A Rotterdam police officer has apologised after footage was recorded of him punching a 17-year-old boy on Liberation Day. The boy had been part of a group of people who were standing next to a car playing loud music.
The police were responding to a noise complaint when the incident occurred. Five people were arrested after the group refused to move on and began to insult the police officers.
According to reports by RTL Nieuws, the boy was interfering with an arrest and as a result, was arrested himself. However, an officer approaches him before he is brought away, pushes him roughly to the ground, and then punches him in the face when he stands up. The incident was captured on video by a bystander.
— Lidwien Jansen #freerider (@lidwienj) May 6, 2021
At this point, bystanders can be heard protesting and another police officer runs to intervene.
An apology
The charges against the boy have since been dropped and the officer involved has apologised to the boy. The boy received a call from the police man and his supervisor, with the officer describing his actions as “disproportionate.”
What are your thoughts on the officer’s actions? Tell us in the comments below.
Feature Image: Screenshot from viral video/@h__aras
Dutch communication, eh? Now, I know what you are thinking. As the infamous stereotype goes, just go into every conversation like a bull in a china shop and say whatever you want, asbluntly and direct as possible. If people are offended – helaas pindakaas, that is their problem. Well, yes. But ask yourself this: why is it so often deemed an acceptable approach here?
Intrigued? You should be.
By the end of this article, you will not just have a clearer idea of effective communication with Nederlanders, but also all cross-cultural communication. We’ll be delving into communication styles across cultures. Also, why some countries have entirely different approaches to communication — and how that can create problems.
Culture, culture, culture
Firstly, let’s look at you (yes, you). You have, largely, been nurtured in harmony with the culture and behaviours of the country that you grew up in, or have had the most exposure to. The way that we think, approach tasks, and what we find logical and acceptable, are all biases from our most familiar culture.
Yes, personalised events also shape us. Then there is Nature vs. Nurture, but there are characteristics shared through similar ethnicities, languages, histories, and religions. A decent first step before trying to understand and work with Dutch culture is to acknowledge and explore your own, as often we are not even aware of the depth of these influences. But how can that be done?
Low-context vs. high-context cultures
Cultures are incredibly complex so it’s not so black and white. There is certainly more than simply exploring low-context and high-context cultural theory. However, it’s a good place to start.
General patterns and characteristics are present in cultures which help us put them on a scale, such as this one (an example borrowed from Erin Meyer):
Where does your home country sit on this scale? Image: James Bogue/Supplied
However, Meyer cautions not to get too obsessed with it. “What matters is not so much the absolute positioning of a person’s culture on a particular scale, but rather their relative positioning in comparison to you.”
So with that in mind, what are the basic differences between the two groups in terms of communication?
High-context communication traits
Information is shared implicitly, where context is king. It’s often indirect (read between the lines), extensive, and communication is considered an art. Non-verbal cues are key, such as voice tone, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movement. Disagreement and conflict are often seen as personal.
Low-context communication traits
Information is shared explicitly, with much less importance placed upon non-verbal elements. Communication is seen as a way of exchanging ideas, information, and opinions. So, the choice of words, conciseness, and clarity is of utmost importance to do that effectively. Additionally, repetition for the sake of good communication is acceptable. Disagreement is often depersonalised, with a focus on a “rational” solution to solve a conflict.
Ok, but what does this mean in practice?
Again, Meyer nails it. “If you’re from a low-context culture, you may perceive a high-context communicator as secretive, lacking transparency, or unable to communicate effectively,” she writes.
“If you’re from a high-context culture, you might perceive a low-context communicator as inappropriately stating the obvious…or even as condescending and patronising.’’
Interestingly, and probably to the amusement of low-context cultures, the two groups most likely to suffer from miscommunication are two high-context cultures. Their implicit interaction is based upon their own cultural nuances and behaviours.
The Netherlands, obviously, has as a (very) low-context culture. So next time you are at work with Dutch colleagues or with Dutch friends and neighbours, ask yourself this:
Am I communicating implicitly or explicitly?
