Have you been dreaming of sandy beaches all throughout lockdown? We feel you. But with coronavirus regulations changing all the time, it’s hard to keep up with what’s happening in every country. We’ve compiled this handy guide where you can find out all the Dutch travel restrictions for top holiday destinations.
Here you’ll find the information you need to know about travel restrictions, the documents you’ll need, and whether or not you’ll be required to quarantine when you get back to the Netherlands. This information is according to the advice of the Royal Dutch Tourist Association (ANWB) and from information provided by RTL Nieuws so you can travel safely this summer. 🏖
Note: All the information provided is based on the current advice from the ANWB and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These may differ from EU travel advice and that from individual countries. For up to date quarantine advice on return to the Netherlands, you can check on this website.
Code green countries
If a country is green it means there are 50 or fewer coronavirus cases in the last 14 days. It indicates that the country is “safe” for travel, but some restrictions may apply.
Italy
Fancy soaking up the sun in Sicily? Well, here is the travel advice for our favourite boot-shaped peninsula.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes. You need a PCR or antigen no older than 48 hours unless you can provide proof of vaccination.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, the Digital Coronavirus Certificate or yellow book are sufficient.
Extra info: Anyone entering Italy must complete a digital health form. There are no travel restrictions if you are in the country for less than 36 hours.
Germany
Are you planning on visiting our next-door neighbours? Here’s what you need to know before popping over for some rival Pils.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes. You need one no older than 48 hours or an antigen test no older than 24 hours. This does not apply if you can provide proof of vaccination.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No, if you can provide a Digitial Coronavirus Certificate.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, the Digital Coronavirus Certificate or the yellow book are sufficient.
Greece
You might be ready to eat your weight in tzatziki, but here’s the information you need to know before you do.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes. You need one no older than 72 hours or an antigen test no older than 48 hours. This does not apply if you have proof of vaccination.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No, providing you have a negative test or proof of vaccination.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, the Digital Coronavirus Certificate or the yellow book are sufficient.
Extra Info: Upon entry, you have to complete this form. A few parts of the country, including Crete, are red. Different restrictions may apply in these areas.
Code yellow countries
These are the countries labelled yellow by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This code means that you can travel there with “caution” and there are “security risks” in terms of coronavirus.
Belgium
Our other next-door neighbour has a few more restrictions. This is what you need to know before crossing the border.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: No, but it may be required at some destinations.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, the Digital Corona Certificate is accepted.
Extra info: If you’re staying for longer than 48 hours, you will have to complete a Passenger Localisation Form.
France
Before you fill up on red wine and cheese, check out these travel restrictions.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes. You need a PCR or antigen test no older than 72 hours.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No, if you can provide a Digital Coronavirus Certificate.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, the Digital Coronavirus Certificate or the yellow booklet are sufficient.
Extra Info: The island of Corsica is currently green. You need to provide a “written statement of your honour” when entering the country. The south of France and Paris are orange, so different restrictions may apply in these regions.
Luxembourg
Here’s what you need to know for this land-locked location.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes, but only for air travel. You need one no older than 72 hours unless you can provide a vaccination certificate.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No, if you can provide a negative test or proof of vaccination.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, the Digital Corona Certificate or the yellow book is sufficient.
READ MORE| Netherlands classed as red by EU: vacation plans thrown into disarray
Code orange countries
This Dutch colour code means that you should only travel to these countries “when necessary.” This includes if you live in that country, your spouse or close relative does, or in extreme circumstances like attending a funeral.
Spain
We know you’re keen to party on “la playa”, but here’s what you need to know before you do.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes, unless you are fully vaccinated. You need one no older than 72 hours or an antigen test no older than 48 hours.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, if you have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks before entering the country. The Digital Coronavirus Certificate and the yellow book counts as sufficient proof.
Extra Info: Air traffic is allowed, but you will have to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF form) in the Spanish airport. Be aware there is a curfew between 1 AM and 6 AM in 32 municipalities.
Portugal
It was one of the first countries to become “code yellow”, but here are the updated restrictions for Dutch travellers.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes. You need one no older than 72 hours or an antigen test no older than 48 hours unless you can provide proof of vaccination.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No, if you can provide a negative test upon entry or proof of vaccination.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, the Digital Coroanvirus Certificate or the yellow book are sufficient.
Extra info: Maderia is green, and the Azores are yellow. There is also a curfew between 11 PM and 5 AM in the Lisbon area, Porto, and the Algarve.
United Kingdom
If you were thinking about spending summer in London, this is what you need to know before you go to ol’ blighty.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes. You need one no older than 72 hours.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: Yes. On the second and eighth day of your visit, you have to do a PCR test.
✋Quarantine on return: Yes, for ten days.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: No.
Extra Info: Before entering, you have to complete a passenger locator form. You can also pay for an additional PCR test on day five of your stay.
Denmark
Before hopping over to Copenhagen, here are all the relevant travel restrictions.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes. You need one no older than 72 hours or an antigen test that is no older than 24 hours.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No, if you can provide a negative test or proof of vaccination.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, the Digital Coronavirus Certificate or the yellow book are sufficient.
Extra info: some parts of Denmark are red, including Bornholm, parts of Jutland and parts of Zeeland. Restrictions may vary in these parts of the country.
Turkey
Before you visit the land from which “döner” originates, here is all you need to know.
Travel Advice
❌ Negative test: Yes. You need one no older than 72 hours.
🔑 Quarantine on entry: No.
✋Quarantine on return: No.
💉Vaccination passport accepted: Yes, if you have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks. You cannot use your Digital Coronavirus Certificate as proof and will have to have printed evidence of vaccination, negative testing, or proof of recovery from coronavirus.
Extra Info: You have to complete this form upon entry.
Above is the travel advice for a number of top European destinations. If you want even more in-depth information on Dutch travel advice, head to the government website.
Will you be travelling to any of these countries this summer? Let us know in the comments!
Feature Image: Image: Anobis/Depositphotos
I think it’s important to specify what “to have been vaccinated” means. I believe there is a requirement for both shots, plus a 14-day waiting period, in order to qualify.
Hi John, that’s is a really good point! We have updated the article to make it clearer. Thank you for the feedback. 🙂
Who in their right minds would want to travel under these conditions? The situation could change/escalate at any moment, then you can get trapped in a country, quarantined or other drama might occur. Imho it’s best to wait with your vacation plans.
Can Dutch teenagers (under 18) travel to England without vaccination from next week? Some sources say yes, others imply you have to be British or at least a resident there?
Hey Merrick, great question! The UK currently requires anyone not vaccinated in the UK to provide a negative coronavirus test on entry, and to complete one eight days after arrival.
What about Switzerland