Europe

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There is an general threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. The Netherlands shares a common level of threat with neighbouring European countries.
  
  
• The Dutch Government introduced compulsory identification in January 2005.  Everybody over the age of 14 is required to show a valid identity document to police officers and other law enforcement authorities on their request.  See the Local Laws and Customs section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Most visits to the Netherlands are trouble-free. 85 British nationals required consular assistance in Netherlands in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (30 cases); hospitalisations (5 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (31 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (305 cases). You should also be alert to the dangers of street crime in the cities.  If you need to contact the emergency services in Netherlands call 112.
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a general threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

You should exercise caution particularly in central Amsterdam (especially in and around Central Station);  pick-pocketing and bag snatching are commonplace.  Thieves often operate in gangs, particularly (but not exclusively) on the trains to and from Schiphol airport and Central Station as well as on the trams.  While one thief will attempt to distract you (often by asking for directions or by banging on your window) another picks your pocket or steals your bag.  Newly arrived and heavily laden passengers are a particular target for thieves.  Be alert at all times.  Do not lose sight of your luggage or your belongings.  Sleeping passengers make particularly easy targets.

Opportunist thieves are also widespread and sometimes enter restaurants with the excuse of selling you something or looking for someone.  Bags have been stolen from between people's feet whilst they were distracted.  Ensure you keep your valuables safely with you at all times and do not leave them unattended or hanging on the back of a chair.

You should avoid carrying valuables and large sums of money with you, but it is important to carry copies of identification details.  If you are the victim of a theft you should contact the nearest police station and obtain a police report.  If your passport is stolen a police report is acceptable to some carriers instead of a passport but these carriers also reserve the right to refuse to take you if you do not have any other proper alternative identification.  You will need a police report as part of the process for replacing your passport.

Amsterdam Police are warning travellers of a trend whereby men - usually originating from Eastern European countries - make themselves out to be plain clothed policemen.  The trend is that one man usually addresses people to find out if they are tourists.  When confirmed, two fake policemen (in plain clothes) show false police identities and pretend to be investigating counterfeit money and false credit cards.  People are asked to hand over their money and credit cards for verification - sometimes they also ask for PIN numbers.  Often people are also searched for drugs.  After the 'inspection' the fake policemen return all the money and cards - at least that is how it seems.  Victims usually find later on that part of the money and/or credit cards are gone.

Fake policemen never wear a uniform and like to show shiny police badges.  Dutch policemen don't have badges.  Also, Dutch police in plain clothes will rarely carry out this type of inspection.  Always ask for identity, check it thoroughly and don't let yourself be intimidated.  Call 0900-8844 to get in touch with the nearest police station if you are not entirely happy.

Avoid confrontation with anyone offering you drugs of any sort and stay away from quiet or dark alleys - particularly late at night.  Even if you are tempted to buy, you risk arrest for doing so.

There is suspicion of drinks being spiked in some locations downtown, especially for young women and those not in groups: don't leave your drink unattended.  If you believe you have been the victim of a spiked drink seek medical help immediately and, if possible, inform the police.  If you are in a group, ensure you leave together.

 For more information see Assault, Sexual Assault and Rape Overseas.

Scams

Foreign visitors and residents can be targeted by scam artists.  These scams can pose great financial loss to victims.  If you receive an e-mail purporting to be from HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) offering a tax refund on provision of your bank details you should make absolutely sure that it is not part of a scam.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Netherlands Country Profile

Local Travel

Road Travel

If you wish to drive in the Netherlands you must have a valid full UK driving licence, insurance, vehicle documents and identification.  If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be requested. You are not allowed to drive on a provisional license.

In 2008 there were 750 road deaths in the Netherlands (source: DfT).  This equates to 4.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 4.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2008.

Traffic regulations in the Netherlands are very similar to those of other countries in continental Europe.  Roads are good and well sign posted, but are overcrowded.  Long traffic jams can be expected on motorways, particularly near the major cities.  Traffic offences can carry heavy, often on-the-spot fines.  Using a mobile phone whilst driving is illegal and carries a heavy fine, and drivers are encouraged to use "hands free" equipment.  If you are fined, you should always ask for a receipt.

The Dutch drive on the right and give priority to the right, unless otherwise indicated.  They drive "assertively".  Be particularly careful when using roundabouts: on some you have the right of way when on them but on others right of way must be given to vehicles entering.

Be extra vigilant for trams; they have priority over other traffic and are well known to exercise that right.  If a tram or a bus stops in the middle of the road to allow passengers on and off, you must stop.

Speed cameras, speed traps and unmarked vehicles are widely used to monitor speeding; exceeding the maximum speed limit can incur heavy penalties including substantial fines.  Be vigilant on motorways where the maximum speed can vary.  Overhead illuminated lane indicators - when in use - are mandatory.  Never exceed the indicated speed limit.

Most cities have a policy of reducing non-essential traffic flows within their boundaries.  Narrowing roads, obstacles, traffic lights and speed cameras are often in place to achieve this.  Paid parking is the norm.  It is expensive and there are insufficient parking spaces to meet demand.  Clamping and towing vehicles away are commonplace and the fines are high.