If the answer is the former then good luck. You can be fluent in Dutch, a die-hard Ajax fan, and somehow convince yourself that stamppot is enjoyable and not bland, but that may not. be enough. If you’re still communicating with high-context culture mannerisms you will forever fall short of Dutch expectations.
Differences in communication is honestly just the start, and it’s a fascinating topic which is immensely helpful in a multi-cultural environment.
For example, attitudes to personal space and privacy; relationships; hierarchy and company structures; the approach and execution of tasks; the perception and importance of time; and learning are all aspects that can vary. These all depend on where your culture sits on the low-context to high-context culture scale.
So if you not only want to survive but thrive in the Netherlands, put some time aside to learn about low-context cultures. This isn’t to say that there is a golden standard for communication and behaviour, or that your own culture is incorrect so you need to change, just that it’s important to acknowledge and be aware of these differences to increase adaptability and efficacy.
It may just save you from a lot of future miscommunication.
Have you found it difficult to communicate in the Netherlands? Tell us your story in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2020, and was fully updated in May 2021 for your reading pleasure. Feature Image: Moose Photos/Pexels
No, it’s not a werewolf, but still, don’trush over to scratch its belly. Last week, a farmer in Groningen spotted a golden jackal on his land.The species originates from Asia but has been moving towards the Netherlands for some time now.
Interestingly, this is not the first time a jackal has been spotted in the lowlands, but previously they have been recorded on wildlife cameras. However, this is the first time the animal has been sighted in person.
A very special animal
Jan Kolhorn, the farmer who spotted the jackal, tells RTL Nieuws that “I sat on the tractor and saw that it was a special animal.” When he saw the fine creature, he rushed to pick up his camera and film it. He then showed the film to some local hunters and experts. “They were immediately delighted and said it was a golden jackal.”
Apparently, the golden jackal usually dwells in the warmer parts of Europe, such as Greece and the Balkans. However, it has recently migrated to cooler climates, having been spotted in parts of Scandinavia as well as the Netherlands. This could be thanks to our increasingly warm weather.
Even though jackals are fairly new in the Netherlands, there have already been some casualties. Glenn Lelieveld of the Wolvenmeldpunt explains that they usually eat mice, but a few sheep in the Netherlands have already been bitten to death by a golden jackal. Lelieveld calls this “very rare behaviour.”
Jackals in the Netherlands!? What are your thoughts on this interesting find? Let us know in the comments below!
Woohoo! If you’re reading this article it’s because you’ve scored a very valuable Dutch employment contract — so first things first, congratulations! 👏
Now let’s get down to business. What do all those weird phrases on your employment contract mean? Isn’t proeftijd a type of alcohol? And voltijd a type of power outlet? Not to mention, how are you meant to understand zwangerschapsverlof if you can’t even pronounce it?
A Dutch employment contract can be a little tricky to understand, so we’re breaking down all those weird phrases so you can read, negotiate, and sign your work contract with ease.
We teamed up with the experts at Undutchables to write this guide. Undutchables have helped thousands of internationals snag a job in the Netherlands, so they were the easy choice when we wanted to learn about Dutch employment contracts!
You’ve applied, nailed the interview, impressed HR, and been handed a job — now it’s just a matter of riding it out until retirement, right? Well, in the Netherlands, not quite.
If you’ve landed a Dutch job, it’s likely that you’ll only receive a temporary contract (tijdelijk contract) in the beginning. You’ll have to work your way through up to three temporary contracts before getting a permanent contract (vast contract). So what’s the difference?
A temporary employment contract is an agreement that you and your employer will work together for a set period. Typically, that period is around six months or one year at a time.
Once you reach the agreed end date your employer can either:
Offer you an additional temporary contract
Offer you a permanent contract
Offer no new contract
So can an employer just keep you dangling on a temporary employment contract forever? Negative! After three consecutive temporary contracts or temporary contracts that last up to three years your employer must offer a permanent contract unless your CAO (collective bargaining agreement) says otherwise.
Permanent employment contracts (vast contract)
If you’ve been lucky enough to be offered a permanent contract (vast contract), congratulations! A permanent contract means that you will work indefinitely for the same company until either:
You resign (in accordance with your contract conditions) or,
Your employer finds a reason to let you go or fire you.
