The ETIAS Netherlands visa for U.S. citizens
From 2023, U.S. citizens will have to present an approved ETIAS visa when travelling to the Netherlands. It will be possible to apply for and obtain the ETIAS permit online, by filling out the ETIAS application form online and receiving your visa via e-mail when the application is approved. This ETIAS permit will allow U.S. citizens to enter the Netherlands for tourism, work, transit, or medical purposes, as long as the duration of the trip is no more than 90 days, and it will be valid for multiple trips made via air, sea, or land. In addition, minors and people over 70 years of age will be able to apply for ETIAS free of charge.
What is ETIAS Netherlands visa for Americans
ETIAS will come into force in November 2023, as part of a program of the European Commission aimed at strengthening European borders and keeping a digital track on all people entering the European Schengen Area. This program was already approved in 2016, following the terrorist attacks that affected some European countries. In the last years, the creation of the ETIAS visa system was possible thanks to the expansion of data sharing between countries in the European Union, that allows to connect the ETIAS applications with already existing databases from European authorities.
How does the ETIAS Netherlands visa work for Americans
Starting from 2023 U.S. citizens must have an ETIAS visa before embarking on a trip to the Netherlands. If the trip is longer than 90 days or has other reasons than those required for the ETIAS permit, they will require a Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of the Netherlands, respecting requirements and timing for the permit they are applying for. Once issued, ETIAS is valid for 3 years, and can be used for multiple entries in the Netherlands and other Member countries of Schengen Area, as long as each visit has a duration of less than 90 days. To make sure you get your approved ETIAS permit in time for your trip, it is recommended to apply for ETIAS at least 4 days before the departure. If the ETIAS visa is denied, you can still apply for a Schengen permit at the embassy or consulate of the Netherlands or present an appeal to the country that denied ETIAS.
ETIAS destinations for U.S. citizens
From November 2023 ETIAS visa will come into force for American citizens to travel to the following countries:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
At the time being, Americans are not required to obtain ETIAS to travel to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania, since these are not Schengen countries yet. However, these countries may enter the Schengen Area in the future, so please keep updated with the visa requirements.
ETIAS visa requirements for American citizens and how to apply
In order to apply for the ETIAS permit, you have to be a U.S. citizen and hold a valid electronic passport issued by the United States of America. If you do not have an American passport, you will have to apply for a Schengen visa.
ETIAS visa application can be completed online, entering all necessary information by following the required steps, and making sure all the data is entered correctly. Once the application is completed, all citizens between 18 and 70 years old will also be required to pay a 7 euros fee, using a credit or debit card.
How much does the ETIAS Netherlands visa cost for U.S. citizens
At the end of the application procedure, all American citizens between 18 and 70 years old must pay a 7 euros fee, using a credit or debit card. Citizens under 18 and over 70 years of age are entitled to apply for ETIAS free of charge.
About Netherlands
The Netherlands often referred to as Holland, is officially the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has two autonomous island countries and three special municipality islands in the Caribbean.
The European portion of the Netherlands shares maritime borders in the North Sea with the United Kingdom and Germany. It borders Germany, Belgium, and the North Sea.
It covers an area of 41,543 sq. km and has a population of seventeen million.
The capital city is Amsterdam.
The official language is Dutch. Recognised regional languages are West Frisian in Friesland, Papiamento in Bonaire and English in Sint Eustatius and Saba.
The major religion is Christianity, and the currency is the euro.
The Netherlands is part of the E.U. and the Schengen Area.
The islands of the Netherlands in the Caribbean are not in the Schengen Area.
There has been some research done to find the viability of having the three special municipality islands, known as the BES islands, fall under the rules of the E.U. but it is still ongoing.
Well known for being as flat as a local pannenkoek (pancake), the Netherlands is very bicycle friendly. With over 29,000 kilometers of signposted bike lanes, the Netherlands is very easy to tour by bike.
You can rent bicycles at or near all main railway stations and at all good bike shops.
If you have your own bike, you can travel for part of your journey by train, paying an extra small fee, folding bikes, however, travel free.
Netherlands at a glance
Capital: Amsterdam
Timezone: UTC/GMT +1 hour
Languages: Dutch
Area: 41,526 KM2
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Population: 16,645,000
Calling Code: +31
Travel in Netherlands
The Netherlands may be famous for its tulip fields, wooden clogs, windmills, and barges, but there is a great deal more to see. Travel within the Netherlands is easy, and as a member of the Schengen zone, travel to and from other European destinations is very straightforward.
The Netherlands is home to twenty national parks. It also has hundreds of nature reserves which include woods, heathlands, lakes, and dunes. The Dutch part of the Wadden Sea in the north, with its wetlands and tidal flats, is a UNESCO World Heritage Nature Site.
Some interesting destinations include
- Dwingelderveld National Park – 3,700 hectares of wet heathland, the largest such area in Europe.
- Hoge Veluwe National Park – the countries largest National Park with sand dunes, forests, and heathlands.
- Waterland and Zaan Region – typical Hollandic villages with the Zaanse Schans, windmills, wooden houses and clogs.
- Zaanse Schans – Open air museum with Zaan houses and Dutch windmills
- Efteling – renowned theme park with many fairytale features such as dwarves and elves.
- Keukenhof – enormous flower fields attracting 800,000 visitors each Spring.
- Kinderdijk-Elshout – windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Trips to local delicatessens will yield the famous wheels of cheese. A limited number of the famous flower bulbs are allowed to be taken out of the country for personal use, but please check customs rules and regulations before you try to take them through customs.
The US and the Netherlands
Having established diplomatic relations with the Netherlands in 1782, the U.S.classes the Netherlands as one of their oldest, continuous bilateral partners.
The U.S. and the Netherlands share common values on many important issues. They work closely together, and with other countries on International programmes against drug trafficking and organized crime.
The U.S. and the Netherlands both belong to the following organizations
- The United Nations
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- International Monetary Fund
- World Bank
- World Trade Organization
The Netherlands is an observer to the Organization of American States. With an average direct flight time from the U.S. of almost nine hours, the Netherlands makes an ideal start to a European trip.
As one of the founding members of the E.U. and NATO, and host to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands is deeply committed to international cooperation.
Conducting business in English in the Netherlands is easy to arrange, as is the translation of documents. There is a skilled bank of interpreters for hire if the need arises. It is possible to book an interpreter through The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in your country of departure.
There are numerous exhibition and conference centers:
- RAI in Amsterdam
- Jaarbeurs Center in Utrecht
- MECC in Maastricht
- Ahoy in Rotterdam
There are also some more interesting centers:
- Evoluon at Eindhoven
- Corpus at Leiden
FAQ about ETIAS Netherlands visa
List of US diplomatic offices in Netherlands
The Embassy of USA in Hague, Netherlands
Address: John Adams Park 1 2244 BZ Wassenaar The Hague
Phone: +31 70 310-2209
Fax: +31 70 310-2207
Facts: Peter Hoekstra – Ambassador
Consulate of USA in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Address: Museumplein 19 1071 DJ Amsterdam The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0) 20 575 5309
Email: AmsterdamUSC@state.gov
The Embassy of Netherlands in Washington, USA
Address: 4200 Linnean Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: +12022445300
Fax: +12023623430
Facts: Henne Schuwer – Ambassador
Consulate of Netherlands in New York, USA
Address: 666 Third Avenue, 19th floor New York 10017
Phone: +16465572200
Fax: +12123701954
Email: nyc@minbuza.nl
Consulate of Netherlands in Miami, USA
Address: 701 Brickell Ave., Suite 500 Miami, FL 33131
Phone: +17868660480
Fax: +17868660498