When things go wrong abroad

Consular officials are charged with promoting and protecting the interests of Dutch nationals within their consular district. So Dutch nationals may ask for certain types of assistance from a Dutch embassy or consulate should the need arise. Dutch law does not confer a right to consular assistance. It is up to the Dutch government to grant it. Consular assistance is only provided to Dutch nationals who run into trouble and cannot find help any other way.

Are you married or related to a Dutch citizen, or have Dutch friends you are responsible for?
Perhaps you have recently acquired Dutch nationality and aren’t aware of what assistance is available to you when you travel. This section explains how staff at Dutch embassies and consulates can help Dutch citizens abroad in an emergency. See the menu items on the left for specific subjects of interest.

What Dutch nationals can do

Good preparation before a journey can prevent many problems. The "Wijs op Reis" menu on the website of the Dutch government provides tips for travellers. Here you will find advice regarding passport validity, applying in good time for a visa, taking money (e.g. in traveller's cheques) and consulting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the security situation in the country you plan to visit.

Also, travellers are advised to take out insurance before they go on holiday, so that even if something unexpected happens they will not be faced with high hospital and doctors' bills.

The Ministry frequently deals with inquiries from distressed relatives concerned about a traveller who has not been in contact for some time. Unfortunately, the advice to travellers to leave behind an itinerary of their journey is not always taken.

Consular assistance from an EU member state
In countries where an EU member state has no embassy or consulate, nationals of that member state may request assistance at the embassy or consulate of another member state.