Traveling with children
What is it?
Your child must have a valid passport or ID card, even if they are under 14 years of age.
Are you traveling abroad with your children, and do they have a different last name? If so, this could cause problems during passport control at the airport. The parents, guardians, or persons with legal custody of the child must give you permission to do so.
When a parent traveling alone needs permission
There are various situations in which a parent may be traveling alone with a minor child. For example:
- A parent with joint custody is traveling alone with a child. You needpermissionfrom for this
- A parent with sole custody is traveling alone with a 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
- If one parent has passed away, you will need an extract from the parental authority register. Youcan request an extract from the parental authority register in writing at. You must do this at a court in your area.
What do I need?
- Your child needs their own passport or ID card.
- If necessary: the completed and signed consent form.
- If necessary: an extract from the registry of guardianship.
How does it work?
Please be aware of additional regulations and enhanced checks by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee at the borders. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee checks parents traveling alone with a child into or out of the Schengen Area. This is done to prevent international child abduction.
What should I do?
- Check the website of Rijksoverheid to see if you need permission from, for example, the other parent.
- If you need permission, please fill out the form titled "Permission to Travel Abroad with a Minor" at .
- Please sign the form together with the other parent.
- If you are traveling with multiple children, please fill out a consent form for each child.
- If necessary: an extract from theauthority register.
Your child is traveling with another adult
If your child is under 18 and is traveling abroad with another adult, consent is required from the parent(s) with legal custody. Examples include a vacation with a grandparent or the parents of a friend. You can arrange this using the form “Consent to Travel Abroad with a Minor” at .