Last month, in response to Singapore’s removal from the EU’s list of epidemiologically-safe third countries, Netherlands designated Singapore a very high risk area and required a pre-departure COVID-19 test for vaccinated travellers.
Now there’s some good news: from 16 December 2021, Singapore will be upgraded to a high risk area (I know that sounds counterintuitive, but high risk is better than very high risk!).
This means that the pre-departure testing requirement will be scrapped, saving travellers from Singapore some money.
Netherlands upgrades Singapore
From 16 December 2021, Singapore will be removed from the list of “very high risk” countries and added to the list of “high risk” countries.
Travellers from high risk areas need not show a negative test result if they have proof of vaccination. Unlike some other European countries, Netherlands accepts any vaccine which is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or is on the Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organisation (WHO). This includes Sinovac and Sinopharm.
Those who are unvaccinated must continue to present a negative COVID-19 test, unless they are aged 11 and below.
- A negative PCR result conducted no more than 48 hours before departure
- A negative ART result conducted no more than 24 hours before departure
This means that unvaccinated children aged 11 and below accompanying their vaccinated parents on a trip will not need to take any tests.
All travellers aged 12 or older must complete a health declaration. No quarantine is required on arrival.
Fully vaccinated travellers are “advised” to take a COVID-19 self-test before meeting other people or going to work/school, but this is not mandatory. In any case, COVID-19 testing is free in the Netherlands, even for visitors. However, you’ll need to pay for a pre-departure test since this comes with additional certification.
Singapore vaccination certificates recognised in Netherlands
As of 7 December 2021, Singapore vaccination certificates have been granted equivalency with the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC). This means that Singaporeans will be able to enjoy the same benefits as any individual vaccinated within the EU.
Netherlands has a vaccine passport app called CoronaCheck, but it’s only possible to add a vaccination certificate if you have a DigiD (their equivalent of SingPass).
In any case, you should be able to show the QR code on your Notarise vaccination certificate and be accepted (I say should, because there have been some teething issues reported in other EU countries). You can also scan the QR code using the Swiss COVID Certificate app (Android | iOS) and display it that way.
VTL Flights to Singapore
Singapore Airlines currently operates the following VTL flights from Amsterdam to Singapore.
| Amsterdam – Singapore | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 November 2021 – 16 January 2022 | |||
| SQ329 | Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | 10:25am – 5:55am (+1) | A350-900 |
| 17 January 2022 – 27 March 2022 | |||
| SQ329 | Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | 10:25am – 5:55am (+1) | A350-900 |
| SQ323 | Mon, Wed, Sun | 10:25am – 5:55am (+1) | A350-900 |
KLM also has the following VTL services.
| Flight | Period | Day | Timing | Aircraft |
| KL833 | 01 Nov 21 – 26 Mar 22 | Mon, Sat | 21:05-15:30 (+1) | B777-W B787-9 |
Testing requirement on return to Singapore
Singapore has tightened its testing regime for VTL arrivals from 7 December 2021 onwards.
Travellers aged 2 and above now need to undergo daily testing for the first seven days upon arriving in Singapore, as illustrated below:
| 🇸🇬 Testing Regime for travel to Singapore | |
| Day | Test |
| Within 2 days before departure | Professional ART/PCR |
| Day 1 (arrival) | Air VTL: PCR Land VTL: ART |
| Day 2 | Self-administered ART |
| Day 3 | Supervised ART |
| Day 4 | Self-administered ART |
| Day 5 | Self-administered ART |
| Day 6 | Self-administered ART |
| Day 7 | Supervised ART |
| Professional ART= Someone swabs you Self-administered ART= You swab yourself, unsupervised Supervised ART= You swab yourself, supervised |
|
ART swabs are all self-administered, with the Day 3 & 7 tests conducted under supervision at a Combined Test Centre (CTC) or Quick Test Centre (QTC) by 2130 hours on the relevant days.
| QTC/CTC Locations |
| Book Appointment |
| Children aged 3 to 12 must be accompanied by a caregiver aged 21 years old and above for supervised ART swabbing. The caregiver may be required to help administer the test if the child is unable to do so. |
On Days 2, 4, 5 and 6, tests will be unsupervised and done at home (these must be done before going out for activities on that day). Travellers must submit their results from Days 2, 4, 5 and 6 tests via the portal below.
| Report ART result (Land) |
| Report ART result (Air) |
This means that round-trip travellers from Singapore to the Netherlands can expect to do a total of eight COVID-19 tests.
| ⚕️ VTL Testing Regime | ||
| Location | Remarks | Price |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 2 days before departure (ART/PCR) | Varies |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | On arrival at Changi (PCR) | S$125 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Day 2 (ART) | ~S$5 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Day 3 (Supervised ART) | S$15 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Day 4 (ART) | ~S$5 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Day 5 (ART) | ~S$5 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Day 6 (ART) | ~S$5 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Day 7 (Supervised ART) | S$15 |
Conclusion
The Netherlands has lifted its pre-departure COVID-19 test for travellers from Singapore, which will save you some time and money on your way over.
Once Singapore stands down its enhanced testing regime for Omicron (supposed to be till 3 January 2022, but subject to further extensions), travellers will only need to do two tests in total, making this one of the more hassle-free destinations.
