Visiting

Business hours

Businesses are usually open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Banks and government offices are open from 9.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Most shops are open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Saturday. Late night trading on Thursdays is common and many shops are starting to open on Sundays, especially in cities.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year's Day
April 30 – Queen's Day
May 5 – National Liberation Day
December 25-26 – Christmas

Climate

The warmest month is July with an average of 18ºC and the coldest is January with a 2ºC average. Generally, the climate is considered temperate, with cool summers and wet and windy winters, though the country is subject to unpredictable weather patterns, heavily influenced by the sea.

For weather details in the Netherlands, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The official currency is the Euro.

Banks

Banks are open from 9.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.

ATMs are widely available and major credit cards are usually accepted, but may not be in some shops and cafes.

Time zones and time differences

The Netherlands is eight hours from March to September and 10 hours from October to February behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

To find out the current time in Amsterdam, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

The Netherlands country code is +31.

For calls to The Netherlands from Australia dial: 0011 + 31 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from The Netherlands to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

Find out more about Australian area codes or international dialing codes.

Electricity and water

The Netherlands’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz. The European round two-pin plugs are the most common.

European round pin adaptors will work in The Netherlands.

Tap water is safe to drink in The Netherlands.

Links and resources

Travel and tourism

The Netherlands Tourism Board

Please note: This list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only. The content is for information and carries no warranty; as such, the addressee must exercise their own discretion in its use. Australia’s anti-bribery laws apply overseas and Austrade will not provide business related services to any party who breaches the law and will report credible evidence of any breach. For further information, please see foreign bribery information and awareness pack.