Explore: Netherlands - Formalities
Clearance
COVID-19 coronavirus: New procedures are in place for arriving yachts – see Biosecurity for details.
Although an EU country, all boats arriving from overseas must fly the Q flag and report on arrival and departure. This is strictly enforced.
On arrival, the Customs will issue a certificate of entry, which is valid for a maximum of 12 months. During this period a yacht may leave and re-enter the Netherlands, showing the certificate on each re-entry. Foreign yachts must be registered.
Visiting yachts may need to complete an entry form in triplicate and hand it in at an Immigration office. EU yachts can simply post such a completed form.
Two copies should be kept on board for future reference. Forms can be obtained in advance, or from the Harbour Master at the port of arrival. When the Harbour Master’s office is closed, contact the Immigration office by phone: 0118 483400.
An example of a form can be downloaded from this website. Different regions might have a different design.
Spot checks are often carried out and yachts are fined if the correct procedure is not followed.
Last updated August 2018.
Immigration
All visitors require a passport which must be valid for at least three months after departure from the territory of the Schengen countries.
The Netherlands is a member of the Schengen Agreement Area. See Noonsite’ Schengen page for more details on the immigration rules.
Last updated August 2018.
Customs
All firearms must be licensed, and a copy of the licence carried. There are restrictions concerning signalling pistols. Very type flare pistols must be accompanied by a firearms certificate issued in the country of origin.
A radio operator’s licence may also be requested.
Import of raw meat is prohibited.
The yacht may not be sold, rented or borrowed while in the Netherlands, unless the appropriate taxes have been paid.
EU regulations apply concerning temporary importation. See EU VAT page for more information.
Last updated August 2018.
BioSecurity
While the protocols below are as accurate as per the last date recorded, the situation is constantly changing with regards to Covid-19 protocols for yacht arrivals and skippers should always check with their intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required.
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS:
See https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad for updates.
20 January, 2021:
- The government is introducing extra measures to prevent new variants of the virus being imported via travellers and to further restrict the number of travel movements.
- There is a ban on flights and vessels from the UK, as well as a ban on flights from many other countries.
- All travelers arriving by air or sea from high-risk areas must show a negative result of a rapid COVID-19 test performed shortly before their departure. The test must not have been performed more than four hours prior to boarding the aircraft or ship.
- This requirement is in addition to the existing mandatory negative test result for a PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands.
- In addition, travelers must self-quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the Netherlands. After five days they can get tested. If the result of this PCR test is negative they may end their self-quarantine.
- For travelers from countries outside the EU, a travel ban has been in force since March 2020.
- These measures will take effect on Saturday 23 January 2021 at 00.01.
- More details on the Government website.
30 December, 2020:
- Starting from Tuesday, December 29, all those reaching the Netherlands from another Member State of the European Union or the Schengen Area will be obliged to present a document that shows they have tested for COVID-19 within the last 72 hours before arrival and resulted negative.
- The authorities will admit test results in five languages – English, German, French, Spanish or Dutch. The test must be either molecular PCR test and must be for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, as other types of tests are not accepted.
- People with a negative test result should still self-quarantine for ten days on arrival in the Netherlands.
16 December, 2020:
- Borders are open but travel to the Netherlands is not recommended unless strictly necessary.
- On 14 December the Netherlands went into lockdown for 5 weeks over the Christmas period.
- Find out more at https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2020/12/14/lockdown-in-order-to-minimise-contact-between-people
05 July, 2020:
- The EU has now lifted its internal border controls within the Schengen area and has issued a recommendation to authorize entry for citizens of the following countries, beginning on 1 July: Algeria, Australia, Canada, China (pending a decision on the reciprocity principle), Japan, Georgia, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay.
- The European Union has set up a new website and a mobile app where you can see if travel is possible to each member state, the requirements of each destination, and other information to answer travellers’ questions. Go to Re-open EU for travel information and guidelines for each destination.
15 June, 2020 **OPEN**
Tourists from the EU and the Schengen countries, except Sweden and the United Kingdom, can visit with no quarantine. Non-EU travelers are not allowed entry for the time being.
14 April, 2020
Easing of lockdown restrictions began on 11 May with Step 1.
Dutch ports on the Wadden Islands are scheduled to reopen on Friday 15 May including Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. There are still a number of restrictions in place, however, which don’t make cruising the islands easy at this time. These include:
- only a small numbers of visitors are allowed as mooring is only permitted next to the pontoon reducing available berths to approx. 10% of the normal;
- it is obligatory to announce your intended visit a minimum of one day in advance, no reservations possible;
- maximum of 2 persons on board a yacht unless all are family;
- visiting yachts need to be self reliant as no shore facilities are open. Remember, it is not permitted in the Netherlands to pump black water overboard.
- More information at https://www.waddenhavens.nl/
Step 2 is expected to begin on 1 June when many more businesses and entertainment re-open. See remaining steps here.
Den Helder remains open to visiting yachts. Visitors may go ashore.
