Planning for Deposition Travel to the Netherlands / Holland

With teams living on the ground in Europe, Planet Depos offers 24/7 assistance for all of your deposition needs in the Netherlands. Our teams have been covering depositions in the Netherlands for over 15 years, earning the reputation of one of the leading experts in the scheduling process, travel, and document assistance there. We would be more than happy to share our expertise and guide you through the logistical and procedural processes to ensure a successful deposition in the Netherlands.

Entry Requirements for the Netherlands
The Netherlands does not require a tourist visa for stays of less than 90 days. You will need a passport valid for at least 90 days beyond your planned date of departure from the Netherlands, and Planet Depos strongly recommends traveling with a passport valid no less than 6 months post your departure date from the Netherlands. You need 2 blank passport pages for your entry stamp. There are a few direct flights from the U.S. to the Netherlands, but if you are not on a non-stop flight, you will need to check any country or countries you pass through to determine if a separate transit visa is required.

For more information, you may also contact the Dutch Embassy in the United States (4200 Linnean Ave NW Washington DC 20008):

Dutch Embassy

Flying to the Netherlands
There are 2 major international airports in the Netherlands:

• Amsterdam Airport Schipol (AMS) – Amsterdam (Amsterdam)
• Rotterdam the Hague Airport (RTM) – Rotterdam (Rotterdam)

Airlines offering direct flights to the Netherlands include:

• KLM (http://www.klm.com)
• Delta (www.delta.com)
• United (www.unitedairlines.com)
• Lufthansa (www.lufthansa.com)

Travel to the Netherlands
For updated travel alerts and information, please visit the State Department’s webpage at:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Netherlands.html

You can also download the SmartTravel App for your smartphone created by the U.S. Department of State.

Staying in the Netherlands
There are many locations to take depositions in the Netherlands. For example, Amsterdam offers many deluxe hotels to meet your conference room and lodging needs. Planet Depos has established relationships with many hotels throughout Europe, and we will gladly assist with your conference room needs and hotel recommendations.

Medical Information for the Netherlands
There are several excellent English-friendly medical facilities in the Netherlands. For a list of these facilities, and additional medical/emergency information, please go to:

U.S. Embassy – Holland

For updated health information, including health travel alerts and immunizations, please visit the Netherlands specific website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at:

CDC – Holland

Money Matters
Like most of Europe, the Netherlands uses the Euro for her currency. ATMs are widely available, even in the smallest villages. Major credit cards are also widely accepted, but when in doubt, ask first.

For up-to-date information on the local conversion rate, please visit a reputable currency converter website such as http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/ which also offers an app for smartphones.

Weather
The Netherlands has a typically moderate marine climate. Spring is a favorite season, when the pride and joy of Holland blooms: her tulips. Temperatures stay in the high 40’s to low 50’s. Summers are pleasant with long festival-filled days. Summer temperatures typically hover in the 60’s. Autumns are breathtakingly colorful, with the forests changing colors, and the skies on the coast becoming more vibrant. Autumns do bring more rain, though. Temperatures drop to the low 50’s to mid 40’s. Winters are cold and snowy, creating a dazzling white landscape. Winter temperatures average in the mid 30’s.

Websites to visit
Embassy of the United States in the Netherlands

U.S. Embassy – Holland

App Store for your iPhone:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/ios-travel/id6003?mt=8

App Store for your Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps?hl=en

Interesting Fact about The Netherlands (Holland)
The Dutch are the largest consumers of licorice, eating over 32 million kilos of licorice a year.

Checklist for U.S. Depositions in The Netherlands / Holland

The requirements for taking U.S. depositions in The Netherlands are straightforward and easy to follow using the Planet Depos checklist specific to The Netherlands.

Allowing enough time (roughly between 4-6 weeks is ideal) for scheduling depositions in The Netherlands is extremely important because of the logistics associated with the scheduling and planning processes. However, with teams living on-the-ground throughout Europe, we are often able to cover last-minute requests.

Counsel will determine whether their witness is willing to be deposed. If so, both parties can agree to stipulate the oath and begin the process of setting up the deposition.

The Netherlands is a party to The Hague Evidence Convention.  Prior permission for taking depositions of citizens of The Netherlands is not required.  If you need assistance, contact the Planet Depos International Scheduling Department.

For specific information, please consult the U.S. State Department for Judicial Assistance.

Select the deposition services needed:

• U.S.-trained court reporter
• U.S.-trained legal videographer
• Any language interpreter

What is the location of the deposition in The Netherlands?

• Do you need Planet Depos to reserve a conference room for you?

If not participating in person, do you require videoconferencing services? (If not, please skip to the next item on the checklist).

• Do you need a location in The Netherlands?
• Will you need a location in the United States?
• Can you attend from your firm’s videoconference suite?
• Ask about Planet Depos’ Mobile Videoconferencing capabilities!
• Document Production
• Do you need assistance with exhibit printing?

Select your deposition date

• Start time
• End time

Visa Restrictions:

• There is no visa required for travel to The Netherlands at this time; however, your passport must be valid for 90 days beyond your intended period of stay.  It is highly recommended that you have at least 6-months’ validity past the point of your return to the U.S. on your passport for travel to any European country.  For more information, please consult the U.S. State Department or contact Planet Depos’ International Scheduling Department.

Make travel arrangements

• Flight
• Lodging
• Contact Planet Depos for information about corporate discounts with our partner hotels
• Car rental

Send a protective order to Planet Depos for representatives to sign (if applicable)

Have you filled out the Planet Depos Standing Order Form? It’s an easy process that takes less than 60 seconds and will let us know:

• Transcript turnaround time (regular or expedited)
• Who should receive the Rough ASCII and final transcript
• The number of realtime laptops that are needed
• Preferred video format (DVD, MPEG1, Loaded DVD, Synchronized Viewer)

Send out Notice of Deposition to all counsel, your witness, and Planet Depos

Send prep materials to Planet Depos for reporter’s deposition preparation:

• Notice of deposition
• Complaint
• Subpoena
• Previous transcript(s)
• Word index

Obtain emergency contact information for Planet Depos representatives

Provide emergency contact information of counsel

Travel safely to Holland and contact Planet Depos with any questions once you’ve arrived!

Did you know?  The official name of The Netherlands (Holland) is “Kingdom of the Netherlands.”