Schengen visa question: Can my Thai girlfriend simply travel to the Netherlands despite corona?
Dear Rob/Editor,
My friends has Schengen visa for 2 years, multiple entry. The last time, despite corona, she was still able to travel to the Netherlands under the arrangement of long-distance relationships. Now I hear stories that that arrangement has been canceled until further notice from the end of January this year? Or does that only apply to people who would still have to apply for a visa?
Has anyone recently (last week) brought their Thai partner to the Netherlands with a Schengen visa? Or are the stories I hear correct and our government is now also taking this away from me?
Hopefully someone has a clear answer. There is no rope to tie anymore.
Dear Sander,
At the moment, Thai people and other people can simply travel from Thailand to the Netherlands. They can also apply for a visa to travel to the Netherlands. Thailand is currently on the list of safe countries. There are therefore no restrictions or special requirements: entry is possible, no Corona test required, no Covid rapid test, no corona-free statement or medical statement regarding health, etc. However, everyone who travels in and out of the Netherlands (both Dutch and foreign) must complete a questionnaire fill in a statement about their health. You will receive this from the airliner, but it can also be found online on the national government's webpage.
Of course, the situation can change from day to day. If Thailand is nevertheless removed from the European safe list, there is no need to worry. The Netherlands has a special arrangement so that Dutch people with a long-term foreign relationship (ie: you have a marriage or demonstrably unmarried relationship of at least six months) can also continue to travel, even if the country is labeled unsafe. Then someone has to go through various Corona control steps. Fortunately, that is not an issue for people like you at the moment.
Also note that although the Netherlands does not have any special requirements for you now, some airlines do. For example, you can travel with KLM without extra papers, but a Qatar Airlines, for example, requires a negative Covid test. So check this carefully with your airline!
The tam-tam can sometimes serve as a quick alarm bell, but unfortunately it is also a source of misunderstandings. For the most up-to-date information, please regularly check the following official pages:
- https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/eu-list-of-safe-countries
- https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/checklist
(note: confusingly enough, not every point clearly states that safe countries are exempt from tests, etc. But: safe country = no corona test necessary)
- https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/thailand/reizen/reisadvies
Tip: also keep the above pages at hand if you encounter a border guard or check-in staff who believe that restrictions (mandatory test, declaration, etc.) are indeed required.
Attention!!: there are different requirements for Belgium. They are stricter! See also the responses under this reader question about traveling to Europe:
- https://www.thailandblog.nl/visum-kort-verblijf/schengenvisum-vraag-een-thaise-kennis-naar-nederland-laten-komen/
Regards and success,
Rob V