Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%, Muslim 5.5%, other 2.5%, none 41%

The Netherlands is a highly developed, stable democracy. The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which depends heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub.

Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninkljke Luchtmacht, KLu), Royal Military Police, Defense Interservice Command (DICO)

The Netherlands is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Netherlands for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa.  If you are traveling for any other purpose, you may need to obtain a visa.  Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.  The 90-day period begins when you enter any of the Schengen group of countries.  For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our fact sheet .  Anyone intending to stay longer than 90 days must obtain the appropriate visa from the Dutch Embassy or a Dutch consulate in the United States.

For further information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 244-5300, or one of the Dutch consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York or Miami, in addition to various honorary Dutch consulates throughout the United States.  Additional information is available on the Dutch Board of Tourism and Conventions website.  Visit the Embassy of the Netherlands' website for the most current visa information.  Information on work, residency, and immigration requirements in the Netherlands can be found on the website of the Dutch immigration authorities .

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Netherlands.  

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

Airports: 27, Airports w/paved runways: 20Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS/EHAM)Amsterdam Airport, Netherlands, PO Box 7501, NL-1118 ZG Schiphol, NETHERLANDSAmsterdam Airport, Netherlands, Evert van de Beekstraat 202, NL-1118 CP Schiphol-Centrum, NETHERLANDSTel: +31 (0)20 601 45 30Fax: +31 (0)20 601 29 36Website: www.schiphol.nlCustoms, hours: 24 hoursTel: +31 (0)23 567 12 12Fax: +31 (0)23 562 14 94

In 2004, the Dutch government implemented heightened security measures in response to concerns of international Islamic extremist terrorist activity on Dutch soil. US citizens in the Netherlands are encouraged to monitor media reports, and are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. US citizens are advised to avoid areas in which public demonstrations are taking place. While the rate of violent crime in the Netherlands is low, tourists are often targets of thieves.

Infant MR total: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: TOTAL 77.43 (male 74.78/female 80.34)

Required: None

Recommended: Hep BBoosters: MMR, DPT, poliovirus

Tickborne encephalitis (TBE) occurs in warmer months of the southern part of the nontropcial forested regions of Europe.

Good medical facilities are widely available. Reputable pharmacies are widely available and can assist with emergency prescription needs. Some common medications are not available in the Netherlands without a prescription, and some prescription drugs cannot be mailed into the country.

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob cases have been reported primarily from the United Kingdom, although a few cases have been reported from other countries in Western Europe. Large outbreaks of trichinosis have occurred; outbreaks in France have been linked to horse meat.Measles outbreaks occurred in several European countries in 2006.Risk of hepatitis A is low, although sporadic outbreaks have occurred in developed countries.Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 has been documented in wild birds or other avian species in several of the countries in Europe. For a current list of countries reporting outbreaks of H5N1 among poultry and/or wild birds, view updates from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Country Calling Code: +31

Internet Country Code: .nl