+/- 0 h

Amsterdam

Official language

Dutch

Language capabilities

English and German

230 volts; two-pin round plugs / adapter required for three-pin plugs

Banks
9.00/10.00 a.m. - 5.00/6.00 p.m. (Mon - Fri)

Some larger bank branches may also be open for limited hours on Saturdays, while smaller branches may only open on weekdays.

Shops
9.00 a.m. - 6.00/8.00 p.m. (Mon - Fri)
9.00 a.m. - 4.00/5.00 p.m. (Sat)

Opening hours vary by region. In major cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, many shops are open from Monday to Saturday and often on Sunday as well, particularly in tourist areas.

• 1 January: New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag)

• Easter Sunday and Easter Monday: Eerste and Tweede Paasdag

• 27 April: King’s Day (Koningsdag); if 27 April falls on a Sunday, it is observed on 26 April

• 5 May: Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)

• 40 days after Easter: Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag)

• Whit Sunday and Whit Monday: Eerste and Tweede Pinksterdag

• 25 December: Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag)

• 26 December: Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag)

The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area. The following information applies to Swiss citizens resident in Switzerland.

The following document is required to enter the Netherlands:

• A valid Swiss identity card or a valid Swiss passport.

• No visa is required.

• Minors: a travel authorisation is recommended for minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents.

Information last updated in September 2025

Coastal regions (west and north)

• Summer (June to August): average temperatures are around 18-22°C and may reach 25°C.

• Winter (December to February): temperatures are generally 2-6°C, but can fall below freezing, especially at night.

• Spring/autumn: temperatures average around 8-14°C.

Inland regions (centre and east)

• Summer: average temperatures are around 20-24°C and can exceed 30°C.

• Winter: temperatures are generally 0-4°C, with occasional frost and snow.

• Spring/autumn: temperatures average around 10-16°C.

The south (particularly Limburg)

• Summer: average temperatures are around 22-26°C and can exceed 30°C.

• Winter: temperatures are generally 1-5°C, with occasional frost and snow.

• Spring/autumn: temperatures average around 12-18°C.

The ideal time to visit the Netherlands

• Beach holidays: mid-June to mid-September

• City breaks: May to September

• Winter holidays: November and December for Christmas markets and ice rinks

• Mobile phone use: charges apply when using a mobile phone in the Netherlands (roaming). It is advisable to check roaming charges before travelling and, if necessary, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.

• Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is now available in many hotels, restaurants, cafés and public areas.

• Prepaid SIM cards: a prepaid SIM card can be purchased locally for calls and mobile data. These are generally available from local providers such as KPN, Vodafone or T-Mobile.

• Anne Frank House, Amsterdam: the museum shows Anne Frank’s former hiding place and provides insights into her life and the history of the Holocaust.

• Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam: home to the largest collection of Van Gogh’s works, including Starry Night and Sunflowers.

• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam: the national museum of Dutch art and history, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.

• Keukenhof, Lisse: known for its tulip fields, the park offers a wide variety of flowers and gardens.

• Amsterdam canals, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: a canal system running through the city’s historic architecture and providing a picturesque setting for boat trips.

• Zaanse Schans, Zaandam: a historic village with windmills and craft businesses offering an insight into the Dutch past.

• Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: 19 well-preserved windmills along a canal, symbolising the struggle against water.

• Dom Tower, Utrecht: the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, with panoramic views of Utrecht and the surrounding area.

• Madurodam, The Hague: a miniature park showing the Netherlands at a scale of 1:25.

• Grote Markt, Haarlem: a central square surrounded by historic buildings, cafés, restaurants and shops.

• Euromast, Rotterdam: an observation tower with panoramic views over Rotterdam and the port, also offering adventure activities such as abseiling.

• Delta Works, Zeeland: impressive hydraulic structures protecting the country from high water and flooding, symbolising Dutch expertise in hydraulic engineering.

• Burgers’ Zoo, Arnhem: a popular zoo with a variety of habitats and animal species, offering interactive experiences for visitors of all ages.

• Efteling, Kaatsheuvel: the largest theme park in the Netherlands, known for its fairy-tale themed areas and exciting attractions.

• De Hoge Veluwe National Park: a diverse nature reserve with forests, heathland and sand dunes, offering opportunities for hiking, cycling and wildlife watching.

Dutch cuisine reflects the country’s history, geography and cultural diversity. Typical dishes and specialities include:

• Stroopwafel: two thin waffles joined by a layer of syrup.

• Bitterballen: small, crisp meat croquettes, often served with mustard.

• Haring: fresh raw herring, usually eaten with onions and pickles.

• Poffertjes: small, fluffy pancakes traditionally served with butter and icing sugar.

• Erwtensoep: a thick pea and vegetable soup, often containing bacon or sausage.

• Kroketten: elongated croquettes with fillings such as beef, prawns or cheese.

• Patat: chips or French fries, often served with mayonnaise or other sauces.

• Gouda: a famous Dutch cheese available at various stages of maturity.

