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Netherlands visas
Netherlands is a member of both the European Union and the Schengen Area. For short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), most travellers use the shared Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) or, if they are visa-exempt, ETIAS — the rules are shared across the Area, so see our Schengen guide for the full detail. For stays of more than 90 days, Netherlands issues its own national long-stay (Type D) visas and residence permits under its own procedures. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay — always confirm what applies to you with the official guidance and Netherlands’s embassy or consulate before you travel.
- Official informationFrom government sources
- Clear guidanceStep-by-step explanations
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Important information
Short-stay rules for Netherlands are shared across the Schengen Area — whether you need a visa, and what applies to you, depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay. Long stays (over 90 days) are national: the long-stay visa (Type D) is issued by Netherlands under its own rules. We do not publish Netherlands’s national fees, processing times or eligibility until they have been verified against official sources — always confirm what you need with the official European Commission guidance and Netherlands’s embassy or consulate before you travel or apply.
Find the right Netherlands visa for you
Choose the category that matches your plans. Each route explains who it is for, what it covers and how to apply.
Netherlands visa overview
How to apply – in 3 simple steps
- Check eligibilityUse the quick checker to confirm which visa you need for your trip.
- Prepare documentsGather your passport, photos and supporting paperwork using our guides.
- Submit & trackSubmit your application and track its progress.
Apply for a Netherlands visa
Start an application online and follow the guided steps.
Explore Netherlands visa types
Every Netherlands route we cover, with a short summary of who it is for.
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C)
The uniform short-stay visa for visits to Netherlands of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, valid across the whole Schengen Area. The rules are shared across the Area — see the Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) guide for the full details.
Netherlands National Long-Stay Visa (Type D)
For stays in Netherlands of more than 90 days — work, study, family or residence — issued under Netherlands’s own national procedures, not the shared Schengen short-stay visa.
Popular Netherlands guides
People also asked
Do I need a visa to visit Netherlands?
Netherlands is in the Schengen Area, so short visits (up to 90 days in any 180) follow the shared Schengen rules. Whether you need a short-stay visa depends on your nationality — some travellers are visa-exempt and use ETIAS instead. Check our Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) guide and confirm what applies to your nationality before you travel.
How long can I stay in Netherlands on a short stay?
According to the European Commission, short-stay visitors may stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, including Netherlands. See our 90/180-day rule explainer to understand how the rolling window works.
What if I want to stay in Netherlands for more than 90 days?
Stays of more than 90 days need Netherlands’s national long-stay visa (Type D), which Netherlands issues under its own rules — not the shared Schengen short-stay rules. Confirm the requirements with Netherlands’s embassy or consulate before you apply.