Do Thailand passport holders need a visa to visit NL?

Yes, a visa is required. Thai ordinary passport holders are not on the EU visa-exempt list and must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Category C) visa before traveling to the Netherlands for tourism. The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area, and Thailand is on the EU's list of countries whose nationals require a visa for short stays. A Thai ordinary passport holder must apply in advance for a Schengen Category C short-stay visa, which permits a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Applications for the Netherlands are submitted through VFS Global in Bangkok, where you book an appointment, submit biometrics and supporting documents, and pay the consular fee (EUR 90 for adults) plus a VFS service fee. Average processing is about 15 calendar days, and you should apply no later than 15 working days (and ideally several weeks) before departure, but no earlier than 6 months ahead. Because Thailand is not visa-exempt, ETIAS — the EU travel authorization expected to launch in late 2026 — does NOT apply to Thai nationals; they continue to need a full Schengen visa. As of May 2026 the EU and Thailand confirmed a 'visa cascade' arrangement giving compliant repeat travelers access to longer-validity multi-entry visas, but the first-time short-stay requirement is unchanged.