Schengen tourist & business visa
short stay, up to 90 days · Official name: Schengen visa (short stay visa, type C) for the Netherlands
Netherlands issues the uniform Schengen short-stay (type C) visa for tourism, business and visits to family or friends, valid for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in all Schengen countries. You apply to Netherlands when it is your main or only destination, normally in your country of legal residence, using NetherlandsWorldwide. The core rules (fee, insurance, passport and timing) are set by the EU Visa Code and are the same in every Schengen state; Netherlands sets its own application channels, and sets means of subsistence at EUR 55 per person per day.
Visiting Netherlands
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Life in Netherlands
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
87
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
35.75–49.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 21%
Box 1 rates include national insurance premiums: 35.75% to EUR 38,883 (8.10% tax + 27.65% premiums), 37.56% to EUR 78,426, 49.50% above; lower first-bracket rate after state pension age.
Living
1
Happiness
#7 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Nationals of countries that need a Schengen visa who want to visit for tourism, business meetings or family and friends, for up to 90 days, with Netherlands as their main destination.
Eligibility
Short stay only
The visa covers stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.
90 days
Stay limit
- Covers tourism, business, or visiting family or friends
- The 180-day period counts all Schengen countries together
Official wording
The uniform (type C) visa covers stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, for tourism, business, or visiting family or friends. The 180-day period is counted across all Schengen countries together.
Apply to the right country
Apply to the Netherlands if it is your only or main destination, or your first external border crossing if no main one.
- Main destination is set by length of stay or purpose
- If none can be set, use the country whose external border you cross first
- Several separate trips within two months count together
Official wording
Apply to Netherlands if it is your only destination, or your main destination by length of stay or purpose. If no main destination can be set, apply to the country whose external border you cross first. Several separate trips within two months count together.
Apply where you legally live
As a rule, apply at the Netherlands consulate (or its service provider or representing country) covering the place where you legally reside. A consulate may accept an application from someone legally present but not resident there only if they justify it.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementPassport
- Document checklistCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form
- FeesSchengen visa fee, adult (age 12 and over)
The full requirements are for members
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- 6 more requirements
- 11 documents
- 5 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Netherlands
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Official sources
- IND, Short stay holiday or business visa (last update 10 June 2026)
- NetherlandsWorldwide, Apply for a Schengen visa (India page)
- NetherlandsWorldwide, Waiting time after visa application
- Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code), consolidated text of 11.06.2024 (EUR-Lex)
- European Commission, Applying for a Schengen visa (page updated 2 December 2025)
- European Commission, Entry/Exit System (EES)
- Travel to Europe (EU official site), What is the EES?
- Travel to Europe (EU official site), ETIAS
