summer travel

Travelling during the holidays

Planning on travelling abroad for your holidays? Before you set off, ensure you have the correct and up-to-date travel documents for the country you’re visiting. 

Rules and regulations

For those of you with a non-EU nationality, it is important to ensure your Dutch residence permit card is valid until after you return to the Netherlands. If your permit expires while you are away, you may need to apply for a return visa with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) before your departure. 

More information on travelling with a Dutch residence permit or return visa can be found here. If you are travelling within the Schengen area, a Dutch residence permit will allow you to travel and stay in other Schengen countries for a total of 90 days within a 180-day period. Read more information on travelling within the Schengen area here. 

For full travel advice by country, please visit the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Dutch only) or download the travel app. 

Entry/Exit System (EES) for Non-EU Travellers

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will apply to non-EU nationals visiting the Netherlands and other European countries, for short stays. The system records details from your travel document, travel dates and biometric data. For more details, visit the European EES page.

Can you take your child out of school earlier?

We understand that many of you have booked your holidays to go back home or to explore a new location abroad months in advance, however in the Netherlands the system is quite strict. Make sure to request permission from the school if you plan on travelling outside of the official holiday dates. More information on this can be found here.

Travel Insurance 

To help ensure peace of mind while traveling, we strongly recommend having travel insurance in place. Coverage can vary, some people may already be protected through their existing insurance package, while others might need to arrange separate holiday insurance. Before purchasing a new policy, check here whether your current (Dutch) plan already covers you abroad.

Payments in other currency

In most countries, debit and credit cards are common payment methods, but always make sure you have some cash to hand for emergencies. Bear in mind that there may be additional charges for debit card payments or cash withdrawals from ATMs not operated by your own bank. In Europe, payments by European (Dutch) debit card are often free of charge. Make sure to adjust your Dutch debit card settings from NL to Europe or World, which can be done in your bank app and comes into effect immediately, and take a credit card with you as well.

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Travelling through Europe by car

If you're planning to travel through Europe by car, a bit of preparation can make all the difference. Start by having your vehicle checked: tyres, oil, brakes, and lights should all be in good condition before you set off. It’s also wise to ensure your roadside assistance is in order. Organisations like the ANWB offer reliable support across Europe, and their app includes navigation, accident alerts, and a location-sharing feature in case of breakdowns.

Before you go, visit the ANWB website for summer and winter travel tips. You’ll find useful information such as:

  • Whether you need a vignette or emissions sticker to drive in certain countries or cities. These can often be purchased online or in ANWB shops.
  • A country-by-country checklist (Reiswijzer) to help you prepare for local rules and requirements.
  • A traffic calendar showing the busiest travel days in Europe, including the Zwarte Zaterdagen (Black Saturdays), when roads to popular destinations in countries like Germany, Belgium and France are especially congested. Check out congestion information per country here.
  • A guide to fuel labelling across the EU, so you don’t accidentally fill up with the wrong type of fuel. Look for standardised labels like E5 or B7 on pumps and your fuel cap.
  • Going on wintersport holidays? Check whether winter tyres or snow chains are required in the country you’re travelling to.
  • Traffic regulations vary across the European Union. In addition to items that are always required in your car, there are specific rules for winter driving. Find country-specific information here.

We wish you a great holiday and safe travels!