Capital: Amsterdam
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)
Telephone services: Country Code: 31 (followed by 20 for Amsterdam, 10 for Rotterdam, and 70 for the Hague)
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.
Tourist information: Netherlands Board of Tourism, PO Box 523, London SW1E 6NT Tel: (0891) 717 777- 50p/min
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of EU countries (except Finland and Sweden) who hold a valid national ID card. When required they must be valid for at least 3 months after the last day of the intended visit.
Visa information: Visa required by all except: Nationals of Australia, Brunei, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Malawi, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, and Venezuela for up to 3 months. Nationals who do not require a visa to visit a country which is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement. The following do not require visas for any of the Schengen member states. a) EU nationals, b) Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, The Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City.
Health information: No innoculations are compulsary, but please seek medical advice prior to travel.
Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.
Currency: In common with12 Member States of the European Union (EU), here the Euro is the currency. There are seven different banknotes and eight coins of the Euro. Each participating EU country has coins with one common side and a reverse side specific to each country, while the banknotes look the same throughout the euro area. Exchange: Offices are indicated with the letters GWK. All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in any major international currency; are easily exchanged. ATM availability: Over 6000 locations
Cost of living: Similar to other Western European countries.
Languages: Dutch, English, French and German are also spoken.
Weather: 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.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.
Post: Approx. 5 days within Europe.
Transport: RAIL: The highly developed rail network is efficient and cheap. ROAD: Excellent road system. BUS: Extensive regional bus services exist. Long distance coach services operate between cities. TAXI: It is less usual to hail a taxi in the street in Holland. They are usually metered. CAR HIRE: Available from airports and main hotels. DOCUMENTATION: An international driving licence is not required as long as the licence from the country of origin is held. A ‘green card’ is advisable but not compulsory.
Special information: English is widely spoken and many locals will willingly use it. Casual clothes are acceptable everywhere. Possession of more than 30 grams of marijuana could lead to a hefty fine or even a jail sentence. Possession of hard drugs will result in immediate imprisonment.