# Culture and etiquette in Netherlands: what to know

> A few local norms make the trip smoother. Here are customs, tipping and manners appreciated in Netherlands.

A few local norms make the trip smoother. Here are customs, tipping and manners appreciated in Netherlands.

## Stay online while you explore

For maps, bookings, translation and Instagram photos, a MerrSIM eSIM for Netherlands (from €1.49, 10 GB €9.49) keeps you online from the start — no roaming, no physical SIM.

[MerrSIM — eSIM Netherlands](https://merrsim.com/destinations/esim-plans-for-netherlands)

## Activation in a few minutes

Do the install before departure, while on WiFi. Open your phone settings, choose to add an eSIM and scan the QR code you received by email. Label the profile “Netherlands” so it is easy to spot. When you land, set the eSIM as your data line and switch on data roaming for it — that is normal for travel eSIMs and adds no fees, because the plan is prepaid. Within seconds you are online, with no need to hunt for public WiFi.

## No registration, no shop queue

Many EU countries require identity verification for local SIM cards, which means a queue, a shop and sometimes even a local address. A travel eSIM skips all of that: it is sold as an international data service, with no passport and no contract. You have it ready before you set off for Netherlands, so you land and are online immediately — no time wasted at the airport and no risk of surprise roaming bills.

## How an eSIM works

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone: there is no physical card to insert. You buy it online, get a QR code by email and scan it in your settings. Once installed, the profile lives on your phone and activates when you reach Netherlands, connecting automatically to a local partner network. You can keep your main SIM at the same time, so your number still gets calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.

## Coverage and 5G speed in Netherlands

The eSIM connects to the main local operators, so you get the same coverage as a local, including 4G/LTE and 5G where available. In the cities and tourist areas of Netherlands the signal is strong and stable; in very remote villages or mountains it can weaken, as with any operator. Hotspot is included, so you can share the connection with your laptop or a travel companion at no extra cost.

## Does your phone support eSIM?

Before you buy, check two things. First, the phone must be eSIM-compatible: iPhone XR/XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and many recent Motorola, Huawei and Oppo models. Second, it must be carrier-unlocked. You can verify by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. This saves you any surprises when you arrive in Netherlands.

## FAQ

### How do I stay online in Netherlands?
Get a MerrSIM eSIM for Netherlands from €1.49 (10 GB €9.49), activate by QR before departure and connect automatically.


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Author: Etnik Beqiri  
Published: 2026-05-29  
Source: https://merrsim.com/en/blog/kultura-etiketa-netherlands-en