Language: Dutch is the official language. English is widely spoken. Fries (as well as Dutch) is spoken by the people of Friesland province.
Currency: Single European currency, or Euro (EUR), is the official currency of
the Netherlands, and is divided into 100 cents. Major credit cards and travelers cheques are widely accepted. To avoid additional charges take travelers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. Foreign currency or travelers cheques can be changed at banks, post offices or bureaux de change (usually indicated by the letters GWK). Banks are closed on
weekends but bureaux de change are open. ATMs are widely distributed and most are open 24 hours a day.
Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin round European-style plugs are used.
Communications: The international access code for the Netherlands is +31. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the
United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)20 for
Amsterdam. Five local mobile phone operators have the Netherlands extremely well covered with GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty Free: Travelers over 17 years arriving from non-
EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 liter spirits with alcohol volume higher than 22%, or 2 liters spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22%, or 2 liters of sparkling wines, liquor wines, or still wine; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; 500g of coffee; 100g tea; and goods for personal use to the value of EUR175. Prohibited items include the import of all birds.
Tourist OfficeNetherlands
Tourist Office,
The Hague: +31 (0)70 3705 705 or www.holland.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 112
Embassies
Royal
Netherlands Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 877 388 2443.
Royal Netherlands Embassy,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7590 3200.
Royal Netherlands Embassy,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 237 5030.
Royal Netherlands Embassy,
Canberra,
Australia: +61 (0)2 6220 9400.
Royal Netherlands Embassy,
Pretoria,
South Africa: +27 (0)12 425 4500.
Royal Netherlands Embassy,
Dublin,
Ireland: +353 (0)1 269 3444.
Royal Netherlands Embassy,
Wellington,
New Zealand: +64 (0)4 471 6390.
United States Embassy, Amsterdam: +31 (0)20 794 0808.
British Embassy, Amsterdam: +31 (0)20 676 4343.
Canadian Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 311 1600.
Australian Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 310 8200.
South
African Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 392 4501.
Irish Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 363 0993.
New
Zealand Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 346 9324.
