Is It Safe to Travel to Netherlands in 2026?
Netherlands - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
The Netherlands, also informally known as Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Is It Safe to Travel to Netherlands in 2026?
Netherlands is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in the Netherlands due to terrorism, as terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks. Petty crime, including pickpocketing and passport theft, is common in tourist areas, targeting tourists in popular locations.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- terrorism
- crime
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face a heightened risk of petty crime, particularly pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas like Amsterdam's city center and public transport hubs.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to potential terrorism threats, particularly in busy locations like airports and hotels, though infrastructure remains reliable.
Families with children should be cautious of petty crime in tourist hotspots and ensure children's safety in crowded areas where theft is common.
Remote workers can find suitable environments in urban areas with good WiFi, but should remain vigilant in public spaces due to crime risks.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Netherlands.
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▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Netherlands has an overall threat severity of 2.7 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 97/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Not required for U.S. citizens
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Dutch
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Netherlands
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Netherlands?
▶Is it safe to travel to Netherlands right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Netherlands?
▶What vaccines do I need for Netherlands?
▶Is Netherlands safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Netherlands?
More Netherlands Data
Free — 97/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.