Netherlands Travel Safety

Precautions

Be vigilant at all times and pay attention to your surroundings. Ensure that personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times. Do not carry valuables or large sums of money on your person. Never leave baggage or personal belongings unattended.

Road safety

Roads conditions and road safety are excellent throughout the country. Be cautious when driving and keep the following in mind: cyclists have priority over other traffic, trams have priority except where sign posted at major junctions (trams sometimes share pedestrian streets, always be alert when walking near tram rails), busses have priority when pulling out of bus stops, unless otherwise sign posted, vehicles coming from the right have priority. If you're driving or on foot, pay attention to cyclists and when crossing bike paths. While on foot, make sure you're not inadvertently walking on a bike path. These commonly run alongside sidewalks and are not always clearly marked.

Identification

You must carry valid identification at all times if you are over the age of 14. Law enforcement authorities may fine you if you fail to show them appropriate identification upon request. The following documents, if valid, are acceptable identification: Passports, dutch residence permits, driver's licences issued in the Netherlands or elsewhere in the European Union and the European Economic Area. Keep photocopies or digital copies of the following documents in case they are lost or seized:the identification page of your passport, your birth certificate, your driver's licence. Keep originals and copies in separate, safe locations.

Women's safety

Netherlands is generally safe, the country is very friendly for females travelling alone. women travelling alone should maintain personal security awareness. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Women, particularly foreigners may be subject to unwanted male attention and catcalls in certain places. Be vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance and exercise common precautions throughout your travel.

Scams

Organized groups of thieves often use distracting techniques. Typically, a member of the group will distract someone by spilling something on them or asking for directions, while others rob the victim.

Crime

Petty crime (such as pickpocketing and bag snatching) occurs in the larger cities, particularly in Amsterdam. Thieves often target tourists. Thieves operate on trains. They time their activities to coincide with train stops, which allows for a quick exit. If you are the victim of an armed robbery, do not resist. Attackers have sometimes assaulted their victims for failing to comply or not complying quickly enough. Home burglaries occur, particularly in larger cities during the winter holiday period. Thieves will often watch a property and break in when they know the residents are away. In Amsterdam thieves are typically active in: restaurants and cafés establishments that sell soft drugs (locally referred to as coffee shops), tourist attractions, including around the de Wallen district (the red-light district), Central Station, public transportation, particularly tram routes 1, 2 and 5, between Central Station and the museum district. Always be alert and be particularly cautious on trains. Travellers have had their passports and other valuable documents stolen in hostels. Report the loss or theft of identification documents immediately to the nearest police station. Obtain a copy of the police report, keep it on your person and apply for a replacement document as soon as possible. To file a police report, authorities in certain jurisdictions require your passport or at least a copy. Before you go, make sure to make a photocopy to bring with you or keep a digital copy of your passport.

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery. Such incidents have been reported.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities and further attacks are likely. Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks. Targets could include:government buildings, including schools, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs and networks, public areas such as tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, bars, cafe's, shopping centres, markets and other sites frequented by foreigners. The Dutch government maintains a public alert system on terrorism and communicates threat level changes online and through local media (including social media).

LGBT

Netherlands have been some of the most progressive in the world and has an established tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality, but there are still isolated incidents of homophobic related discrimination. Amsterdam has frequently been named one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the world, famous for its many accommodations specifically pertaining to the LGBT community, including its many gay bars, bathhouses, hotels, and venues as well as Pink Point, which provides LGBT-friendly information and souvenirs, and the national Homomonument.

Illegal drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Despite a common misconception, soft drugs like marijuana are controlled substances. Some establishments (locally known as coffee shops) are allowed to sell soft drugs for personal use, but there are restrictions in place: the establishment must be licenced buyers, must be residents of the Netherlands (in certain municipalities). You could face a jail sentence and heavy fines for trafficking, attempting to travel in or out of the Netherlands with soft drugs (eve if for personal use)using drugs outside licensed establishments, attempting to buy drugs at a licensed establishment but you are not a resident of the Netherlands

Driving

You should carry an International Driving Permit. You must be at least 18 years old to drive a car in the Netherlands. Penalties for drinking and driving are severe. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. Traffic offences and parking violations can carry heavy, on-the-spot fines. If you are fined, always ask for a receipt. The use of cellular telephones while driving is prohibited, unless they are fitted with a hands-free device.