Due to the increase in Sars-Cov-2 contamination, the Netherlands has been under quarantine since 15 December 2020.
The Dutch government strongly advises against travelling to the Netherlands before 16 May 2021, unless strictly necessary, and has introduced border controls (land, air and sea) for travellers and carriers wishing to enter the Netherlands.
These restrictions depend on the origin of the travellers or carriers.
Finally, since 28 April 2021, the 9pm to 4.30am curfew is no longer in force in the Netherlands, and restaurants, bars and cafés are allowed to open their outdoor terraces from 12pm to 6pm under certain conditions.
Travellers or carriers from the countries of the European Union and the Schengen area
Despite strict confinement in the Netherlands, the borders with European Union (EU) and Schengen zone countries remain open.
This means that travellers or carriers who are nationals of an EU or Schengen zone member state, or who live in one of these countries, can enter the Netherlands.
Since 16 March 2021, travellers to the Netherlands by air and sea must:
- Complete a traveller’s health declaration form ;
- Submit a negative Covid-19 test result:
- Either passengers must show a negative PCR test result taken no more than 24 hours before boarding. If a passenger can show a negative PCR test result less than 24 hours before boarding, a rapid antigen test is not required;
- Either two test results are required. Passengers must present both a negative PCR test result based on a sample taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands and a negative rapid antigen test result based on a sample taken no more than 24 hours before boarding.
- This requirement (choice between the two options) no longer applies to transit passengers. They will only have to present the result of a negative PCR test based on a sample taken within 72 hours of boarding.
- Go on self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival in the Netherlands. Travellers may be tested again on the fifth day after arrival in the Netherlands. If the result is negative, they can end their quarantine.
Passengers travelling to the Netherlands by public transport (train and bus) must:
- Present a negative PCR test result less than 72 hours before arrival;
- Be on self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival in the Netherlands. Travellers may be re-tested on the fifth day after arrival in the Netherlands. If the result is negative, they can end their quarantine.
Only essential cross-border traffic (including freight carriers, cross-border commuters and key worker movements) and travellers from Iceland and Portugal are not subject to these restrictions.
Finally, arrivals by car are not affected by the provision of a test.
Travellers or carriers from countries outside the European Union
Travellers from the following countries may travel to the Netherlands, regardless of the purpose of the journey or the nationality held, and without the need to present a negative PCR test result or make a negative test declaration:
- Australia,
- China,
- South Korea,
- New Zealand,
- Rwanda,
- Singapore,
- Thailand.
Travellers or carriers who are nationals of a country other than those listed above will only be able to travel to the Netherlands if the reason for their journey is covered by an exemption category.
In this case, they must carry documents explaining the purpose of their journey, which they can show on arrival in the Netherlands.
Travellers must also:
- Submit a negative Covid-19 test result:
From 16 March 2021, there will be two options for arrivals by air and by sea:
- Or passengers must show a negative PCR test result taken no more than 24 hours before boarding. If a passenger can show a negative PCR test result less than 24 hours before boarding, a rapid antigen test is not required;
- Either two test results are required. Passengers must present both a negative PCR test result based on a sample taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands and a negative rapid antigen test result based on a sample taken no more than 24 hours before boarding.
- Complete a Traveller’s Declaration of Health form;
- Be quarantined for 10 days after arrival in the Netherlands. Travellers may be re-tested on the fifth day after arrival in the Netherlands. If the result is negative, they can end their quarantine.
Below is the list of countries from which flights and ferries to the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean are prohibited:
- South Africa
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- India
An exception to this ban on docking and flying applies to freight carriers.
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