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VISIT THE NETHERLANDS

Windmills, canals, and tulips are just the beginning. The Netherlands is a country where art, cycling culture, and innovative cities meet peaceful countryside and cozy villages.

Currency

€ - Euro (1€ ≃ 1,05$ ≃0,86£)

POPULATION

18,4 millions

MAIN LANGUAGE

Dutch

AREA

41,865 km²

TIME ZONE

UTC+1 / UTC+2

FLAG

🇳🇱

Pick a Dutch destination

Amsterdam

Capital of the Netherlands, known for its canals, museums, and laid-back atmosphere.

All articles about the Netherlands

Prepare your trip to the Netherlands

The Netherlands delights visitors with its iconic canals, historic cities, and vibrant culture. From the charming streets of Amsterdam and the windmills of Kinderdijk to colorful tulip fields and cutting-edge design in Rotterdam, the country offers a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. With excellent public transport, a welcoming atmosphere, and world-class museums, the Netherlands is ideal for both weekend getaways and longer trips.

Netherlands is part of the Schengen area. Citizens of the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, some nationalities do require a visa. It’s best to check with the nearest Dutch embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information specific to your situation.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information below is provided merely as an indication and applies for short-term tourism visa purposes only. Before your trip to the Netherlands, or if you are planning to come to the Netherlands for another purpose (work, studies, …), check the official information on the European Commission website’s page about Schengen visa application: https://www.home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/

⏳ Visa-free but limited to maximum 90 days for a period of 180 days if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Albania; Andorra; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Australia; Austria; Bahamas; Barbados; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Brazil; Brunei; Bulgaria; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Croatia; Czechia; Denmark; Dominica; El Salvador; Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Grenada; Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong; Hungary; Iceland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Kiribati; Kosovo; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macau; Malaysia; Malta; Marshall Islands; Mauritius; Mexico; Micronesia; Moldova; Monaco; Montenegro; Netherlands; New-Zealand; Nicaragua; North Macedonia; Norway; Palau; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; San Marino; Serbia; Seychelles; Singapore; Slovakia; Slovenia; Solomon islands; South Korea; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Taiwan; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tuvalu; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States of America; Uruguay; Vatican; Venezuela

🛂 Visa required if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Afghanistan; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Bolivia; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; China; Comoros; Congo; Congo (Dem. Rep); Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast); Cuba; Djibouti; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mongolia; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar; Namibia; Nauru; Nepal; Niger; Nigeria; North Korea; Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Qatar; Russia; Rwanda; Sao Tome and Principe; Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Suriname; Syria; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Thailand; Togo; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Vietnam; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe

❄️ December – February: Winters are chilly and damp, but Christmas markets and festive decorations make cities cozy and charming. Temperatures range from 0°C to 7°C (32°F to 45°F).

🌱 March – May: Spring is one of the most popular times to visit, thanks to the blooming tulip fields and events like the Keukenhof Gardens. Weather is mild, and crowds begin to arrive.

☀️ June – August: Summer is warm but rarely hot, with average temperatures around 17°C to 22°C (63°F to 72°F). It’s the busiest tourist season, with outdoor festivals and canal life in full swing.

🍂 September – November: Autumn brings beautiful colors and fewer tourists. It’s a great time to enjoy the cities and countryside with cooler but comfortable temperatures.

The Netherlands has one of the best transport systems in Europe:

🚌 Buses: Buses are reliable and cover areas not served by train, especially in rural regions. In cities, trams and metro systems complement bus services.

🚂 Trains: Trains are fast, frequent, and efficient. The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) rail network connects all major cities and many towns. High-speed trains also link the Netherlands with Belgium, France, and Germany.

🚗 Car Rental: Renting a car is not usually necessary for most visitors, but it can be useful for exploring the countryside or national parks. Roads are excellent, and traffic drives on the right-hand side. An IDP is not required if your license is in Latin script.

Cards are widely accepted, especially debit cards (Maestro and V Pay). Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted in most tourist spots, but smaller shops or local places may prefer Dutch cards. It’s useful to carry some cash in euros (EUR).

Netherlands uses two plug types: C and F. They have two grounding holes. Most European plugs work, but check compatibility before you go. Netherlands operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency.

If needed, you can order an universal travel plug adapter here.

Service charges are usually included in bills, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated for good service in restaurants and taxis.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the Netherlands.

Sunday is a closing day for many stores in the Netherlands. National holidays in the Netherlands include:

  • New Year’s Day (January 01)
  • King’s Day (April 27)
  • Liberation Day (May 05)
  • Ascension Day (date varies)
  • Easter, Whit Monday, Pentecost (date varies)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)

On these days, most businesses and offices will be closed, and many attractions may be shut or have limited opening hours.

In the Netherlands, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. The main speed limits are as follows:

  • 50 kph / 30mph in urban areas
  • 80 kph / 50 mph on rural roads
  • 100-130 kph / 62-81 mph on highways

During adverse weather (rain, fog, etc.), the speed limits are lowered.

  • Hello (informal) = Hallo
  • Good day = Goedendag
  • Goodbye = Tot ziens
  • Yes = Ja
  • No = Nee
  • Thank you = Dank je
  • Please = Alsjeblieft
  • You’re welcome = Graag gedaan
  • Excuse me = Pardon
  • Day = Dag
  • Night = Nacht
  • Good evening = Goedenavond
  • Goodnight = Goedenacht
  • Mister = Meneer
  • Ma’am = Mevrouw
  • Street = Straat
  • Goodnight = Weg

💡 Tip: With the GoogleTranslate app, you can download Hungarian language to use it even offline!

The Netherlands is a very safe country for travelers. Crime rates are low, and public transport is secure. Pickpocketing can occur in busy tourist areas like Amsterdam Central Station or public transport, so stay alert:

  • Secure Your Belongings: Especially in crowded urban areas.

  • Emergency Numbers: Dial 112 for emergency services anywhere in the Netherlands.

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Temperatures in the Netherlands

Annual averages, in °C

Rainfall in the Netherlands

Annual averages, in mm

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