Netherlands : Safety by CityA country with, according to many, the most interesting capital in Europe, the Netherlands shares its borders with Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and France in the Caribbean.
It is known for its rich cultural heritage and its reputation as a country of painters, windmills, clogs, and flatlands.
Today, it is a contemporary European country with an international character and a liberal spirit towards everyone, which is the biggest reason tourists adore coming here, especially Amsterdam, Europe’s “capital of the free-spirited.”
The Netherlands also boasts wonderful landscapes that are comprised mostly of flatlands, as hills may be found only at the Veluwe and Southern Limburg.
In the Netherlands, industrialized farming is extremely developed: so much so, in fact, that today it is one of the largest food exporters in the world.
However, tourists expecting to see the gorgeous landscapes filled with tulips and windmills might be surprised, since areas like that do exist, but they have to be found (for example, in the Waterland and Zaan Region) and they are so secluded that even most Dutch have never been there.
Warnings & Dangers in Netherlands
OVERALL RISK : LOW
The Netherlands is generally a very safe country to travel to. Its crime rates are low, and your biggest concern in this country might be pickpockets. Use common sense and apply basic precaution measures that should minimize the chances of something going wrong.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW
Transportation in the Netherlands is generally safe and reliable, but it is advised to be careful in public transportation since that's where pickpockets operate.
PICKPOCKETS RISK : MEDIUM
There is risk of pickpockets, mostly in larger cities, but it shouldn't be too big of a problem if you take precaution measures, such as keeping your valuables in a safe place, not carrying all your money in the same place, and not carrying anything valuable in an easily accessible part of your outfit.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW
There are no significant threats of natural disasters in the Netherlands, but there have been reports of the Netherlands being prone to extreme flooding, which is why the Dutch invest heavily in infrastructure to prevent similar natural disasters from happening again.
MUGGING RISK : LOW
Mugging or kidnapping aren't common in the Netherlands, but it is still recommendable to avoid poorly lit and deserted areas, and to not accept drinks from strange people, although drink spiking is not common either.
TERRORISM RISK : MEDIUM
Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in the Netherland's recent history, these types of attacks shouldn't be ruled out, especially since its neighboring countries France and Belgium have been targeted, so be aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK : LOW
As in any other tourist destination, there is the risk of getting scammed. Always check your change twice, negotiate the price of every service beforehand, and ask around about the real prices of services and other goods.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW
Traveling alone in the Netherlands is very easy for females. The country is very safe and friendly. Just avoid poorly lit and deserted areas and walking alone at night, with a few more basic precaution rules and your trip should go smoothly.
So... How Safe Is Netherlands Really?
The Netherlands is a very safe country to travel to.
However, in larger cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and there is heightened risk that you will encounter pickpockets and other forms of petty crime such as bag snatching and bicycle theft.
Rates of violent crimes are very low but you should still avoid some parts of larger cities, such Kolenkitbuurt in Amsterdam and Morgenstond in the Hague.
Some other minor issues in the Netherlands include catching a Lyme disease when walking or camping in forests and dunes, (so be aware of ticks) and of course, diseases related to the prostitution issue in the Netherlands.
Here, prostitution has been legalized in 1988 to a certain extent, but illegal prostitution still exists and hotel personnel is obligated by law to notify the authorities if they suspect these kinds of activities in their hotel.
It is highly recommended to use protection in indulging into these practices at brothels or other locations in the Netherlands.
How Does Netherlands Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | 75 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Poland | 84 |
| Lithuania | 79 |
| Argentina | 70 |
| Denmark | 94 |
| Ireland | 83 |
Useful Information
- Visas - Generally, a visa is not needed for any stays shorter than 90 days. Any longer than that, you might have to acquire a visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of return. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
- Currency - Euro is the official currency in the Netherlands. Bear in mind that the Netherlands, much like its neighboring countries, is pretty expensive, so plan on spending between 100 and 150 euro per day, including accommodation. ATMs are widely available and credit cards accepted in most hotels but not all restaurants. Keep in mind that non-European credit cards are sometimes rejected.
