Go, but pay attention.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Netherlands
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Drug Runner Lures
Drivers with foreign number plates may be approached by individuals attempting to lure them to drug dealing locations. Do not respond to their signals and do not follow them.
Fake Space Cakes
Some unscrupulous shops sell pastries marketed as cannabis-laced space cakes that contain no weed at all.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
No active CDC travel health notices right now.
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and Cyprus, but not to EU member state Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schenge
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the Netherlands. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
- The antifa terrorism threat the Trump administration describes does not exist2026-07-23
- The Antifa Terrorism Threat Trump Keeps Railing Against Doesnt Exist2026-07-23
- The antifa terrorism threat the Trump administration describes does not exist - 23 - Jul - 20262026-07-22
- Tourist arrivals in first 19 days slip 0 . 6 % YoY as Middle East disruptions continue to weigh2026-07-21
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 112 / ambulance: 112 / fire: 112
Tipping
Dutch law requires that all service charges and taxes are included in the prices that hotels, bars and restaurants publish. Tipping is therefore not necessary, but it is always appreciated as a reward for good service and it's increasingly common. Especially in tourist areas and large hotels, increased tipping is not uncommon. For good service in a restaurant, feel free to leave what you feel is a
Cash vs. Card
Banknotes of €100 and especially €200 and €500 are very rarely used, and some merchants will not accept them due to concerns over financial crime. Typically, establishments will have a sticker or A4-sized poster near the entrance or cash register indicating which banknotes aren't accepted. Almost all ATMs will only dispense denominations of up to €50.
Zoom in
6 Netherlands cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (7 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09