Coronavirus and stranded abroad: this is what you need to know!

Special Assistance Abroad

Are you stuck abroad due to cancelled flights or closed borders, and you cannot call on the assistance of a travel agency or airline? Then report to the central hotline for Special Assistance Abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs works closely with insurers and airlines to organise your return to the Netherlands. Is it impossible to do that in the short term? Then you'll get assistance in finding a place where you can stay safely.

Personal contribution

The assistance to arrange your return home is largely paid for you by the government and travel sector. A 10 million euro fund has been earmarked for this purpose. You are expected to make a financial contribution too. If you are stranded somewhere in Europe, your personal contribution to your return journey is € 300. Outside Europe, a personal contribution of € 900 applies. This contribution will be collected in arrears. Are you unable to bear the cost and would you like to make payment in instalments? Then ask about the options during your registration.

Travel or cancellation insurance

Do you have comprehensive travel or cancellation insurance and was your trip booked before 11 March? Then you may be covered by your cancellation insurance policy. Check the policy conditions of your insurance to see which costs are covered.

Is leaving not possible? Find a safe place to shelter!

If your return journey cannot yet be carried out, make sure you have a safe place to stay. Follow the instructions of local authorities and the news in order to stay informed about the local security situation and the measures that are implemented. Try to observe these measures as much as possible.

Information service Foreign Affairs

Inform the Dutch embassy of your stay abroad. How? Register with the information service of Foreign Affairs! You will be kept informed of appropriate travel advice, (impending) crises, possible flights and other relevant information.

Download the Reisapp travel app

Keep up to date with current developments with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Reisapp travel app. Set up notifications so that you receive an alert as soon as something changes at your destination. Via this app you can also contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly and find the contact details of Dutch embassies and consulates.