Please click here for a compilation of all important websites in the Netherlands with (corona – virus related) information for entrepreneurs (in Dutch).
Published 20 March.
Q&A for entry into the Netherlands during this period.
Published 20 March.
The Netherlands government measures to help businesses during this period.
Published 20 March.
General information from the Netherlands Embassy in Malaysia.
Published 20 March.
Latest information by the Dutch Government if your business in the Netherlands is impacted by COVID – 19.
COVID – 19 FAQ for NL entrepreneurs
Bridge Funding for Startups
The Dutch government announced € 100 million bridge funding for Dutch startups and scale – ups affected by COVID – 19 crisis. The aim is to make it possible for companies to apply from 20 April 2020 in relation to the new measures. Minister Eric Wiebes and State Secretary Mona Keijzer of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and State Secretary Hans Vijlbrief (Ministry of Finance) announced this in a letter to parliament, earlier this week.
Please click here to read the article.
Published 10 April.
SME Credit Guarantee Scheme NL
Businesses that have been affected by the coronavirus can now apply for the extended SME credit guarantee scheme (BMKB-C)
Please click here for more info.
Published 24 April.
The Dutch government announced new & additional economic measures until 1 October 2020
The recent changes:
– Reimbursement for Fixed Costs for SMEs (TVL) increased to €50.000
– COL for startups increased to €200 million
Please click here for more information.
Published 1 June
Checklist: Entry into the Netherlands
For those looking to return to the Netherlands there is now a checklist of items before you go.
1. Entry ban
Are you now in a country in the European Union or a Schengen country ? Then there is no entry ban.
Are you a resident of a country outside the EU or Schengen? Then you may only leave for the Netherlands if you are covered by an exception for the EU entry ban. Otherwise, you will be subject to a European entry ban.
2. No – fly time
Are you coming (back) from the United Kingdom, Cape Verde, the Dominican Republic, South Africa or a country in South America? Then take into account the flight and mooring ban for the United Kingdom, Cape Verde, the Dominican Republic, South Africa, and South America. An exception has been made for a small group of travelers. The Dutch are allowed to return home.
3. Show negative PCR test result
Are you coming by plane, ship, bus, or train from a high – risk area for corona? Then you must have a PCR test done. And show the negative PCR test result before you go .
Exceptions apply to certain groups of people, for example diplomats and truck drivers. You do not need to show a PCR result if you are departing from a safe country. There are requirements for the PCR test result. For example, that the PCR test may not be older than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands.
4. Show negative quick test result before departure
Are you already from the United Kingdom, Ireland or South Africa? Or are you coming from a high-risk country after 23 January? And are you coming by ferry or by plane? Then you must have a quick test done immediately before departure . Exceptions apply to certain groups of people, for example diplomats. There are requirements for the mandatory rapid test.
5. Negative Test Statement
Are you leaving a country that is not part of the EU or Schengen? And are you not a citizen of an EU or Schengeland? Then you must complete a negative test statement and keep it with you.
6. Health certificate in the plane
Are you traveling by plane? Then you must complete and keep a health statement with you. With a number of airline companies this is done digitally at check-in.
7. Quarantine
After arrival in the Netherlands you will be quarantined for 10 days . You can retest on day 5 after departure to shorten the quarantine time. Some travelers don’t need to be quarantined , such as people who work in the transportation industry. For your trip to the Netherlands you can use the Quarantaine Reischeck . This is a digital checklist with the steps you need to take after returning from your (necessary) trip.
Click here to see the full details (in Dutch).
Published 21 January
More corona support measures for entrepreneurs (NL)
The corona support measures for businesses are to be continued, as the pandemic is still with us. This page sums up the changes to previously announced measures as well as new measures. Check this page regularly for updates.
Latest update: after the 21 January 2021 press conference.
