Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to the entry restrictions:

• Citizens and their family members from EU+ territory and the United Kingdom
• Third-country nationals and their family members who can be designated as 'long-term residents' based on the Directive for long-term residence within the EU (2003/109 / EC), other EU directives, national law of a Member State, or hold a 'long-term visa' in an EU member state.
• People with an essential function, including healthcare professionals

Long-distance relationship

• You have Dutch nationality, the nationality of a country from the EEA (Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland) or Switzerland.
• You reside in the Netherlands at the time of your application for your partner to come to the Netherlands.
• You have been in a relationship with your partner for at least 3 months.
• You have physically seen each other at least twice (within two separate journeys) prior to the entry ban due to Covid-19.
  • Documentary evidence is required for this. Think of airline tickets and hotel bookings.
• Prior to the trip to the Netherlands, your partner purchased a return ticket, both for themselves and for accompanying minor children.
• You both sign the form Relationship declaration exemption entry ban Covid-19, in which you indicate the duration of your relationship.
  • Here, too, documentary evidence must be provided to demonstrate that you are in a relationship and that you have spent time together. This includes airline tickets, previously used visas, stamps in your passport, payment details, statements from third parties and photos.

Business travelers

• The journey is urgent and cannot be postponed until after the entry ban.
• Your physical presence is required because there is no realistic digital alternative available or, for example, because of the confidentiality of the meeting / event you want to attend, the use of digital alternatives is not permitted.
• The intended visit is of vital importance to the Dutch economy.
  • Applicants must be in possession of an invitation from a Dutch partner from the public or private sector and their travel dates must be confirmed. This invitation must demonstrate that one of the following conditions is met:
    • The visit concerns a significant (potential) direct foreign investment in the Netherlands, whereby within three years:
      • a. At least 5 new jobs are created in the Netherlands, or
      • b. a minimum of € 500,000 is invested in the Netherlands.
    • The visit concerns a potential foreign direct investment that contributes to:
      • a. Strengthening the Dutch innovation capacity, or
      • b. making the Dutch economy more sustainable, or
      • c. the further digitization of the Dutch economy.
    • The visit is of significant importance for a specific organization based in the Netherlands.
    • The organization in the Netherlands must have at least 10 FTEs and / or an annual turnover of € 2 million. Exceptions can be made for smaller companies based on socially relevant groundbreaking research / innovation / sustainability / public health.
    • A visit is of vital importance if, for example, it is essential for continuing the day-to-day activities of the organization, creating or maintaining jobs, or maintaining or growing sales

If you meet the conditions, you must have the following documents with you for a business trip to the Netherlands:

• A Nota Verbale, issued by a Dutch embassy stating the exception to the entry ban.
• Proof of the return flight and hotel reservation.
• (If necessary) a visa.
  • Necessary if you are a national of a country subject to a visa requirement. The usual visa procedure applies.

Professional sports

• The athlete and accompanying staff are in possession of a Note Verbale or letter of invitation from NOC*NSF or the KNVB and, if possible, a valid participation certificate with which they can demonstrate that they are participating in an international top sporting event / tournament or international top match at the highest level, officially recognized by a registered international sports association, of which the Netherlands is affiliated.
• Athletes and accompanying staff requiring a visa must meet all applicable conditions, including having sufficient financial means for the trip and stay, and guarantees for a timely return. This can also be in the form of a guarantee statement from the sports association in the Netherlands. The possibility of return is considered in the decision on the visa application.
• The athlete and accompanying staff must be in possession of a return ticket.
• The above-mentioned supporting documents such as Note Verbale or invitation letter, the participation certificates, statements, return ticket and any guarantor statement, must be handed over to the border authorities (the Koninklijke Marechaussee) upon arrival in the Netherlands.
• The regular border control procedure based on the Schengen Borders Code applies. This means that the KMar assesses whether the athlete and staff meet all access conditions. The athlete must also be able to show a valid travel document and, if necessary, a short-stay visa. This depends on the nationality of your partner. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee always has the right to refuse entry to athletes and staff, if there is a reason for this.
• The athlete and staff are bound by the applicable corona measures in the Netherlands.

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