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Cars 4 Rental Information on Netherlands

General

Area: 41,528 sq km (16,034 sq miles).

Population: 16,103,401 (official estimate 2002).

Population Density: 475.4 per sq km.

Capital: Amsterdam. Population: 731,288 (2000). Seat of Government: The Hague. Population: 441,094 (2000).

GEOGRAPHY: The Netherlands shares borders to the south with Belgium and to the east with Germany, while the North Sea lies to the north and west. Large areas of The Netherlands have been reclaimed from the sea and consequently one-fifth of the country lies below sea level. The country is flat and level and is criss-crossed by rivers and canals. Areas reclaimed from the sea, known as polders, are extremely fertile. The landscape is broken by the forest of Arnhem, the bulb fields in the west, the lakes of the central and northern areas, and coastal dunes that are among the most impressive in Europe.

Government: Constitutional monarchy since 1848. Head of State: Queen Beatrix Van Oranje Nassau since 1980. Head of Government: Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende since 2002.

Language: Dutch is the official language. English, German and French are widely spoken.

Religion: 31 per cent Roman Catholic, 21 per cent Protestant; 40 per cent do not profess any religion.

Time: GMT + 1 (GMT from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are in use.

Communications:

Telephone

Full IDD is available. Country code: 31 (followed by 20 for Amsterdam, 10 for Rotterdam and 70 for The Hague). Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone information is given in French, English and German. There is a cheaper rate from Mon-Fri 2000-0800. Calls can be made from public booths or post offices. Most booths only accept cards, which can be bought at post offices, VVV offices, and shops displaying the PTT-telephone card poster; and sometimes coins.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900 and 1800 networks across The Netherlands. Operators include KPN Telecom (website: www.kpn.com), Orange (website: www.orange.nl), Telfort (website: www.telfort.nl) and T-mobile (website: www.t-mobile.nl).

Fax

Services are widely available and are also provided by some hotels.

Internet

There are many Internet cafes and some Internet access centres. Business centres also provide public access. Using the Internet is very straightforward in Amsterdam, where PCs are available free of charge in libraries and public buildings.

Telegram

Facilities are available at all main post offices; telegrams can also be sent directly from telephone kiosks.

Post

Stamps are available from all post offices as well as from tobacconists and kiosks selling postcards and souvenirs. Mail within Europe takes approximately 5 days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Some post offices in major towns are also open on late shopping nights (Thursday or Friday night) and Sat 1000-1300. There are all-night post offices in Amsterdam (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, behind the Royal Palace) and Rotterdam (Coolsingel).

Press

The main newspapers are NRC Handelsblad (an evening paper), De Telegraaf, Trouw and De Volkskrant. Foreign newspapers are widely available.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including The Netherlands). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Dutch Guilder was in circulation until 28 January 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency exchange: Exchange offices are indicated by the letters GWK. GWK is a national organisation with currency exchange offices at major railway stations, at Schiphol Airport and at the border crossings with Germany and Belgium. Hotels tend to charge high commissions. Verkoopt means sell, while Koopt means buy.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import and export of either local or foreign currency.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb '03 May '03
£1.00= 1.43 1.46 1.47 1.50
$1.00= 0.90 0.87 0.81 0.84

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600/1700.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No No
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No N/A
Malaria No N/A

Other risks: Rabies may be present in animals, although risk to travellers is very rare. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: The standard of health care (and other social services) is very high, with an unusually high proportion of the national income devoted to public health. There is a reciprocal health agreement with all other EU countries. On presentation of form E111 by UK residents (available from post offices or the Department of Health) medical treatment, including hospital treatment, is free; prescribed medicines and dental treatment must, however, be paid for. Further information can be obtained from The Netherlands General Sickness Insurance Fund (Algemeen Nederlands Onderling Ziekenfonds – ANOZ), at Kaap Hoorndreef 24-28, Utrecht, or the local sickness insurance office. Certain strong medicines can be taken to The Netherlands if they are accompanied by a doctor’s prescription. Outside of the EU, The Netherlands has reciprocal health agreements with Cape Verde, Morocco, Serbia and Montenegro, Tunisia and Turkey. All other travellers are advised to take out full medical insurance. For police, fire or ambulance emergencies, dial 112 anywhere in the country.

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Climate

Mild, maritime climate. Summers are generally warm with changeable periods, but excessively hot weather is rare. Winters can be fairly cold with the possibility of some snow. Rainfall is prevalent all year.

