Traveling with children
What is it?
Your child must have a valid passport or identity card, even if they are younger than 14 years of age.
Are you traveling abroad with your children and do they have a different surname? This could cause problems at passport control at the airport. The parents, guardians, or persons who have authority over the child must give you permission.
When a parent traveling alone needs permission
There are various situations in which a parent may travel alone with a minor child. For example:
- A parent with joint parental authority is traveling alone with a child. You needpermissionfor this.
- A parent with sole parental authority (single parent) travels alone with the child. You do not need permission for this, but you do needadditional documents.
- A parent without parental authority is traveling alone with a child. You needpermissionfor this.
- One parent has died. You will need an extract from the parental authority register. Youcan request an extract from the parental authority register in writing. You can do this at a court in your area.
What do I need?
- Your child needs their own passport or identity card.
- If necessary: the completed and signed consent form.
- If necessary: an extract from the custody register.
What should I do?
- Check the government website to see if you need permission from, for example, the other parent.
- If you need permission, fill in the form 'permission to travel abroad with a minor'.
- Sign the form together with the other parent.
- If you are traveling with multiple children, please complete one consent form per child.
- If necessary: an extract from thecustody register.
Your child is traveling with another adult
If your child is under 18 years of age and is traveling abroad with another adult, permission from the parent(s) with parental authority is required. Examples include a vacation with a grandparent or the parents of a friend. You can arrange this using the form 'permission to travel abroad with a minor'.
How does it work?
Please note that there are additional rules and extensive checks by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee at the borders. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee checks parents who are traveling into or out of the Schengen area with only one child. This is done to prevent international child abduction.