Traveling with Children

Your child must have a valid passport or ID card, even if your child is younger than 14.

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 parental authority over the child must give you that permission.

When a parent traveling alone needs permission

There are various situations in which a parent might be traveling 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) 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 registry. Youcan request an extract from the parental authority registry in writing at. You must submit this request to a court in your area.

How does it work?

Please be aware of additional rules and extensive 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 Dutch government ’s website at 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 theguardianship registry.

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 a friend’s parents. You can arrange this using the form “Consent to Travel Abroad with a Minor” at .