Required clothing: European according to season, with light- to mediumweights worn in warmer months and medium- to heavyweights in winter. Rainwear is advisable all year.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No No
Australian Yes No No
Canadian Yes No No
USA Yes No No
OtherEU 1 No No
Japanese Yes No No

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 3 months after the last day of the intended visit required by all except:
1. certain nationals of EU countries holding a valid national ID card. Enquire at the nearest Consulate/Embassy for further details.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 3 months:
(a) nationals referred to in the chart and under passport exemptions above;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey to/from other Schengen countries within 72 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: Nationals of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and the Syrian Arab Republic passing through The Netherlands always require a transit visa, unless holding a Residence Permit for the USA or EEA countries, UK or temporary residence permit for Canada and the USA, valid on the departure date from The Netherlands, with a confirmed onward ticket and are not leaving the transit lounge. Transit passengers are advised to check transit regulations with the relevant Embassy or Consulate before travelling.
If wishing to stay in The Netherlands for an uninterrupted stay of more than 3 months, an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV) is required, except for nationals of the EU (except nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia who do) and nationals of Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the USA.
Certificate of Identity holders are generally not recognised when issuing Schengen visas but, after approval is gained from the Central Authorities in the Netherlands, they may receive a Visa Declaration for Benelux (Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands only).

Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued free of charge for the relevant Schengen member nationals, for tourist, business and private visits. Short-stay, Multiple-entry and Transit visas are available for approximately €35, although prices are subject to change. All visas are subject to a non-refundable visa handling charge of about £25, depending on the type of visa and the exchange rate. The Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) can be contacted for further details.

Note: Spouses and children (under 21 years) and/or dependents of EU nationals (providing spouse’s passport and the original marriage/birth certificate, mentioning name of parents with certified translation in English for Embassy in London are produced) receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy or Consulate for details). Nationals of the Dominican Republic, Ghana, India, Nigeria and Pakistan should have their marriage and birth certificates verified and legalised by the relevant Netherlands Embassy or a visa fee will be charged.

Validity: Short-stay visas are valid for up to 6 months from date of issue for single- or multiple-entries of maximum 90 days per entry. Transit visas are valid for single- or multiple-entries of maximum 5 days per entry, including the day of arrival. Visas cannot be extended; a new application must be made each time.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Applications should be made in person. Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).

Application requirements: (a) Passport (valid for at least 3 months longer than the validity of the visa requested) containing a blank page to affix the visa, or official travel document accepted by Schengen countries. If travelling on a new passport, the old one must also be submitted. A residence permit should be endorsed in your current valid passport and must still be valid on departure from the Schengen area. (b) Completed application form, listing full address and daytime telephone number. For minors under 18 years, it is necessary to submit approval from both parents or legal guardians, submitting a copy of each parent’s/guardian’s passport. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Fee, where applicable (payable in cash or by postal order). (e) Travel insurance policy covering medical expenses, including emergency hotel treatment and repatriation, taken out in the UK, and with a minimum cover of €30 per day. (f) Evidence of sufficient funds for period of stay (eg bank statements or travellers cheques amounting to a minimum of £30 per day). Business: (a)-(f) and, (g) An invitation from a Dutch company confirming duration and purpose of stay, and a recent letter from the applicant’s employer, solicitor, bank manager or local Chamber of Commerce, plus last payslip. If unemployed, submit a letter from a solicitor, accountant or Company House. If unemployed, submit Social Security booklet. Student: (a)-(f) and, (g) A letter from the applicant’s school, college or university. Tourist/Family Visits: (a)-(f) and, (g) Original recent letter of guarantee legalised by town hall from sponsor in The Netherlands with a copy of his/her passport, residence permit and pay slips for the last 3 months, plus proof of accommodation. Airport Transit: (a)-(f) and, (g) Confirmed non-refundable and non-endorsable airline ticket.

Note: (a) The number of forms and photos required may vary according to the nationality of the applicant. (b) The applicant may also be asked to provide further relevant documentation in certain cases. (c) Applications must be made in person for those residing in the vicinity of London, UK, and appointments to do so must be made in advance by telephoning the automated telephone appointments booking service (tel: (09065) 540 720; calls cost £1 per minute). For those married to a Dutch national, it is not necessary to telephone the automated booking service. Those married to Dutch nationals may visit the Embassy in London from 0900-1100 on any working day, or visit another of the Dutch consulates in the UK. An original marriage certificate and original passport of Dutch spouse must be submitted. Postal applications are not accepted.

Working days required: Normally within 24 hours, but can take up to 3 months for certain nationals. It is essential to apply with plenty of time to spare (3 weeks at the very least).

Temporary residence: Work permit and residence permit required for non-EU nationals. Enquire at Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further information; see Contact Addresses section.

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