Visa-free travel: 185 countries open for Dutch passport holders

The Dutch passport is one of the strongest in the world: 191 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival. Here are the 30 most worth visiting.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Europe (Schengen + UK)

All Schengen countries, UK (180 days), Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Turkey, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Moldova, Ukraine. All visa-free.

Southeast Asia

Thailand (30 days), Malaysia (90 days), Singapore (90 days), Philippines (30 days), Indonesia (30 days), Vietnam (45 days as of 2026), Cambodia (visa-on-arrival), Laos (visa-on-arrival), Brunei (30 days).

Asia broader

Japan (90 days), South Korea (90 days), Taiwan (90 days), Hong Kong (90 days), Macau (90 days), Mongolia (30 days), Sri Lanka (30 days ETA), Maldives (30 days).

Caribbean

Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire (all Dutch territory), Dominican Republic (30 days), Jamaica (90 days), Bahamas (90 days), Trinidad (90 days), Barbados (180 days).

South America

Brazil (90 days), Argentina (90 days), Chile (90 days), Colombia (90 days), Peru (90 days), Ecuador (90 days), Uruguay (90 days). Bolivia: visa-on-arrival.

Africa visa-free or on arrival

Morocco (90 days), Tunisia (90 days), Egypt (visa-on-arrival €25), Senegal (90 days), Kenya (e-visa $50), Tanzania (visa-on-arrival $50), South Africa (90 days), Mauritius (60 days).

Australia + Oceania

Australia (90 days eTA, free), New Zealand (90 days, eTA $17), Fiji (4 months), Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu (all 90 days).

Where you DO need a visa

USA: ESTA $21. China: visa $90, 4-6 weeks application. Russia: e-visa available. India: e-tourist visa $40. Saudi Arabia: e-visa $100. Cuba: tourist card €25.

How strong is the Dutch passport?

The Dutch passport ranks fourth in the Henley Passport Index 2026. Dutch citizens can travel to 185 destinations without a visa, with a visa on arrival, or with a simple electronic travel authorisation.

For comparison: Singapore ranks first with 192 destinations, Japan and South Korea rank second with 187, and Sweden and the UAE rank third with 186. The gap with the top is small: with a Dutch passport you are welcome in virtually every popular travel destination without visiting an embassy in advance.

Electronic travel authorisations: what Dutch travellers need to know

Several visa-free destinations now require a paid electronic authorisation before you board. These are not visas but short online forms you complete in advance:

• United Kingdom (ETA): Dutch citizens need a UK ETA for stays under 6 months. Cost is approximately 10 pounds sterling, valid for 2 years or until passport expiry. Apply via the official UKVI app.
• Canada (eTA): Required for air travel to Canada. Cost is 7 Canadian dollars, valid for 5 years. Apply on the official Government of Canada website.
• Australia (ETA): Electronic authorisation required for tourist visits. Cost is 20 Australian dollars. Apply via the official Australian ETA app or website.
• USA (ESTA): Electronic System for Travel Authorisation required for air and sea travel to the US. Cost is 21 US dollars, valid for 2 years or until passport expiry. Apply on the official ESTA website.

All these authorisations are processed online in 5 to 30 minutes and are typically approved within minutes to a few hours. They are not visas: no embassy visit, no appointment, just a form and a small fee.

Practical tips for visa-free travel

• Check passport validity. Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry, not just at departure. Renew in good time: an expired or near-expiry passport is the most common reason for boarding denial.
• Note the maximum stay. Visa-free does not mean unlimited. Thailand permits 30 visa-free days; a longer stay requires a tourist visa applied for in advance. Check the maximum permitted duration for each destination.
• Carry proof of onward travel. Many countries require a return or onward ticket as proof you will leave. Border officers in Thailand, Mexico and the USA in particular check this.
• Have funds available. Some border officers ask for evidence of sufficient funds, typically shown by a credit card or a bank statement. The US guideline is approximately 100 dollars per day of stay.
• Dual nationality. If you also hold a non-EU passport, using it for specific destinations can be advantageous. Always check entry requirements for the passport you intend to use.

Updated 24 October 2026.