Temporary additions to the support package
There will be extra money for entrepreneurs who are disproportionately hit by the recent measures. Additions to the support package in brief:
NOW 3 scheme extended under same conditions
If you employ staff, and your business loses turnover due to the corona crisis, you will be able to continue to claim NOW compensation for wage costs from the Employee Insurance Agency UWV. These changes to the scheme were announced on 21 January:
- NOW 3 will compensate up to 85% of the total wage sum, as opposed to the earlier percentage of 80.
- To apply for the second (1 January – 1 April) and third (1 April-1 July 2021) period of NOW 3, you must have a turnover loss of 20% or more. Contrary to earlier communications, the percentage will not be increased to 30% per 1 April 2021 for the third 3-month period.
- NOW 3 is divided into three periods: NOW 3.1 compensated wages from October 1, 2020 until January 1, 2021. NOW 3.2 from January 1 until April 1. NOW 3.3 from April 1 until July 1, 2021. You need to apply for each period of NOW separately.
- Application for NOW 3.1 for the months October, November and December 2020 is now closed.
- Application for NOW 3.2 will be possible from 15 February to 14 March.
Read more about the new NOW scheme.
Tozo 3 and 4: self – employed professionals scheme
The Temporary bridging measure for self-employed professionals, Tozo, has been extended until 1 July 2021: Tozo 3 will run from 1 October through 31 March, and Tozo 4 from 1 April through 30 June. You can apply for income support or a business loan: this remains the same.
Contrary to earlier communications, there will be no means test for self-employed professionals who want to apply for the Tozo scheme. The partner income test does remain in place.
You can apply for Tozo 3 in your municipality of residence.
Partner income test
To assess whether you are eligible for Tozo 3 income support, your municipality will check your income and your partner’s income. Is your income combined with your partner’s income more than the social minimum in the months you apply for? Then you cannot apply for Tozo 3. This condition remains.
TVL: Reimbursement Fixed Costs SMEs expanded
Do you run a buisness, and does your business suffer more than 30% per 3 months due to the corona crisis? Then you can apply for the expanded Reimbursement Fixed Costs SMEs scheme, or TVL. You can apply for TVL for a period of 3 months at a time. To be eligible, you need to meet a set of conditions. This set of conditions has been revised.
The main differences that were announced on 21 January are:
- Companies will be able to claim up to €330,000 (SMEs) or €400,000 (larger companies) per 3 months.
- The TVL for affected companies will be increased, and more companies will be able to apply.
- The TVL subsidy percentage is increased to 85% for the first and second quarter of 2021.
- To help smaller companies, the minimum amount of subsidy is doubled.
TVL open to all SBI codes
From 1 October – 31 March 2021, there are no SBI code restrictions in place for receiving TVL. This means that all businesses that meet the other requirements can apply.
Check the TVL article for more details and conditions.
Credit guarantee and loan schemes remain available
The following credit guarantee schemes for businesses remain available:
- Credit Guarantee scheme for SMEs BMKB-C
- Business Loan Guarantee scheme GO-C
- Bridging loans for small companies KKC
Tax Administration: 36 months to pay taxes for which a special extension was granted
If you applied for, and were granted, a special tax payment extension to the Tax and Customs Administration, you can apply for an extra payment extension until 1 July 2021. Did you receive an extension in 2021? Then the postponement will now automatically apply until 1 July 2021.
Businesses will have 36 months in which to pay the taxes they were granted the extension for, starting (at the latest) on 1 October 2021. Read more about the Tax Administration corona measures in the article Tax and Customs Administration corona measures for businesses and employees.
Other measures
There will be a new scheme along the lines of the TVL to help businesses that started between 1 January and 30 June 2020. The details are now being worked out. Until the new scheme comes into place, companies will be able to apply for bridging loans.
Temporary Support Necessary Costs (TONK) Extra measures will be implemented for people that did not qualify for any existing financial aid. This extra help is offered through the municipalities. They will provide temporary support for necessary costs if these can no longer be paid due to a decline in income. It can apply to self-employed professionals who have a lot less assignments or employees who lose income due to quarantine. The government is setting aside 130 million euros for this in the first six months of 2021 and expects to complete the implementation of these measures with municipalities on 1 February 2021.
