For many Dutch people, a passport is something normal; a small book that lies in the drawer and comes out when you go on holiday. But have you ever stopped to think how special it actually is to have a Dutch passport? In many countries, it is not at all self-evident to be able to obtain a passport, let alone to have one with which you can discover the whole world. In this article, we will look at why owning a Dutch passport is a privilege and what special possibilities the #3 passport on the world rankings offers us.
Possession of a passport is not a given
In the Netherlands, it is arranged that every resident with Dutch nationality can apply for a passport at the municipality, even newborns. From the age of fourteen, you are even required to be able to identify yourself, so from that moment on an ID card or passport is required. For us Dutch people, that sounds obvious, but that is not the case everywhere in the world.
In many other countries, having a passport is not so obvious. Uganda For example, we spoke to a guide about obtaining a passport. The guide had already applied for a passport twice, but both times they were rejected. When applying, he was also asked for an additional payment to increase the chance of success. Despite these questionable additional payments, his applications were still rejected. As a result, he cannot leave his country, not even for a short period. Many Ugandans do not apply because they cannot afford the costs. The vast majority of citizens in Uganda are therefore unable to leave the country.
More examples of passport problems
There are more countries where it is difficult to obtain a passport for political, economic or social reasons. Here are some examples:
- In North Korea most residents are not allowed to leave their country at all, so passports are hardly ever issued here.
- In Eritrea passports are often refused due to strict state control. It is made very difficult for residents to leave the country.
- In Saudi Arabia Until recently, women needed permission from a male guardian to obtain a passport.
- In Myanmar minorities such as the Rohingya no passport at all, because they are not recognized as citizens.
- In Zimbabwe Due to the economic crisis, there are often shortages of materials to make passports, which can lead to extremely long waiting times.
Visa-free travel is a privilege
Even if you are lucky enough to have a passport, that does not mean you can just travel anywhere. The Dutch are very lucky in this respect. In addition to the fact that it is relatively easy to obtain a passport, they can also travel visa-free to a large number of destinations worldwide.
According to the latest data from the Henley Passport Index The Netherlands is ranked #3 on the list of countries whose residents can travel to most other countries without a visa. Dutch people can travel to no less than 191 destinations without a visa. Singapore is number 1 with 195 destinations, followed by France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Japan with 192 destinations.
For comparison: people with an Afghan passport can only travel to 26 destinations without a visa. Even within Europe there are differences: citizens of Turkey, for example, which is partly in Europe, can only travel to 111 destinations without a visa.
Read more: For more information about the ranking and visa requirements, please visit the website Henley Passport Index.
A passport offers opportunities, freedom and security
All this shows that it is a privilege to have a passport, and especially a strong one. It is not just about the possibility to travel to another country. It is about so much more: about all the extra opportunities, freedoms and security it offers. A passport gives you freedom to travel and with that also the chance to develop yourself personally.
Also read: Personal development | 7 ways traveling makes you grow
A passport opens the door to economic benefits or opportunities when they arise. A strong passport also makes it easier to work or study abroad, giving you cultural and educational experiences.
In addition, we now live in a relatively safe time, but if an emergency situation ever arises, a reliable passport can also provide you with extra security. Think for example of seeking asylum or evacuation during a crisis.
An example to show how valuable a reliable passport is in times of need:
At the start of the corona crisis, airspaces were closed and travelers were stranded. Repatriation often took a long time. For example, dozens of Dutch backpackers were stuck in the capital of the Philippines, where they were not even allowed into hotels and hostels.
Ultimately, their Dutch passports provided a solution. They were entitled to repatriation by the Dutch government, which organised special flights to bring back its citizens. They could also count on consular assistance from the Dutch embassy, which provided them with information, advice, and assistance in arranging accommodation and transport. In addition, the passport gave them access to emergency funds and legal protection, which gave them a sense of safety and security in a chaotic situation.
In short
In short, a Dutch passport offers much more than just the possibility to travel. It symbolizes freedom, opportunities and safety. We can count ourselves lucky to have such a reliable and powerful passport. It is important to realize that this is not self-evident everywhere in the world and to appreciate this freedom and opportunities.
