COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Netherlands is a highly developed, stable democracy. Tourist facilities are available throughout the country. Read the
Department of State’s Fact Sheet on the Netherlands for additional information on the U.S.-Netherlands relationship.
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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION:
If you are going to live in or visit the Netherlands, please take the
time to tell our Consulate General in Amsterdam about
your trip. If you enroll, we can keep you up to
date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help
your
friends and family get in touch with you in an
emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
Local embassy and consulate information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
Please note that all requests for consular assistance in the Netherlands must be directed to the Consulate General in Amsterdam. There are no consular services available at the Embassy in The Hague.
Consulate General of the United States, Amsterdam
Museumplein 19
1071 DJ Amsterdam
Telephone: (31) (20) 575-5309
Emergency after-hours telephone: (31) (70) 310-2209
Facsimile: (31) (20) 679-0321
Embassy of the United States, The Hague
Lange Voorhout 102
2514 EJ The Hague
Telephone: (31) (70) 310-2209
Facsimile: (31) (70) 361-4688
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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS:
The Netherlands is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, you may
enter the Netherlands for up to 90 days for tourist
or business purposes without a visa. The 90-day
period begins when you enter any of the Schengen group of countries. If
you
are traveling for any other purpose, or if you
intend to stay longer than 90 days, you should inquire about the
appropriate
visa at the Dutch Embassy or a Dutch Consulate
in the United States. Your passport should be valid for at least three
months
beyond the period of stay. For further details
about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.
For further information, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands
at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, one of the Dutch
consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, or Miami,
or one of the various honorary Dutch consulates
throughout the United States. Additional information is available on the Dutch Board of Tourism and Conventions website. Visit the Embassy of the Netherlands' website for the most current visa information. Information on work, residency, and immigration requirements in the Netherlands can
be found on the website of the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Netherlands.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY:
Since 2004, Dutch government security measures have been in place in
response to concerns about terrorist activity in the
Netherlands by international and domestic
extremist groups. The Dutch Government has determined the current
terrorist threat
level to be "substantial." According to the
Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism, this level, the
second-highest
of four levels, means that “there is a realistic
possibility that an attack will take place in the Netherlands.”
We encourage you to keep up with the latest news
while in the Netherlands and to take steps to increase your security
awareness.
As with other countries in the Schengen area,
the Netherlands’ open borders with its European neighbors allow for the
possibility
of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country
with anonymity.
Demonstrations are commonplace
in the Netherlands and may range in number from a few demonstrators to
several thousand. Prior
police notice is required for public
demonstrations, and police oversight is routinely provided. Nonetheless,
even demonstrations
intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational
and possibly escalate into violence. We urge you to avoid areas of
demonstrations
if possible, and to exercise caution if near
one. Visitors should stay informed about demonstrations from local news
sources
and hotel security. Additionally, information
regarding demonstrations brought to the attention of the U.S. Consulate
General
Amsterdam will be posted on the Demonstrations page of the Consulate website.
Stay up to date by:- Bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution ;
- Following us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook ;
- Downloading our free Smart Traveler app, available through iTunes and the Android market, provides easy access to updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps and U.S. embassy locations. Travelers can also set up e-tineraries to keep track of arrival and departure dates and make notes about upcoming trips; and
- Calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. Take some time before travel to consider your personal security. Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: While the
rate of violent crime in the Netherlands is low, tourists are often
targeted by thieves. Visitors frequently fall
prey to pickpockets, bag snatchers, and other
petty thieves who target automobiles and hotel rooms. You should use
your room
or hotel safe, and keep your baggage locked or
secured when you’re away.
While thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S.
Consulate General in Amsterdam receives frequent reports of thefts from
specific
areas. Within Amsterdam, thieves and pickpockets
are very active in and around train and tram stations, in the city
center,
and aboard public transportation. Theft is
especially common on trains to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and
international
destinations, where hand luggage and laptop
computers are often targeted. Thieves often work in pairs; one distracts
you,
often by asking for directions, while the
accomplice moves in on your momentarily unguarded property. The timing
of these
thefts usually coincides with train stops,
enabling the thieves to escape. In addition, many U.S. citizens have
reported the
theft of purses and briefcases while eating in
downtown restaurants, including hotel breakfast rooms. Never leave your
personal
items or baggage unattended when going to the
restroom, buffet table, etc.
