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Visa Information
Weather
General Info
Travel Tips
Festivals
Country Map

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To travel to the Netherlands from South Africa, you may need a Schengen visa or a long-stay visa (MVV), depending on the length of your stay.

VISA INFORMATION

Basic Requirements

  • Completed Application Form:
    • Fill out the “Common Schengen Application Form” in capital letters and sign it.
    • Available for free download from consular websites or at consular offices.
  • Passport:
    • Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day in the Schengen area.
    • Issued within the last 10 years.
    • Must have two blank pages for the visa.
    • Note: Temporary South African passports are generally not accepted by most Schengen states. Confirm their acceptability beforehand.
  • Photographs:
    • Provide two recent colour passport-sized photographs.
  • Residence Permit:
    • If not a South African citizen, provide a residence permit valid for at least 3 months after your last day in the Schengen area.
  • Visa for Final Destination:
    • Obtain any required visa for your final country of destination before applying for a Schengen visa, if applicable.
  • Visa Fee Payment:
    • Provide proof of payment for the visa fee.
  • Travel Itinerary:
    • Submit a round-trip reservation or itinerary showing entry and exit from the Schengen state, including dates and flight numbers.
    • Some consulates may require the original ticket upon visa collection (verify with the relevant consulate).
  • Proof of Funds:
    • Show evidence of sufficient financial means for your stay (e.g., a bank statement from the past three months).
    • The required amount varies by country—confirm with the consulate. Cash is not accepted as proof.
  • Travel Insurance:
    • Provide a one-page document confirming Schengen Travel Medical Insurance coverage with a minimum of Euro 30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation, valid in all Schengen countries.
  • Accommodation Proof:
    • Include a confirmed hotel reservation (hotel vouchers are not sufficient).
    • If staying with a relative or friend, provide an invitation letter from the host, a copy of their passport or ID, and possibly authentication by relevant authorities.
    • For prepaid tours, provide details and proof of payment to the tour operator.

  • Submit an official business letter from a company in the Schengen area and a letter from your employer stating the purpose of the visit.
  • For conferences, provide proof of registration and payment.

  • Provide an unabridged birth certificate.
  • If traveling alone, include certified parental consent from both parents.
  • If traveling with one parent, include notarized consent from the other parent.
  • If only one parent has guardianship, present relevant court documents.
  • Some consulates may require both parents to sign in their presence.

The consular office may request additional documents such as proof of employment or student status, or a personal interview.

Apply at least 15 calendar days before your intended visit but no earlier than 3 months before the start of your visit.

  • Short Stay Visa: Allows up to 90 days in a 6-month period.
  • Long Stay Visa: For stays exceeding 90 days, issued by member states based on national legislation.

  • All Visa Types (Transit and Short Stay): 60 Euros, payable in Rand.
  • Children Aged 6-12: 35 Euros, payable in Rand.
  • Note: Contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate for the current Euro/Rand exchange rate and payment methods.

Austria, France, Germany, and the Netherlands do not accept South African Temporary passports.

VFS Global Visa Application Centres

  • Johannesburg:
    • Address: 1st Floor, Rivonia Village, Corner Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road, Sandton
    • Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 15:00
    • Passport Collection: Monday to Friday, 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:00
  • Cape Town:
    • Address: 8th Floor, 2 Long Street
  • Durban:
    • Address: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91-123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize Road), Essenwood
  • Pretoria:
    • Address: Brooklyn Pavilion, First Floor, 217 Bronkhorst Street (entrance on Tram Street), Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn
    • Phone: +27 12 425 3005 (Between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday only, except holidays)
    • Email: info.nlza@vfshelpline.com
    • Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 15:00
    • Passport Collection: Monday to Friday, 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:00
    • Submission Timings: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:00

Embassy and Consulate Contact Information

  • Embassy in Pretoria:
    • Address: 210 Florence Ribeiro / Queen Wilhelmina Avenue, Cnr Muckleneuk Street
    • Phone: +27 12 425 4500
  • Consulate in Cape Town:
    • Address: 100 Strand Street
    • Phone: +27 21 421 5660

WEATHER

Best Time to Visit: The Netherlands is favourable from late spring to early fall (May to September). During this period, temperatures are warm, days are long with up to 16.5 hours of daylight in summer, and humidity levels are relatively low. Expect occasional moderate rain and potentially crowded tourist spots.

Winter: From October to March, expect shorter days, colder temperatures, and the mercury often dropping below freezing at night. The period is characterized by increased wind and cloud cover, with the northwest experiencing the strongest winds and the northeast being the coldest.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Netherlands
Capital City: Amsterdam
International Airports: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Rotterdam The Hague Airport
Groningen Airport Eelde
Area: 41,543 km²
Population: 18,228,742 (2024 est.)
Time Zone: GMT+1
Religion: Over half (55%) of Dutch people aged 15 and over identify as non-religious.
Of the remaining 45%:
– 20% are Catholic
– 14% are Protestant
– 5% are Muslim
– 6% belong to other religious groups
Language: Dutch (official)
English is widely spoken
Currency: Euro
Exchange Rate: Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate.
Credit Card Payment Availability: MasterCard and Visa are accepted, but some stores may not accept credit cards.
Carrying cash is advisable.
ATM Accessibility: ATMs are widely available in towns and cities, particularly near bank branches, shopping centres, and supermarkets.
Rural areas may have limited access, so it’s wise to carry cash.
Dialling Code: +31

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Standard voltage is 220V (50Hz).
Water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Business Hours: 08:00 – 17:00/18:00, Monday – Friday
Banking Hours: 09:00 – 17:00/17:30, Monday – Friday
Major banks and post offices are open on Saturdays.
Photography Restrictions: Photography is not allowed of sex workers in the “Red Light” district. Respect their privacy.
Tipping: Not compulsory but appreciated, especially for good service.
Vaccination Requirements: None required. Be aware of any COVID-related restrictions.
Dress Code Restrictions: No formal dress code. Casual attire such as jeans, T-shirts, and comfortable, but attractive shoes are appropriate.
Peculiar Customs to Observe: – Bike Paths: Avoid walking in bike lanes.
– Gifting: Bring a gift, such as flowers (preferably an odd number, not thirteen), a book, quality chocolates, or a potted plant when visiting a Dutch home.
– Greetings: Shake hands upon meeting and departing with those you do not know well or have a formal relationship with. For close friends, kiss on the cheek three times starting with the left. Men usually shake hands and may not be open to being kissed by another man. A simple ‘Hallo’ is a good general greeting.

FESTIVALS

  • The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) – Maastricht
  • Keukenhof Flower Gardens – Lisse
  • King’s Day – Nationwide
  • National Mill Day – Nationwide
  • Holland Festival – Amsterdam
  • Rotterdam Summer Carnival – Rotterdam
  • Scheveningen International Fireworks Festival – Scheveningen
  • Gay Pride Amsterdam – Amsterdam
  • Sneekweek Sailing Regatta – Sneek
  • Netherlands Film Festival – Utrecht
  • Sinterklaasintocht – Nationwide
  • International Documentary Film Festival – Amsterdam
  • Magical Maastricht – Maastricht
  • Flower Parade (Bloemencorso)
  • Amsterdam Winter Paradise – Amsterdam
  • New Year’s Dive – Nationwide
  • International Film Festival – Rotterdam
  • Redhead Day (Roodharigenda)
  • Carnival – Nationwide
  • Amsterdam Canal Festival – Amsterdam
  • Formula 1 – Zandvoort, August

MAP

“I love Amsterdam. The city is vibrant and alive. It’s fresh and so open. It’s definitely one of my favourite places.”

– Stefon Harris