The Netherlands is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from the North East of England thanks to direct air and ferry links to Amsterdam from Newcastle.

Dutch airline KLM operates three flights a day from Newcastle International Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol, which take passengers from England to the Netherlands in around an hour. DFDS' ferry service connects Newcastle's port at Port of Tyne, North Shields, to Amsterdam. The ferry caters for foot passengers, as well as travellers who want to take their cars or bikes to Holland and beyond.

But it's been a long time since holidays to Holland were possible, due to coronavirus and the Dutch Government classing the UK as a 'very high-risk country'.

Go here for more what's on updates, news and reviews from around the North East

Now though, tourism trips to the Netherlands are back on, as the country has changed its rules and will now allow people living in the UK with no need to quarantine, as long as they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Can I go on holiday in the Netherlands by flying or taking the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam?

Yes, but only if you are fully vaccinated. As of Monday, September 22, the Dutch government changes its rules to allow fully vaccinated UK nationals into the country for non-essential trips, without a requirement to quarantine for 10 days after arriving in the Netherlands.

The UK is still classed as a "very high-risk area" by the Netherlands. Adults travelling from very high-risk areas are only allowed into the Netherlands if they are fully vaccinated. Under-18s do not have to prove their vaccination status if they are accompanied by an adult.

The Dutch Government says : "From 22 September onwards fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to self-quarantine upon travelling from a very high-risk area."

The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office says : "From midnight on September 22, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers from the UK no longer have to quarantine on arrival in the Netherlands."

Before September 22, fully vaccinated UK nationals were required to quarantine for 10 days after arriving in the Netherlands.

How can I prove I am vaccinated so I can enter the Netherlands?

Travellers from the UK can use their NHS Covid pass to enter the Netherlands. Children aged under 18 do not need proof of vaccination if travelling with a fully vaccinated adult.

The NHS Covid Pass is available from 14 days after a second vaccination shot.

Head here to find out how to get a digital or paper version of the NHS Covid-19 pass

Vaccine appointment cards should not be used.

Which vaccines does the Dutch Government accept, will they let me in if I've had AstraZeneca?

The AstraZeneca vaccine, known formally as Vaxzevria, is among the jabs approved for travellers to enter the Netherlands, as are Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna.

Speaking about the AstraZeneca jab, vaccine minister Nadhim Zawahi said in July : "All AstraZeneca vaccines given in the UK are the same product and appear on the NHS COVID Pass as Vaxzevria. The EMA has authorised the Vaxzevria vaccine and it is therefore recognised by the European Union."

The following Covid-19 jabs are approved for travel to the Netherlands:

  • Astra Zeneca EU (Vaxzevria) ;
  • Astra Zeneca - Japan (Vaxzevria);
  • Astra Zeneca - Australia (Vaxzevria);
  • Astra Zeneca-SK Bio (Vaxzevria);
  • Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine - United States of America;
  • Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty);
  • Johnson & Johnson ((COVID-19 Vaccine) Janssen);
  • Moderna (Spikevax);
  • Serum Institute of India (Covishield);
  • Sinopharm BIBP;
  • Sinovac.

Will I have to quarantine or isolate when I return to England from the Netherlands?

You will not have to quarantine or isolate when returning to England from the Netherlands if you are fully vaccinated.

The Netherlands is currently on the UK Government's amber list. The amber and green lists will be removed from October 4. After that date, the lists will change to a single list of red countries, and simplified measures for all other countries. The Netherlands is unlikely to be on the red list.

Before October 4, fully vaccinated travellers entering England from the Netherlands have to take a PCR test three days before they arrive into England and another after they arrive. Children under 18 are exempt from the quarantine rules but children over 10 still have to take the tests.

After October 4, assuming the Netherlands is not on the red list, anybody entering England from the Netherlands will have to book, pay for and take a day 2 Covid-19 test – to be taken on or before the second day after they arrive in England. A pre-departure test before leaving the Netherlands will not be required.

As the Netherlands is currently an amber country, fully vaccinated adults arriving into England from the Netherlands do not have to isolate and neither do children under 18. Adults who are not fully vaccinated have to isolate for 10 days at home or where they are staying, after arriving in England from the Netherlands.

Do I need to show a negative Covid-19 test to travel to the Netherlands from England or the rest of the UK?

Yes, as the UK is outside the EU and Schengen zone, and is deemed very high risk by the Dutch Government, every passenger (including the fully vaccinated) aged over 12 must show either:

  • a negative PCR test result (taken no more than 48 hours before departure);
  • or show a negative antigen test result (taken no more than 24 hours before departure).

For the latest breaking news direct to your inbox as it happens, go here to sign up to our free newsletter