COVID 19 update May
May 18th, 2020
The EU proposal of an entry ban for non-essential travel has been extended until 15 June 2020. The Dutch Cabinet has decided to adopt this EU-proposal. From 19 March 2020 onwards, the conditions for entry by persons wishing to travel to The Netherlands have been tightened. Currently, the ban is effective until 15 June 2020 in The Netherlands, but it may be prolonged.
The ban restricts all non-essential travel from third countries into the EU. This includes tourists, business travellers, temporary family visits etc. In practice this means that the EU Member States and the Schengen associated countries can refuse entry to non-resident third country nationals at their external borders.
Exceptions of the travel ban
The travel restriction does not apply to the following categories of persons:
- EU citizens (including UK nationals) and members of their families;
- Nationals of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and their family members;
- Third-country nationals holding a residence card or a residence permit in accordance with Directive 2003/109/EC (LTR Directive);
- Third-country nationals who derive their right of residence from other European Directives or from the national law of a Member State;
- Holders of a long-stay visa, including persons with a temporary residence permit (MVV);
- Other persons with an essential function or need, including: personnel working in health care, border workers, persons employed in the transportation of goods (where necessary), diplomats, military personnel, personnel of international and humanitarian organizations, persons who have compelling reasons to visit their families, transit passengers who wish to travel via The Netherlands to another third country, persons in need of international protection (the border procedure applies in full), persons who are admitted for humanitarian reasons.
The treaty officers at the border will determine whether the exception is applicable. Therefore, we recommend assignees that they travel well documented.
