Netherlands
Amsterdam
Essential facts
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Dutch (English very widely spoken)
Time zone
Central European Time · UTC +1 (UTC +2 in summer)
Typical weather
Mild maritime climate with rain year-round. Summers around 17–22°C, winters around 2–7°C. Bring a waterproof layer in any season.
Plug type
Type F and Type C · 230V
Getting around
Trams, metro and buses run on the OV-chipkaart or contactless card. Cycling is the local default and rental is easy. Trains from Schiphol reach Centraal in about 15 minutes.
Local customs
Keep out of the red cycle lanes — they are for bikes and locals ride fast. Photographing people in the Red Light District is prohibited. Dutch directness is meant plainly, not rudely.
Travel tips
Book the Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum well in advance; both sell out. Many places are card-only. Watch for bikes when stepping off trams.
Entry requirements for British citizens
- Visa
- British citizens can travel without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area as a whole.
- Passport
- Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you intend to leave.
- Return ticket
- You may be asked to show a return or onward ticket.
- Accommodation
- You may be asked to show proof of where you are staying.
- Health
- No specific vaccination requirements for entry. Check the latest health guidance before travelling.
- Customs
- Duty-free and cash declaration limits apply when entering from outside the EU.
Always check before you travel