Risk level

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities and further attacks are likely.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés, shopping centres, markets and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.

The Dutch government maintains a public alert system on terrorism and communicates threat level changes online and through local media.

Current terrorism threat levels - Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice

Crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs, particularly in larger cities.

Thieves often target tourists. In Amsterdam, they are typically active:

• in restaurants and cafés
• in establishments that sell soft drugs, locally referred to as coffee shops
• at tourist attractions, including around the De Wallen District, also known as the red-light district
• at the Central Station
• on public transportation, particularly tram routes 1, 2, and 5, between Central Station and the museum district

Organized groups of pickpockets often use distracting techniques. Typically, a member of the group will distract someone by spilling something on them or by asking for directions, while others rob the victim.

Individuals posing as plain-clothes police officers have also approached foreigners to verify their documents or foreign currency with the intent to rob them. In a similar situation, politely decline to cooperate or offer to go to the nearest police station.

Thieves also operate on trains. They time their activities to coincide with train stops, which allows for a quick exit. Always be alert and particularly cautious on trains.

Travellers have had their passports and other valuable documents stolen in hostels.

• Ensure that personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Do not carry valuables or large sums of money
• Never leave baggage or personal belongings unattended

Home burglaries occur, particularly in larger cities during the winter holiday period. Perpetrators monitor a property and break in when they know the residents are away.

Violent crime also occurs, including armed robbery. If you are the victim of such an incident, don’t resist. Attackers have sometimes assaulted their victims for failing to comply or not complying quickly enough.

Loss or theft of ID documents

In case of the loss or theft of an identification document:

• immediately report the incident to the nearest police station
• obtain a copy of the police report and keep it with you at all times
• apply for a replacement document as soon as possible

To file a police report, authorities in certain jurisdictions may require your passport or at least a copy. Before you go, make sure to bring a photocopy or a digital copy of your passport.

Fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Cybercrime

Cybercrime occurs. Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.

• Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks
• Avoid making purchases on unencrypted websites
• Be cautious when posting information on social media
• Be particularly vigilant when contacting or meeting individuals known over the internet

More about overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place frequently, particularly in major cities. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Road safety

Roads conditions and road safety are excellent throughout the country.

Be cautious when driving and keep the following in mind:

• cyclists have priority over other traffic
• trams have priority except where signposted at major junctions
• buses have priority when pulling out of bus stops
• unless otherwise signposted, vehicles coming from the right have priority

Whether you’re driving or on foot, pay attention to cyclists and when crossing bike paths. While on foot, make sure you’re not inadvertently walking on a bike path. These commonly run alongside sidewalks and are not always clearly marked.

Trams sometimes share pedestrian streets. Always be alert when walking near tram rails.

Pedestrians must follow the traffic lights at intersections. Even if it was safe to do so, you could be fined if you cross a road without waiting for the green light.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

General information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Dutch authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Schengen area

The Netherlands is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

Useful links

• Schengen area
• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Student visa: not required for stays up to 90 days

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Children and travel

Learn about travel with children.

Health

Routine Vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccines, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.

Some of these vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines are right for you.  

Food and Water-borne Diseases

Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food.

Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in Western Europe. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!

Insects and Illness

In some areas in Western Europe, certain insects carry and spread diseases like Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, and West Nile virus.

Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites.

Animals and Illness

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Certain infections found in some areas in Western Europe, like rabies, can be shared between humans and animals.

Person-to-Person Infections

Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu and other illnesses.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; practise safer sex.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is excellent. Service is available throughout the country.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons

Canada and the Netherlands are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in the Netherlands to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Dutch authorities. This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Drugs

Despite a common misconception, soft drugs like cannabis are controlled substances in the Netherlands. Some establishments, locally known as coffee shops, are allowed to sell soft drugs for personal use, but they must be licensed. Buyers must also be residents of the Netherlands.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. You could face a jail sentence and heavy fines for:

• trafficking
• attempting to travel in or out of the Netherlands with soft drugs, even for personal use
• using drugs outside licensed establishments
• attempting to buy drugs at a licensed establishment if you’re not a resident of the Netherlands

Useful links

• Alcohol, drugs and travel
• Cannabis and international travel

Knives

It’s illegal in the Netherlands to carry certain types of knives. These restrictions might be more severe in certain municipalities and public venues, such as restaurants and stadiums.

Avoid travelling with a knife.

Identification

You must carry valid identification at all times if you are over 14. Local authorities may give you a fine if you fail to show them appropriate identification upon request.

The following documents, if valid, are acceptable identification:

• passports
• Dutch residence permits
• driver’s licence issued in the Netherlands or elsewhere in the European Union and the European Economic Area

Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place, in case it’s lost or confiscated.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in the Netherlands, with some exceptions.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of the Netherlands, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Useful links

• More about dual nationality - Government of the Netherlands
• General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and the Netherlands.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in the Netherlands, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Netherlands court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in the Netherlands to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Driving

You must be at least 18 years old to drive a car in the Netherlands.

You should carry an international driving permit.

Traffic offences and parking violations can carry heavy, on-the-spot fines. If you are fined, always ask for a receipt.

Useful links

• More about the International Driving Permit
• More information about driving in the Netherlands - European Commission

Money

The currency of the Netherlands is the euro (EUR).

Credit cards are not widely accepted. Make sure you have access to enough cash to cover expenses during your trip.

If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the European Union. It includes sums in:

• banknotes and coins
• bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders
• bonds, shares
• gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %
• gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %
• any other convertible asset

This does not apply if you are travelling within the European Union or in transit to a non-EU country.

EU cash controls - European Commission

Natural disasters and climate

Flooding is a threat to coastal lands protected from the sea by dikes.

Along with flooding, strong winds can occur, particularly during the winter months. If severe wind storms are expected, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute will issue national or regional warnings.

Latest warnings - Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (in Dutch)