Bolivia entry requirements for Netherlands passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 15, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Dutch passport holders can enter Bolivia without a visa for up to 90 days. No advance paperwork is needed — just show up with your passport and a return ticket. This policy is in effect as of 2026.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Bolivia. Airlines check this at check-in, so verify your passport's expiry date before booking.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Bolivia
Immigration officers routinely ask for a confirmed onward ticket showing you leave within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy ready — they may check it before stamping you in.Recommended
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed or digital hotel reservation for at least your first few nights. If staying with friends, have their address and phone number written down — officers sometimes ask for it.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself during your stay
Have a bank statement or credit card showing access to around $500–$1,000 USD. Officers rarely ask, but if they do, you need to show you're not planning to work illegally.Recommended
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Airlines check your passport validity before boarding. If you have less than 6 months remaining, you will be denied boarding — even if your passport is still valid. Renew early.
Keep your entry card safe
At some land borders, you'll receive a small paper entry card. Do not lose it — you must return it when you leave Bolivia. Losing it means extra paperwork and a small fine.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at immigration counter
At any Bolivian airport or land border, join the 'Extranjeros' (Foreigners) queue. Have your passport ready.
2
Hand over your passport and ticket
The officer will ask for your passport and may request your return/onward ticket. Show the screenshot or printout.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and the 90-day stay period. Check the stamp before walking away.
4
Keep the entry card (if given)
Some border crossings give a small paper card. Keep it with your passport — you'll need to hand it back when you leave.
Download Bolivia Entry Checklist
PDF · Netherlands Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
Download PDF

Overstay calculator

Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$30 USD (approx. 210 BOB)

Apply at Bolivian embassy before travel; allows extension.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost~$60 USD (approx. 420 BOB)

For frequent travellers; apply at embassy.

Long-stay visa (temporary residence)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 700 BOB)

Requires proof of income or purpose; apply at embassy.

retirement visa
Visa de Residencia Temporal para Jubilados
1 year, renewable annually
~$100 USD (approx. 700 BOB) + bank fees
For retirees with a pension of at least $500/month. Requires proof of income and health insurance. Allows long-term stay.
digital nomad visa
Visa de Residencia Temporal para Trabajadores Remotos
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD (approx. 1,050 BOB)
For remote workers with income of at least $1,000/month. Requires proof of employment and health insurance. Allows stay and work.
investor visa
Visa de Residencia Temporal para Inversionistas
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD (approx. 1,400 BOB)
For investors with a minimum investment of $25,000 in Bolivian business or real estate. Requires proof of investment.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Stay extensionVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave and re-enter.Not available
Overstay fineOverstay fines are charged daily; avoid overstaying.~$2 USD per day (approx. 15 BOB), no cap

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Bolivia

No transit visa needed

Netherlands passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Bolivia, as long as they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsEl Alto International Airport (LPB) · Viru Viru International Airport (VVI)

Health & vaccines for Bolivia

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedYellow FeverEssentialRabiesConsiderCOVID-19Essential
Health risks
Altitude sicknessHigh risk

High altitude in La Paz and Potosí can cause severe symptoms; acclimatize gradually.

DengueModerate risk

Mosquito-borne disease present in lowland areas; use repellent.

ChikungunyaModerate risk

Mosquito-borne; same prevention as dengue.

Malaria risk: moderate

Risk in lowland areas (e.g., Amazon basin); prophylaxis recommended for those regions.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

La Paz
Dirección General de Migración
Calle Potosí esq. Colón, La Paz
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Main office for visa extensions and permits; bring passport and photos.

Santa Cruz
Oficina de Migración Santa Cruz
Av. San Martín esq. 3er Anillo, Santa Cruz
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Busy office; arrive early for extensions.

Practical information for NL travellers

Country basics
CapitalSucre
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyBolivian boliviano (BOB)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 6.92 BOB
updated May 15
Time zone
Local timeUTC-4
vs New York+1h
vs Los Angeles+4h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
A,CTypes A (two flat pins) and C (two round pins) are used.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police110
Medical118
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. The 90-day visa-free period is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must leave the country and re-enter (a 'border run'). Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Not required for entry, but recommended if you plan to visit the Amazon or lowland areas. Some border crossings may ask for proof, especially if you're coming from a yellow fever endemic country.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or entry by Bolivian immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
Yes. The same visa-free rules apply at land borders. Common crossings include Desaguadero (Peru) and Tambo Quemado (Chile). Expect the same passport validity and onward ticket checks.
No. There is no online pre-declaration for Dutch passport holders. You just fill out the standard immigration form at the border or on the plane.
You'll be fined per day overstayed. The fine is typically around 20–30 BOB per day (about $3–4 USD). Pay at the immigration office before leaving the country.
No. You don't need any visa — it's visa-free. Just show up with your passport and onward ticket.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.