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The Netherlands Practical information The Netherlands

 
 
Area : 16033  sq.mi - Population 16000000 hab.
The Netherlands

Our expert The Netherlands

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map The Netherlands

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Practical information The Netherlands

superficie

Area

16033  sq.mi
vol

Flights

Around 2 hrs 15 mins. Amsterdam is 221 mi from London.
decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

16000000 hab.
aeroports proche

Airports

Schiphol airport is located 11 miles out of the centre of Amsterdam. Allow 30 minutes to go into town by taxi (?20, £ 18), 15 minutes by train (about ?6, £4) and 40 minutes by bus (about ?5, £3).
securite

Security

Soft drug consumption is authorized within coffee-shops. For personal use, the possession of 5 grams (0.2 ounces) is accepted. Beyond this quantity, you will be considered a dealer, which is illegal. As for hard drugs (including LSD), nothing is tolerated.
Beware of the problem of theft in large cities. In order to avoid it, try to respect the traditional safety rules: do not leave anything in your car, keep an eye on personal belongings and do not display your valuables.
langue

Languages

The official language is Dutch, a derivative of the Western dialect, Low-Frankish. In the province of Friesland, people speak Frisian, another Germanic language. The inhabitants speak English fluently and many also speak German.
formalites

Requirements

For European citizens who wish to spend less than three months in the Netherlands, a valid identity card or passport are sufficient.
religion

Religion

31% of the population are Catholics and 22% are Protestants. There is also a small Jewish community. However, as a general rule, the people are not strong believers or assiduous church goers. Over 40% of the population do not belong to any religious denomination.
monnaie

Currency

The currency is the Euro. Most international credit cards are accepted (American Express, Visa, Eurocard, etc.) as well as traveller's cheques. Bring enough cash with you, because Dutch businesses prefer to be paid in cash rather than by credit card or traveller's cheques. Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
transports

Local transportation

The railway network is very complex and it allows to travel fast, in good conditions and at affordable prices. If you want to go around the whole country, driving remains the best solution. There is no age restriction if yiou wish to rent a car.
The bravest among you will opt for cycling, and fortunately there are many cycling paths all across the country, the distances are fairly short and the relief quite flat, typically Dutch! To go to places within the city, buses, underground trains and tramways are at your disposal.
sante

Health

No particular vaccination is required. Reimbursement of medical expenses is made on presentation of your European Health card which must be picked up at your local health care centre.
electricite

Electricity

220 V. An adapter is unnecessary.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

taxe

Taxes and tips

Service is included in the bill but it is a custom to leave a tip in restaurants or for taxi drivers if you are satisfied with the service.
telephone

Telephone

To call the Netherlands from the UK: 00 (international) + 31 (country code of the Netherlands) + regional code excluding the initial 0 (20 for Amsterdam, 10 for Rotterdam, 70 for the Hague) + number.
To call the UK from the Netherlands: 00 (international + 44 (country code for the UK) +number excluding the initial 0.