Country guide

Netherlands

Visa

Visa required

Vaccinations

None required

Schengen area

Yes

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time zones

UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa). Daylight Savings from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa)

Dialing code

+ 31

Best time to go

Mid-April to mid-October. Rain is frequent throughout the year. The fog and mist can be very cold during the colder months.

Drinking water

Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink.

Visa guide

Visa requirements

Netherlands is a member of the Schengen Agreement.

If you intend to visit only Netherlands, you must apply at the Embassy of Netherlands / Visa Application Centre.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay.
If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.

See General Schengen Requirements

In addition:

NOTE: For every document, you must provide the original and one copy.

Visa application form to be completed online: consular.mfaservices.nl/schengen-visa/short-stay. Once completed, form must be printed and signed.
Refer to the checklist (see VFS Global website) for required documents.
Copy of all pages of passport
An appointment must be made at VFS for the submission of documents and biometrics. Applicants must appear in person to submit biometrics.

Visa application centre

See also: www.netherlandsworldwide.nl for visa information.

Visa Applications through VFS Global

Tel: 012 425 3005
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/nld/

Cape Town: 8th Floor 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001
Durban: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91-123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize Road), Essenwood, Durban
Johannesburg: 1st Floor, Rivonia Village, Corner Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road Sandton
Pretoria: Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn

Issuing authorities

Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria
210 Florence Ribeiro / Queen Wilhelmina Avenue, Cnr Muckleneuk Street, New Muckleneuk
Tel: 012 425 4500
Web: www.netherlandsandyou.nl/web/south-africa
Mon-Thurs: 9:00 - 17:00
Fri: 8:00-13:00

Consulate-General of the Netherlands, Cape Town
100 Strand St., Cape Town 8001.
Tel: 021 421 5660
By appointment

Visa processing time

Apply at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. Not more than 6 months before the visit.

Visa validity

Stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period

Visa cost

Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
VFS Service Fees: EUR 27 (ZAR 556)

The only acceptable modes of payment of visa fees are by credit/debit card (only at the Visa Application Centre) and cash deposit (at bank). Original deposit slip needs to be carried as evidence of payment when submitting your application at VFS Global Netherlands Visa Application Centre. All fees are non-refundable.

SA representative

SA Embassy
36 Wassenaarseweg, 2596 CJ The Hague
Tel: + 31 70 392 4501
E-mail: info.thehague@dirco.gov.za
Web: www.zuidafrika.nl

Health / vaccinations

Compulsory: None
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio

Public holidays

2026: Jan 1; Apr 3, 5-6, 27; May 5, 14, 24-25; Dec 25-26