More support for the cultural sector
The government will support the cultural sector with extra funds, above and beyond the ‘general’ financial measures for businesses:
- €200 Million will be allotted to cultural institutions that are crucial to the national infrastructure, artists and creative professionals.
- €150 Million will be available to municipalities, to support the crucial local cultural infrastructure.
- €64 Million will be available to maintain cultural heritage collections, offer guarantees for film productions, and help cultural and funding institutions bridge financial difficulties.
- €40 Million will be available to independent theatres.
See the news item on Government.nl for more details.
Published 22 January
Change in COVID – 19 Testing Requirements for Travel to the Netherlands
Travelers to the Netherlands no longer no longer need to take a rapid test, provided that the PCR test or another NAAT test has been taken no earlier than 12 hours before departure. This makes it easier to travel to the Netherlands.
Click here to read the article in Dutch
Published 25 February
Travelling abroad (information for people in the Netherlands)
Every journey increases the risk of more infections. People living in the Netherlands should stay in the Netherlands. Do not travel abroad in the period up to and including 15 May, unless your journey is essential.
Essential journeys include travel for family emergencies, or for work that cannot be postponed and that requires your physical presence. Self – quarantine for 10 days after returning to the Netherlands.
If you need to return by air or sea to the Netherlands, for example because of a family emergency, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Dutch embassy in the country where you are staying.
There are not many places in the world that have the virus under control. The colour codes of travel advisories can change quickly due to the coronavirus situation in other countries. This means your booking may get cancelled.
Click here to read the announcement.
Published 15 April
Mandatory Quarantine for travelers from high risk areas into the Netherlands
From 1 June 2021 you must quarantine if you travel / return to the Netherlands after staying in certain countries. This requirement also applies even if you have been vaccinated.
Quarantine declaration and negative COVID – 19 test result. When you travel to the Netherlands you must bring a completed quarantine declaration and a negative COVID – 19 test result with you. You may be fined if you do not have a quarantine declaration or you do not comply with the mandatory quarantine requirement.
Click here to read the announcement
Published 27 May
Mandatory quarantine for travellers from very high – risk areas – Netherlands
From 1 June 2021 you must quarantine if you travel / return to the Netherlands after staying in certain countries. This requirement also applies even if you have been vaccinated.
When you travel to the Netherlands you must bring a completed quarantine declaration and a negative COVID – 19 test result with you. You may be fined if you do not have a quarantine declaration or you do not comply with the mandatory quarantine requirement. It doesn’t matter how you travel to the Netherlands. The mandatory quarantine requirement applies to all forms of transport: air, train, bus / coach, and car.
Click here to learn more and to see the list of quarantine countries.
For those in the Netherlands: Some people can make an appointment online via Coronavaccinatie-afspraak.nl. You will need a DigiD to do this.
Click here to read the announcement
Published 3 June
NL: Request form for a second vaccination shot, if you had the first overseas
For those members from the Netherlands (who are returning home). If you have received your first vaccination abroad (in Malaysia) and you still need a second vaccination, or you have received a first vaccination from a healthcare provider who cannot give you a second vaccination, fill in this application form.
After sending this form you will receive a confirmation. The Netherlands government will assess your data. If you are entitled to a second vaccination, you will receive a written invitation to make an appointment at one of the GGD vaccination locations.
Click here to request your second vaccination shot (in Dutch only)
Published 10 June
Free corona test for travelers in the Netherlands in July and August 2021
Some European countries ask for a vaccine certificate when you travel to that country. Before you leave, check the travel advice on NederlandWereldwijd.nl . You will receive a certificate for a journey within the EU if you are fully vaccinated. You can have yourself tested for free in July and August 2021, you will be able to make an appointment from 30 June.
