The Netherlands and Belgium are the latest two European countries moving to update their travel advice for the United States for LGBTQ+ citizens and all people traveling to the U.S.
The Dutch foreign ministry has warned that U.S. customs and laws regarding sexual minorities may differ from those in the Netherlands.
Belgium is also set to update its advice soon due to “tightened border controls” and new challenges for LGBTQ+ people, according to reports.
The announcements come after several other European countries and Canada updated their travel guidance for the U.S. in recent days, citing transgender rights and difficulties at the border.
Michael Conroy/AP
The Netherlands
The Dutch foreign ministry’s travel advice portal still marks the U.S. as a safe country to visit but tells people belonging to a sexual minority: “Please note that laws and customs in the US towards LGBTQ+ persons may differ from those in the Netherlands.”
The portal previously said that U.S. laws around LGBTQ+ people were “comparable to those in the Netherlands,” according to Dutch public broadcaster NOS. The Netherlands has a very liberal and progressive stance towards LGBTQ+ rights.
Kim van Sparrentak, a Dutch lawmaker in the European Parliament, told Politico: “It reflects a sad and completely needless reality.”
A spokesperson for the Netherlands’ consular affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Newsweek, “We didn’t only make an adjustment on LGBTIQ+ during the current adjustment for the US-advise, but also for other travelers.”
The Netherlands has issued guidance for all travellers going to the U.S. on an ESTA or other visa, warning that people risk arrest, imprisonment, and deportation if they do not adhere “strictly” to their stated travel purpose.
The new guidelines also say: “Always make sure you have the proper entry documents. These are carefully checked upon entry. Is something not correct? That may be reason for the US authorities to refuse you entry to the US.”
The spokesperson told Newsweek that so far, they have not received any recent requests for consular assistance from LGBTQ+ travelers in the US.
Belgium
Belgium is also expected to issue a new U.S. travel advisory soon due to “tightened border controls” and challenges for the LGBTQ+ community, according to the Belga News Agency.
The announcement is expected to stress that levels of acceptance for gay and transgender people vary significantly across different regions of the U.S.
Newsweek has contacted the Dutch and Belgian foreign ministries for comment.
Other European Nations
Germany, France, Finland and Denmark have already updated their travel warnings for LGBTQ+ travelers to the U.S., warning they are now required to declare their gender assigned at birth when completing visa or ESTA applications.
The United Kingdom has also warned travelers that they face potential arrest or detention if they fail to comply with U.S. entry requirements.
“You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules,” the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said.
Canada
Canada’s government also issued an advisory this week stating that citizens staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days are required to register with U.S. authorities, warning that failure to do so could result in fines or misdemeanor charges.
“Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting the United States for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the United States Government. Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution,” the advisory states.
Update 03/26/25 11:11 am ET: This story was updated to include additional information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands.
