23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Do not travel to Netherlands.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
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 attack 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. The level was lowered from level 4 of 5 (substantial) on 9 December 2019.
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:
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 personal belongings, particularly on public transport and in busy tourist spots.
Thieves sometimes pose as plain-clothes police officers. They may ask to check money and credit cards to look for counterfeits. They will then rob you.
If plain-clothes police ask to check your money or credit cards, offer to walk with them to the nearest police station to verify their identity and their demands.
Drink spiking also happens.
To protect yourself from drink spiking:
'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 offer of money. 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 also 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:
Protests against COVID-19 restrictions have taken place across the Netherlands. Some of these protests have turned violent. Monitor the news and plan your travel to avoid any possible or actual protests or riots.
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. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
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 1000s 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. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you need counselling services while overseas, contact the Australian Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305. Ask to speak to a Lifeline telephone counsellor.
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.
Information on the Netherland's COVID−19 vaccination program is available on the official vaccination page. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
You can find updated information at Q&As novel coronavirus COVID-19 and Coronavirus COVID-19, published by the Dutch government.
More information:
Medical facilities and care are similar to Australia. Medical costs are high.
Australia has a reciprocal health care agreement with the Netherlands. This means you can get urgent or emergency treatment in the public hospital system with a valid Medicare card.
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.
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. This may put you more at risk of violence, robbery or sexual assault.
More information:
Under Dutch law, everyone aged over 14 years must carry ID. You could show either:
Dutch police officers and other authorities can request to see these documents at any time. They may fine you if you can't show ID.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
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 embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Entry into the Netherlands
Whether you can travel to the Netherlands depends on your situation.There are a number of ‘exemption categories’ from the EU entry ban and certain proof is required to enter.
Entry is permitted for nationals of countries considered at a lower risk for COVID-19. The Netherlands lists lower risk countries at 'Travelling to the Netherlands from abroad'. The list is reviewed regularly based on the prevalence of COVID-19. Australia is currently on the list of lower risk countries, though entry arrangements could change at short notice.
There's a ban in place on all passenger flights coming from India, South Africa and certain countries in Central and South America.
All passengers travelling from areas with a high incidence of COVID-19, regardless of nationality, must present a negative COVID-19 test result (which must meet certain requirements) and a completed declaration. Everyone arriving in the Netherlands must self-quarantine for a period of 10 days, unless an exemption applies. This applies even if you have a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result.
Airlines from third countries may also require you to complete a self-assessed 'health screening form' before you can board a flight to the Netherlands from high-risk areas as defined by the European Union Aviation Agency. You may be denied boarding if you have suspected COVID-19 symptoms. You should keep this form on you when transiting via Schiphol Airport. Check with authorities and your airline for the latest information.
Departure from the Netherlands
The Netherlands has advised residents not to travel abroad unless the journey is essential.
Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport remains open but has strict security measurements in place. Allow at least two hours for flights within Europe. Allow three hours for other international flights. Departure options are limited. Transit via Schiphol Airport is possible if you hold a valid travel ticket for onward travel.
Face masks are mandatory in all areas of Dutch airports, as well as on flights departing from the Netherlands for all passengers and staff aged 13 years and older. See the Government of the Netherlands website for further details. You must also complete and carry a ‘health screening form’ when departing from an airport in the Netherlands.
Staying in the Netherlands
Lockdown measures are in place across the Netherlands. A full overview of the current Dutch measures is available on the Netherlands' government website.
There have been incidents of violence and rioting following the implementation of the curfew (see 'Safety'). Monitor local media and follow the advice of authorities.
There is a ban on public events and limits on the size of public gatherings. Shops selling food remain open. Other shops remaining open include pharmacies, chemists and petrol stations. Non-essential shops and outside eating areas of hospitality venues are allowed to open under certain conditions. Other public spaces remain closed until further notice.
No alcohol or soft drugs may be consumed or carried in public spaces between 8pm and 7am.
You're advised to keep travel withing the Netherlands to a minimum.
Non-medical face masks are mandatory for people aged 13 and over in indoor public spaces and on public transport (also at bus stops and train platforms). You can be fined EUR 95 if you don't comply. The obligation to wear a face mask does not apply to people who cannot wear a face mask due to a disability or illness. You must be able to demonstrate that this exception applies to you.
If you’re travelling in a car or other private vehicle, you are advised to wear a face mask if there are two or more people in the vehicle who belong to different households.
Local authorities may apply additional health measures related to COVID-19.
More Information
Extra security at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport may lead to delays. Allow extra time to check in and clear customs, immigration and security:
Border control authorities may be wary of children travelling with only 1 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:
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.
If you don't, or if you give wrong information at a border, you may be fined.
You won't need to declare currency if you're travelling to or from another EU country.
Asylum seekers have placed significant pressure on border controls in Europe.
Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area. Stay informed about border conditions by checking local news and asking transport providers.
You can drive in the Netherlands if you meet these criteria:
After 185 days, you'll need to apply for a Dutch licence.
If you plan to hire a vehicle, get an International Driving Permit (IDP). You may need it to get insurance from a car rental company. Get your IDP before you leave Australia.
Road conditions are similar to those in Australia, but some basic rules differ.
More information:
Check with your travel insurer if your policy covers you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
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.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
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
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.