Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit NL?

No visa is required. UK ordinary passport holders can travel to the Netherlands for tourism visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. As of 31 May 2026 no advance travel authorisation is needed; the ETIAS scheme has not yet launched (expected later in 2026). The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area. Following Brexit, British citizens holding an ordinary passport are treated as visa-exempt third-country nationals and may enter the Netherlands and the wider Schengen Area without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period, for tourism, visiting family or friends, and most business meetings. The 90/180 limit is cumulative across all Schengen countries, not per country. Two passport rules apply: the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of arrival, and must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended departure from the Schengen Area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now operational, so on arrival travellers register biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image) at automated kiosks or to a border officer instead of receiving an ink stamp. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to begin later in 2026 (officially communicated as the final quarter of 2026), after which UK travellers will need an approved ETIAS (a EUR 20, three-year, multiple-entry authorisation) before boarding. As of 31 May 2026 ETIAS is NOT yet required and there will be a transitional grace period after it goes live. Travellers should still be ready to show proof of accommodation, return/onward travel, and sufficient funds, as the EES border process may increase scrutiny and queue times.