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Travel insurance for the Netherlands

The Netherlands, or you may know it as Holland, is central to many major cities throughout Europe. It's a diverse country full of culture and extends a warm welcome to its visitors. We don't blame you if you're swayed by picturesque landscapes, thriving port cities and a love of football.

Whether you're surfing on the sandy shores of the North Sea or snapping pictures of windmills in the countryside, it's worth finding suitable travel insurance cover. If you're ready to compare Netherlands travel insurance policies, click 'Get a quote'. Or, read on to find out everything you need to know about insuring your trip to the Netherlands.

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Important information

All insurance products exclude cover for known events. These are global events that can put you in danger and/or disrupt travel. This exclusion applies if the event was declared as a 'known event' when you bought your travel insurance.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) doesn't currently have any travel advisories in place for the Netherlands1. So, you should be able to get travel insurance for your trip.

But you should stay up-to-date with any incidents that could affect your travel plans. If you travel against FCDO advice, or you don't meet the Netherlands' entry requirements, you may not be covered by your travel insurance policy.

1Correct as of August 2024

Do I need travel insurance for the Netherlands?

It isn't a legal requirement, but you should strongly consider a travel insurance policy if you're heading off abroad. Should anything go wrong before or during your trip, a policy can give you peace of mind. It can protect you from hefty medical bills or lost luggage, so it's definitely worth considering.

You may decide to take important belongings with you. Travel insurance typically offers a single item and total cover limits, so you can adjust this according to your needs.

There are a number of different policies you can choose from including single-trip, multi-trip and backpacker insurance. Whatever you decide to book, you can find a policy that's right for you.

Choosing the right policy for your trip to the Netherlands

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Single-trip travel insurance

Single-trip insurance covers you for one trip. The length of trip covered will depend on the policy you choose and the insurer, but most insurers cover trips lasting up to 30, 60, or 90 days.

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Annual travel insurance

Multi-trip insurance is also known as annual travel insurance. This type of policy covers you for multiple trips over a 12-month period. If you plan to travel regularly in a year, this could be cheaper than buying multiple single-trip policies.

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Backpackers travel insurance

Backpackers insurance covers longer trips where you're visiting multiple countries. This type of policy often covers trips lasting up to 18 months and includes cover for a visit home.

What our travel insurance expert says

"Cities like Amsterdam are among the most popular destinations in Europe for group holidays. The Dutch capital has a vibrant nightlife, so it might be easy to get carried away. But it's important to know that most travel insurance policies don't cover incidents under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That's why it's best to read your policy documents before you travel so you know what you're covered for."

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert
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What does Netherlands travel insurance cover?

What is and isn't covered by a standard travel insurance policy can vary between providers. You may choose to upgrade your cover with optional extras, or your policy may contain exclusions based on your personal circumstances. For example, insurers will ask you to declare any medical conditions.

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What's normally covered:

  • Medical treatment: Anyone named on the policy will be covered for medical treatment if they get ill or injured.
  • Lost luggage: If your luggage or personal belongings are stolen or damaged while you're away, you'll be covered.
  • Cancellation cover: Can offer you up to a set amount if you need to cancel unexpectedly due to injury, illness or bereavement.
  • Travel disruption: If your trip is disrupted due to bad weather for example, you can claim for delays.
  • Emergency repatriation: Anyone named on the policy that needs immediate transportation back to the UK due to serious injury, illness or death.
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What's not normally covered:

  • Undeclared pre-existing conditions: You have to declare any known medical conditions when buying travel insurance. If you don't you may not be covered.
  • Incidents that occur under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Any accidents resulting in injury under the influence of drugs or alcohol won't be covered.
  • Known events: This is something like a natural disaster or a pandemic. If the event was declared a 'known event' when you bought your travel insurance then you probably won't be covered for anything related to it. This is also the case if you decide to travel against FCDO advice.
  • Extreme sports or activities: A standard travel insurance policy may cover certain activities and sports. But you'll likely need a specialist policy for riskier activities like skiing or rock climbing.
  • Missed flights or changing your mind: Not leaving yourself enough time to catch your flight, or simply changing your mind won't be covered.

How much does Netherlands travel insurance cost?

What you pay for a travel insurance policy depends on various factors. Insurers will ask about your personal circumstances so they can gauge how likely you are to make a claim. These factors include:

  • Age: Travel insurance generally gets more expensive as you get older. This is because you might be at higher risk of injury or illness.
  • Destination: Some destinations may be more expensive to insure. This could be because of higher medical costs, like in the USA.
  • Length of trip: The longer you're travelling for, the higher the risk of something going wrong. So, your travel insurance might cost more.
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions: Pre-existing conditions can increase your risk of needing medical treatment while abroad, so insurance is normally more expensive.
  • If you upgrade your cover: Including policy add-ons, like winter sports insurance, typically increase the price of your policy.

