Location: The Netherlands
Event: Update for U.S. citizens regarding COVID-19 in the Netherlands.
European Union (EU) Travel Restrictions: The Dutch government strictly enforces the EU travel restrictions banning non-essential travel from outside the EU with limited exceptions. The ban went into effect on March 19, 2020 and has been extended until further notice. On July 1, the EU non-essential travel ban was lifted for the following countries: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay. The list of countries whose residents will be allowed to enter the EU will be reviewed every two weeks.
A fact sheet outlining the Netherlands’ enforcement of EU travel restrictions (including the current list of countries whose residents are allowed to enter the EU) is available at: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/qas-travel-restrictions-for-the-netherlands.
Travelers from the U.S. with questions regarding travel to the Netherlands, including questions about the restrictions and exemptions, should contact the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 call center at +31 247 247 247.
Transiting Schiphol Airport: Only those travelers resident within the EU or resident in a country granted an exemption from the EU travel ban will be permitted to transit the Netherlands on the way to another tourist destination within the EU. Although individual countries may decide to allow non-EU resident tourists to enter, the Dutch will strictly enforce the travel restrictions on non-essential travel from outside of the EU. Travelers without evidence of legal residency in the EU have been denied entry at Schiphol airport when seeking to enter the Netherlands or transit the Netherlands on their way to another EU country. Please note that even if another EU country is willing to grant entry to a non-EU resident under a country-specific exemption, that exemption from the travel restrictions may not be accepted by the Dutch Government. U.S. citizens not resident in the EU seeking to enter another EU country should NOT transit Schiphol Airport. Post highly recommends obtaining a direct flight from the U.S. to the country in the EU that will be granting the exemption to the travel restrictions.
Before planning a visit to the Netherlands please review the Dutch government website on the travel restrictions: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/qas-travel-restrictions-for-the-netherlands or call the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ call center at: +31 247 247 247.
Travelers from areas outside of the EU are being permitted to transit Schiphol airport, remain airside, and continue onward to destinations outside the EU, including the U.S. However, passengers will not be permitted to exit the transit area, therefore, they should have a confirmed onward flight outside of the EU prior to commencing travel. Note that it will not be possible to leave the transit area to check your luggage onto a new flight. A list of overnight stay hotel and shower facilities accessible from the transit area is available at https://www.schiphol.nl/en/at-schiphol/services/sleep-after-passport-control. Please contact the facilities directly prior to departure to ensure they will be operating during your transit through Schiphol airport.
For additional information regarding the Netherlands’ entry and exit requirements and restrictions please visit the COVID-19 Information Page on our website.
Increase in COVID-19 Infections: Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) provides weekly updates to the number of COVID-19 infections in the Netherlands. On July 21, RIVM published an announcement regarding the significant increase in the number of cases and the rate of infection. For more information visit https://www.rivm.nl/en/news/number-of-covid-19-infections-is-increasing. The Dutch government asks residents and visitors to comply with the measures in place to fight the spread of COVID-19: maintain social distancing (stay 1.5 meters apart), wash hands, sneeze and cough into your elbow, use paper tissues, stay home and work from home if possible, and get tested at the first sign of symptoms.
U.S. Consulate Operations: In response to the significant challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with Department of State policy worldwide, the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam reduced staffing and suspended routine U.S. citizen and visa services. As local conditions improve and the Dutch government eases social distancing restrictions, we have begun to gradually resume a limited number of routine U.S. citizen and visa services while remaining in compliance with social distancing policies. Please see below for details regarding the U.S. citizen services available.
Passport Services: To schedule an appointment please visit our website at https://nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/.
To help us provide passport services to as many people as possible, we ask you not to schedule more appointments than needed for your service and only book an appointment once you have all required documentation. If you arrive for your appointment unprepared and missing documents, you may be asked to reschedule. Please carefully review our website for the requirements.
Regular passport processing times are approximately 2-3 weeks. As passport printing centers are still operating with limited staff, there may be additional delays in receiving your new passport. If you visit the Consulate to renew your passport, your current passport will be cancelled. Therefore, if you have upcoming travel plans, and you still hold a passport with sufficient validity, please schedule the appointment after your travel. For travel within the Schengen zone, your passport must be valid for 3 months beyond the end of your stay.
For those with urgent travel needs, such as a life or death emergency, or travel within the next 7 calendar days, the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam can assist with an emergency passport. To request an emergency passport appointment in Amsterdam, please send an email to AmsterdamUSC@state.gov with “EMERGENCY PASSPORT RENEWAL” in the subject line and details regarding the urgent need to travel. Please include a confirmed travel itinerary for the applicant to demonstrate travel within the next 7 calendar days.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA): We are offering a limited number of CRBA appointments for those who have an urgent need to document a U.S. citizen child. If you have submitted the required paperwork and received a confirmation of receipt, we will reach out to schedule an appointment. We are only able to offer a limited number of appointments but will do our best to accommodate you as soon as possible. Should you have an emergency travel need please make us aware by e-mailing AmsterdamUSC@state.gov with “EMERGENCY CRBA” in the subject line, and include your confirmed travel itinerary with scheduled departure within the next 7 calendar days.
If you have not yet submitted your paperwork please consult our website for instructions https://nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/birth/.
Other Consular Services: Certain visa services (categories of visas not mentioned on our website), routine notarial services, and Certificates of Loss of Nationality (CLNs) at the U.S. Consulate General remain suspended until further notice.
Check out our COVID-19 FAQs for U.S. citizens for answers to the most common COVID-19 related questions. For all emergency American Citizens Services, please visit our website for additional information or contact us via email at AmsterdamUSC@state.gov.
Actions to Take:
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in the Netherlands. - Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Call a general practitioner or the Dutch Ministry of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) at 0800-1351 for guidance if you have flu-like symptoms.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Assistance:
U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam
Museumplein 19
1071 DJ Amsterdam
+(31) (0) 70 310 2209
AmsterdamUSC@state.gov
https://nl.usembassy.gov/
Department of State – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Netherlands Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
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