The great thing about a permanent contract is that you have a stable income — and that counts for a lot, especially if you want to buy a house in the Netherlands.
Recruitment agency contracts (uitzendcontract)
It’s also possible to sign a work contract in the Netherlands with a recruitment agency. Here, three parties are involved: you (the worker), the hirer (the company where the work will be performed) and the lender (the recruitment agency).
You’ll sign your contract with the recruitment agency who will then “lend” you out to the hiring company to complete the work.
Zero-hour contracts (nul uren contract)
A zero-hour contract is when you perform casual work for a company. You generally won’t have set hours or workdays and will go to work when your employer tells you that you are needed. Your employer will pay you for the hours that you work, and you must be paid for a minimum of three hours for each shift, even if you work less.
This means that you have less stability than in a permanent or temporary contract, but all is not lost: you can still be eligible for sick leave and holiday leave.
Freelancer contract (DBA modelovereenkomst)
If you’re a freelancer you’re also required to have a contract with the company you’re performing work for — even though you’re not officially employed by them.
The DBA act (‘Deregulering Beoordeling Arbeidsrelaties’ or ‘Declaration of Employment Relationships’) exists to clarify the relationship between the freelancer and the place of work and ensure it can’t be viewed as salaried employment.
A Dutch work contract can be a little tricky to understand. Image: Alexander Suhorucov/Pexels
Salaries in the Netherlands (salaris)
Likely the most important thing you’ll look at in your new Dutch employment contract is your salary (salaris).
In the Netherlands, most salaries are paid monthly. During negotiations and in your work contract, employers will discuss gross salary (bruto). When you receive your first payslip you’ll see your net salary (netto) which is the amount you’ll actually receive in your bank account.
Trial periods (proeftijd) in Dutch jobs
Your Dutch work contract may include a trial period (proeftijd). During this time both you or your employer can choose to terminate the contract for any reason. Trial periods are generally pretty standard, but do need to fulfil some conditions:
The original employment contract is for at least six months
The trial period was agreed to in writing in the employment contract unless trial periods are a part of the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) for the industry.
The contract wasn’t an extension of a previous contract (unless the duties or obligations of the employee changed)
The employee wasn’t previously a temporary employee switching into a permanent employee (also without any changes to duties or obligations).
Workplace agreements: CAOs
Some Dutch work contracts are subject to collective labour agreements (Collectieve Arbeidsovereenkomst, CAO). This means that your workplace or industry has an agreement in place with your trade union or representatives about payment of wages, holiday rights, overtime, termination of contracts, and more.
If a CAO is in place, this must be mentioned in your Dutch employment contract. A CAO generally overrides any unfair conditions in your employment contract. And good news: a Dutch employer can’t change the conditions in a CAO unlessthey benefit the employee.
Working hours in the Netherlands: full-time, part-time, and more
Your working hours will also be included in your Dutch employment contract. Your employment might be:
Full-time (voltijd) — between 36 and 40 hours per week
Part-time (deeltijd) — between 12 and 36 hours per week
Make sure you understand your working hours and any breaks that you’re entitled to. There are minimum standards that are detailed in the Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet).
We’re sure you’re psyched to get started at your new Dutch job — but don’t forget it’s still work, and all work deserves a break now and then! Check your employment contract carefully to find out what kind of time off you’re entitled to. Look for these sections:
Holiday and vacation leave (vakantiedagen)
Ready to relax on a Spanish beach? Don’t forget to schedule some vacation days (vakantiedagen) first! Luckily, there’s a minimum amount of vacation days your employer must give you in the Netherlands and it’s simple: four times the amount of hours you work per week (or four weeks per year).
You can use a simple formula to calculate how many yearly hours that is:
4 x (number of hours worked per week) = (number of vacation hours per year)
Check your employment contract carefully to know how many vacation days you’ll receive per year — it might be even more than the minimum!
