The Dutch government has announced that from today – 23 March – fully vaccinated travelers from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom will be able enter the Netherlands without having to present a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival.
And, for nationals – of countries from within the EU or Schengen zone – the entry rules have been made even easier, with there now being no requirement to show proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19, or a need to present a negative test on arrival.
What Were The Previous Entry Requirements For U.S. and Non-EU Travelers?
Prior to this relaxing of Covid-19 entry requirements, fully vaccinated travelers – from nations that are not part of the European Union or Schengen zone – were required to present:
- a negative PCR test result (taken no more than 48 hours before departure)
- a negative antigen test result (taken no more than 24 hours before departure).
There was no need to quarantine, however, with such a requirement being lifted for American travelers on 25 February.
What Are The New Entry Requirements For Fully Vaccinated U.S. Citizens Wanting To Visit The Netherlands?
With there no longer being a requirement for travelers to take a Covid-19 test – although all travelers are ‘advised’ to self-test upon arrival, as well as on day 5 after arrival – U.S. citizens that have been fully vaccinated are able to enter the Netherlands by just:
The same rules apply to travelers from Canada and the United Kingdom.
How Do You Qualify As Being Fully Vaccinated?
In order to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’ by the Dutch authorities, you must have received your final vaccine dose no more than 270 days before your arrival into the Netherlands.
However, if you have received a booster dose your proof of vaccination is considered to be valid indefinitely.
Can Unvaccinated U.S. Travelers Currently Visit The Netherlands?
The simple answer is ‘yes’ – and the same answer applies to Canadian and British travelers.
However, an EU entry ban is currently in effect for nationals that are not from countries within the EU or Schengen zone. In order to be exempt to the ban – citizens that do not come from a country within the EU and Schengen zone need to:
- travel to the Netherlands from a ‘safe’ country
- show proof that they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19
- show proof that they have recently recovered from Covid-19.
There are also other reasons for exemption – which can be found here.
From today – 23 March – visitors will be able to present a positive Covid-19 antigen test result as proof of recovery, with a positive PCR test result having previously been required.
Face Masks On Public Transport And Pre-Admission Testing For Large Public Events No Longer Required
Although face masks will still be required when on an airplane – and in the departure lounge of airports – the Dutch government has announced that they will no longer need to be worn when using public transport in the country. This includes when traveling by taxi, bus, and ferry.
There is also no longer a requirement to take a pre-admission Covid-19 test before visiting nightclubs – or attending a public event – with a capacity of more than 500 people.
This now means that you are no longer required to present a coronavirus entry pass in order to enter any public venue inside the country.
The Netherlands is not the first country to relax its entry requirements for travelers – with 11 nations, so far this month, having removed all of their Covid-19 entry requirements.
