- Read this news item Travel advisories for many countries to change colour in English on Government.nl.
‘We largely decouple the color in the travel advisory from the COVID-19 situation in a country. This way, the world becomes much less orange and travel to more destinations is possible,’ says director Dirk Jan Nieuwenhuis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Exceptions are countries where a new, concerning virus variant emerges. In such cases, a country still automatically receives the orange color code: only strictly necessary travel. Travelers returning from such countries must quarantine again.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is gradually adjusting the travel advisories from February 16. This is based, among other things, on advice from Dutch embassies and consulates worldwide. All safety and health risks, including COVID-19, are taken into account.
Travel within and outside Europe
Countries outside the European Union/Schengen Area that had green or yellow color codes before the COVID-19 pandemic will get them back – if the safety situation allows. The quarantine requirement upon return to the Netherlands ends on February 25. However, travelers must carry a negative test certificate.
European countries currently have a yellow travel advisory (travel is possible, but there are risks). Travelers within the EU need a digital COVID certificate: a vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from COVID, or a negative test result. This remains the case even if countries in the EU receive a green travel advisory. This is agreed at the European level.
Corona not gone
The advice to travelers remains: be well prepared for your trip. Corona is not gone. Measures still apply abroad, such as testing requirements, QR codes, and face masks. Some countries still do not allow (tourist) travelers. If travelers unexpectedly contract corona abroad, the corona rules of the destination country apply.
So read the full travel advisory for the destination country on NederlandWereldwijd.nl or in the Travel app.
‘Travel advisories largely return to the pre-pandemic situation,’ says Nieuwenhuis. ‘We mark countries and areas red and orange due to safety risks such as war, terror threats, and natural disasters. And we pay attention to health risks. So always read the full travel advisory: before booking, shortly before departure, and during your trip.’