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Time

Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin round European-style plugs are used.

Money: Single European currency, or Euro (EUR), is the official currency of the Netherlands, and is divided into 100 cents. Major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. To avoid additional charges take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. Foreign currency or travellers cheques can be changed at banks, post offices or bureaux de change (usually indicated by the letters GWK). Banks are closed on weekends but bureaux de change are open. ATMs are widely distributed and most are open 24 hours a day.

Currency Exchange Rates

€ 1.00 =

A$ 1.63

C$ 1.60

IRR 14,652.04

NZ$ 2.07

£ 0.79

US$ 1.57

R 12.23

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: Dutch is the official language. English is widely spoken. Fries (as well as Dutch) is spoken by the people of Friesland province.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a valid passport. No visa is needed for travel to the Netherlands for a stay of 90 days in a half-year period.Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders endorsed British Citizen, British Subject, British Overseas Territories Citizen, or European Community do not require a visa for travel to the Netherlands. Passports endorsed British National (Overseas) do not require a visa for a stay of 90 days. In all other cases a visa is required.Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a valid passport. No visa is required 90 days in a half-year period.Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days in a half-year period.Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport and Schengen visa for entry into the Netherlands.Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay. A visa is not required.Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of 90 days in a half-year period.

Passport/Visa Note: All passports, unless stipulated above, must be valid for at least three months after intended stay, except for EU nationals who require a passport valid only for the period of stay. Return or onward tickets, all necessary documents for next destination and sufficient funds are required by most nationalities, although nationals of Canada, Japan, New Zealand and USA are only required to hold proof of sufficient funds. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.

Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to the Netherlands and no inoculations are required. It is safe to drink tap water. The standard of health care in the Netherlands is very high, but the necessary health insurance provisions must be made before travelling. A reciprocal agreement exists with other EU countries, which entitles nationals to low-cost emergency medical treatment. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is necessary for this purpose.

Tipping: Service charges are included in hotel rates, restaurant bills and taxi fares, usually at 15%. Tips for good service are always appreciated but not necessary. It is customary to tip taxi drivers and waiters 10%.

Safety: Travel in Holland is fairly safe. Travellers should however always exercise caution in empty streets at night and be aware of pickpockets, particularly in central Amsterdam and at Central Station. There have been several incidents on trains from Schiphol Airport where heavily laden passengers have been targeted by thieves. There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors should be vigilant in public places and tourist sites, particularly since extra security measures have been set up around the country in response to concerns about a possible terrorist attack. Police in Amsterdam are warning travellers of a new scam whereby tourists will be approached by 'plain clothes policemen' who claim to be investigating credit card fraud and counterfeit currency. Tourists are shown fake identification in the form of badges (Dutch police do not carry badges and plain clothes police will rarely conduct such an 'investigation'), and asked to hand over credit cards and money. This will be returned but with some money/cards missing. If approached, travellers are advised to ask for proper identification or to accompany them to the nearest police station. There is also an increase in the number of spiked drinks occurring in Europe.

Customs: In Holland, the use of cannabis is tolerated in designated 'coffee shops' in major cities. This policy exists to prevent the marginalisation of soft drug users thereby exposing them to more harmful drugs. However the trafficking in hard or soft drugs outside licensed premises is illegal and the possession of soft drugs in public places will incur a prison sentence. Everybody from the age of 14 is required to show a valid identity document to law enforcement officers on request. Tobacco smoking in cafes, bars and restaurants is prohibited.

Business: Business in the Netherlands is conducted in an efficient and professional manner. Punctuality is important, dress is usually formal (suits and ties are standard), business cards are exchanged and greetings are made with a handshake. Titles and surnames are used, unless otherwise indicated. Women tend to be well received in Dutch business and it is not uncommon for women to hold high positions. Most Dutch people speak excellent English. Business hours are usually 8.30am to 5pm.

Communications: The international access code for the Netherlands is +31. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)20 for Amsterdam. Five local mobile phone operators have the Netherlands extremely well covered with GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Internet cafes are widely available.

Duty free: Travellers over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 litre spirits with alcohol volume higher than 22%, or 2 litres spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22%, or 2 litres of sparkling wines, liquor wines, or still wine; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; 500g of coffee; 100g tea; and goods for personal use to the value of €175. Prohibited items include the import of all birds.