Madagascar entry requirements for Netherlands passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
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 get a visa on arrival in Madagascar. As of 2026, you pay the fee at the airport and receive a 30-day tourist visa. No advance application needed.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Madagascar eVisa | Apply online at visa.madagascar.travel before departure. The eVisa is valid for 60 days and costs around 35 EUR. Print the approval email — immigration at Antananarivo airport checks it before you queue for the visa-on-arrival sticker.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Madagascar. Airlines at Schiphol enforce this strictly — I've seen people turned away at check-in. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Madagascar | Immigration officers at Antananarivo ask for a confirmed onward or return ticket. Without one, you'll be directed to buy a ticket at the airline counter before they stamp you in. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Immigration rarely asks, but the airline check-in agent in Amsterdam may request it before issuing your boarding pass. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient cash or card for your stay | Carry at least 200 EUR per day of your stay in cash or have a credit card with available limit. Immigration doesn't always check, but if they do, they want to see you can cover your expenses. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa on arrival
The visa fee must be paid in cash — euros or US dollars. No credit cards, no ATMs at the visa counter. Have the exact amount ready to avoid delays.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
Dutch passport holders rarely face issues. The process is well-established at Ivato Airport. Just have your documents ready and be patient during peak hours.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Ivato International Airport (TNR)
After landing in Antananarivo, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' counters. There are separate queues for different nationalities. Dutch passport holders use the general foreigner queue.
2
Submit documents and pay
Hand over your passport, completed arrival card (given on the plane), and cash. The officer will process your visa and give you a receipt. This takes 5–15 minutes depending on queue length.
3
Receive your visa sticker
The visa is a sticker placed in your passport. Check the validity dates before leaving the counter. Standard is 30 days from date of issue.
4
Proceed to immigration and baggage claim
After getting your visa, go to the immigration desk for passport stamping. Then collect your luggage. Total time from landing to exit is usually 30–60 minutes.
Download Madagascar Entry Checklist
PDF · Netherlands Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€50 (approx. $55 USD)
Apply at Madagascar embassy before travel for longer stay.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost€100 (approx. $110 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers; apply at embassy.
Long-stay visa (visiteur)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost€200 (approx. $220 USD)
Requires proof of sufficient funds and accommodation; apply at embassy.
retirement visa
Carte de Séjour Retraité (Retirement Residence Permit)
1 year, renewable annually
~€200 (approx. $220 USD) per year
For retirees aged 55+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds (approx. €1,000/month). Allows long-term stay but not employment.
investor visa
Investor Residence Permit
1–5 years, renewable
Varies by investment amount (minimum ~€50,000 USD equivalent)
For individuals investing in Madagascar (e.g., real estate, business). Requires proof of investment and business plan.
work visa
Travail (Work Permit)
1 year, renewable
~€300 (approx. $330 USD) per year
For those with a job offer from a Malagasy company. Employer must obtain authorization from the Ministry of Labour.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (single entry, up to 30 days)Payable in EUR or USD cash at the airport upon arrival. | €35 (approx. $38 USD) |
| Visa on Arrival (single entry, up to 60 days)Payable in EUR or USD cash at the airport upon arrival. | €40 (approx. $44 USD) |
| Overstay fineNo official maximum cap reported; avoid overstaying. | €10 per day (approx. $11 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
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 Madagascar
No transit visa needed
Netherlands passport holders transiting through Madagascar do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsIvato International Airport (TNR), Antananarivo · Fascene Airport (NOS), Nosy Be
Health & vaccines for Madagascar
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderCholeraConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Widespread throughout Madagascar, including urban areas; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue FeverModerate risk
Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance advised.
SchistosomiasisModerate risk
Risk from swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers; avoid contact with untreated water.
Malaria risk: high
High risk throughout the country, including cities. CDC recommends prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine). Use mosquito repellent and bed nets.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Antananarivo
Direction Générale de l'Immigration et de l'Émigration
Anosy, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and long-stay permits. Bring passport, photos, and proof of funds.
Nosy Be
Immigration Office Nosy Be
Hell-Ville, Nosy Be, Madagascar
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:30
Handles extensions for tourists in the island region. Expect slower service.
Practical information for NL travellers
Country basics
CapitalAntananarivo
LanguageMalagasy, French
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyMalagasy ariary (MGA)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4,199.71 MGA
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+8h
vs Los Angeles+11h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,ETypes C and E, same as in Europe.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The standard 30-day tourist visa costs about €35–€40 (or equivalent in US dollars). You pay in cash at the airport. No card payments accepted. Longer stays (60 days) cost more — around €50–€60.
Yes, you can extend your visa at the immigration office in Antananarivo (or in major cities like Nosy Be). Extensions are typically granted for 30 additional days and cost around €30–€40. Start the process at least a week before your visa expires.
You will be denied boarding by the airline and refused entry at immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. No exceptions.
Only if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. The Netherlands is not a risk country, so you don't need it unless you've recently been in a yellow fever zone. Check current requirements before travel.
Yes, visa on arrival is available at all international airports: Ivato (TNR), Nosy Be (NOS), and Toamasina (TMM). The process is the same.
Overstaying results in a fine of about 10,000–20,000 MGA per day (roughly €2–€4). You pay at the airport before departure. Serious overstays can lead to deportation or a ban. Don't risk it.
No online pre-registration is required. You'll fill out an arrival card on the plane or at the airport. Keep it simple — just your passport details and accommodation address.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.