The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has tightened its travel advisories for six Middle Eastern countries, with Bahrain now marked red (“do not travel”) and popular destinations like Qatar and Dubai downgraded to orange.
Since July 9, Iran has been carrying out regular attacks on military targets across the Gulf, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Due to the deteriorating situation in the region, the ministry was forced to revise its travel advisories for residents flying to the Middle East. Here’s what to know.
Which countries have now been flagged?
Bahrain is now red across the whole country. The ministry’s advice is blunt: “Whatever your situation, do not travel there. It is too dangerous. The Dutch embassy cannot assist you if you get into trouble.”
Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates all moved to orange, meaning only essential travel and no holidays. For the UAE, the islands of Abu Musa and Tunb remain red.
Kuwait shifted to orange two days earlier, on July 20. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is a patchwork; the strip along the Yemen border stays red, and the rest of the country has been bumped up to orange.
Here’s what to do if you’re in the region
If you’re already in the Gulf, register with the ministry’s Informatieservice, which sends alerts when an advisory changes and lets the government know where you are during a crisis.
If you’re travelling to Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE, the ministry notes that they “will be less able to assist you if you get into trouble.” In case of an emergency, call the local number of the Dutch Embassy or the Dutch Consulate General.
Alternatively, you can use the NederlandWereldwijd contact centre telephone number +31 247247247 or +31 857737400 (WhatsApp).
Gulf airspace can also close at short notice, which means flights through hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha can be cancelled or diverted. Check with your airline if you’re still booked to fly.
What do the colour codes mean?
The Netherlands uses four codes to rate how risky a destination is for international travel:
- Green: Safe to travel.
- Yellow: You can go, but there are specific safety risks to keep in mind.
- Orange: Essential travel only, such as a family funeral. Holidays are discouraged, and embassy help is limited.
- Red: Do not travel. It’s too dangerous, and the Dutch embassy can’t assist you.
Dutch travel advisories can also include multiple colour codes, depending on how dangerous certain regions of a country are.
Have the latest developments in the region affected your travel plans? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
