Good preparation is important for your return trip to the Netherlands. Are you returning to the Netherlands from a yellow EU country on 8 August? Then you need a corona certificate (vaccination, recovery or test proof). Here’s the Governments’ checklist for entering or returning to the Netherlands from abroad.

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport warns that it is important for people who are abroad or are going there to prepare well for their return trip to the Netherlands. New rules have been in effect since 8 August 2021. If you come from a yellow EU country, you must have a corona certificate. If you wish to enter or return from the EU/Schengen area to the Netherlands, check these points before you travel.

Checklist for entering or returning to the Netherlands from the EU/Schengen area during COVID-19

Travelling from a safe country/region within the EU/Schengen area

List of safe countries/regions

Austria; Belgium (until 8 August); Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Denmark (until 8 August) ; Estonia (until 8 August); Finland (until 8 August); France (until 8 August); Germany; Greece (until 8 August); Hungary; Iceland (until 8 August); Ireland (until 8 August); Italy, including Sicily (until 8 August); Latvia; Liechtenstein (until 8 August); Lithuania; Luxembourg (until 8 August); Malta (until 8 August); Norway; Poland; Portugal: only the Azores and Madeira (until 8 August); Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Sweden; Switzerland (until 8 August) ;

Checklist when travelling from a safe country/region within the EU/Schengen area

1. No EU travel ban

You may travel to the Netherlands, the EU travel ban and does not apply to you if you are are coming from a country/region in the EU/Schengen area.

2. No proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or negative test result needed

If you are coming from a country/region in the EU/Schengen area where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low (a safe country) you do not need to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result (this includes the Digital COVID Certificate).

Read more information about the requirements for proof of vaccination
Read more information about the mandatory negative COVID-19 test result and the type of result you need.
See netherlandsworldwide.nl for a list of locations for PCR and rapid tests abroad.

3. No self-quarantaine required

You do not need to self-quarantine when entering or returning to the Netherlands from a country or region within the EU/Schengen area.

4. Health declaration

If you are travelling by air you must fill in a health declaration and carry it with you. Some airlines allow you to complete this health declaration digitally when you check in

5. Take a test (even if you have no symptoms and/or have been vaccinated)

You are advised to take a coronavirus test after arriving in the Netherlands. This applies even if you have been vaccinated.

When you have arrived from a safe country or region, do a self-test before you meet other people or go to work or school (even if you have been vaccinated).
Young people who have been on holiday together should always make an appointment with the municipal health service (the GGD) to get tested as soon as they return home.
If you have symptoms, stay at home and make an appointment with the GGD to get tested as soon as possible.

If you wish to enter or return to the Netherlands, check these points before you travel.

Travelling from a high-risk area

List of high risk areas

Belgium (from 8 August onwards); Denmark (from 8 August onwards); Cyprus; Estonia (from 8 August onwards), Finland (from 8 August onwards); France (from 8 August onwards); Greece (from 8 August onwards) ; Iceland (from 8 August onwards); Ireland (from 8 August onwards); Italy, including Sicily (from 8 August onwards); Liechtenstein (from 8 August onwards); Luxembourg (from 8 August onwards); Malta (from 8 August onwards); Portugal: until 8 August: only the Azores and Madeira, from 8 August onwards: the whole country; Spain; Switzerland (from 8 August onwards).

Changes to the list of high risk countries/regions within the EU/Schengen area

The status of these countries/regions may change. Please consult this page regularly for the latest information.

Checklist when travelling from a high risk area within the EU/Schengen area

1. No EU travel ban

You may travel to the Netherlands, the EU travel ban and does not apply to you if you are are coming from a country/region in the EU/Schengen.

2. Proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result required

You need to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result (this includes the Digital COVID Certificate) if you are travelling from a high risk country/region in the EU/Schengen.

You can show proof of vaccination or proof of recovery (this includes the Digital COVID Certificate)

Travellers within the EU who can show proof of vaccination or proof of recovery (for example a Digital COVID Certificate) don’t need to show a negative NAAT or antigen test result. Read more information about the requirements for proof of vaccination

You can’t show proof of vaccination or proof of recovery, or your proof of vaccination is not valid.

If can’t show a proof of vaccination or proof of recovery (this includes the Digital COVID Certificate) you must be able to show a negative COVID-19 test result. This applies to everyone aged 12 or over.

Read more information about the mandatory negative COVID-19 test result and the type of result you need.
See netherlandsworldwide.nl for a list of locations for PCR and rapid tests abroad.

3. No self-quarantaine required

You do not need to self-quarantine when entering or returning to the Netherlands from a country or region within the EU/Schengen area.

4. Health declaration

If you are travelling by air you must fill in a health declaration and carry it with you. Some airlines allow you to complete this health declaration digitally when you check in.

5. Take a test (even if you have no symptoms and/or have been vaccinated)

You are advised to take a coronavirus test after arriving in the Netherlands. This applies even if you have been vaccinated.

If you do not have proof of vaccination or recovery, get tested on day 2 and 5 after your arrival (either by the GGD or by doing a self-test).
If you have proof of vaccination or recovery, do a self-test before meeting other people or going to work or school. This applies even if you have been vaccinated.
Young people who have been on holiday together should always make an appointment with the municipal health service (GGD) to get tested as soon as they return home.
If you have symptoms, stay at home and make an appointment with the GGD to get tested as soon as possible.

[Source: The government of the Netherlands]

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This is an ongoing situation and it is advisable to check the websites of the relevant authorities to obtain the most up-to-date information.

To keep updated with advice from the government and the RIVM, head to:

http://government.nl/coronavirus

https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19