Printer friendly version
Email
Netherlands, The
Country Specific Information
On this page » |
|
December 12, 2007
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
The Netherlands is a highly developed, stable democracy. Tourist facilities are available throughout the Kingdom. Read the
Department of State Background notes on The Netherlands for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens for tourist visits of up to 90 days. That period begins when you enter any of the Schengen group of countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. Effective December 21, 2007, the following countries will be included in the Schengen group: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. To be admitted into the Netherlands, travelers must have a passport with a validity that exceeds their intended stay by at least 90 days, a return airline ticket, and enough money to finance the planned stay. For further information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands at 4200 Linnean Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 244-5300, or one of the Dutch consulates in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York or Miami. Additional information is available on the Netherlands’ National Bureau for Tourism’s internet web site at http://www.goholland.com. Visit the Embassy of the Netherlands web site at http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/homepage.asp for the most current visa information. Information on work, residency and immigration requirements in the Netherlands can be found on the web site of the Dutch immigration authorities at www.ind.nl.
Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: In 2004, the Dutch government implemented heightened security measures in response to concerns of international Islamic
extremist terrorist activity on Dutch soil. The November 2004 murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh by an Islamic extremist
in Amsterdam further increased concerns over extremist activity in the Netherlands. One individual was arrested and later
sentenced to life in prison for van Gogh’s murder and related Islamic extremist activities. Since the murder, the Dutch government
has remained on heightened alert.
U.S. citizens in the Netherlands are encouraged to monitor media reports, and are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance
and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. As with other countries in the Schengen area, the Netherlands’
open borders with its European neighbors allow 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 people to several thousand. Prior police notice is required for public demonstrations, and police oversight is routinely provided. Nonetheless, situations may develop which could pose a threat to public safety. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid areas in which public demonstrations are taking place.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution , Travel Warnings and other Travel Alerts and additional resources can be found. The Consulate General’s web site posts information about demonstrations and activities that may affect American citizens at http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov/.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: While the rate of violent crime in the Netherlands is low, tourists are often targets of thieves. Visitors frequently fall prey to pickpockets, bag snatchers and other petty burglars. Theft from automobiles and hotel rooms is also on the rise. Never leave baggage or other valuables unattended.
While thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam receives frequent reports of thefts from specific areas. Within Amsterdam, thieves are very active in and around train and tram stations, the city center and public transport. More specifically, trains to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport are considered to be high risk, and theft of laptop computers has increased. Likewise, travelers on city trams to and from the Central Train Station are often targets for thieves and pickpockets. Thieves often work in pairs; one distracts the victim, often by asking for directions, while the accomplice moves in on the victim's momentarily unguarded handbag, backpack, laptop or briefcase. The timing of these thefts usually coincides with train stops, enabling the thieves to escape. In addition, many Americans have reported that their purses and briefcases have been stolen while eating in downtown restaurants, including hotel breakfast rooms. A good rule of thumb is to never leave your personal items unattended when going to the restroom, buffet table, etc.
Several American visitors have reported experiencing excessive drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, and nausea after drinking
alcohol in public areas such as hotel bars and night clubs in several cities throughout the Netherlands. These effects may
be the result of unknowingly ingesting drugs, such as flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), hydroxybutyrate (GHB), triazolam (Halcion),
scopolamine, burundaga, ketamine and more recently MDMA (Ecstacy), surreptitiously placed in drinks. These drugs do not have
a distinctive color, smell, or flavor and come in powder, liquid and pill forms. Never leave your drink unattended and do
not accept drinks from strangers. If you believe you have been drugged, seek assistance immediately. Try to keep the container
your drink was in, and any amount that may be left, in order to assist the police with their investigation.
