Key facts
The Netherlands is a member state of the European Union located in Western Europe. There are 2 countries (Belgium, Germany) that The Netherlands shares its borders with. The official language of The Netherlands is Dutch. Although English isn’t the official language, the majority of people in The Netherlands are good English speakers.
EF EPI’s 2021 rankings placed The Netherlands 1st among 100 nations out of non-native English-speaking countries.
The national currency in The Netherlands is Euro (EUR). The euro (€) is subdivided into 100 cent (c).
With today’s currency rate, 1 USD is worth 0.93 EUR.
Dutch
Banknotes
€5€10€20€50€100€200€500
Dutch
Coins
€1€25c10c20c50c1c2c
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in The Netherlands is 223.44 Mbps and mobile is 124.75 Mbs.The global average is 159.18 Mbps and 109.61 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density When compared to the world average, The Netherlands has less ATMs.33.20 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.69.
SIM Registration You can buy a SIM card in The Netherlands without having to register it with your ID or passport.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in The Netherlands. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2023, The Netherlands will celebrate 11 national public holidays. The next one Christmas Day will take place on December 25.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | New Year’s DayNieuwjaarsdag | |
| April 7, 2023Moving holiday | Good FridayGoede Vrijdag | |
| April 9, 2023Moving holiday | Easter SundayEerste Paasdag | |
| April 10, 2023Moving holiday | Easter MondayTweede Paasdag | |
| April 27, 2023 | King’s DayKoningsdag | |
| May 5, 2023 | Liberation DayBevrijdingsdag | |
| May 18, 2023Moving holiday | Ascension DayHemelvaartsdag | |
| May 28, 2023Moving holiday | PentecostEerste Pinksterdag | |
| May 29, 2023Moving holiday | Whit MondayPinksteren | |
| December 25, 2023 | Christmas DayEerste Kerstdag | |
| December 26, 2023 | St. Stephen’s DayTweede Kerstdag |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Netherlands?
There are Mariott hotels in 3 cities.
The Hilton hotel chain operates in The Netherlands.
The IHG hotel chain operates in The Netherlands.
The Best Western hotel chain operates in The Netherlands.
There are Radisson hotels in 3 cities.
The Accor hotel chain operates in The Netherlands.
What fast food chains are present in Netherlands?
The McDonald’s chain operates in The Netherlands.
The KFC chain operates in The Netherlands.
The Burger King chain operates in The Netherlands.
The Subway chain operates in The Netherlands.
The Domino’s Pizza chain operates in The Netherlands.
The Starbucks chain operates in The Netherlands.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Amsterdam?
Weather data for Amsterdam (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains , and some of them are high-speed trains.
Subway Systems The subway system is available in Amsterdam, Rotterdam.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Netherlands
Sources
- The Netherlands Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for The Netherlands (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is forbidden in all public indoor locations, with limited exceptions.
Cananbis legality Recreational usage is decriminalized, and medical use is legal.
The products are only for your own use or consumption, or as a present for members of your household. They may not be imported for commercial purposes under any circumstances.
Alcohol allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 90L of still wine (60L of sparkling wine)
- 110L of beer
- 10L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22%
- 20L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%.
Travellers from non-EU countries:
- 4L of wine
- 16L of beer
- 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume
Tobacco allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco
Travellers from non-EU countries:
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
Sources
- I am travelling from outside the European Union (EU) to the Netherlands (Customs Administration of the Netherlands)
- I am travelling within the European Union (EU) (Customs Administration of the Netherlands)
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)