Only for travel in July and August
This summer you can get tested for travel for free. This is possible until 31 August. Have you tested negative? Then you can download or print the test result via CoronaCheck.nl . This allows you to board the plane, train, bus or boat from the Netherlands. And you can cross the border by car.
Click here to read the announcement
Published 21 June
COVID – 19 Tests for those in NL wishing to travel
Those who are in the Netherlands, and must travel, can make an appointment for their COVID – 19 test here.
Published 1 July
EU Digital COVID Cert not a prerequisite for travelling in member nations
The European Union’s (EU) Digital COVID Certificate is not a prerequisite for travelling across member nations, the union’s diplomatic mission here clarified today.
The certificate is not a compulsory document but simply a practical tool, the Delegation of the EU to Malaysia said in a statement to clarify concerns related to vaccines produced by manufacturers that have yet to obtain the authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Click here to read the article
Click here to read the statement by the Delegation of the EU to Malaysia in English
Published 8 July
AstraZeneca shots used in M’sia valid for travel to EU countries
AstraZeneca COVID – 19 vaccines used in Malaysia are valid for travel approval to European Union countries.
The EU Delegation to Malaysia also indicated that certification for other vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) could also be used for travel to the union’s member states.
Click here to read the article
Published 9 July
EU body clarifies what sort of vaccines will enable entry into Europe
Concerns that those inoculated with the stock of AstraZeneca vaccine that Malaysia has received will not be able to visit Europe are misplaced, the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia (DEUM) said. In a statement, it said entry into member states was allowed in principle to anybody fully vaccinated with an EU approved vaccine, “including those produced in facilities not covered by marketing authorisation in the EU”.
Click here to read the article
Published 9 July
How the Netherlands Became a Key Player for Vaccine Development
Vaccines have become a part of everyday conversation during the pandemic, but have an established legacy in the Dutch life sciences and health ecosystem. The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new era of vaccine development worldwide, and the Netherlands is a hotbed of vaccine production and research. This is not by coincidence, as the Dutch have a rich history in life sciences, including vaccine development, which predates the COVID-19 pandemic by decades.
Click here to read the article.
Published 12 July
KLM: Travel Requirements and Restrictions
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued a slide deck for all travelers flying from Malaysia on Air France / KLM flights (to the Netherlands (via Singapore) and / or onward from the Netherlands). This web check allows passengers to reconfirm the necessary travel documents for transit or destination points.
Click here to view the slide deck.
Published 2 August
Getting proof of vaccination after being vaccinated outside of The Netherlands
You need proof of vaccination for travel to the Netherlands. Most people won’t have any trouble retrieving their data via the CoronaCheck app or CoronaCheck.nl. This could be a COVID Certificate to travel within the European Union (EU) or a COVID Certificate for entry to events. But some people may find that more difficult, because they have been vaccinated outside The Netherlands, for example.
Click here to get more info on getting proof of vaccination in English
Click here to get more info on getting proof of vaccination in Dutch
Published 9 August
Registering your overseas vaccination with MySejahtera
In the absence of a formal written SOP for requesting registration of overseas vaccinations to the MySejahtera app, please take note that inbound travelers who received vaccines abroad can request assistance to add the digital vaccine certificate to MySejahtera via the helpdesk (). Note that processing may take up to seven (7) business days.
Include the following information and scanned copies of your vaccine card and passport:
* Full name
* Passport number
* Vaccination date
* Vaccine dose (first, second, or both doses)
* Vaccine type
Please direct any questions to the MySejahtera helpdesk.
Published 12 August
Netherlands to reopen further with coronavirus entry passes
As of 25 September, people in the Netherlands will no longer have to stay 1.5 metres from others. This is a big step forwards. It means restaurants and bars can open to maximum capacity, and all events will again be allowed. Nearly 13 million people in the Netherlands have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 11 million are fully vaccinated.
The coronavirus entry pass system is being introduced for locations that will get busier when the 1.5 metre distancing rule is lifted. The aim is to keep the risk of transmission as low as possible while enabling people to socialise as safely as possible. The system also plays an important part in allowing most locations to open at maximum capacity – and to stay open.
