Expect delays in the Netherlands until Sept. 30 under new border rules

Border checks keep running into fall

The Netherlands has extended internal Schengen border checks until Sept. 30, 2026, with risk-based stops still focused on land crossings with Germany and Belgium and some intra-Schengen air and sea points. The Marechaussee can ask for ID and travel documents and delays are still possible.

Officials say the checks remain tied to a serious public-policy threat, including irregular migration and migrant smuggling. The current regime began on Dec. 9, 2024 and has now been pushed further under the Schengen Borders Code.

Who gets stopped

The checks can affect tourists, expats and digital nomads moving into the Netherlands from other Schengen states. EU, EEA and Swiss travelers should carry a valid national ID card or passport, while non-EU residents need a passport plus a Dutch residence permit or other proof of lawful stay.

Border police can also question frequent cross-border workers and short-stay visitors about the purpose and length of the trip. Missing or invalid documents can lead to delays, extra questioning or refusal of entry.

What travelers should carry

Nomads and other travelers crossing into the Netherlands should keep passport, ID, residence permit, visa papers and, if asked, proof of accommodation and onward travel within easy reach. The controls are selective, not systematic, but they can happen at border crossings and within a zone near the frontier.

Read our full Netherlands guide for the complete picture. For more visa updates, check our latest coverage.