From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL The Netherlands Consular Information Sheet Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 15:45:27 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2239 Path: world!bzs Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199906081547.KAA83318@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 149 The Netherlands - Consular Information Sheet June 7, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Netherlands is a highly-developed, stable democracy. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for visits of up to 90 days. For more information concerning entry requirements for the Netherlands, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Netherlands at 4200 Linnean Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel (202) 244-5300, or the Dutch consulate in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco. Additional information is available at http://www.netherlands-embassy.org and http://www.goholland.com. CRIME INFORMATION: While the rate of violent crime in the Netherlands is low, tourists are occasionally targeted, usually in conjunction with robbery attempts. Visitors to larger cities frequently fall prey to pickpockets, bag snatchers, and other petty thieves. While thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam receives frequent reports of thefts from several specific areas: - The train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station is particularly plagued by gangs of thieves, who often work in pairs. In those instances, one thief distracts the victim, often by asking for directions, while an accomplice moves in on the victim's momentarily unguarded handbag, backpack, or briefcase. The thieves typically time their thefts to coincide with train stops so they may quickly exit. - Within Amsterdam, thieves are very active in and around the Central Train Station, the red light district, in restaurants, and on public transportation, especially Trams One, Two, and Five between the Central Station and the Museum District. - Throughout the Netherlands, thefts of bicycles and of personal belongings from automobiles are very common. The loss or theft abroad of an U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables and protecting personal safety while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State9s pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad." It is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su docs, or http://travel.state.gov. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are widely available. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available via its home page and autofax service. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention9s international traveler9s hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877- 394-8747), via their autofax service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3229), or their Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Netherlands is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent In urban areas, motorists must be especially mindful of the priority rights of bicyclists. Lanes at the center of many urban two-way streets are reserved for buses, trams, and taxis. Pedestrians should pay particular attention not to walk along bicycle paths, which are often on the sidewalk and usually designated by red pavement. Taxi service in the Netherlands is safe but expensive. Trams and buses are both convenient and economical, but they are frequented by pickpockets. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the Netherlands9 Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of the Netherlands9 air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA9s Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Dutch laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Drug possession and trafficking are illegal in the Netherlands. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Monitor the home page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs for updates on Y2K issues. See also the Government of the Netherlands Internet websites regarding Y2K issues at http://www.fhi.nl/2000/ and http://www.mp2000.nl/. CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or tel. (202) 736-7000. EMBASSY/CONSULATE LOCATIONS/REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the Consulate General in Amsterdam and to obtain updated information on travel and security in the Netherlands. The U.S. Embassy is located in The Hague, at Lange Voorhout 102; telephone (31)(70) 310-9209. However, all requests for consular assistance should be directed to the Consulate General in Amsterdam at Museumplein 19, telephone (31)(20) 664-5661, (31)(20)679-0321, or (31)(20) 575-5309. The after-hours emergency telephone number is (31)(70) 310-9499. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General website at http://www.usemb.nl answers many questions of interest to Americans visiting or residing in the Netherlands. ***** This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 24, 1998, to update information on Entry Requirements, Medical Facilities, Crime, Drug Penalties, and Embassy/Consulate locations and to add information on Medical Insurance, Other Health Information, Children's Issues, and Y2K.