Sick leave (ziekteverlof)
Sick leave (ziekteverlof) in the Netherlands is also mandated by law. If you become ill your employer needs to pay at least 70% of your last earned wages for up to two years. However, it’s not uncommon for Dutch employers to offer more sick leave than the minimum, so check your Dutch employment contract carefully.
Your contract will generally include information about what to do if you fall sick, who to report to, and what the process is.
TIP: Fallen sick while on vacation? Contact your employer! It’s often possible to mark these days as sick days instead of vacation days.
Pregnancy and paternity leave
If you already have the pitter-patter of little feet in your home or are expecting it one day, it’s important to carefully understand your leave entitlements around pregnancy, parental, and paternity leave in your Dutch work contract.
Your CAO or contract may detail different amounts of leave, but in general, women can expect:
6 weeks of pregnancy leave (for the pregnant person)
10 weeks maternity leave (zwangerschapsverlof) after childbirth
If the partner of an employee gives birth, the employee has the right to one week of paid partner/paternity leave (geboorteverlof/vaderschapsverlof) anytime in the first four weeks of the child’s birth. They also have the right to up to five weeks of unpaid leave in the first six months of the child’s birth.
Need to give your children some extra attention after birth? Until your children are eight years old you can take unpaid parental leave (ouderschapsverlof) at any time. Whether you’re paid depends on the conditions in your contract, so read it carefully!
Public holidays (officiële feestdagen) in the Netherlands
Unlike other countries, the Netherlands government doesn’t require companies to give their employees public holidays off — weird, right?
Whether you get those days off is typically included in your Dutch employment contract or CAO. Public holidays include:
New Year’s Day
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
King’s Day (April 27)
Liberation Day (May 5)
Ascension Day
Whit Sunday
Whit Monday
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Your employer may also have a rule that you get a day off on Liberation or King’s Day — but only every five years. Read your contract carefully to understand whether you’ll be hard at work and resting and relaxing on the above days.
Secondary benefits when working in Holland
Your salary isn’t the only great thing about having a job — your work contract may also mention secondary benefits (secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden). In addition to your salary, your Dutch employment contract may mention (among others):
A travel allowance (reiskostenvergoeding)
A thirteenth month (dertiende maand)
Training and study costs (opleidingens kosten)
Flexible working time (flexibele werktijden)
Relocation costs (verhuisvergoeding)
Before signing the contract for your Dutch employer, make sure you truly understand the conditions of secondary benefits. For example, if you resign from your job within a certain period of time you may be required to pay back relocation or education costs.
You may even be able to use a travel allowance from your Dutch employment contract for a bike to get to work! Image: TRAVELBLOG/Pexels
Notice periods (opzegtermijn) when working in the Netherlands
The time may come when you want to leave your Dutch job — so make sure you understand your required notice period (opzegtermijn).
The standard notice period for employees in the Netherlands is one month, but can be shorter or longer (maximum six months) by agreement and when explicitly stated in your contract.
Notice periods also go the other way: if an employer decides not to continue your employment they need to give you a certain amount of notice. This is decided by the length of your employment contract but can be no more than four months (unless it is during your trial period or if you are being fired due to gross misconduct).
Being fired (ontslagen zijn): what happens if I’m terminated while working for a Dutch employer?
If you have a temporary contract and your employer decides not to renew it beyond the end date, there’s not much you can do.
However, if you hold a permanent contract, your employer can only fire you (ontslagen zijn) in certain cases. Your employment contract will state how much notice your employer must give you depending on the scenario.
Non-compete clauses (concurrentiebeding) in Holland
You’re leaving your Dutch workplace, ready to take on the Netherlands in a (hopefully) bigger and better job — but wait a second, can you even go work elsewhere?
It’s important to check if a non-compete clause (concurrentiebeding) is included in your Dutch employment contract. If there is, you could be stopped from working at a competitor for a specified duration of time. This kind of clause protects your employer’s interests but can make it difficult for you.
Non-compete clauses can only be included in permanent contracts — unless the employer can explicitly state why it would be necessary in a temporary contract.
How do Dutch pensions (pensioen) work?
