Entering Netherlands from Canada with ETIAS
Before travelling to the country from Canada, it’s essential to check Netherlands entry requirements for Canadian citizens. From 2026, Canadians who travel to the Netherlands or other Schengen countries will be required to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver before their trip.
The visa waiver for the Netherlands and Europe is being implemented as a border management tool to screen potential security risks and streamline document checks. It is intended to improve security within European borders and to make travel safer and easier for everyone.
The online ETIAS Netherlands application is simple and will only take around 10 minutes to complete. It will also greatly speed up the process of entering the country and the Schengen Area as a whole.
Please note that ETIAS is not a visa, but will nevertheless be mandatory for eligible travellers. Read on to learn more about the ETIAS Netherlands and if you need a visa to visit the Netherlands.
Can Canadians travel to the Netherlands?
Yes, you can travel to the Netherlands from Canada provided that you have a relevant visa or travel authorisation and a Canadian passport.
You should keep in mind, however, that temporary travel restrictions from Canada to the Netherlands and other limitations may apply.
You should check the latest information and government announcements before travelling to the Netherlands from Canada.
Do Canadians need a visa for the Netherlands?
No, Canadians do not need a visa for the Netherlands. To enjoy visa-free travel, Canadians need to intend to visit the Netherlands for short-term trips of maximum 90 days and for business or leisure.
However, the Netherlands entry requirements for Canadian citizens will change in 2026. The ETIAS travel authorisation will become mandatory for Canadians to enter the Netherlands and the Schengen Area.
ETIAS is not a visa for the Netherlands, but an electronic traveller registration and authorisation system. The same travel purpose and maximum length of stay conditions will apply.
Should a Canadian citizen wish to remain in the country for longer or to stay for other purposes (for example, work or study), they need to obtain a relevant Schengen visa. The same rule will apply after the ETIAS Netherlands implementation.
Dutch embassies and immigration offices abroad will be able to help you figure out which Canada to Netherlands visa is right for you.
Do Canadians need a visa for Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is part of the Netherlands, and so the same entry requirements apply as the rest of the country. You do not need a visa to visit Amsterdam as a Canadian citizen for short stays.
However, as stated above, you’ll need to have an approved ETIAS Netherlands to travel to Amsterdam from Canada from 2026. For stays longer than 90 days, you’ll need to first obtain a Netherlands visa from Canada.
How can Canadians apply for ETIAS to visit the Netherlands?
To get a visa waiver, Canadian citizens must complete the online ETIAS Netherlands application form and meet the Netherlands ETIAS requirements for Canadians.
While completing the application, Canadian travellers will need to provide:
- Data from their passport information page: such as name, country of birth, date of birth, and passport number
- Current address
- Working email address
- Valid debit or credit card
ETIAS Netherlands applicants will also need to answer a few questions about health and security matters. You’ll also need to provide some information on their travel plans for the Netherlands and Europe.
The information provided on the Netherlands ETIAS application is checked against international security databases, and most Canadian applicants will receive an approval within minutes.
In order to receive the ETIAS Netherlands, you’ll need to pay the visa waiver fee with a credit or debit card and provide an email address that the approved permit for Europe will be sent to.
ETIAS visa waiver to the Netherlands from Canada
After receiving a ETIAS Netherlands visa waiver via email, Canadian citizens will be ready to travel to the Netherlands. We advise you to bring a printed or digital copy of the ETIAS document to present at the Dutch border alongside your passport.
Once Canadian passport holders have received the approved ETIAS visa waiver for Europe, they will not only have permission to enter the Netherlands but to visit the other countries in the Schengen Zone.
The ETIAS authorisation to the Netherlands is valid for a period of 3 years. It allows the holder to stay for up to 90 days within a 180 day period. Remember that you’ll need to get a Canada to Netherlands visa for longer consecutive stays.
Passport and document requirements to enter the Netherlands from Canada
The ETIAS requirements for Canadians travelling to the Netherlands and the rest of Europe are straightforward. You have a valid Canadian passport. They must also have at least 2 blank pages free in their passport to receive an entry stamp for the Netherlands.
The passport requirements for the Netherlands for Canadian citizens involve having a passport with a minimum of 6 months of validity remaining after your planned arrival in the Netherlands or other ETIAS countries. You must also have at least 2 blank pages free in their passport to receive an entry stamp to travel to the Netherlands.
Travelling to the Netherlands from Canada
To travel to the Netherlands from Canada, you will need either a visa waiver or Netherlands visa from Canada, depending on the purpose of your stay. This is essential to be granted entry by the Dutch border authorities.
Canadian citizens on business or tourism stays of under 90 days who have the ETIAS Netherlands visa waiver do not require further documentation. A Netherlands residence permit is needed for Canadians wishing to live and work in The Netherlands for longer periods.
If travelling with an ETIAS Netherlands, make sure to carry the passport used during the application online. This is essential to be granted entry into the Netherlands.
Information for Canadians travelling to the Netherlands
The Hague, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam are the principal cities and population centres in the Netherlands. Most tourists who travel to the country visit the capital, Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The vast number of tourist attractions in Amsterdam include the world-famous canals, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House. This is in addition to its many open-air markets, including the Bloemenmarkt, the only floating flower market in the world.
Outside of the capital city, tourists can visit the incredibly well-preserved historic windmills and houses of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Health information for travellers to the Netherlands
Healthcare in the Netherlands meets very high standards, as is the case in most of the Schengen Area countries, and Canadians can rest assured that they will be well taken care of.
However, foreign visitors to the Netherlands are not covered by the Dutch National Health Service. For this reason, we advise Canadian passport holders to get travel insurance covering the possible use of emergency services and hospital stays.
- The Netherlands emergency services number is 112
- Make sure measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations are up to date
- Pack a travel health kit. Although quality healthcare in the Netherlands is available, some medication may not be available and the kit may also come in use if travelling outside major city centres
- Carry prescription medication in clearly identified packaging. Check with the government of the Netherlands to ensure the medication is legal in the country
Canadian embassy and consulates in the Netherlands
Travel to the Netherlands is usually very safe for Canadians. However, if for any reason you need consular assistance, you can contact one of the foreign missions for Canada located in the country.
Embassy of Canada in The Hague
- Address: Sophialaan 7, 2514 JP, The Hague, The Netherlands
- Telephone: 31 (0) 70 311-1600