I live outside the Netherlands and my Dutch passport or identity card has expired (or has almost expired). What should I do?

I want to travel within Europe

You can travel on a Dutch ID card to most countries in Europe and to Türkiye. Find out which countries you can travel to on a Dutch identity card (information in Dutch). If you plan to travel to one of these countries you don’t need a passport and can apply for an ID card.

• Applying for an identity card if you live outside the Netherlands

I want to travel outside Europe

You need a passport to travel to countries outside Europe. Many countries also require a visa. You can, however, travel to Türkiye on a Dutch ID card.

• Applying for a passport if you live outside the Netherlands

Frequent traveller passports (business passports)

If you travel often it may be useful to have a frequent traveller passport (also called a business passport). These are the same as standard passports but have extra pages for visas and stamps. They also cost the same as standard passports.

Frequent traveller passports are usually valid for 10 years. For people under the age of 18 they are valid for only five years. The application process for a frequent traveller passport is the same as for a standard passport.

• Applying for a passport if you live outside the Netherlands

Second passports

If you’re regularly unable to use your passport for travel because it is being held by an embassy while a visa application is being processed, or if you often travel to countries in conflict (information in Dutch), it may be useful to have a second passport. A second passport is valid for two years.

If you want to apply for a second passport you must be able to prove that one of the above situations applies to you. Your primary passport must also be valid for at least six months. The application process for a second passport is the same as for a standard passport.

• Applying for a passport if you live outside the Netherlands

If you have another nationality in addition to Dutch nationality and you live outside the European Union, you may automatically lose your Dutch nationality if you don’t renew your Dutch passport within 13 years of its date of issue.

Find out how Dutch nationality can be lost

If you want to keep your Dutch nationality, you can apply for a certificate of Dutch nationality. You will need to apply for a new certificate every 13 years. Another way to keep your Dutch nationality is to ensure you renew your passport within 13 years of its date of issue.

You can apply for a certificate of Dutch nationality online. It costs less than a passport. However you cannot travel internationally on a certificate of Dutch nationality, whereas you can with a passport.

• Applying for a certificate of Dutch nationality if you live outside the Netherlands
• Applying for a passport if you live outside the Netherlands

The type of ID you need depends on where you are:

• In the Netherlands you can use a Dutch driving licence, ID card or passport.
• In most European countries (information in Dutch) and Türkiye you can use an ID card or passport.
• Outside Europe you will need a passport.

If you are still unsure, find out the differences between a passport and an identity card.

• Applying for a passport or identity card if you live outside the Netherlands