Although still relatively limited, electronic theft has increased dramatically in the Netherlands in recent years. In March 2012, the Dutch Banking Association reported 2011 losses at 92 million euros – nearly double that of 2010. Most of the theft involved “skimming,” a technique that copies bank card information. ATM and credit card users are advised to keep an eye on their cards at all times. If you feel uncomfortable using your card for any reason, use cash. Contact your credit card provider for further guidance.
Confidence artists have victimized U.S. citizens around the world, including in the Netherlands. Typically, a U.S. citizen is notified via email of a winning lottery ticket, an inheritance, or other offer requiring his or her assistance and cooperation. The U.S. citizen is asked to forward advance payments for alleged “official expenses,” “taxes,” etc. and, often, to come to Amsterdam to conclude the operation. Another common scam involves an Internet friend or partner who is reported to have been detained by immigration authorities in the Netherlands en route to the United States, and will not be released unless additional funds are paid to the “traveler.” In every case, these reports have been determined to be confidence schemes. Several U.S. citizens have lost tens of thousands of dollars in such scams. Funds transferred in response to such offers can rarely be recovered. Information on fraud schemes can be found on the U.S. Consulate General's website, and the Department of State's International Financial Scams page. If you suspect you have been targeted by a scam based in the Netherlands, you may report it to Dutch law enforcement authorities by email at voorlichting@klpd.politie.nl, or at the following address:
KLPD, Financial Crimes Unit
PO Box 3016
2700 KX Zoetermeer
The Netherlands
Attention: Project Apollo
The Dutch Embassy in Washington, D.C. has a prepared letter that can be used to inform the Dutch Police of fraud.
Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.
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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate. We can:
- Replace a stolen passport;
- Help victims of violent crimes such as assault or rape find appropriate medical care;
- Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and contact family members or friends; and
- Help you understand the local criminal justice process and can direct you to local attorneys, although the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in the Netherlands is 112.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
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CRIMINAL PENALTIES:
While you are traveling in the Netherlands, you are subject to its laws
even though you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws
and legal systems can be vastly different from
our own. Under Dutch law, for example, you may be taken in for
questioning
if you are unable to present your passport to
local authorities. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s
not in
the country you are visiting.
Note that your U.S. passport will not help you
avoid arrest or prosecution if you break local laws. If you are arrested
in
the Netherlands, however, you do have theright
to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert
the
Consulate General of your arrest, and to
havecommunications from you forwarded to the Consulate General. This
accommodation
is based on the Vienna Convention on Consular
Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary
international
law.
While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.
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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
In recent years, U.S. citizens in the Netherlands have suffered death
and injuries stemming from the use of marijuana, hashish,
and other substances. Marijuana is a controlled
substance in the Netherlands, and possession is a misdemeanor that can
result
in a fine. Historically, use of illegal
substances has been tolerated when bought at licensed “coffee shops.” A
new Dutch
law, meant to prevent foreigners’ access to
“coffee shops” and hence reduce drug tourism, was implemented in three
southern
provinces beginning in May 2012, and will be
implemented nationwide in 2013. The law required the use of a “special
pass,”
available only to Dutch nationals, to access
“coffee shops.” This law was later amended to allow local jurisdictions
to develop
their own enforcement plans and implementation
time lines to prevent foreigner use of “coffee shops.”
”Coffee shops” are a haven for petty criminals
who prey on tourists and other individuals under the influence of drugs.
Persons
who visit “coffee shops” have become victims of
pickpocketing, identity theft, sexual assault, and other crimes.
Visitors
are warned that marijuana sold in the
Netherlands may contain higher levels of THC, the active chemical in
marijuana, which
may exacerbate the drug’s effects and a user’s
impairment. The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a warning against marijuana use.
“Coffee shops” and other locations are known for selling other illegal
substances, such as psychotropic mushrooms; visitors
are cautioned against using such drugs, as they
are dangerous. It is illegal to take any controlled substance, such as
marijuana,
into or out of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands instituted a comprehensive indoor smoking ban in July 2008. The ban includes all cafes, pubs, clubs, theatres, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, airports, shopping malls, amusement centers, etc. Smoking is only allowed in private homes, in the open air, and in designated smoking areas.
Dutch customs authorities stringently enforce regulations concerning importation into the Netherlands of items such as firearms and other controlled materials. Contact the Embassy of the Netherlands in Washington, D.C. or one of the Dutch consulates in Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, or New York for specific information regarding customs requirements. Aerosol self-defense sprays, such as mace or pepper spray, are illegal to own and/or possess in the Netherlands.