Are you saving for your retirement? Maybe not! While most employers in the Netherlands include a pension (pensioen) scheme, it’s not a legal requirement. Whether your new employer offers a pension scheme should be clearly outlined in your work contract. If in doubt, just ask!
That’s a lot to take in! Here’s a handy list of all the terms we discussed in this article to reference when you’re looking at your Dutch employment contract:
Ahh, Groningen, the gem of the north. This bustling city is at the very tip of the Netherlands. Although, it’s not so well known by internationals, it‘s most definitely worth a visit.
With its inviting cafes, vibrant cultural scene, and beautiful buildings, there’s no doubt that what they say is true: er gaat niets boven Groningen (there’s nothing above Groningen).
As with any city, Groningen is not without its quirks, often hiding them in the most unassuming places. Read on to find out about all the weird, wonderful and somewhat bizarre facts you never knew Groningen was hiding.
Three is the magic number
One of this city’s emblems is undoubtedly the Martini Tower. At 97 meters, there was once a law stating that no building could exceed the height of the tour. 😂 Nowadays, this law is no longer at work meaning the city skyline is certainly growing taller! Visitors are welcomed to the tower — but be warned, the black spiral staircase is quite a climb (but the view is oh-so-worth-it).
Now for the interesting part — did you know that today’s Martini Tower is in fact the third with this name? The first of these, built in the 13th century, was only 30 meters tall and was destroyed by a stroke of lightning. Another tower was built, this time reaching 45 meters, only to again go up in flames being struck by lightning again!(talk about bad luck)
What’s more, the Academie Gebouw, or Academy building of the University of Groningen, is also in its third version.
University of Groningen. Image: DutchReview Crew/Supplied
The Aletta Jacobs building
Just across the street from the Academy building, you’ll find the Harmonie building, the university’s Arts Faculty building. Here lies a statue of Aletta Jacobs, a RUG student of Medicine and the first woman to study at a Dutch University 😱 (in 1871). Indeed, students are familiar with her name and but it’s often not said with glee, that’s more than likely tied to the fact that our exams take place in Aletta Jacobszaal!
The Calmerhuis building
By and large, the Calmerhuis is an overlooked and often forgotten building, certainly not one many people could name. And yet, it’s almost 770 years old, making it the city’s oldest building. Far from being unused or derelict, the Calmerhuis is still in use as an Open University building.
Market day
Here in Groningen, we love our markets! On Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday the Vismarkt comes to life. Vismarkt (meaning fish market) was historically just that — a fish market.
Today, however, there’s a lot more on offer. You can find fresh fruit and veg, meat, cheese, bread, and all kinds of sweet treats that can be purchased. Then there’s The Grote Markt — home to all manner of things. Think funfairs, vintage markets, flower festivals, open-air concerts, demonstrations and more. By nightfall, The Grote Markt becomes one big bike parking space, just be careful you don’t forget where you’ve left your bike!🚲
Besides the markets, the people of Groningen also have a soft spot for cafes, and it’s not hard to see why. No matter where you go, you’re never far from a cup of tea or coffee. The only difficulty is choosing where you want to go!
For me, the greatest symbol of Groningen’s passion for a cup of coffee is the Goudkantoor. Built-in 1635, the Goudkantoor is adorned with gold and swirling letters spelling out the words “Date Caesari quae sunt Caesaris”. In English, this translates to “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s” and harks back to the building’s original function. It was here that merchants could bring their gold and silver to have it verified.
Can you guess what this building is today? Yes, that’s right, it’s a café. And quite a nice one!
The most beautiful Albert Heijn in the Netherlands
The Goudkantor is not the only building to have been given a new lease of life. If you Stand on the Vismarkt, you’ll see the Korenbeurs, a beautiful neoclassical style building. It could be a town hall or theatre or a museum. It’s none of these, it’s something better, much better — it’s an Albert Heijn!
Once a grain store, as of July 2000 the Korenbeurs has been home to an Albert Heijn supermarket.
