Countries › Netherlands
Netherlands
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- types C, F · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble.
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 50 | 80 | 100 (day), 130 (night) |
| With a trailer or caravan | 50 | 80 | 90 |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes A few tolls
No tolls except the Westerschelde and Kil tunnels.
Low-emission zones
Environmental zones ("milieuzone") in about twenty cities for old diesels, enforced by cameras.
Boondocking Banned
Wild camping and sleeping in vehicles outside campgrounds banned almost everywhere. Many motorhome stops ("camperplaats").
Mandatory equipment
- Warning triangle
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Good to know
- Bikes everywhere: look before turning right.
Frequently asked questions
- Netherlands: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble. Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- Netherlands: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 50 in town, 80 on rural roads, 100 (day), 130 (night) on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 80 on rural roads, 90 on motorways.
- Netherlands: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- No tolls except the Westerschelde and Kil tunnels.
- Netherlands: are there low emission zones?
- Environmental zones ("milieuzone") in about twenty cities for old diesels, enforced by cameras.
- Netherlands: is wild camping allowed?
- Banned. Wild camping and sleeping in vehicles outside campgrounds banned almost everywhere. Many motorhome stops ("camperplaats").
- Netherlands: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Warning triangle, Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back.