As was announced in the press conference on January 20, further travel restrictions for travel into the Netherlands come into effect on Saturday, January 23. 

Flight ban for 19 countries

Due to newly discovered highly-contagious mutations of COVID-19, a ban has been introduced for all incoming flights from the following countries: 

• The United Kingdom
• Cape Verde
• The Dominican Republic
• South Africa
• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Suriname
• Venezuela
• Colombia
• Panama
• Guyana
• Chile
• Uruguay
• Ecuador
• French Guyana
• Guyana
• Paraguay
• Peru

The travel ban also applies to all passenger ships from the UK. All freight transport from the aforementioned countries is excluded from the ban. Other exceptions to the ban include:

• Medical staff and patients
• Aviation staff (travelling for work)
• Flights for the repatriation of Dutch nationals

The travel ban will remain in place until February 22. 

Negative travel advice 

Again, the Dutch government has reiterated the advice not to book any international travel until (at least) mid-March. They ask that members of the public only travel if it is absolutely necessary (i.e. for a family emergency). 

Furthermore, the government has extended the entry ban that was already in place for travellers from outside of the EU. The list of exemptions to the ban has been reduced. The following groups will no longer be allowed to enter the Netherlands:

• Students
• Business travellers
• Highly skilled migrants
• Professionals from the cultural and creative sectors
• Long-distance partners

If you are an EU national or live in an EU member state, you can still travel to the Netherlands, but you will have to be tested for coronavirus before departure.

Negative coronavirus test for travellers from high-risk areas

In December, the government announced a new policy that required all travellers coming to the Netherlands to have proof of a recent negative PCR test. Now, in addition to this, all travellers coming from high-risk areas will be required to take a rapid test before departing for the Netherlands. 

The rapid test can be taken a maximum of four hours before boarding. The PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in the Netherlands. The new testing rules also apply to travellers to the Dutch Caribbean. Not sure if the country you’re travelling from counts as high-risk? Check if it appears on the government’s list of safe countries. 

Furthermore, all travellers are expected to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands, After five days of quarantine, you can choose to get tested for coronavirus. If you test negative, the quarantine is lifted.