Restrictions to enter and travel in the Dutch territory for travellers and transporters

Due to the increase of Sars-Cov-2 contaminations, the Netherlands are locked down since 15 December 2020.

The Dutch government advises against travelling to the Netherlands before 16 May 2021 unless it is necessary. It has implemented control measures at the borders (terrestrial, aerial, maritime) for travellers and transporters.

Said restrictions vary depending on where the travellers are coming from.

Finally, since 28 April 2021, the curfew that was in application between 9 p.m. and 4.30 a.m. has been cancelled. Furthermore, restaurants, bars and coffee shops have been allowed to open their outdoors seating areas between 12 a.m. and 6 p.m. under certain conditions.

Travellers or transporters coming from countries of the European Union or the Schengen Space

Despite a strict lockdown in the Netherlands, the borders with countries of the European Union (EU) and Schengen Space remain open. 

Consequently, travellers or transporters originating from one of the EU’s member States or from a country of the Schengen Space, or living in one of the aforementioned countries may enter the Dutch territory.

As of 16 March 2021, travellers flying or sailing to the Netherlands must:

• Carry a duly completed traveller’s public health declaration.
• Present negative results to a testto the Covid-19:
  • Either the passengers present the negative results to a PCR test performed less than 24 hours before boarding. If the passengers can present the negative results to a PCR test performed less than 24 hours before boarding, they will not need to do a quick antigenic test.
  • Or the travellers are required to perform two tests to the Covid-19. Passengers must present the negative results of a test based on a sample taken less than 72 hours before their arrival in the Netherlands as well as the negative results of a quick antigenic test performed less than 24 hours before boarding.
    This obligation (choice between the two options listed above) does not apply to passengers in transit between flights in the Netherlands. They will only need to present the negative results of a test performed less than 72 hours before boarding.
• Self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands. Travellers may get tested again on the fifth day following their arrival on the Dutch territory. If the results are negative, they may end their quarantine.

Travellers going to the Netherlands by public transportation, train or bus must:

• Present negative results to a PCR test done at most 72 hours prior to arrival.
• Self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands. Travellers may get tested again on the fifth day following their arrival on the Dutch territory. If the results are negative, they may end their quarantine.

Only essential cross-border traffic is possible without these restrictions: 

• transports of merchandise,
• essential non-professional cross-border travels,
• necessary professional cross-border travels.

Moreover, travellers coming from Iceland and Portugal are not subject to these restrictions.

Finally, travellers entering the Netherlands by car do not need to provide test results.

Travellers or transporters coming from countries outside of the European Union

Travellers coming from the countries listed below can travel to the Netherlands, regardless of their trip’s purpose or their nationality. They are also not required to present negative results of a PCR test or to submit a negative test declaration:

• Australia,
• China,
• New-Zealand,
• Rwanda,
• Singapore,
• South Korea,
• Thailand.

Travellers or transporters coming from countries not listed above will only be able to travel to the Netherlands if their reason for travelling enters in one of the exemption categories.

In this case, they will need to prepare the documents explaining the purpose of their trip, which they will need to present upon arrival in the Dutch territory.

Travellers will also need to present negative results of a test to the Covid-19. 

As of 16 March 2021, travellers are offered two options when they travel by plane or by boat:

• Either the passengers present the negative results to a PCR test performed less than 24 hours before boarding. If the passengers can present the negative results to a PCR test performed less than 24 hours before boarding, they will not need to do a quick antigenic test.
• Or the travellers are required to perform two tests to the Covid-19. Passengers must present the negative results of a test based on a sample taken less than 72 hours before their arrival in the Netherlands as well as the negative results of a quick antigenic test performed less than 24 hours before boarding.
• Fill a traveller’s public health declaration form.
• Self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands. Travellers may get tested again on the fifth day following their arrival on the Dutch territory. If the results are negative, they may end their quarantine.

Find below the list of countries from which flights and boats to the Netherlands and Dutch Caribbean are forbidden:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Cape Verde
• Chile
• Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• Equator
• French Guyana
• Guiana
• India
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• South Africa
• Suriname
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Transports of goods are not subject to the interdiction of docking or landing in the Netherlands.

Useful links: 

• Traveller public health declaration
• Letter for passengers
• Lockdown termination planning (in Dutch)