Supermarket in Groningen. Image: DutchReview Crew/Supplied
Art – in all manner of shapes, forms, and functions…
It‘s no lie that Groningen is full of creativity and innovation. You can see this all over the city, in the many museums, galleries, and exhibitions, or even on the streets. And I’m not just talking about graffiti. 🎨
If you take a walk along theKleine der A, you’ll come across a rather strange looking structure, at least to the untrained eye. What is it you ask? It’s a public urinal made from milk glass of course! It was designed by Rem Koolhaas and Erwin Olaf in 1996 as part of a city-wide initiative bringing together urban planning, architecture, culture, and art. So there you have it, in Groningen, art knows no bounds!
Groningen’s town hall is another of the city’s beautiful buildings, and its story is no less interesting than its exterior. Inside lies the ‘Golden Book’ within which the city’s most honourable citizens are listed.
What’s more, the architect, Jacob Otten Husly, was not commissioned to design this building. Actually, he won a competition — the prize of which was the chance to design the town hall. A pretty lucky guy, huh?
Groningen Town Hall. Image: DutchReview/Supplied
So there you have it, eight more reasons to go and visit Groningen. If you’re still hungry for more things to do in this hidden gem of the Netherlands, check out another five things to do in Groningen.
Have you been to Groningen? Did you already visit one of the listed places? Let us know in the comments below!
Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in September 2019, and was fully updated in May 2021 for your reading pleasure.
When you think of springtime baby animals, you may think of fluffy little chicks, or baby goats wobbling through their first few steps. The Blijdorpzoo has been blessed with a slightly bigger bundle of joy this week as it welcomes a baby elephant to the Netherlands.
Last night, mama elephant Bangka gave birth to a healthy baby. Viewers shared the joy of birth by following the delivery via webcam, reports AD. The gender reveal party will have to wait, as Dutch zookeepers have not yet identified whether it’s a baby boy or girl. They are waiting until the gender is identified to name it. 🐘
This little unnamed elephant will feel at home soon with such an experienced mother as it’s one of 16 elephant calfs to have been born in the Dutch zoo.
However, it looks like two Christmases and shared custody might be on the cards for this little elephant as dad has had to move to another zoo. Timber the bull moved to Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Emmen, where it seems he has already been welcomed by the females.
Are you excited by this news? Let us know in the comments below!
The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures for the period of April 27 to May 4. The number of infections has dropped compared to the previous week.
Over the past week, the RIVM reported 52,087 new infections in the Netherlands. This is a decrease compared to the previous week’s number of 55,097 new infections. The percentage of positive tests went up to 11.7% compared to 10.6% the week before.
Deaths
The number of patients who have died from COVID-19-related complications has gone down by one. This week 128 people passed away, compared to 129 people the previous week.
Hospitalisations
Hospitalisations, as well as the number of admissions to the ICU, have decreased slightly. The past week saw 1,633 new admissions to the nursing ward and 377 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 1,774 and 379 respectively.
First relaxations in the Netherlands
After a rough King’s Day, the Netherlands saw the first relaxations of coronavirus measures. The country finally said goodbye to the curfew after three months, restaurant terraces reopened, and shopping without an appointment was made possible again. Hundreds flocked to Primark and IKEA in Rotterdam to satisfy their cravings for a new blouse or a new piece of furniture.
This has lead to some disappointment, as these institutions believe they can offer visitors a safe experience that follows coronavirus protocols. This belief is also shared by cultural institutions, which have started a petition for their reopening.
Relaxed summer
Things are looking hopeful for the summer, however. A Dutch virologist expects that the number of infections will decrease as the weather gets warmer. Dutchies may also be able to spend their summer vacation abroad, thanks to the EU COVID-19 certificate, also known as “corona passport”, which got the green light from the European Parliament.
Currently, only individuals who are registered with their local municipality will be invited to receive a vaccine against coronavirus. This could become problematic for the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers in the Netherlands, some of which are not registered and many of which work in professions where the risk of contracting coronavirus is high. Dutch GPs have expressed their worries about this decision.
Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news and coronavirus updates.
Getting a Schengen or tourist visa for the Netherlands can be easy or difficult, depending on where you come from.
There’s a lot of information available online so here’s an easy-to-read one-stop guide for all the visa options available if you want to visit the Netherlands.
