The Netherlands Documents And Formalities

Requirements

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US need valid and current passports to enter the Netherlands and to re-enter their home countries. The Netherlands does not allow entrance to Americans, Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders whose passports expire in under three months; returning home with an expired passport is illegal and may result in a fine.

New Passports

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US can apply for a passport at any passport office or at selected post offices and courts of law. Citizens of these countries may also download passport applications from the official websites of their countries’ governments or passport offices. Any new passport or renewal applications must be filed well in advance of the departure date, though most passport offices offer rush services for a very steep fee. Note, however, that “rushed” passports still take up to two weeks to arrive.

One Europe. European unity has come a long way since 1958, when the European Economic Community (EEC) was created to promote European solidarity and cooperation. Since then, the EEC has become the European Union (EU), a mighty political, legal, and economic institution. On May 1, 2004, 10 South, Central, and Eastern European countries—Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia—were admitted to the EU, joining 15 other member states: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. On January 1, 2007, two others, Bulgaria and Romania, came into the world, bringing the tally of member states to 27.
What does this have to do with the average non-EU tourist? The EU’s policy of freedom of movement means that border controls between the first 15 member states (minus Ireland and the UK but plus Norway and Iceland) have been abolished, and visa policies harmonized. Under this treaty, formally known as the Schengen Agreement, you’re still required to carry a passport (or government-issued ID card for EU citizens) when crossing an internal border, but once you’ve been admitted into one country, you’re free to travel to other participating states. On June 5, 2005, Switzerland ratified the treaty but has yet to implement it. All 10 of the 2004 member states are slated to be added to Schengen in October of 2007 (although 2008 is more realistic). Britain and Ireland have also formed a common travel area, abolishing passport controls between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. For more important consequences of the EU for travelers, see The Euro and European Customs and EU customs regulations .

Passport Maintenance

Photocopy the page of your passport with your photo, as well as your visas, traveler’s check serial numbers, and any other important documents. Carry one set of copies in a safe place, apart from the originals, and leave another set at home. Consulates also recommend that you carry an expired passport or an official copy of your birth certificate in a part of your baggage separate from other documents.

If you lose your passport, immediately notify the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate of your home government. To expedite its replacement, you must show ID and proof of citizenship; it also helps to know all information previously recorded in the passport. In some cases, a replacement may take weeks to process, and it may be valid only for a limited time. Any visas stamped in your old passport will be irretrievably lost. In an emergency, ask for immediate temporary traveling papers that will permit you to re-enter your home country.

Visas And Work Permits

Visas

EU citizens do not need a visa. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, though this three-month period begins upon entry into any of the countries that belong to the EU’s freedom of movement zone (above). Those staying longer than 90 days may purchase a visa through their consular service. Visas good for either a one-year or a five-year stay in the Netherlands cost €60.

Double-check entrance requirements at the nearest embassy or consulate of the Netherlands (see Embassies and Consulates Abroad, ) for up-to-date info before departure. US citizens can also consult http://travel.state.gov.

Entering the Netherlands to study requires a special student visa for some scholars. For more information, see Beyond Tourism .

Work Permits

Admission as a visitor does not include the right to work, which is authorized only by a work permit. For more info, flip on over to Beyond Tourism.

Identification

When you travel, always carry at least two forms of identification on your person, including a photo ID; a passport and a driver’s license or birth certificate is usually an adequate combination. Never carry all of your IDs together; split them up in case of theft or loss and keep photocopies in your luggage and at home.

Student, Teacher, And Youth Identification

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC), the most widely accepted form of student ID, provides discounts on some sights, accommodations, food, and transportation; access to a 24hr. emergency helpline; and insurance benefits for US cardholders. In the Netherlands, it can mean cheaper bike rentals, free drinks at a hostel bar, or even a free dessert at Burger King. ISIC applicants must be full-time secondary or post-secondary school students at least 12 years of age. Because of the proliferation of fake ISICs, some services (particularly airlines) require additional proof of student identity.

The International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) offers teachers the same insurance coverage as the ISIC and similar but limited discounts. To qualify for the card, teachers must be currently employed and have worked a minimum of 18hr. per week for at least one school year. For travelers who are under 26 years old but are not students, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) also offers many of the same benefits as the ISIC.

Each of these identity cards costs US$22. ISICs, ITICs, and IYTCs are valid for one year from the date of issue. To learn more about ISICs, ITICs, and IYTCs, try www.myisic.com. Many student travel agencies issue the cards; for a list of issuing agencies or more information, see the International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) website (www.istc.org).

The International Student Exchange Card (ISE Card) is a similar identification card available to students, faculty, and youths aged 12 to 26. The card provides discounts, medical benefits, access to a 24hr. emergency helpline, and the ability to purchase student airfares. An ISE Card costs US$25; call ☎800-255-8000 (in North America) or 480-951-1177 (from all other continents) for more info or visit www.isecard.com.

Customs

Customs In The Eu. As well as freedom of movement of people within the EU, travelers in the first 15 EU member countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK) can also take advantage of the freedom of movement of goods. This means that there are no customs controls at internal EU borders (i.e., you can take the blue customs channel at the airport), and travelers are free to transport whatever legal substances they like, as long as it is for their own personal (non-commercial) use—up to 800 cigarettes, 10L of spirits, 90L of wine (including up to 60L of sparkling wine), and 110L of beer. Duty-free allowances were abolished on June 30, 1999, for travel between the original 15 EU member states; this now also applies to Cyprus and Malta. However, travelers between the EU and the rest of the world still get a duty-free allowance when passing through customs.

Upon entering the Netherlands, you must declare certain items from abroad and pay a duty on the value of those articles if they exceed the allowance established by Dutch customs service. Note that goods and gifts purchased at duty-free shops abroad are not exempt from duty or sales tax; “duty-free” merely means that you need not pay a tax in the country of purchase. Duty-free allowances were abolished for travel between EU member states on June 30, 1999, but still exist for those arriving from outside the EU. Upon returning home, you must likewise declare all articles acquired abroad and pay a duty on the value of articles in excess of your home country’s allowance. In order to expedite your return, make a list of any valuables brought from home and register them with customs before traveling abroad, and be sure to keep receipts for all goods acquired abroad.

Upon departure from the Netherlands, you can reclaim the money you shelled out due to value added taxes from large purchases taken back to your home country. The refund can extend to accommodations, food, and automotive expenses and can be applied for up to five years after your trip. Keep your receipts and check at VVV branches for details.