Confidence artists have victimized a number of Americans. Typically, a U.S. citizen is notified via email of a winning lottery
ticket, an inheritance, or other offer, which requires his/her assistance and cooperation to conclude. The American is asked
to forward advance payments for alleged ”official expenses,” “taxes,” etc. and, often, to come to Amsterdam to conclude the
operation. Several Americans 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. Embassy’s web page at http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov/advance_fee_fraude.html. For additional information, please contact the nearest office of the U.S. Secret Service or visit the Secret Service web
site at http://www.secretservice.gov. The Dutch authorities would like to hear from you if you have been in touch with these criminals using a Dutch address and/or
telephone number. They can be contacted at:
KLPD, Financial Crimes Unit
P O Box 3016
2700 KX Zoetermeer
The Netherlands
Attention: Project Apollo
Or, by email at WACN@klpd.politie.nl
The Dutch Embassy in Washington D.C. has a pre-prepared letter that can be used to inform the Dutch Police. Please see http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/printerfriendly.asp?articleref=AR00000801EN for general information and http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/files/pdf/Fraude-formbuza1.pdf for the pre-prepared letter.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. In the Netherlands, the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam provides all passport and American citizen services. A lost or stolen passport can usually be replaced within a few hours during normal working hours for those with immediate travel plans. If you are the victim of a crime while in the Netherlands, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the U.S. Consulate General for assistance. It is a good idea to make a photocopy of the “biographic page” of your passport, to bring extra passport photos, and to keep these separate from your actual passport just in case it is lost or stolen. Consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds can be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. Contact information is provided at the bottom of this document.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (CICF) of the Netherlands provides financial compensation, under specific circumstances,
for victims of crime and for those who have suffered injuries and consequent loss caused by such incidents. The fund also
provides for dependents or immediate family members of homicide victims. For more information, contact the Dutch Ministry
of Justice at (31) (70) 414-2000.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Good medical facilities are widely available. Emergency medical response can be accessed by calling 1-1-2. Reputable pharmacies 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 mailed into the country. Travelers are therefore urged to carry an adequate supply of prescription drugs in their original container while traveling. Some U.S. over-the-counter medications are not available in the Netherlands and travelers should carry an adequate supply of these as well. Those traveling with any preexisting 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. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas .
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning the Netherlands is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate
in a particular location or circumstance.
Travel in, around, and between cities is possible via a highly advanced national train, light rail, tram, and bus network,
by use of an extensive system of bike paths, and by automobile and motorcycle on the 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 at http://www.ns.nl.
Intercity travel by road is relatively safe in comparison to some other European countries. Nonetheless, more than 1,000 people die and another 10,000 are injured in traffic accidents in the Netherlands each year. More than two thirds of the fatal accidents occur outside urban areas.
A valid driver’s license issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles in the U.S. is valid for use in the Netherlands for up to 180 days while in tourist or visitor status. Seat belt and child seat use is compulsory. Driving is on the right side of the road. 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 posted in residential areas. The Dutch government has reduced speed limits on certain roads near cities in an effort to reduce air pollution. During traffic jams, authorities also reduce speed limits; drivers should be sure to check for revised limits posted on electronic billboards above the highways. Please note that drivers must yield the right-of-way to drivers and bikers coming from the right at intersections or traffic circles, unless otherwise posted. The maximum allowable blood alcohol level in the Netherlands is 0.05%. The use of cellular telephones while driving is illegal without the use of a “hands-free” device.
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. Motorists must be especially mindful of the priority rights of bicyclists. Pedestrians should not walk along bicycle paths, which are often on the sidewalk and usually designated by red pavement. Travelers should also be watchful for one-way roads.
Taxi service in the Netherlands is safe but expensive. Trams and buses are both convenient and economical, but often frequented by pickpockets.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the web sites of the Netherlands’ national tourist office at http://us.holland.com and the national authority responsible for road safety at http://www.rws.nl . A useful source of information in English is the Dutch Ministry of Transport’s brochure on “Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in The Netherlands” found at http://www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl/Images/RVV_UK-versie_tcm195-163061.pdf.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government ofThe 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. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site athttp://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa .
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: 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, DC or one of the Dutch consulates in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles or New York for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our Customs Information sheet.
Everyone age 14 and above is required to carry identification at all times. Accepted forms of identification for U.S. citizens
are either a Dutch residence card, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a U.S. passport.
U.S. citizens who obtain Dutch nationality may be required by the Dutch authorities to relinquish their U.S. citizenship.
For further information, visithttp://www.ind.nl/EN/verblijfwijzer/ and http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov/dual_nationality2.html .
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Dutch laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in The Netherlands are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issuesweb pages on intercountry adoption andinternational parental child abduction .
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in the Netherlands are encouraged to register with the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within The Netherlands. Americans withoutInternet access may register directly with the U.S. Consulate General. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in The Hague, at Lange Voorhout 102; tel. (31) (70) 310-2209. However, all requests for consular assistance should be directed to the Consulate General in Amsterdam at Museumplein 19, tel. (31) (20) 575-5309. The after-hours emergency telephone number is (31) (70) 310-2209. The U.S. Embassy web site at http://netherlands.usembassy.gov and the U.S. Consulate General’s web site athttp://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov answer many questions of interest to Americans visiting or residing in the Netherlands.
* * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information dated January 4, 2007, to update sections on crime, traffic safety, special
circumstances and registration.
