Frequently asked questions about the situation in Niger
If you are in Niger and want to know what to do, read the frequently asked questions below.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs colour code for Niger is red. See the travel advisory (in Dutch) for more information.
General questions
- Do not take to the streets and stay in a safe environment, at home or in your hotel. Avoid demonstrations, the area around the presidential palace and the area around the national radio and television buildings. Follow developments through the local news, always follow the instructions of the local authorities.
- Are you in Niger and in need? Let your family/friends know how you are doing. Always follow the directions of the local authorities.
- Do you need assistance? The Dutch embassy in Niamey currently has limited access. Dutch nationals in Niger can contact the contact centre of the Netherlands Worldwide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can be reached at +31 247 247 247.
- Register your stay free of charge through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Information Service. This way, we can reach you if necessary.
- On 26 July 2023, the Nigerien army staged a coup. Across the country, there is an increased risk of political tensions with demonstrations and violence. This has created an unstable security situation across the country. The army has declared a state of emergency.
- All land borders and airports are closed until further notice. There are no flights to and from Niger. You cannot enter or leave the country.
- We cannot say at the moment whether a new opportunity will arise. We are contacting Dutch nationals known to us who are still in Niger.
- Access to the Dutch embassy in Niamey is currently limited. Dutch nationals in Niger can contact the Netherlands Worldwide contact centre 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We can be reached at +31 247 247 247.
- If you have not already done so, we urge you to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Information Service. This way, we can reach you when needed.
- Meanwhile, 20 Dutch nationals have left Niger on French flights and on a Spanish flight. You can read more about this on the liveblog of Rijksoverheid.nl.
- We cannot anticipate new opportunities for them to leave the country at a later moment when they are able and willing to do so.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have exact information on the numbers of Dutch nationals who are in Niger and have a request for help. This is because there is no registration requirement for Dutch nationals abroad.
- We call on Dutch nationals in Niger - who have not yet done so - to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Information Service. Then we will know as well as possible who is in the country and how to reach them if necessary.
- A small team led by the ambassador represents the Netherlands in Niger. They assist Nigerien colleagues at the Dutch embassy in Niamey as best they can during this difficult time.
- All Nigerien employees of the Dutch embassy have indicated in talks with the ambassador that they do not feel personally threatened and it is calm in their residential areas. Read the parliamentary letter on Rijksoverheid.nl (information in Dutch) which contains an elaboration of the motion on frameworks for deployment of local staff in future missions and at Dutch embassies and consulates.
- The embassy is closed to the public due to the security situation. The Netherlands remains represented in Niger with a small team led by the ambassador. They have limited access for Dutch citizens still in Niger.
- Dutch nationals in Niger can contact the contact centre of the Netherlands Worldwide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can be reached at +31 247 247 247.
- The French Embassy is taking in visa applications in Niger on behalf of the Netherlands.
- The French consulate in Niger is indefinitely closed. This means that it's currently not possible to request a visa.
- For the latest state of affairs regarding visas in Niger, keep an eye on this page. We will post the latest updates here.
- No, the embassy is currently closed to the public. See the Apply for an Emergency Document in Niger page for the regular procedure. At the moment, you can only send an email to the embassy. It is still unclear how long the embassy will remain closed to the public.