Passport & Visa

Citizens of the UK, Irish Republic and other EU countries do not require a visa, but please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months. Other nationals please check before travelling as to which documents are required.

Vaccinations

There are currently no requirements for British citizens. Please check with your GP or visit www.dh.gov.uk

Currency

The local currency in Amsterdam is the euro (€) – there are seven banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500, and eight coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and €1 and €2. The notes are identical in all the countries with the euro currency although each country has their own coins. However, all notes and all coins can be used throughout the euro area (i.e. a French euro coin can be used in Germany). ATM’s (cash machines) are generally available in most tourist areas, but ask your British bank about withdrawal charges as these can be heavy, especially if you withdraw only a small amount of cash.
Travellers’ cheques are still the safest way to carry money and can be obtained in sterling or euro denominations. Please note your passport is likely to be required when cashing travellers’ cheques. Remember to make a record of the cheque numbers and keep this record totally separate in case the cheques are lost.
Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops in the tourist areas. Remember to make a record of your credit card number and the emergency phone number for cancelling your card, should you lose it. If possible, take a mixture of cash and travellers’ cheques with you and remember not to carry all your credit cards, money, passport and travellers’ cheques when going out and about.
Local time - Amsterdam is on Central European Time so is 1 hour ahead of Great Britain.
Tourist Information - There are 3 VVV Amsterdam Tourist Offices in the city – on Platform 2, Centraal Station, on Stationsplein opposite Centraal Station, and on Leidsestraat just off the Leidseplein. (0900 400 4040). The British Embassy is in The Hague, (Lange Voorhout 10, 2514 ED The Hague) (0031 070 4270 427) www.britain.nl
Mobile phones - if you want to use your phone, ensure that the roaming fac

Personal Safety, please note the following:

• Leave all valuables, passports, tickets, credit cards and money etc in the hotel safe; only carry with you what you need for that day.
• Be aware of pickpockets, especially in tourist areas, on public transport, markets etc.
• When leaving a car, do not leave anything visible.
• If anything is stolen, please ensure you receive a police report.

For further detailed information on specific destinations, please visit the Foreign Office website. ility is activated before you go.