Mandatory negative COVID-19 test result

If you are aged 13 or over and travelling to the Netherlands from a high-risk country, you must provide proof that you have tested negative for COVID-19. You can do this by presenting a negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before boarding. Or you can present both a negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands and a negative rapid test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before boarding.

Risk involved in travellers arriving from high-risk areas

The negative NAAT (PCR) test result is required because there is a risk that travellers arriving from high-risk areas will import and spread coronavirus variants. The mandatory test results are not a substitute for other coronavirus measures, such as the entry ban, self-quarantining and vaccination.

All passengers aged 13 and over must therefore present negative test results before travelling to the Netherlands. These rules also apply to people travelling to Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (the Caribbean Netherlands).

Mandatory before departure by aircraft, ship, train or coach from a high-risk country

You must present a negative COVID-19 test result if you are:

travelling to the Netherlands from a high-risk country. This is any country that is not on the EU list of safe countries; and
travelling by aircraft, ship or international train or coach. Even if the Netherlands is not your final destination.

You must cover the costs of the tests yourself.

Rules if changing planes depend on country of departure

If your journey includes a transfer in the Netherlands or another country, the rules are as follows:

If you start your journey in a safe country and change planes in a high-risk country
without leaving the airport, you are not required to present a negative test result. If you leave the airport, however, the negative test result requirement does apply to you.
If you start your journey in a high-risk country and change planes in another country
the negative test result requirement applies to you, even if the country where you change planes is a safe country. This means you must present a negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before boarding. Or you can present both a negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands and a negative rapid test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before boarding. The result remains valid during the layover and in the event of a delay.
If you start your journey in a high-risk country and change planes in the Netherlands you will only need to show the results of an NAAT (PCR) test based on a sample collected no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands.

Negative tests results

If you are travelling to the Netherlands, you may be asked to present one or more of the following documents:

an official negative NAAT (PCR) test result for COVID-19
This applies to almost all travellers on passenger transport. The NAAT (PCR) test result must meet certain requirements. You may present it on paper or digitally, for example on a smartphone.
an official negative rapid test result
This applies to all travellers coming from high-risk countries by aircraft or ship who are unable to present a negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected less than 24 hours before boarding. The negative rapid test result must meet certain requirements. These are different to the requirements for the NAAT (PCR) test result.
a completed health declaration
This applies only if you are travelling by air. Some airlines allow you to complete this health declaration digitally when you check in. Travellers under 13 also require a completed health declaration.

Presenting documents before departure and on arrival when travelling by air or sea

If you are travelling by air or sea, you must show these documents to the airline or shipping/ferry company before departure. If you are unable to present the correct documents, you will not be permitted to board. After your arrival in the Netherlands, a safety region official may always ask to see your documents.

Other coronavirus measures continue to apply

The requirement to present negative test results applies in addition to the other measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Test result requirement has not replaced entry ban

The requirement to present negative test results (and a signed declaration) is not an easing of the EU entry ban or the self-quarantine requirement. You may still only travel to the Netherlands from outside the EU/Schengen area if you are exempt from the entry ban.

Always self-quarantine on arrival

Testing negative is not a substitute for self-quarantining. People with a negative test result should still self-quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the Netherlands. You can arrange to get tested for coronavirus again on the 5th day after your arrival. If the result of this test is negative you can end your self-quarantine. Consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advisories to see if the country you are arriving from is a high-risk country. To prepare for your journey to the Netherlands do the Quarantine Check for travellers. This is a practical checklist of steps to take before and after your journey. You should travel only if your journey is essential.

Requirement applies even after vaccination

You must present a negative test result even if you have received a coronavirus vaccination.

Testing positive long after having coronavirus

Some people continue to test positive for a long time after having had coronavirus, even when they no longer have symptoms and are no longer infectious. The following rules apply to these people:

If you have had coronavirus and are therefore unable to present a negative NAAT (PCR) test result, you can travel if you can present the following documents:
- A positive NAAT (PCR) test result based or (as of 31 March) an antigen test result on a sample collected 2 to 8 weeks before travelling;
- A positive NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 72 hours on arrival in the Netherlands;
- A negative rapid test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before boarding.
If your rapid test result is also positive, you can travel to the Netherlands if you can present the following documents:
- A positive NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected 2 to 8 weeks before travelling;
- A positive NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 72 hours on arrival in the Netherlands;
- A doctor’s certificate issued no more than 72 hours before boarding stating that you are no longer infectious. The doctor’s certificate must be written in either Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish. The certificate must also bear the logo, stamp or other official mark of the issuing doctor or medical organisation.

NAAT (PCR) and rapid test locations outside the Netherlands

A list of locations abroad where you can get a PCR test or a rapid test is provided on Netherlandsworldwide.nl.

People for whom exemptions apply

Exemption for transport workers and seafarers

The following people do not have to present a negative NAAT (PCR) test result, but must present a negative rapid test result:

Transport workers and seafarers travelling to the Netherlands on passenger transport in connection with their work.