Motorists must use dipped lights after dark and in misty conditions.  If safety belts are fitted, they must be used.  A warning triangle must be carried and, in the event of a breakdown, placed 30 metres behind the vehicles.  To comply with EU legislation, children under 1.35m in height must now be carried in a proper child seat in the rear of the car.

Pedestrians should be extremely careful when crossing roads, especially on zebra crossings.  Look out for cycles and mopeds, which enjoy right of way over motor vehicles and often ignore road traffic rules as well as red lights.  In Amsterdam in particular, be aware that many cyclists do not use lights at night and are therefore very difficult to see.  Dedicated cycle tracks are common but can also be used by invalid vehicles and mopeds, which often reach high speeds.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Amsterdam Canals

Several deaths (of all nationalities) occur each year due to drowning in the canals of Amsterdam.  The majority of these happen as a result of celebrations that include drinking heavily and/or smoking cannabis.  Particular care should be taken when travelling beside canals.

Air Travel

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in the Netherlands.  For more general information see Airline Security.

All budget airlines travelling into Schiphol are now directed to the new 'H' Pier.  This is a brand new building with no retail or catering facilities and only a limited number of toilets.  This has led to complaints from some passengers.  You should be aware that once you pass through final security and passport control to enter the H Pier you will have a long walk.  You will also have to descend stairs to the final departure area.  Elderly and infirm passengers or those travelling with young children may wish to bear this in mind.

Local laws and customs

Everybody from the age of 14 is required to be able to show a valid identity document to police officers and other law enforcement authorities on their request.  The documents you can use to prove your identity depend on your nationality:

• If you are living in or visiting the Netherlands and are a national of the European Union (or the European Economic Area) you can use your passport or EU/Eer-vreemdelingendocument.
• If you are a dual national you can identify yourself with a valid Dutch driver’s licence, passport or Dutch/European identity card.
• Photocopies are accepted as a temporary measure but police may insist on seeing the original document as well.

Don’t carry or use drugs.  The Netherlands has a reputation for being tolerant on the use of so-called ‘soft drugs’.  In reality drugs are prohibited and this tolerance exists only for designated premises in the major cities. Possession of prohibited substances or the purchase of them outside these designated areas can carry a prison sentence.  

The purchase or smoking of soft drugs in public places is an arrestable offence in Amsterdam. There are specifically designated cafés where the use of cannabis is tolerated.  Although popular the sale of both dry and fresh psychoactive mushrooms is forbidden by law. Travellers are advised to exercise extreme caution as combinations of alcohol, cannabis and wild mushrooms are a fatal cocktail and have resulted in several deaths.

If you are arrested, you have the right to contact the nearest diplomatic mission if you so wish.  We cannot get you out of police custody but we can ensure that relatives are made aware of your arrest (if that is what you want) and will ensure that you are treated properly.  We can also supply you with a list of lawyers.  You should let the Embassy know if you have been refused the right to contact us.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see When Things Go Wrong page.

For more general advice for different types of travellers see Your Trip page.

Entry requirements

Visas

Holders of British passports, describing them as "British Citizens", do not require visas to enter the Netherlands.  

Passport validity

You need a passport or a National Identity Card (see the website of the Identity and Passports Service (IPS)) to enter the Netherlands. All British passport holders require a valid passport to enter the Netherlands.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Netherlands Embassy in London.

Moving to the Netherlands

If you intend to live in the Netherlands, you are advised to get important documents (eg your birth certificate and marriage certificates) officially certified (apostilled) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes.  Failure to do this prior to your arrival in the Netherlands may cause a delay in obtaining necessary documents (and registering any future births) as the authorities insist on the proper legalisation of all formal documents.  You should also be aware that there is no facility to legalise educational documents in the Netherlands so this should also be done prior to leaving the UK.

Health

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Dutch nationals.  It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more general information EHIC.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 18,000 adults aged 15 or over in Netherlands were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS. 
 
You should seek medical advice before travelling to the Netherlands and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  For further information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Money  You are reminded that the currency of the Netherlands is the Euro.

Since 15 June 2007, new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States.  Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc.  This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.

Contact Details  

Consular and Immigration Matters
British Consulate Amsterdam
Koningslaan 44
1075 AE Amsterdam

Telephone:  +31 (0)20 676 4343

Consular telephone enquiries : 1400 - 1600; Consular services visiting hours: Monday to Friday 0900 - 1230, 1400 - 1530.  For visa services and passport information you should refer to the Amsterdam Consulate contacts web page below.

Website :  http://ukinnl.fco.gov.uk/en/our-offices-in-netherlands/contact-us/contact-consulate

Trade and Investment & Political Matters
The British Embassy
Lange Voorhout 10
2514 ED The Hague

Telephone:  +31 (0)70 4270 427
Facsimile:    
(31) (70) 427 0345  (31) (70) 427 0346 Trade & Investment
(31) (70) 427 0347 Ambassador's Office, DHM & Political Section

Email: ukinnl@fco.gov.uk

Office Hours:  GMT: Mon-Fri:  0800-1630   Local Time: Mon-Fri:  0900-1730  
Website:   http://ukinnl.fco.gov.uk/en