Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in the Netherlands, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating the Netherlands’ laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. In the Netherlands, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In the Netherlands driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. If you break local laws in the Netherlands, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In recent years, U.S. citizens in the Netherlands have suffered death and injuries stemming from the use of marijuana, hashish, and other substances. Despite common misperceptions, marijuana and hashish are controlled substances in the Netherlands, and possession is a misdemeanor that can result in a fine. Legislation enacted in recent years is meant to prevent foreigners’ access to licensed “coffee shops,” where illegal soft drugs have historically been available. Local jurisdictions develop their own enforcement plans and implementation time lines.

“Coffee shops” are a haven for petty criminals who prey on tourists and other individuals under the influence of drugs. Persons who visit “coffee shops” have become victims of pickpocketing, identity theft, sexual assault, and other crimes. Visitors are warned that marijuana sold in the Netherlands may contain higher levels of THC, the active chemical in marijuana, which may exacerbate the drug’s effects and a user’s judgment. “Coffee shops” and related areas are known for selling other illegal substances, such as psychotropic mushrooms and stronger drugs. Visitors are cautioned against using such substances, as they are often counterfeit and can cause illness or death. It is illegal to take any controlled substance, such as marijuana, into or out of the Netherlands.

A comprehensive indoor smoking ban includes all cafes, pubs, clubs, theatres, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, airports, shopping malls, amusement centers, etc. Smoking is only allowed in private homes, in the open air, in designated smoking areas, and in owner-operated cafes and bars with no employees.

Dutch customs authorities stringently enforce regulations concerning importation into the Netherlands of items such as firearms and other controlled materials. Contact the Embassy of the Netherlands in Washington, D.C., or one of the Dutch consulates in Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, or New York for specific information regarding customs requirements. It is illegal to own and/or possess aerosol self-defense sprays, such as mace or pepper spray, in the Netherlands.

You must carry identification at all times in the Netherlands if you are age 14 or older. Accepted forms of identification for U.S. citizens include a U.S. passport or a Dutch residence card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A copy of a U.S. passport is not sufficient under Dutch law.

Dutch authorities may require U.S. citizens who apply for or obtain Dutch nationality to renounce their U.S. citizenship. For further information, visit the Dutch immigration and naturalization authority website and the U.S. Consulate General website.

We are not aware of any special currency circumstances for this country.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBT events in the Netherlands. LGBT individuals enjoy full rights in the Netherlands. Dutch law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, including in the areas of taxes, allowances, pensions, inheritance, and access to health care. The Dutch government prioritizes combating anti-LGBT violence. The police have special units to protect the rights of LGBT persons. The courts can provide higher penalties to perpetrators of violence against LGBT persons if it was motivated by bias. Since January 2014 elementary and secondary schools are obliged to pay attention to diversity and LGBT issues. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in the Netherlands you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices For further information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in the Netherlands, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from in the United States. Dutch law guarantees equality and the right to access for people with disabilities. In the Netherlands, discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities is illegal. The law requires equal access to employment, education, health care, and other state services, and that persons with disabilities have access to public buildings, information, and communications. Despite continued progress, public buildings and public transport are not always easily accessible in practice. Criminal penalties--including fines and administrative sanctions--exist for those who do not provide sufficient access for handicapped individuals; however, government enforcement of the rules is limited. Information about accessibility in and around Amsterdam for travelers with disabilities is available on the Amsterdam guide.