to and from the Netherlands
Travelling from a high-risk area
Countries and regions that are not on the list of safe countries/regions or on the lists of very high risk areas are considered high-risk areas.
Checklist when travelling from a high risk area
1. EU entry ban for high-risk areas outside the EU/Schengen area
A European entry ban is in effect for some people, barring them from travelling from a high-risk area to the European Union or the Schengen area. You may only enter the Netherlands if the purpose of your trip falls under one of the exemption categories. People travelling from a high risk area who have been fully vaccinated can be exempted from the EU entry ban.
- Read more information about the requirements for proof of vaccination.
- Read more about the EU entry ban exemption categories
- Family members who are exempt from the EU entry ban
2. Mandatory negative COVID-19 test result
You must be able to show a negative COVID-19 test result. This applies to everyone aged 12 or over. The type of mandatory negative test result you need depends on the mode of transport you use.
Proof of vaccination or proof of recovery
Travellers within the EU who can show proof of vaccination or proof of recovery (for example a Digital COVID Certificate), no longer need to show a negative NAAT or antigen test result. Travellers from outside the EU do not have to show a negative test result if they have proof of vaccination; proof of recovery is not sufficient to exempt these travellers from the negative test result requirement.
From 17 July 2021, proof of vaccination will not be valid als an exempt from the negative test result requirement until 14 days after full vaccination.
- Read more information about the requirements for proof of vaccination.
- Read more information about the mandatory negative COVID-19 test result and the type of result you need.
- See netherlandsworldwide.nl for a list of locations for PCR and rapid tests abroad.
3. Urgent advice to self-quarantaine
The urgent advice to self-quarantine on arrival for people travelling from a high-risk area no longer applies to people travelling within the EU who can show a negative test result, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. This includes the Digital COVID Certificate. People arriving in the Netherlands from outside the EU do not have to self-quarantine if they can show a negative test result or proof of vaccination; proof of recovery is not sufficient to exempt these travellers from the urgent advice to self-quarantine.
- Read more information about the requirements for proof of vaccination.
- Rules on self-quarantine upon arrival in the Netherlands
4. Health declaration
If you are travelling by air you must fill in a health declaration and carry it with you. Some airlines allow you to complete this health declaration digitally when you check in.
- For operators and airlines: information for passengers flying to and from the Netherlands
Follow the basic rules during your stay
Follow the basic rules during your holiday in the Netherlands to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.
- Stay 1.5 metres away from other people.
- If you have symptoms that suggest you may have COVID-19, remain inside wherever you are staying and arrange to be tested. Call 0800-1202 or +31 850 659 063 to arrange an appointment.
These basis rules also applies even if you have been vaccinated.
Rules that apply indoors and outdoors
Read more about the rules that apply indoors and outdoors
People living in the Netherlands returning from their holiday are advised to take the following precautions:
- Everyone is urgently advised to get tested or take a self-test. This applies even if you don’t have symptoms and even if you have been vaccinated.
- Young people who have been on holiday together should always make an appointment with the municipal health service (GGD) to get tested as soon as they return home.
- If you have symptoms, stay at home and make an appointment with the GGD to get tested as soon as possible.
Checklist for transfer or short stay in the Netherlands
Do you wish to transit/transfer in the Netherlands or are you travelling by car or motorcycle and staying in the Netherlands for a short period of time (less than 12 hours)? Check these points before you travel.