Full List of African Countries Whose Citizens Can Visit The Netherlands Without a Visa in 2026
- The Dutch government published an updated visa-free entry list for 2026 on its official website
- Only two African countries made the Netherlands' visa-free list as recently published
- Citizens holding special passports such as diplomatic passports may also qualify for visa-free entry into the Netherlands
The Dutch government has published its updated visa-free entry policy for 2026, confirming that citizens of more than 40 countries worldwide can travel to the Netherlands without applying for a visa in advance.
Among those listed, only two nations from Africa made the cut.
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African countries on the Netherlands visa-free list
According to the official Dutch government website, nationals of Mauritius and Seychelles are permitted to enter the Netherlands without a visa and may stay for a specified period.
Citizens of all other African countries are not included in the current visa-free arrangement and will need to obtain a visa before travelling to the Netherlands.
The Dutch government also noted that holders of certain special travel documents, such as diplomatic passports, may be entitled to visa-free access regardless of their nationality, subject to conditions and time limits set by the authorities.
What this means for African travellers to Netherlands
For the vast majority of Africans hoping to visit the Netherlands, a visa application remains a requirement.
The country, situated in the northwestern part of Europe, is a popular destination for tourism, business, and study, making its entry requirements a matter of significant interest across the continent.
Mauritius and Seychelles, both island nations in the Indian Ocean, have long maintained relatively strong passport rankings on the continent, partly due to their extensive networks of visa-free and visa-on-arrival agreements with countries around the world.
Travellers from countries not on the visa-free list are advised to check the official Dutch government website for guidance on the appropriate visa category and application process before making travel plans.
Similarly, Belgium's 2026 visa-free travel list also included only the two nations, Mauritius and Seychelles, as the countries from Africa.
Spain names 8 African countries on visa-free
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that Spain also published its 2026 visa entry requirements, confirming that only eight African nations qualify for visa-free access to the country.
Citizens from Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Rwanda, Cape Verde, Eswatini, and Lesotho can enter Spain without a prior visa application.
Nationals from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and most other African countries must apply for a Schengen visa costing €90 before travelling to Spain.
Source: YEN.com.gh