• Hollandse Nieuwe: young salted herring traditionally eaten at the start of the season, often with onions and pickles.

• Appeltaart: Dutch apple pie with a thick crust and plenty of cinnamon.

Indonesian, Surinamese and Turkish influences are also prominent. Major cities offer a particularly wide range of international restaurants.

• Greetings: a simple, friendly greeting is suitable in most situations. “Hallo”, the informal “Hoi”, or “Goedendag” are common. A handshake remains customary in formal or business settings.

• Politeness: “Alstublieft” means “please”, while “Dank je wel” or “Dank u wel” means “thank you”.

• Clothing: dress is generally informal and practical. More formal clothing may be expected in some business settings.

• Dining culture: in restaurants, it is customary to wait to be seated. It is considered impolite to keep your hands under the table while eating; they should remain above the table. Cutlery is commonly used, even for some foods that might otherwise be eaten by hand. After the meal, it is polite to say “Eet smakelijk” and to say “Dank je wel” when leaving.

• Smoking: smoking is prohibited in public buildings, restaurants, cafés and bars. Designated indoor smoking rooms are no longer permitted; local rules may apply to terraces. See the official smoking measures.

• Tipping: the service charge is often already included in the bill. If it is not, a tip of around 5-10% is customary. In many restaurants, the tip can be added to the bill or given directly to the server.

• Other tips: respect other people’s privacy and avoid being intrusive. The Dutch are known for their directness and openness. Do not take criticism personally and be prepared to communicate openly and directly. Punctuality is expected. Respect cyclists and do not block cycle paths.

• Drinking water quality: drinking water in the Netherlands is considered excellent and meets strict European standards. Tap water can generally be consumed without concern; it is clean and safe.

• Vaccinations: no specific vaccinations are generally required for travellers entering the Netherlands. Travellers are nevertheless advised to keep routine vaccinations up to date, particularly those for diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles.

Information last updated in September 2025

• Medical care is available. The European Health Insurance Card must be presented when receiving medical treatment.

• If you depend on certain medication, your travel pharmacy should contain an adequate supply. Please note, however, that many countries have special regulations governing medication containing controlled substances, such as methadone, and substances used to treat mental health conditions. If necessary, contact the relevant foreign representation, namely the embassy or consulate, directly before departure.

Information last updated in September 2025

• Before and during your trip, keep up to date with the current situation through the media and stay in contact with your tour operator.

• Further information about the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

• Despite heightened security measures, there remains a risk of terrorist attacks.

• Exercise caution around demonstrations, as disturbances may occur.

Information last updated in September 2025

• Driving licence: Swiss driving licences are recognised.

• Car hire: depending on the rental company and vehicle type, the minimum age for drivers is between 18 and 25. Drivers must have held their licence for at least one or two years.

• Traffic rules: traffic drives on the right.

• Vehicle equipment: CH sticker and warning triangle mandatory.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5‰; 0.2‰ for new drivers who have held their licence for less than five years.

• Long-distance trains: the Netherlands has an efficient and reliable long-distance rail network operated by the Dutch railway company NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen). Intercity trains are ideal for longer journeys between cities and offer fast, comfortable connections. The high-speed train “Thalys” connects the Netherlands with other European cities such as Paris and Brussels.

• Regional trains: in addition to long-distance services, a dense network of regional trains serves smaller towns and rural areas. These trains offer a good way to explore the country and travel away from the main tourist routes.

• Buses: the bus network in the Netherlands is also well developed and connects cities, villages and rural areas. Buses are often a practical option for travelling in regions that cannot be reached by train.

• Metro / tram: larger cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht have metro and tram services that provide a fast and convenient way to travel within the city. The network is well developed and makes it easy for visitors to move around urban areas.

• Tickets: tickets can be purchased at railway stations, on buses and trams, and online via the NS website or mobile apps.

• Other information: most stations offer good facilities such as ticket counters, machines, luggage storage and food outlets. Bicycles are a popular means of transport and can often be hired at stations for the last mile or for exploring the surrounding area.

• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS): direct flights from Zurich, Geneva and Basel.

• Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM): direct flights from Zurich.

• Eindhoven Airport (EIN): direct flights from Basel.

Major airlines operating in the Netherlands include KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Transavia, Corendon Dutch Airlines, TUI fly Netherlands, easyJet and Ryanair.

00 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)

• Single emergency number: 112

Regional Consular Centre Benelux
c/o Embassy of Switzerland
Lange Voorhout 42
2514 EE The Hague
Netherlands
Tel.: +31 70 364 28 31
Email: benelux@eda.admin.ch

Special legal provisions

• The law sets various punishable blood alcohol limits for drivers.
• Violations of drug laws are punishable even for small quantities. The Netherlands has tightened its legislation concerning the use, possession and trade of soft drugs. The possession, sale and production of drugs remain illegal. The sale of small quantities of cannabis by certain coffeeshops is only tolerated under strict conditions. A residence criterion exists, but municipalities decide whether to enforce it actively.

Information last updated in September 2025