This applies to seafarers who possess a seaman’s record book and people who work in the goods transport sector and other essential transport personnel, who are travelling on passenger transport in connection with their work. This includes lorry drivers and crew members on container ships, bulk carriers (e.g. ore and coal), tankers (fuel and chemicals) and fishing vessels. It also includes individuals who work in the energy sector, including oil and gas platforms and offshore wind farms, offshore companies that provide services to this sector, and crew members on aircraft, cruise ships and ferries if they are travelling in the exercise of their work.

For more information, visit the website (in Dutch only) of the National Association of Transport Operators (TLN) .TLN has also made an overview available with information for the transport sector by country (in Dutch only).

Seafarers on commercial yachts and pleasure craft

The exemptions do not apply to seafarers on commercial yachts and pleasure craft.

Information for transport workers by country

The National Association of Transport Operators TLN has made an overview available with information for the transport sector by country (in Dutch only).

The following people do not need a negative PCR test result, rapid test result or test declaration.

Children younger than 13
People arriving from countries on the EU list of safe countries
Cross-border commuters, students and school children
Staff of diplomatic and consular missions or international organisations in the Netherlands, and the members of their official household, who have been or will be registered as such with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Holders of non-Dutch diplomatic passports
Holders of Dutch diplomatic passports, if they are travelling in the exercise of their work or whose physical presence is required for work
Heads of state and members of foreign governments
Air passengers whose flight does not have the Netherlands as its final destination but which must divert to the Netherlands due to unforeseen circumstances
Travellers in possession of a NATO travel order or a NATO-2 visa
Travellers with a declaration from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport who are unable to provide a negative test result in connection with the urgent transport of organs, tissues and cells for the purpose of medical treatment
Officials with a declaration from the Royal Military and Border Police who are performing tasks of national importance on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Security or State Secretary for Justice and Security, and any individuals being accompanied by these officials

These travellers must still present a health declaration.

Definition of cross-border worker/student/school child

You are a cross-border worker/student/school child if you live in an EU member state, a Schengen country or the United Kingdom and work/study/attend school in the Netherlands, and you travel back to your place of residence at least once a week. You are also a cross border worker/student/school child if you live in the Netherlands and work/study/attend school in another EU member state, a Schengen country or the United Kingdom, and you travel back to your place of residence in the Netherlands at least once a week.

Proof of cross-border worker/student/school child status

You must provide proof of where you live (for example a lease or confirmation from the municipality) and proof of where you work/study/attend school (for example an employment contract, a declaration from your employer, proof of enrolment from your university or school, or a declaration from your university or school).

Rules for different means of transport

Using public transport

You must be able to show a negative PCR test result if you are travelling to the Netherlands using one of the following international train or coach connections:

Intercity Berlin
ICE International from Frankfurt/Basel
Thalys
Eurostar
Intercity Brussels
FlixBus international routes.

Regional buses within 30 kilometres of the border

You do not have to show a negative PCR test result if you are travelling on a regional, cross-border bus and stay within 30 kilometres of the Dutch border on both sides. If the stops where you get on and off the bus are both in the Netherlands you do not need to show a negative test result either.

Regional train

You do not have to show a negative PCR test result if you are travelling on a regional, cross-border train to the Netherlands.

If you are unable to present correct documents on a train or coach

If you are travelling by international train or coach, you will be asked to present a negative test result before boarding or during the journey, but at any rate before the first stop in the Netherlands. If you are unable to do so, you must leave the vehicle.

Travelling by private coach

The negative PCR test result requirement applies only to public transport, like FlixBus, and not to private coaches.

Negative test result not needed if travelling by car

People arriving in the Netherlands by car currently do not need to present a negative test result. Please note, however, that different countries have imposed different measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. If you are travelling to the Netherlands by car through one or more other countries, you should check what rules apply there.

Travelling to the Netherlands by car through the Channel Tunnel

If you are travelling to the Netherlands from the United Kingdom by car via the Channel Tunnel and France, you are required by the French government to have a negative PCR test result.

Mandatory negative COVID-19 test result

Risk involved in travellers arriving from high-risk areas

Mandatory before departure by aircraft, ship, train or coach from a high-risk country

Rules if changing planes depend on country of departure

Negative tests results

an official negative NAAT (PCR) test result for COVID-19

an official negative rapid test result

a completed health declaration

Presenting documents before departure and on arrival when travelling by air or sea

Other coronavirus measures continue to apply

Test result requirement has not replaced entry ban

Always self-quarantine on arrival

Requirement applies even after vaccination

Testing positive long after having coronavirus

NAAT (PCR) and rapid test locations outside the Netherlands

People for whom exemptions apply

Exemption from NAAT (PCR) test requirement: transport workers and seafarers

Exemption from NAAT (PCR) test result, test declaration and rapid test result requirement: diplomats, cross-border commuters and certain other groups

Information for cross-border commuters, students and school children

Rules for different means of transport

Travelling to the Netherlands by international train or coach

Travelling by ferry or ship

Travelling by car