You must carry identification at all times in the Netherlands if you are age 14 or older. Accepted forms of identification for U.S. citizens include a U.S. passport or a Dutch residence card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A copy of a U.S. passport is not sufficient under Dutch law.
Dutch authorities may require U.S. citizens who apply for or obtain Dutch nationality to renounce their U.S. citizenship. For further information, visit the Dutch immigration and naturalization authority website and the U.S. Consulate General website.
LGBT Rights: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals enjoy full rights in the Netherlands. The LGBT community is protected by anti-discrimination laws, and there are no legal or governmental impediments to the organization of LGBT events. The Dutch Justice Ministry has reported a rise in reporting of harassment, mostly verbal abuse, of LGBT individuals as a result of government campaigns urging victims to report incidents.
ACCESSIBILITY: Dutch law guarantees equality and the right to access for people with disabilities. Information is available in Dutch on the Ministry of Public Health website.
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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
Good medical facilities are widely available. Emergency medical
response can be accessed by dialing 112. Pharmacies (“Apotheek”)
are widely available and can assist with
emergency prescription needs. Some common medications are not available
in the Netherlands
without a prescription, and some prescription
drugs cannot be sent to the country. Travelers are urged to carry an
adequate
supply of prescription drugs in their original
container, in their carry-on luggage. Please carry a letter from your
pharmacist
or medical doctor with you, as some drugs are
subject to confiscation by local custom agents. Those traveling with any
pre-existing
medical problems should bring a letter from the
attending physician, describing the medical condition and any
prescription
medications, including the generic name of
prescribed drugs.
Vaccinations are not required for travel to the Netherlands.You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website, which also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: You cannot assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:
- Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
- Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?
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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in the Netherlands, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.
In the Netherlands, travel in, around, and
between cities is possible via a highly developed national public
transportation
system, an extensive system of bike paths, and
by automobile and motorcycle on a modern highway system. Rail is often a
convenient
alternative to driving, particularly in the
areas around Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, where road congestion
is frequent.
Rail network information is available online. Intercity travel by road is relatively safe in comparison to some other European countries.
A valid driver’s license issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles in the United States is valid for use in the Netherlands for up to 180 days while in tourist or visitor status. You must use seat belts and child seats. Driving is on the right side of the road, as in the United States. Speed limits are strictly enforced via radar. Traffic cameras are pervasive throughout the Netherlands and tickets for traveling even 2-5 km/h over the limit are common. The maximum speed limit on highways is 120 km/h, with a highway speed limit of 100 km/h posted in most urban areas. Secondary roads and some urban-area highways have a speed limit of 80 km/h. The speed limit in towns and cities is 50 km/h, with 30 km/h zones in residential areas. The Dutch Government has reduced speed limits on certain roads near cities in an effort to reduce air pollution. You should be aware that speed limit signs are electronic, and therefore speed limits may be changed remotely by authorities depending on traffic conditions. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to drivers and bicyclists coming from the right at intersections or traffic circles unless otherwise posted. The maximum allowable blood-alcohol content in the Netherlands is 0.05%. Use of cellular telephones while driving without the use of a hands-free device is prohibited, and is punishable by severe fines.
Lanes in the center of many urban two-way streets are reserved for buses, trams, and taxis. In cities, pedestrians should be mindful of trams, which often cross or share bicycle and pedestrian paths. Serious – and sometimes fatal – accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists colliding with trams occur each year. Motorists should be especially mindful that bicyclists have the right-of-way; motorists must yield to bicyclists. Pedestrians should not walk along bicycle paths, which are often adjacent to the sidewalk and usually designated by red pavement.
Bicyclists and pedestrians should be particularly cautious during the winter months, when paths, roads, and especially bridges can be icy and extremely slippery.
Taxi service in the Netherlands is safe but expensive. Trams and buses are both convenient and economical, but are often frequented by pickpockets.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of the Dutch Board of Tourism and Conventions for additional information.
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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the
Government of the Netherlands’ Civil Aviation Authority as
being in compliance with International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of
the Netherlands’
air carrier operations. Further information may
be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction
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* * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information for the Netherlands dated August 9, 2012, to update the Special Circumstances
Section.
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Worldwide Caution
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