Maybe you live in the Netherlands and have family or friends visiting, or perhaps you’re embarking on a Dutch adventure yourself. Either way, we have all the information you’ll need to get that visa sorted.
Start planning now so that once it’s safe to travel again, you won’t have to scramble with logistics — you’ll be cruising around the canals and tulip gardens before you know it!
Be sure to check the Dutch government’s website for current coronavirus travel recommendations and effects on visa applications.
First things first: which passport do you have?
The type of visa you’ll need not only depends on what you are going to do in the Netherlands but which passport you hold. If you have a passport from any of the countries within the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you will not need any visa to travel to the Netherlands.
However, if you don’t have a passport from these countries (barring a few exceptions), then you will need a visa to travel to the Netherlands.
The Immigration and Naturalisation Services of the Netherlands has a list of countries that come under this rule. Check it before you make your travel plans because for some countries like Australia, Canada, the USA, etc. a visa is not required.
Remember that if you’re exempt from a visa requirement, you can stay in the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days, spread over a 180 day period.
This rule is different if you have a passport from Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Mauritius, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Seychelles, according to the IND website. You can stay for three months within a six month period.
Be sure to check the list to see the requirements for your specific country if you plan to visit the Netherlands. You can use the short-stay calculator to figure out how many days you can stay depending on your nationality.
Types of visas: why are you visiting the Netherlands?
If you’re making travel plans, or if you’re just passing through the airport to get to your next destination, there are different visas that would apply to you.
These visas are for short-term stays, and should not be used in the same capacity as a residence permit. You can stay and travel through the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days, or just transit through the country.
There are four types of visas:
Schengen visa or tourist visa,
transit visa,
return visa, and
MVV authorisation for a temporary stay.
The Schengen visa is the only one which is purely for tourist purposes.
As of late 2022, nationalities including Brits, Americans, Australians, Japanese and Mexicans will require an ETIAS visa waiver to visit the Netherlands or any other EU member state.
This travel document will be valid for 3 years from the date of issue, allow you to visit for up to 90 days in a 6-month period, and will cost €7.
Schengen or tourist visa for the Netherlands
Do you need a Schengen or tourist visa for the Netherlands?
The Schengen visa is the visa you need to apply for if you have a passport from one of the listed countries, and if you’re coming for tourist purposes, visiting family, or a business trip.
This visa will allow you to stay in the Schengen zone (including the Netherlands) for up to 90 days. These 90 days can be spread over a period of 180 days and allows you to travel through all the Schengen countries.
This is not to be confused with a residence permit and does not allow you to work in the country or any other Schengen country.
It’s always handy to know the local language before you go to a foreign land. Learn a few Dutch words before you come here, and blend in with the locals!
Single or multiple entry: What does your itinerary look like?
If you choose to only travel through the Schengen zone, you can apply for a single entry visa.
This means that once you depart from any of the countries, you will not be allowed to re-enter. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you choose this option, you have to leave the Netherlands and the Schengen zone and will be able to apply for a visa only after 90 days.
If you choose to apply for a multiple entry visa, you will be able to leave the Schengen zone and re-enter without having to apply for another visa.
Remember, the Schengen zone is different from the European Union, so if you’re planning to travel to Bulgaria or the UK, you will need to apply for this type of visa. Did you know that we now have a train that goes from Amsterdam or Rotterdam, all the way to London?
Once you have a tentative plan in place, it’s time to get your documents together and start preparing for your visa application appointment.
What documents do you need for a Schengen visa?
Get your checklist writing shoes on — this is going to be a long one!
Schengen or tourist visa for the Netherlands? Image: J. Kelly Brito/Unsplash
A valid travel document like a passport which is valid for six months from the date you enter the Netherlands.
Show yourtravel purpose. You can do this with your hotel reservations or an invitation from a company in the Netherlands. If you’re staying with a friend or family, you will have to submit a form to show proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation.
Proof that you can support yourself or anybody else accompanying you for the trip. You can do this submitting bank statements, traveller’s cheques or cash. You need to show you have enough for at least 34 euros a day.
