COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
The Netherlands is a highly developed, stable democracy.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A
passport is required. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens for tourist
visits of up to 90 days. To be admitted into the Netherlands, travelers must
have a passport with a validity that exceeds the intended stay by at least three
months, a return airline ticket, and enough money to finance the planned stay.
For further information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of The
Netherlands at 4200 Linnean Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202)
244-5300, or one of the Dutch consulates in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New
York or Miami. Additional information is available on the National
Bureau for Tourism’s Internet web site at http://www.goholland.com.
CRIME: While the rate
of violent crime in the Netherlands is low, tourists are targeted, usually in
conjunction with robbery attempts. Local press recently reported that almost one
out of every 10 tourists visiting Amsterdam is the victim of a crime. Visitors
to larger cities frequently fall prey to pickpockets, bag snatchers and other
petty thieves. Never leave baggage or other valuables unattended.
While thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. Consulate General
in Amsterdam receives frequent reports of thefts from specific areas. Within
Amsterdam, thieves are very active in and around train and tram stations, the
city center and public transport. More specifically, the train from Schiphol
Airport to Amsterdam Central Station is considered to be high risk. Thieves
often work here in pairs; one distracts the victim, often by asking for
directions, while the accomplice moves in on the victim's momentarily unguarded
handbag, backpack, laptop or briefcase. The timing of these thefts usually
coincides with train stops, enabling the thieves to escape.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND INSURANCE:
Good medical facilities are widely available. The Department of State strongly
urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to
traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will
cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance
plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless
supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs
do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However,
many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover
health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as
medical evacuations.
When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans
should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash
prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States
may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care
overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer
prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas
healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur.
Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for
disposition of remains in the event of death.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that
differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below
concerning the Netherlands is provided for general reference only, and it may
not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:
Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent
Travel in, around and between cities is possible via a highly advanced national
train, light rail and tram network, by use of an extensive system of bike paths,
and by automobile and motorcycle using the highway system. Rail is often a
convenient alternative to driving, particularly in the areas around Amsterdam,
The Hague and Rotterdam, where road congestion is frequent. Rail network
information is available at http://www.ns.nl.
Intercity travel by road is relatively safe in comparison with some other
European countries. Nonetheless, more than 1,000 people die and another 10,000
are injured in traffic accidents in the Netherlands each year. More than two
thirds of the fatal accidents occur outside urban areas.
Seat belt and child seat use is compulsory. Driving is on the right side of the
road. The maximum speed limit on highways is 120 km/h, with a highway speed
limit of 100 km/h posted in most urban areas. Secondary roads have a speed limit
of 80 km/h. The speed limit in towns and cities is 50 km/h, with 30 km/h posted
in residential areas. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to drivers from the
right at intersections or traffic circles, unless otherwise posted. The maximum
allowable blood alcohol level in the Netherlands is 0.5. Use of cellular
telephones while driving is discouraged.
Lanes at the center of many urban two-way streets are reserved for buses, trams
and taxis. In cities, pedestrians should be mindful of trams, which often cross
or share bicycle and pedestrian paths. Motorists must be especially mindful of
the priority rights of bicyclists. Pedestrians should not walk along bicycle
paths, which are often on the sidewalk and usually designated by red pavement.
Taxi service in the Netherlands is safe but expensive. Trams and buses are both
convenient and economical, but they are often frequented by pickpockets.
For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign
government sites, see the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.
For specific information concerning the Netherlands, see the
Netherlands Bureau for Tourism’s Internet web site at http://www.goholland.com.
Information also is available from the Netherlands Ministry of Transportation,
Public Works and Water Management (Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstraat) at
http://www.minvenw.nl.
Full country name: Kingdom of the Netherlands Area: 41,526 sq km Population: 16,105,000 Capital city: Amsterdam (population 735,500) People: Over 95% of the population are Dutch (Germanic and Gallo-Celtic
stock), most of the rest are Indonesian, Surinamese or Moroccan Languages: Netherlandic (Dutch & Flemish), Friesian Religion: 60% Christian (Roman Catholic and Protestant), 3% Muslim Government: Constitutional monarchy Average Income: US$22,000 Member of EU: yes Euro zone participant: yes
Visas: Tourists
from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA
and most of Europe only need a valid passport - no visa - for a stay of up to
three months. EU nationals can enter for a stay of three months with just their
national identity card or a passport expired less than five years ago. If you
have a Schengen visa for one of the countries that is a member of the Schengen
Agreement, it may be valid for the Netherlands also. Double-check with the
embassies or consulates of the countries you're visiting though, to make sure
the Schengen visa conditions still apply. Tourist visas can be extended for
another three months maximum, but you'll need a good reason and the extension
will only be valid for the Netherlands, not the Schengen Agreement areas. A
three-month Dutch visa can take a little while to process, so don't leave it
until the last moment; fees vary depending on the country in which you apply.
Most types of visas also require that you show sufficient means to support
yourself during your stay.
