Fire and rescue services
Call 112.
Medical emergencies
Call 112.
Police
Call 112.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Netherlands.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Netherlands.
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Netherlands.
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Netherlands.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
There's a threat of terrorist attacks in several European countries, including the Netherlands. Targets could include major sporting events and mass gatherings.
The national terrorism threat level is significant - level 3 of 5. This means an attack is possible.
Previous incidents include:
Terrorist attacks happen across Europe. Targets may include:
European security services have also stopped some planned attacks.
To protect yourself from terrorism:
If there's an attack, leave the area immediately as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Petty crime
Robbery, pickpocketing and bag snatching are common.
Pickpocketing happens in Amsterdam, especially:
Bag snatching also happens on trains and trams, including at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Mobile devices are often targeted.
Thieves often work in pairs, with one distracting you and the other stealing from you. ATMs around nightclubs and bars are frequent targets.
Take care of your belongings, particularly on public transport and in busy tourist spots. When on public transport, ensure you always have visibility and possession of your personal belongings.
Thieves sometimes pose as plain-clothed police officers. They may ask to check money and credit cards to look for counterfeits. They'll then rob you.
If plain-clothed police ask to check your money or credit cards, offer to walk with them to the nearest police station to verify their identity and demands.
Drink spiking also happens.
To protect yourself from drink spiking:
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Scams and fraud
'Advance fee fraud' and lottery scams happen. Australians have lost large amounts of money in these scams.
In the 'advance fee fraud' scam, you receive an email about an inheritance or another money offer. This email usually comes from a country in Africa. The scammer asks you for an advance payment for 'official expenses'. You're invited to visit the Netherlands to finalise the transaction, but you won't get any money. When you return to Australia, sham lawyers may offer to 'help' get your lost money back.
In the lottery scam, scammers contact you to say you're the winner of a fake foreign lottery. They request you to pay administration costs to receive the lottery winnings.
To avoid being a victim of a scam:
Demonstrations and large public gatherings may occur and sometimes turn violent. Monitor the news and plan your travel to avoid any possible or actual protests.
If you're in an area where there's unrest, follow the advice of local authorities.
More information:
Severe weather can affect your travel overseas. Get up-to-date information from local media.
If you're visiting an area recently affected by severe weather:
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in the Netherlands. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19
COVID-19 remains a risk in the Netherlands.
More information
Medical facilities and care standards are similar to that in Australia. Major hospitals are in Amsterdam and The Hague. Medical costs are high.
Australia has a reciprocal health care agreement with the Netherlands, meaning you can get urgent or emergency treatment in the public hospital system with a valid Medicare card. You can apply for your A111 Certificate of Eligibility when you arrive in the Netherlands or before you travel.
The reciprocal health care agreement doesn't:
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Drugs
The minimum age for buying alcohol and tobacco is 18 years.
You can only buy or use marijuana (cannabis) in designated shops if you're a resident of the Netherlands.
You could face criminal penalties, including fines and jail, if:
Taking drugs will weaken your decision-making ability, putting you at greater risk of violence, robbery or sexual assault.
More information:
Under Dutch law, everyone aged over 14 years must carry an ID. You could show either:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area, along with many other European countries.
You can enter the Netherlands without a visa in some cases.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport has strict security measures in place. Allow at least 2 hours for flights within Europe. Allow 3 hours for other international flights. Transit via Schiphol Airport is possible if you hold a valid travel ticket for onward travel.
More information:
Travelling with Children
Border control authorities may be wary of children travelling with only one parent or guardian. Non-travelling parents can complete a 'Permission to Travel' form to make this easier.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than six months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
The currency of the Netherlands is the Euro.
Declare amounts equivalent to 10,000 euros or more if you're travelling between the Netherlands and any non-European Union (EU) country. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
You may be fined if you don't or give wrong information at a border.
You don't need to declare currency if you're travelling to or from another EU country.
More information
Border crossings
Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen Area. Stay informed about border conditions by checking local news and asking transport providers.
Driving permit
You can drive in the Netherlands if you meet these criteria:
After 185 days, you'll need to apply for a Dutch licence.
Get an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you plan to hire a vehicle. Organise your IDP before you leave Australia. You may need it to get insurance from a car rental company.
Road travel
Road conditions are similar to those in Australia, but some basic rules differ.
More information:
Motorcycles
Check with your travel insurer if your policy covers you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Air travel
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check the Netherlands' air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
For non-urgent criminal issues, contact the nearest police station.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
You can get consular help from the Australian Embassy in The Hague.
Carnegielaan 4
2517 KH The Hague
Netherlands
Phone: (+31 70) 310 8200
Fax: (+31 70) 310 8250
Website: netherlands.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in the Netherlands
Twitter: AusAmbNL
Instagram: AusEmbNL
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.