Medical insurance that is valid during your trip. It’s also worth considering taking on Schengen travel insurance, but this is not compulsory.
Proof of return to your country of origin. You can do this by showing an employer’s declaration, proof of enrolment at a school, that you own your own house, or a return ticket.
How and when do you apply?
After you have all of these documents together, get an appointment at the Dutch embassy where you’re residing (this can be your country of origin or a country where you have a valid residence permit), and pay the visa application fee.
It is recommended that you apply for the visa at least three months before your travel date, and you only reserve (and not finalise your booking) until you have heard back about the decision. The assessment can take anywhere between 15-30 days before you hear back. You can contact your Dutch embassy for an update about your application.
Where do you go to get your visa?
As soon as your visa application has been approved, you have to get another appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate where you applied and drop off your passport to have the visa sticker stamped. This sticker will tell you the validity of your visa, and an indication of whether it is a multiple or single entry visa.
Once you have this sticker, you’re good to start preparing for your trip!
Do you have a disability? Check out the Dutch laws, public transport, and which attractions are accessible (in Amsterdam).
If you’re looking for somewhere tourists don’t frequently go, why not try one of the many national parks for a hike under the sun?
The Netherlands is a small country, and it is easy to go on day trips to many places while setting up base in one of the central cities. The country is relatively safe to visit, and super easy to get around (check our guide for public transport).
Have you applied for a tourist or Schengen visa? Do you plan to? Tell us in the comments below!
Feature Image: Dariusz Sankowski/Unsplash Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2019 and was fully updated in May 2021 for your reading pleasure.
After a cold and rainy April, we can finally look forward to well-deserved sunshine and temperatures above 20 degrees. Spring weather is officially coming and it’s bringing some light back into our lives — in more ways than one.
According to Louis Kroes, a virologist at the LUMC in Leiden, “spring, together with vaccinations and the accompanying immunity, will lead to a huge decrease in the number of coronavirus infections.” This means that in a short while, hospitals should be out of trouble.
We’re already seeing a decrease in the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals now. Yesterday there were 2,600 patients hospitalised with coronavirus. Two days earlier, the number was at 2,700, according to RTL Nieuws.
Turning point
If the temperatures keep climbing up, this could be the beginning of a more permanent decline. “In the winter, people spend a lot of time inside, closer to each other, and in rooms that are not or hardly ventilated. Optimal conditions for the transmission of the virus,” says Kroes.
When the weather gets warmer, everything changes. Virologists observe similar seasonal effects in for example influenza virus, where the number of infections drops when the temperatures increase.
Care-free summer?
Kroes adds that we’ve reached a turning point but we still need to be patient. “We now see that many young people are becoming infected. Their mortality is very low but it does generate a lot of work for hospitals.”
If things turn out well, maybe we can actually get that measures-free summer that the Dutch government has been promising.
Are you excited to hear this news? Do you think we’ll be able to enjoy summer to the fullest? Let us know in the comments below!
Watch out medical students, these buzzy buddies could be pinching your spot. It’s a good thing that more bees have been spotted in the Netherlands this year, as they could be your new huisarts. It’s thought they could be used to diagnose coronavirus.
It turns out that these fuzzy insects can do a lot more than just making honey. Researchers at Wageningen University have trained bees to stick out their tongue when they smell the coronavirus. (Watluek!) As cute as this may sound, this could be instrumental to diagnosing coronavirus in poor countries, as bees are worldwide baby. 🐝
The science of smell
Bees have an incredible sense of smell, being able to detect a flower from miles away. The research involved training 150 bees to detect the coronavirus from a patient’s swab.
Researchers did this by rewarding the bees with a drop of sugar water anytime they were exposed to the scent of an infected sample. Eventually, the bees learned to stick out their tongues (expecting sugar water) whenever they could smell the coronavirus on a swab.
Researchers tell RTL Nieuws that this has “the potential to be very reliable” as it works with up to five bees correctly identifying coronavirus per infected swab. The researchers stress that they cannot give exact success rates for this study yet.
What do you think of bees being our new medical champions? Let us know in the comments!
