Turkish Nationals Will Need A Visa to Transit Through The Netherlands

The Dutch government has announced a new rule that the majority of Turkish nationals who need to transit through the Netherlands’ Amsterdam Airport Schiphol en route to their destination country that is outside the European Union and Schengen Area will need to obtain a Transit Schengen visa beginning 1 December 2022.

“If you have Turkish nationality and will be transferring at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport after December 1, 2022, new rules apply. You will need an airport transport visa unless one of the exemptions applies to you,”
The Dutch Government

Transit Schengen Visas are issued by an embassy or consulate of any of the Schengen Area member countries to the nationals of specific countries who need to transit to one of the EU airports in order to reach their non-EU/Schengen destination country.

Currently, Turkish citizens can transit to the international airport zone of the Schiphol airport without needing a transit or Schengen visa.

Transit Visa Exemptions

From the beginning of December 2022, Turkish nationals will no longer be allowed to board a plane that will have a stopover at Schiphol airport if they have not obtained a Dutch transit visa beforehand.

However, several categories of people will be exempt from such a requirement, including here those who have a valid Schengen visa or a long-term visa issued by the countries in the EU and Schengen Area, as well as Canada, the United States, or Japan.

Exempt from the requirement are also Turkish citizens who have a valid residence permit issued by a country in the Schengen area, Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino or the US, or the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which are Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.

Other exempt categories are:

Holders of Turkish diplomatic, service, or official passport
Family members of a national of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland
Crew members of an aircraft of the airline registered in a country party to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention)

According to the Dutch authorities, travellers who arrive at the Schiphol airport and need to leave the international transit zone will not need a transit visa but a Schengen visa instead. This is because you will be entering the Netherlands.

A Schengen visa will also be required for those transferring at another Dutch airport, such as Eindhoven Airport or Rotterdam The Hague Airport.

“This applies even if you bought your ticket before December 1, 2022,”
The Dutch Government

Currently, the nationals of the following third countries need a transit visa if their plane has a stopover in the Netherlands: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Türkiye and Yemen.

Travellers transiting through Netherlands can check the Dutch official website if they need a transit visa.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Talk to us in the comment section below.

Check out the deals we have found below and tell us your travel plans.

Check out the offers and discounts from:

And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.

IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

Some of our posts include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of these products, we might get a small commission. For more information, check out our TOS.