You can get a quote to see what you're likely to pay for a travel insurance policy.

Medical care in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has a respectable healthcare system, so you should receive a good standard of care - if you need it. Anyone living or working in the Netherlands is legally required to take out standard health insurance for access to appointments, treatment and prescription medication.

The GHIC and EHIC are valid and accepted in the Netherlands, so you can use them - but these aren't a replacement for travel insurance. You may still need to pay for treatment if you need it, that's why travel insurance is important.

If you use medication regularly, you must plan in advance and check whether you can take it on your trip. You'll typically be required to take a copy of your prescription and letter from the prescriber as proof. 

Most people in the Netherlands speak English, especially in Amsterdam and other major cities, but you shouldn't assume everyone can. It's still worth making a note of English-speaking medical facilities and practitioners.

In the event of a life-threatening situation or if you witness a crime, the emergency number to call in the Netherlands is 112.

Travel insurance for popular places in the Netherlands

Amsterdam

It's the capital city of the Netherlands, and Amsterdam lives up to its reputation with stunning canal views, rich history, world famous museums and much more. Cycling is very popular and there are lots of other activities dotted around the place. It's worth making sure you're covered for whatever you decide to do with travel insurance for Amsterdam.

Canal cruises

The 17th century canals are a symbol of Amsterdam. The famous canal ring was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 and for good reason. No trip to the Dutch capital is complete without a canal boat trip around the city. You won't need a specialist policy to take a trip around the canals, it should be covered by standard travel insurance.

Wadden Sea National Park

Another UNESCO World Heritage site is the Wadden Sea. Stretching along the coasts of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands, it's known for its unique beauty and ecological value. It's a must for hikers, but any hiking trip may require a specialist travel insurance policy to cover you in some cases.

Travel insurance for popular activities in the Netherlands

To say there's plenty to do in the Netherlands is an understatement. With a coastline stretching over 450 kilometres along the North Sea, water sports like windsurfing, canoeing, and sailing are pretty popular.

With a broad range of outdoor activities, it's important you get the right travel insurance for your trip. As we mentioned earlier, some activities are covered with a standard policy. But many aren't, so you may need to consider activity travel insurance before you head off on your trip.

Cycling is actually considered a symbol of Dutch culture, as such there are lots of scenic routes and dedicated cycle lanes in most cities. Given the Netherlands is a relatively small country in terms of land area, it's a pretty convenient way of getting around and exploring!

Hiking is another favourite activity, De Hoge Veluwe National Park is a popular hotspot due to its variety of landscapes and diverse wildlife. Walking near sand dunes or windmills is a common sight, you won't be short of trails anywhere in the country!

Do I need a visa to travel to the Netherlands?

As a British passport holder travelling from the UK - you do not currently need a visa to enter the Schengen area, which includes the Netherlands. But you will need to check your passport has at least 3 months remaining before its expiry and get it stamped on entry and exit.

You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. But beyond this you must meet the Dutch government’s entry requirements, you can check which type of visa or work permit you need for this.

If you're travelling for business purposes you should check the guidance about working visas. Depending on the business activities you undertake, you may need to apply for a work permit and provide proof of residence.

From mid-2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be introduced. It's an entry requirement that works in a similar fashion to a visa for 30 countries in the EU and the Schengen area. And as a UK citizen, you'll need to apply before travelling to these countries when it comes into effect.

Travel tips for the Netherlands

  • Language: Dutch is spoken by almost everybody in the Netherlands, it's the official language of the country. Frisian is recognised as an official language in the province of Friesland. But most people speak English throughout the country.
  • Money: The Netherlands is part of the eurozone and uses the euro as its currency like many other countries throughout the continent.
  • Time difference: Central European Time (CET) - GMT+1 and Central European Summer Time (CEST) which is GMT+2. This means that for most of the year, the Netherlands is only 1 hour ahead of the UK.
  • British embassy: The British Embassy is based in The Hague. If you need help, you can contact the British Embassy online or by phone in an emergency.
  • Safety: It is illegal to possess, sell or produce drugs. As vibrant as the nightlife is, you should remain cautious of anyone attempting to spike your drink.
  • Roads: Cyclists have right of way on roads throughout the Netherlands, even over cars. You should be careful when crossing roads, and where possible use marked crossings.
  • Tipping: It's not required, but it's customary to tip around a 10-15% in restaurants.

Need more help with your trip to the Netherlands?

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