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7 ways to enter

Netherlands visas

Netherlands tourist visa

You may need a Schengen short-stay visa for a holiday in the Netherlands. Some travellers can enter without a visa.

Ways to get a Netherlands tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories, including Kosovo.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Schengen short-stay visa

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short holiday in the Netherlands.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
    Valid for
    Usually the intended trip for new applicants; up to five years for qualifying multiple-entry visas.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 standard; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Other waivers or reductions apply. The fee can rise to EUR 180 for certain nationalities, except children under 12. External provider fee: up to EUR 120 extra.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible application without issues. Delays and appointment shortages can occur.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate for your main Schengen destination, or your first entry country if there is no main destination.
    2. Submit your application no earlier than six months before entry.
    3. Attend in person and complete an interview for your first application.
    4. Give fingerprints and a digital photo if required, and pay the applicable fee.

  4. Visit using an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit without an additional visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

  5. Bilateral visa-free stay

    No visa needed

    Australian and New Zealand citizens benefit from older visa-waiver agreements with the Netherlands.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in the Netherlands without counting time spent in other Schengen countries under these agreements.

    Passports that qualify (2)

  6. Visa-free visit for certain refugees and stateless people

    No visa needed

    Refugees and stateless people resident in the United Kingdom, and refugees resident in Ireland or the United States, have a Dutch visa exemption.

  7. Diplomatic or official passport exemption

    No visa needed

    Holders of diplomatic or official passports from the usual visa-waiver countries, except Georgia, have a short-stay exemption. Additional exemptions cover the countries listed here, with some limited to diplomatic passports.

    Stay
    90 days for diplomatic and official passport holders from the usual visa-waiver countries, except Georgia.

Who needs it

Travellers who are not covered by a visa exemption need a visa for a holiday.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries can usually visit for 90 days in any 180-day period. European Union single market citizens and some holders of residence documents also have exemptions.

How to apply

  1. Apply to a Dutch embassy or consulate if the Netherlands is your only or main Schengen destination.
  2. If there is no main destination, apply to the country where you will first enter the Schengen Area.
  3. Submit your application no earlier than six months before your planned entry.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and take part in an interview.
  5. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required, and pay the applicable fee.

What to bring

  • Visa application and supporting documents for your trip.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required. Children under 12 do not provide fingerprints.

Good to know

  • Count short visits across the Schengen Area together when checking the 90-day limit.
  • A visa is valid across the Schengen Area unless it says otherwise.
  • For visitors from outside the European Union single market, the Netherlands lists a funds requirement of EUR 55 per day.
  • Visitors from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United States and Vatican City do not need to hold proof of sufficient funds or return tickets.
  • Fingerprints may not be needed again if you provided them within the past 59 months.
  • A longer visa validity does not increase the usual short-stay allowance.
  • Time in Gibraltar also counts towards the visa-free Schengen stay limit.
  • The Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have separate visa rules.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for the Netherlands?

Travellers who are not covered by a visa exemption need a visa for a holiday. Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries can usually visit for 90 days in any 180-day period. European Union single market citizens and some holders of residence documents also have exemptions.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for the Netherlands?

There are 7 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Schengen short-stay visa (a visa from an embassy); Freedom of movement (no visa at all); Visit using an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Bilateral visa-free stay (no visa at all); Visa-free visit for certain refugees and stateless people (no visa at all); Diplomatic or official passport exemption (no visa at all).

Who can go to the Netherlands without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories, including Kosovo. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can enter, live and work in the Netherlands without a visa. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit without an additional visa. Australian and New Zealand citizens benefit from older visa-waiver agreements with the Netherlands. Refugees and stateless people resident in the United Kingdom, and refugees resident in Ireland or the United States, have a Dutch visa exemption. Holders of diplomatic or official passports from the usual visa-waiver countries, except Georgia, have a short-stay exemption. Additional exemptions cover the countries listed here, with some limited to diplomatic passports.

How long can I stay on a the Netherlands tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a the Netherlands tourist visa cost?

Standard visa fee: EUR 90. Children aged 6 to 12: EUR 45. Children under 6: free. Other reductions, waivers or increases can apply. An external application provider may charge up to EUR 120 extra.

How long does a the Netherlands tourist visa take?

15 calendar days after an admissible application is lodged, if there are no issues. Appointment shortages and longer processing times can occur.

How long is a the Netherlands tourist visa valid?

New applicants usually receive a visa covering their intended trip. Visas can be valid for up to five years. Entries: One, two or multiple entries, as granted..

What documents do I need for a the Netherlands tourist visa?

Visa application and supporting documents for your trip.; Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required. Children under 12 do not provide fingerprints..

How do I apply for a the Netherlands tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to a Dutch embassy or consulate if the Netherlands is your only or main Schengen destination. 2. 2. If there is no main destination, apply to the country where you will first enter the Schengen Area. 3. 3. Submit your application no earlier than six months before your planned entry. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and take part in an interview. 5. 5. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required, and pay the applicable fee.

What rules do I have to follow on a the Netherlands tourist visa?

Count short visits across the Schengen Area together when checking the 90-day limit. A visa is valid across the Schengen Area unless it says otherwise. For visitors from outside the European Union single market, the Netherlands lists a funds requirement of EUR 55 per day. Visitors from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United States and Vatican City do not need to hold proof of sufficient funds or return tickets.

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