Netherlands to Eritrea visa requirements

Dutch passport holders need a tourist visa obtained in advance from an Eritrean diplomatic mission before traveling to Eritrea. There is no visa on arrival or true e-visa for Netherlands citizens. A Netherlands (NL) ordinary passport holder must obtain an Eritrean tourist visa BEFORE travel. The Netherlands is not on Eritrea's visa-exempt list (only Kenya and Uganda are exempt), and visa on arrival is reserved for citizens of Ethiopia and Sudan or for travelers with a pre-arranged, sponsor-confirmed visa. Dutch tourists must apply at an Eritrean embassy/consulate (the mission serving the Netherlands handles this; applications are increasingly submitted through the Consular Affairs Processing System / CAPS online portal, but the original passport must still be mailed or presented for the visa sticker). The standard tourist visa permits a stay of up to 30 days, is valid for 3 months from issuance (meaning you must enter within 3 months), and costs roughly USD 50-75 once embassy/photo/service charges are included. Plan for at least 15 business days of processing and apply 4-6 weeks ahead. Note: the tourist visa only covers Asmara; travel beyond the capital requires a separate Travel Permit for Foreigners obtained locally. Eritrea is NOT in the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply. Always confirm current fees and procedures directly with the Eritrean mission before applying, as Eritrean entry rules change with little notice and approvals can be discretionary.