Europe

The Dutch Government introduced compulsory identification and 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:

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.

 

Since January 2006, 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.  Recently the sale of wild mushrooms has become popular. 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 then see the How We Can Help page of the FCO website.

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