As of 25 September, the coronavirus entry pass system will apply to bars and restaurants (but not takeaways), events (such as festivals, concerts and professional sports matches), and cultural venues (such as cinemas and theatres). Whether people have a fixed seat or not, and whether the location is indoors or outdoors, everyone aged 13 and over will have to show a valid coronavirus entry pass to gain admission. Everyone aged 14 and over will also have to show their ID along with their coronavirus entry pass.
Click here to read the announcement
Published 14 September
For travel to the Netherlands
Malaysia is no longer on the ‘Very High Risk’ list of countries and areas. Travelers to the Netherlands must now abide by the rules and regulations for travel from ‘High Risk’ areas.
Click here for the checklist for entering or returning to the Netherlands
Published 8 November
Dutch reintroduce face masks as COVID – 19 cases surge
The Dutch government on Tuesday decided to re – impose measures, including the wearing of face masks, aimed at slowing the latest spike in COVID – 19 infections, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.
The use of a “corona pass”, showing proof of a COVID – 19 vaccination or recent negative coronavirus test, would be broadened as of Nov. 6 to public places including museums, gyms and outdoor terraces, Rutte said.
Click here to read the article
Published 8 November
Infection rate must go down: stricter rules to limit person – to – person contacts (NL)
The (NL) government is tightening up measures to combat the sharp increase in coronavirus infections and avoid putting further pressure on the overburdened healthcare sector. The virus is transmitted through contact between people, so additional measures are being introduced to reduce the number of contacts that people have on a day – to – day basis. This will protect everyone better, and people in at – risk groups in particular, against the virus, which is now extremely widespread. The aim is to enable people to go about their daily activities (school, work, sports, etc.) as much as possible during the day, but to restrict the number of contacts in the evening. These measures will enter into force at 18.00 on Saturday 13 November and apply until at least Saturday 4 December. The government will reassess the situation on Friday 3 December.
Click here to read the announcement
Published 15 November
Dutch schools to shut early for Christmas amid Omicron fears
The Netherlands said Tuesday it will close primary schools early for Christmas holidays and extend a night – time lockdown as fears grow over the Omicron coronavirus variant. Schools will shut on Monday December 20, a week earlier than planned, over concerns that children could infect vulnerable older relatives with COVID – 19.
Click here to read the article
Published 15 December
As of 22 December 2021 new entry rules will apply to travellers from outside the EU/Schengen area travelling to The Netherlands
Starting on 22 December 2021 0:01 AM new rules will go into effect: travellers from outside the EU / Schengen area who are travelling to The Netherlands must always provide a negative test result to enter the Netherlands. Travellers from very high – risk areas must always self – quarantine. These rules also apply to travellers with proof of vaccination or proof of recovery, who were previously exempt from the mandatory quarantine.
Mandatory testing for all travellers from outside the EU / Schengen area
From 22 December 2021, travellers coming from countries outside the EU / Schengen area are only permitted to enter the Netherlands if they have a negative test result with them. This includes travellers with proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. The test results must be from either a NAAT (PCR) test performed no more than 48 hours before departure or an antigen test performed no more than 24 hours before departure.
Travellers from very high – risk areas must always self – quarantine
From 22 December 2021, travellers from very high – risk areas must self – quarantine for 10 days even if they have proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. This quarantine period can be shortened if they get tested by the municipal health service (GGD) on day 5 of the quarantine and the result is negative.
Other exceptions to the mandatory quarantine and test requirements remain in effect
The other exceptions to the mandatory quarantine rule will remain in effect, as will the other exceptions to the test requirement, for example for children under 12 and transport personnel.
Click here to read the announcement
Published 23 December
Travelling to the Netherlands: negative COVID – 19 test result no longer required
From 23 March 2022 people travelling to the Netherlands from outside the EU / Schengen area no longer need to show a negative test result.
Click here to see the announcement
Published 31 March 2022