- Weather - The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate due to influences from the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This climate is characterized by cool summers and moderate winters. Daytime temperatures vary between 2°C and 6°C during winter and between 17°C and 20°C during summer.
- Airports - Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, sometimes referred to as simply Schiphol, is the main international airport of the Netherlands. It is located 9 km southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer.
- Travel Insurance - Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to the Netherlands, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Netherlands Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 6 |
| Low °C | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| High °F | 43 | 43 | 48 | 55 | 63 | 68 | 72 | 72 | 66 | 57 | 50 | 43 |
| Low °F | 34 | 32 | 36 | 39 | 46 | 52 | 55 | 55 | 52 | 45 | 39 | 36 |
idk i guess it was helpful
Very Helpful
This is really helpful for school, thanks!
Racism
racism
Is it really, how so if I may ask. I have been selected to work in the Netherlands. To whom are these racism guilted toward?
Reply
I hope you’re enjoying the Netherlands. Honestly, The Netherlands is known for its tolerance and is very multicultured. That is one of my favourite things about this country. I would not worry too much about what Al Walid is saying.
It’s not very racist, at least, not towards ‘black’ people, more towards like ‘slightly toned’ people, but I think it’s more about religion than about skin color (not that that is any better). Some people can be very rude, if not to your face, behind your back. They often don’t care about who you are, if you look ‘different’ they’ll assume the worst.
But I think most of the people in the Netherlands are generally accepting. Kind of.
Our behavior
I live in the Netherlands, some cities are more tolerant towards foreigners than others. As far as attitude goes, yes we are very direct, which can come off rude, but we don’t necessarily mean it in a bad way, we just don’t like to beat around the bush, that’s just our culture. We have a lot of foreigners, mainly in the “randstad” but Amsterdam is most tolerable in my opinion and will welcome you with open arms, it’s also my favorite (I’m from the south, we are a bit less tolerable here but it really depends on the city/area).
Immigrants are the problem. EVERYWHERE.
It isn’t racist to point out that immigrants of color commit disproportionate amounts of crime. Don’t like it being pointed out? Then do something about these criminals.
The truth hurts. Cry about it.
Do I get it correctly? Do you say that immigrants are rightfully pointed out because some criminals are other immigrants and it is the immigrants who should do something about it? If you are a native Dutch person do you feel obligated to apologise for crimes committed by other native Dutch citizens? I would think that immigration is a very complex issue and an immigrant who accepts Dutch values, customs and laws has done what he/she should. If an immigrant commits a crime, it’s not the other immigrants but the police and maybe some other parties like social services, maybe IND etc. are the ones who should do something about it. Why should immigrants feel some kind of original sin for crimes committed by other immigrants?
I love The Netherlands! There’s cheese and bikes everywhere though aha
safe
i want to live in the Netherlands is it safe.
no
Lmfao @ Geert!
Yes, it’s very safe, and the police is quite reliable. Also you don’t have to be able to speak Dutch right away, since most Dutch people can speak English.
The Hague is safe
I’d say there is nothing wrong with Morgenstond in The Hague. If you leave your bike completely unlocked maybe it’s more likely that it gets stolen compared to some better
parts of the town, but otherwise I feel myself very safe whenever I happen to be there regardless whether it’s daytime or the middle of the night. On the other hand I see not too many reasons for tourist to visit Morgenstond at all. There are no historical monuments, tourist attractions or whatsoever. It’s well out of the city center, most houses are relatively uniform and new, it’s just locals living, working and shopping there.
Too many people...
Crowded country!
I would go to Sweden or Norway (less people) or other bigger countries…
75 for the Netherlands safety index? More like 87.
The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world. I’ve been to the country and i felt much safer than where i originally was (Ukraine) because of Ukrainian invasion. Back then i felt a lot safer. I’m planning to visit the Netherlands next time.
Very safe
I’ve lived in the NL for 13 years and it’s is a very safe country. Amsterdam is very safe during both the day and night although at night you might run into some unpleasant people who are intoxicated but the best thing to do is to avoid them. The people are nice as well and a lot of them speak English.