On September 4, the Netherlands increased its entry restrictions for travellers entering from high-risk or very-high-risk countries, which includes South Africa.
While all types of travel (rather than essential travel only) are now allowed from South Africa to the Netherlands, there are still restrictions, including quarantine.
*Within the EU, Germany and Hungary are designated high-risk areas. Travellers from these countries have to show a vaccination certificate, a recovery certificate, or a negative test before entering the Netherlands.
*Non-EU countries considered high risk are US, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, Lebanon and North Macedonia. Travellers from these countries can enter only if they have a certificate of full vaccination and proof of a negative test. Some may be subjected to a 10-day self-quarantine.
There are further restrictions for two other groups – high-risk and very-high-risk countries that are deemed to have “worrying” variants. These include South Africa and certain countries in South and Central America.
*High-risk countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Only fully vaccinated travellers from these countries will be allowed to enter the EU and the Netherlands. They also need a negative test certificate, a health declaration and, in most cases, no mandatory quarantine.
*The very-high-risk countries are Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, Venezuela and South Africa. (Previously, only essential travel to the Netherlands from South Africa was allowed – now all types of travel are permitted, with the restrictions applied.)
Travellers from these very-high-risk countries, South Africa included, need a negative test result, taken a maximum of 48 hours before departure. Tests accepted are PCR, RT PCR, LAMP, TMA, or mPOCT. Alternatively, antigen tests taken a maximum of 24 hours before departure are also accepted. Travellers must self-quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the Netherlands and can take a test on day five and end quarantine early with a negative test result.
