Visa-Free to China for Dutch Nationals: The Facts

China will allow travellers from France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia visa-free entry to the country for 15 days.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Dutch nationals can visit China for fifteen days, visa-free. This means that people with a Dutch passport will be temporarily exempted from visa requirements. The exemption will come into effect on December 1, 2023, and will last for a year, until November 30, 2024. The visa-free entry into China includes business, tourism,  visiting relatives and friends, and transiting through the border for no more than 15 days. This measure also applies to passport holders of the following countries; France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Malaysia.

China hasn't disclosed why these five EU countries were chosen. However, it can be noted that the four largest economies of the EU are included.

The exemption is seen as an incentive for tourists to return to China after the pandemic. All COVID-19 testing requirements for incoming travelers have already been removed. 

To further facilitate people-to-people exchange, China has taken other steps in recent months, including the restoration of international flight routes. These routes were inactive due to strict COVID-19 measures, effectively closing the borders to the outside world.

Back to business

The visa-free travel presents great opportunities to boost economic exchange and build back up business confidence. The Chamber has noticed an increasing influx of returning former Benelux expats as well as students to Shanghai and hopes this policy will further facilitate this. 

According to Reuters (2023), In the third quarter, China's economy expanded more quickly than anticipated, with both September's consumption and industrial activity surpassing expectations. This indicates that the recent series of policy actions is effectively reinforcing a fragile recovery. In the third quarter, China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 4.9% year-on-year, a slowdown from the 6.3% growth recorded in the second quarter. However, quarter-on-quarter GDP growth accelerated to 1.3% in Q3 compared to 0.5% in Q2.