Rules by nationality
Citizens of the European Union, the EEA and Switzerland
The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area. Citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland travel freely with a national ID card or a valid passport, with no visa and no time limit for a tourist stay. They are not covered by the EES or ETIAS. In the Netherlands everyone must be able to show ID if checked: keep yours on you.
Non-EU travellers who don't need a visa
Nationals of many countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea…) can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa for tourism. You need:
- a passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area;
- proof of the purpose of your stay, your accommodation and your financial means, which border police may ask for;
- health or travel insurance is advisable.
Travellers who need a visa
Nationals of other countries (parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, for example) must apply for a short-stay Schengen visa from the Dutch embassy or consulate, or from the competent Schengen state. Processing times vary: apply well before your travel date.
EES: the biometric check on arrival
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is gradually replacing the passport stamp with a digital record for non-Europeans on short stays. It started on 12 October 2025 and the European Commission declared it fully operational from 10 April 2026. In practice, on your first entry to the Schengen area an officer or a kiosk records:
- your passport data;
- a photo of your face;
- your fingerprints.
On later entries the check is quicker. The system automatically counts your days to apply the 90-in-180 rule. EU citizens are not affected. At Schiphol, allow a little more time for the check on your first arrival, especially in busy periods, and keep a margin before a connection: see our guide to getting from the airport to central Amsterdam.
ETIAS: not yet in force
ETIAS is an online travel authorisation, not a visa, that will be required of visa-exempt travellers (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, etc.). What we know today:
- the announced fee is €20 per application, free for under-18s and over-70s;
- the authorisation would be valid for three years or until the passport expires;
- the European Union had announced a launch in the last quarter of 2026, but no precise date is confirmed at the time of writing and it must be published in advance;
- until ETIAS goes live, no application is needed: beware of sites already selling an "authorisation" at high prices.
Before booking, check the European Union's official travel website (travel-europe.europa.eu) for the current status.
What to prepare before you leave
| To check | Why |
|---|---|
| Passport validity date | 3 months after departure, issued within the last 10 years |
| Visa or exemption by nationality | You can be refused boarding without a visa |
| Travel or health insurance | Recommended for everyone; see health in Amsterdam |
| Accommodation address | Asked for at the border |
| Return or onward ticket | May be requested |
| Bank card | See money and payments |
On arrival
- Follow the EU/EEA/CH or All passports signs at Schiphol.
- Have your passport, accommodation address and planned length of stay ready: the questions are short.
- Don't mention working on the spot if you are on a tourist stay.
For the small pitfalls of a stay, see scams and safety in Amsterdam.
Going further
To keep preparing: getting to Amsterdam by train, the guide to Schiphol airport and power sockets in the Netherlands.
