Netherlands travel health insurance and visa guide

January 04, 2019

The Netherlands boasts a myriad of beautiful things to enjoy, from its tulip fields, historic architecture, canal and cycling roots to the Van Gogh museum and of course not forgetting its vibrant capital city, Amsterdam. With such a diverse landscape, it’s no wonder the Netherlands has become a popular tourist destination over the years. There’s a lot to get excited about when thinking of your visit to the Netherlands. To fully enjoy your Dutch adventure, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy ASAP, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
 
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:

Visa Information for the Netherlands

Do I Need to Get a Visa to Visit the Netherlands?    

No

If you are an American Citizen with a valid US passport visiting the Netherlands for up to 90 days, then you don’t have to apply for a visa.

Travel Documents You Will Need:

A valid U.S. passport.

All passports must have a minimum of 6 months before expiration. That is 6 months from that date of your travel departure, and your passport should also have at least two blank pages for stamping.


Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in the Netherlands. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to the Netherlands?

No

There are no obligatory shots for the Netherlands, but we would recommend that you check that your routine vaccinations are up to date as a precautionary measure. The standard vaccines are:

•    MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
•    Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
•    Influenza
•    Polio
•    Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.

Travel Health Updates in the Netherlands

Currently, there are no reported epidemics occurring in the Netherlands.

To keep up to date on any breakouts, visit the CDC website.

Emergency Contact Information in the Netherlands

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services whilst they’re on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

Emergency services throughout the Netherlands can be contacted through dialling the European emergency number: 112

The Netherlands Local Laws and Customs

•    Despite Amsterdam’s reputation of being tolerant of soft drugs, the Netherlands as a whole is strict on its drug policy, cannabis can only be consumed in designated areas in Amsterdam.
•    Possession and use of Illegal drugs can be punished with a prison sentence.
•    Law enforcement authorities have the right to ask to see your identity. A photo ID in the form of a passport or driving license would be accepted.

Safety and Security

Petty Theft

Although the Netherlands is considered quite a safe country, popular tourist attractions and cities are subject to being hot pickpocketing zones where thieves will use a variety of methods to try and divert your attention. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas, on public transport and popular tourist areas like Amsterdam. It’s always a good idea to keep valuable belongings or extra spending money in a hotel safe, if you have one.


U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands
U.S. Embassy The Hague
John Adams Park 1
2244 BZ Wassenaar
Telephone: (+31) 70 310-2209
Email: [email protected]

Useful Tips for the Netherlands

Official Language: Dutch    

Officially, Dutch is the national language of the Netherlands, however English is very popular and widely spoken in the country, especially in the big towns and cities so you shouldn’t have much problem communicating with the locals.

Currency: Euro

Before your trip the Netherlands make sure to exchange enough Euros for your spending requirements to get the best exchange rates.

Dutch Plug Sockets: Type C and Type F

The Netherlands has two types of plug sockets, C and F. The standard voltage and frequency is 230 V and 50 Hz. You will need to use a plug adapter for your appliances and devices.

You will also need to buy a voltage converter or transformer as the standard Dutch voltage is higher than in the U.S (120 V). Its best to go for a converter which can also alter the frequency as the U.S. frequency rate is 10 Hz higher than in the Netherlands and so may be dangerous to use without a converter.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.