My family member or friend who is a Dutch national is missing abroad. What should I do?
If your Dutch partner, family member or friend has gone missing abroad, gather information about them and file a missing persons report with the police. If you are in the country where they have gone missing, file a report with both the local police and the Dutch police. If you are not in that country, file a report with the Dutch police only. Inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the person’s travel insurance provider of their disappearance as well.
Step 1: Gather information
Gather information about the missing person to give to the police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This includes:
- name and address
- passport number
- name and address of local contact
- purpose of the trip and destination
- names of anyone they were travelling with
- travel insurance details
- details of plane tickets, money, credit cards, transport and medicines
Step 2: Contact the police
If you are in the country where the person has gone missing, file a missing persons report with the local police. You should also always contact the police in the missing person’s place of residence in the Netherlands or your own place of residence in the Netherlands. The Dutch police will also need to arrange a number of things. If you are in the Netherlands, contact the Dutch police by calling 0900 88 44 (non-emergency situations).
Step 3: Call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Report the person’s disappearance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Do this by calling Netherlands Worldwide on +31 247 247 247. This number can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world.
If you are in the country where the person has gone missing, you can also report the person’s disappearance to the Dutch embassy or consulate using this contact form.
What can the ministry do?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot track anyone down. It can, however, work with local authorities like the police. If the local authorities have new information, the ministry will let you know. If the missing person contacts you, call Netherlands Worldwide immediately on +31 247 247 247.
Step 4: Contact the travel insurance provider
If the missing person has travel insurance, contact the insurer’s emergency support centre.
Need help?
If you need emotional support and assistance, contact Victim Support Netherlands. This organisation is experienced in supporting people dealing with a missing friend or relative.
Contact Victim Support Netherlands
Find out how Victim Support Netherlands can help you (information in Dutch)