Updated – Travelling to METS? Here’s everything you need to know

Marine Industry News has collated this information, using the gov.uk and government.nl websites. It is by no means exhaustive; travellers are advised to check the relevant guidance on a daily basis.

This has been prepared for UK residents.

Travel rules for the Netherlands, as of 25th October 2021:

Currently Dutch authorities classify the UK as a ‘very high risk country’. Only fully vaccinated UK nationals, who can provide acceptable proof of vaccination, will be allowed to enter the Netherlands.

Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from quarantine on arrival in the Netherlands.

You must be fully vaccinated AND show proof of a negative test

You can travel to the Netherlands if you have paper proof of vaccination. If you are travelling from an area that has been designated as very high-risk, proof of vaccination is not enough. In this case, you must also show a negative test result.

This requirement applies to everyone aged 12 or over. There are some exceptions.

  • Type of test:
    • The test used for a NAAT (PCR) test result must be a molecular NAAT (PCR) test (either PCR, RT PCR, LAMP, TMA or mPOCT) based on a sample collected no more than 48 hours before departure in the foreign country. 
    • For a rapid test result the test must be a rapid test conducted up to 24 hours before departure. Usually this is an antigen test but it can also be a NAAT (PCR) test.

No other type of test, including self-tests and serological tests used to detect antibodies in blood, is valid. 

Visit the gov.uk webpage to find out where you can obtain these tests and visit the government.nl webpage to see specific test requirements.

Before leaving, you must have ready your vaccination pass and printed vaccine declaration form.

To prove you are vaccinated, you must show your vaccination pass. This can be a digital or paper certificate. The vaccination certificate and the vaccine must meet the EU requirements. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.

If you are fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme, you can prove your vaccination status using either:

Please note, the NHS App is not the same as the NHS COVID-19 app.

You can also view your Covid-19 status online and download or print it as a PDF document. Just access the NHS COVID Pass via the NHS website.

For more information on the vaccine pass, such as how to get an NHS Covid Pass letter posted to you or what to do if you’re unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons, visit the government website.

You should also be prepared to show a completed vaccine declaration form, and are encouraged to print your own. Make sure the expiry date of the printed pass is after your return date.

After you get vaccinated, you will receive proof of vaccination. But the proof of vaccination does not become valid until:

  • 14 days after you get your second dose of the BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines, or
  • 28 days after you get the single-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine, or 14 days after you got the Janssen vaccine if the date of your vaccination was before 14 August 2021.

Visit the gov.nl site for specific information on proof of vaccination.

Travel Document

Passport must be valid for at least three months after departure.

You need to have a valid travel document in order to enter the Netherlands. This can be an identity card (for travel within Europe) or a passport. 

If you are coming from a country outside the Schengen area, your travel document must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area.

Whether you can enter the Netherlands without a visa depends on your nationality. You can stay in the Netherlands without a visa for a maximum of 90 days. British nationals do not require a Visa. If in doubt, use the online Schengen Visa Advisor.

Travelling by plane

If you start your journey in a safe area or country within the EU/Schengen and change planes in a high-risk area or very high risk area:

  • If you do not leave the airport in the high risk area or very high risk area, you are not required to show a negative test result.
  • If you leave the airport in the high risk area or very high risk area, however, the negative Covid-19 test requirement applies to you. 

If you start your journey in a high-risk or very high risk area and change planes in a safe country or area within the EU/Schengen:

  • The negative Covid-19 test requirement for travellers from a high-risk or very high risk area applies to you. 
  • The result remains valid during the transfer and if there is a flight delay. 

More information can be found here (https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/mandatory-negative-test-results-and-declaration/rules-when-changing-planes).

Travelling by Car

When driving in the Netherlands, you should always carry your:

  • driving licence
  • insurance documents
  • vehicle documents
  • photo ID such as a passport or residence permit

If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be required. You are not allowed to drive on a provisional licence.

Driving a British car abroad

You may need a GB sticker or a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK. From 28 September, UK stickers will replace GB stickers. Check the GOV.UK Displaying number plates website for more information on what to do if you are driving outside the UK before, on or after 28 September 2021.

If going through the Eurotunnel, have your passport ready when passing through British and French border controls.

When it’s time, drive straight through to the British and French border controls where your passport, vehicle and official documentation will be checked. Please have all passports to hand, removed from wallets and open at the photo page until you have cleared all controls.

You must bring a valid driving licence with you if you plan to drive a (rental) car or motorcycle in the Netherlands. Check if your driving licence is valid in the Netherlands.

Travelling back to the UK

These rules are constantly changing so please check the government website before leaving.

Assuming you are fully vaccinated, you must book a covid test and complete a passenger locator form before returning to the UK.

You will need to enter your Covid-19 test booking reference number on your passenger locator form.

You will be able to book an antigen lateral flow device (LFD) test instead of a PCR for your ‘on arrival’ test.

From 24 October fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18s arriving in England from countries not on the red list can take a cheaper lateral flow test, on or before day two of their arrival into the UK. These can be booked from 22 October.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

While you’re at the Metstrade show, look out for Issue 2 of the Marine Industry News (MIN) print edition.

One response to “Updated – Travelling to METS? Here’s everything you need to know”

  1. Hugo Montgomery-Swan says:

    A veritable honeycomb of COVID cubicles.