See Government Guidelines at www.rivm.nl
27 April, 2020
- In Holland most ports are open for local boaters, however the facility buildings are closed.
- Not every port accepts visitors (e.g. Texel, Vlieland and Terschelling), but will probably not refuse them in bad weather. Den Helder is open to visiting yachts (more info. on the port page). Visitors may go ashore.
- The Coastguard will contact you when heading to a Dutch port, but only for information.
27 March, 2020
Only EU citizens are permitted entry to the Netherlands on yachts, and, they must comply with the rules.
So for example in the South of the Netherlands (Province of Zeeland) it is forbidden to have any recreational staying overnight until further notice. This would mean you would not be permitted to sleep on board your yacht.
All public facilities are closed throughout the Netherlands (including marinas and associated services), so there would be no where to berth your boat anyway.
Local people are being asked to stay inside unless it is necessary to move (i.e. for food shopping and going to work). To practice social distancing (no more then 3 people together and stay 1.5m minimum from each other.
Details and updates:
Health
Documents
Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship’s radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. A copy of Binnenvaart Politie Reglement (BPR) must also be carried, even if the Dutch are not understood.
On inland waterways, any person steering a vessel capable of more than 9 knots must be over 18 years and have the Dutch “vaarbewijzen” or an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) endorsed for inland waterways. This same rule applies to boats longer than 15 meters. Such a certificate may now be requested by anyone in charge of an offshore yacht.
Fees
Restrictions
Navigation
Shipping traffic is very heavy along the coast. A very busy shipping route is via the Hook of Holland over the New Waterway to Rotterdam, and there is no yacht harbour in this port. In a strong westerly wind and outgoing tide from the New Waterway, there can be a high tidal sea.
Inland waterways
Access to the inland waterways is from the ports of Veerhaven and the IJmuiden locks. From Den Helder, there are connections via the Noord-Hollands Canal and the Zaan with Amsterdam. There is access through Vlissingen with a standing mast via the Canal through Walcheren with connections to Dordrecht and Rotterdam. There is no access from Scheveningen.
There are no speed limits on the larger rivers (except the Maas), the IJsselmeer, the open-sea channels in Zeeland, the Waddenzee and the coastal waters. However, there are speed limits in force on the canals and lakes, varying between 5 and 9 knots in different areas, which should be checked. Motorboats capable of travelling at more than 9 knots must be registered. This can be done at most larger post offices for a fee, showing proof of identity. In some areas, local permission must also be obtained to travel at greater speeds.
On many of the canals and rivers, yachts must keep to starboard and have their engines prepared for use. If motorsailing on the waterways, yachts are required to display forward a black cone, apex downwards.
Landing on some islands in the inland waterways is restricted. There are also restrictions concerning draft and height. However, there are certain routes that can be taken by yachts with high fixed masts without encountering any bridges. These are in the western and northern parts of Holland, such as Vlissingen to Delfzijl.
Yachts are required to have on board a copy of the Inland Waters Police Regulations, which are in force on most of the inland waters, the Zeeland channels (except the Western Scheldt, where its own shipping regulations apply), the IJsselmeer, and the Waddenzee. On the Dutch Rhine, the Waal and the Lek the Rhine Route Police Regulations are in force.
The Inland Waters Police Regulations are available in Part I of the Almanak voor Watertourisme, in Dutch only. Part 2 contains tide tables, opening times of bridges and locks, and other essential details.
The rules applicable to Amsterdam, are called the Verordening op de Haven en het Binnenwater.
On the basis of these rules the Amsterdam port control and police patrol boats can give compulsory instructions and issue fines if necessary.
It is recommended to have the latest charts on board as depths change and banks, as well as shallow areas, move frequently.
From January 2009 it is prohibited to discharge black water (toilet waste) from all pleasure boats on all inland waterways, lakes, the Waddensea and territorial waters within 12 NM of the Netherlands Coast.
Pleasure boats can be installed with holding tanks, dry or chemical toilets or boaters could choose simply not to use their toilets. The law is likely to be enforced with rigour.
Fishing
There are certain regulations regarding fishing in the Netherlands and a permit must be bought. Permits can be obtained at post offices. Regulations must be respected concerning closed seasons, areas where fishing is permitted, types of rods which can be used and types of fish which can be caught.
Local Customs
Pets
Animals are accepted from within the EU and which have an  EU Pet Passport.
All cats and dogs must be micro chipped and have an anti-rabies vaccination certificate (dated at least 30 days in advance and for it to have been administered at least 21 days after the microchip was inserted), as specified in the PETS travel scheme.
For additional EU regulations regarding pets coming from some countries, see https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/ms-websites_en
Rabies vaccinations administered by a veterinary practitioner not authorised by an EU country will render the EU Pet Passport invalid for travel.
If entering from outside the EU and from a country on the ‘High risk’ list, then a Health Certificate from a veterinarian and other requirements must be complied with.
The import of all birds, including pet birds and poultry, arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza is prohibited.
The import of psittacine birds if coming from Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Honduras, Indonesia, Nicaragua or Paraguay is prohibited.
