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Travel documents for Aruba: where do you start?
Aruba is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This makes travel from the Netherlands straightforward, but there is a border and your paperwork needs to be in order. You will need a valid passport that remains valid for the entire duration of your stay. Do not count on being admitted with a Dutch identity card.
In addition, before departure, you will fill out an online immigration card, the so-called ED-card. You will present this upon arrival, digitally or printed. In this guide, we will list the travel documents and entry requirements for Aruba. Rules can change, so check everything again just before departure on the official government information.
| Item | What applies? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Mandatory, valid for your entire stay | Children also need their own passports. |
| Identity card | Don't count on this as a travel document | Check with your airline |
| ED card | Fill in online before departure | Digital or printed on arrival |
| Round-trip ticket | May be asked upon arrival | Keep your return flight in mind |
| Driver's license | Dutch driver's license is accepted | Landlords set their own conditions |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
Passport: what do you check?
Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Aruba. If it expires during your vacation, you will not be allowed to enter. Allow for some margin. If your passport expires shortly after your return journey, you'll be in a tight spot if your trip is unexpectedly extended.
Children need their own passport, including babies. If you’re traveling alone with your child, be sure to bring a copy of the other parent’s ID along with a letter of consent. Start checking a few months before departure, because applying for a new passport takes time.
The ED Card: The Digital Immigration Card
For Aruba, you fill out an immigration card online before departure. In it, you provide your flight details and your accommodation address, among other things. You will then receive a confirmation that you show on arrival, digitally or on paper. With the ED card you also pay the Sustainability Fee of USD 20 per person; children under 8 are exempt. Arrange this at home, otherwise you'll be at the counter typing on your phone.
Every traveler fills in their own card, including children. Make sure you have your accommodation details ready. The rules regarding the card change from time to time, so check the current situation shortly.
Do you need a visa?
For a regular holiday, you do not need a visa. Dutch citizens can travel to Aruba as tourists. If you want to stay longer, work, or study, different rules apply. You will not encounter that for a holiday.
If you are traveling with a passport other than a Dutch one, check the requirements for your nationality. These can vary considerably. If you don't know yet how long you want to stay, check our guide about how many days you need in Aruba.
Return ticket and other checks
Upon arrival, customs may ask for a return or onward ticket. Have this ready on your phone or printed, and you'll get through quickly. They may also ask where you are staying and if you have sufficient funds. In practice, this rarely happens on a typical vacation trip.
If you are coming from an area where yellow fever occurs, proof of vaccination is mandatory. This does not apply to a direct trip from the Netherlands. If you make a stopover in another country on your way, check the rules of that country. For a layover in the United States, for example, you will need an ESTA.
Driver's license and car rental
Your Dutch driver's license is accepted in Aruba, including for a rental car. An international driver's license is not necessary. Rental companies may have their own conditions, for example regarding a minimum age or how long you have had your driver's license. Check this when booking.
For the rugged east coast, you'll need a 4x4 vehicle. You won't get there with a regular rental car, not even with a driver's license. More about that is in our guide on rental car or excursions in Aruba.
Insurance and healthcare
Aruba has its own healthcare system. Your Dutch health insurance does not automatically cover everything, so check your policy and consider travel insurance with medical coverage. If you plan to go diving, pay extra attention. Treatment after a diving accident is not covered by every policy.
Take your insurance details with you, digital and on paper, along with an emergency number. More about safety can be found in our guide about whether Aruba is safe.
Arrival at Queen Beatrix International Airport
You land at the airport in Oranjestad. At immigration, you show your passport and your ED card, then you proceed to the baggage claim and customs. If you are traveling on to the United States, you will go through the U.S. immigration control in Aruba. Allow extra time for this.
Car rental companies are at the airport, and taxis are waiting outside. Arrange the fare with a taxi driver in advance. You can read more about the trip itself in our guide about flying to Aruba.
Customs and what you may bring
Regular rules apply to personal baggage. Leave fresh foods, plants, and animal products at home, as they are checked. Bring medications in their original packaging. If you use something by prescription, bring a copy of the prescription or a medicine passport.
You can certainly bring your diving and snorkeling gear. Just be mindful of your luggage weight, as equipment can quickly add up. More on this can be found in our guide about What to bring to Aruba.
Are you traveling with children?
Every child needs their own passport and their own immigration card. So fill those out separately for everyone. If you are traveling without the other parent, it is advisable to bring a letter of consent and a copy of their ID. This is not always requested, but sometimes it is.
Also check if the names on the tickets exactly match those in the passports. A discrepancy will cause hassle during check-in. More tips can be found in our guide about Aruba with children.
Book excursions in advance
Once your papers are in order, it's wise to also think about what you want to do on the island. Popular tours fill up quickly during peak season. An island tour is a good first activity, as it will give you an overview of the island and help you decide what else you want to see later on.
What is included varies by provider, so check that on the relevant page. More options can be found in our guide to the Best excursions in Aruba.
Are you traveling on to Bonaire or Curaçao?
If you combine Aruba with Bonaire or Curaçao, separate entry rules apply there. Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands; Curaçao, like Aruba, is a country within the Kingdom. Check the requirements for each island. Often, this involves an online form or a tourist tax that you arrange in advance.
Be sure to plan for a second check-in and to go through security again when you have a layover. You can read what applies to Bonaire in our guide about travel documents and entry requirements for Bonaire.
What if your papers are not in order?
You'll usually notice a problem when checking in in the Netherlands. An airline can refuse you if your travel document does not comply. Therefore, check everything a few weeks before departure instead of the evening before.
If you lose something along the way, report it to the local police and contact the Dutch representation on the island. Keep copies of your documents separate from the originals, both digitally and on paper.
This is how you calmly prepare your papers
Check the validity of all passports in your party a few months before departure. Fill out the immigration card in the days before departure, as soon as you have finalized your flight details and accommodation address.
Put everything in one folder on your phone and take a paper copy with you. You don't want to be searching when you arrive. This way you'll be out within fifteen minutes and your vacation will start off right.
What is the difference between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao in terms of rules and regulations?
Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands. A tourist tax applies there, which you pay online in advance, and otherwise you travel there within the Dutch framework. Aruba and Curaçao are countries within the Kingdom with their own entry policies. For both, you fill out a digital immigration card before you leave. For Aruba, you also pay the Sustainability Fee of USD 20 per person; children under 8 are exempt.
In all three cases, you will need a valid passport that remains valid throughout your stay. An identification card is not sufficient. If you are traveling to multiple islands, arrange what is needed for each island well in advance of your departure.
What are you arranging when?
Three months before departure: check all passports and apply for new ones if necessary. This is the only step that really takes time. One month before departure: take out your travel insurance and check if medical expenses and diving, if applicable, are covered.
The week before departure: fill out your immigration card, print your confirmations, and put everything in one folder on your phone. The day before departure: check your baggage rules, your flight times, and if your accommodation address matches what you provided.
Useful documents to keep on hand
In addition to your passport and immigration card, you want to be able to quickly show your flight details, accommodation confirmation, and insurance information. If you've booked an excursion, keep that confirmation in the same folder. This will save you time searching on the day itself.
If you go diving, take your certification card and your logbook with you. Dive centers ask for these when you register. Take pictures of everything and put them in a separate folder so you can access your data even without internet.
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Documents for Aruba
Do you need a passport for Aruba?
Yes. You need a valid passport that remains valid for the duration of your stay.
Can I go to Aruba with an ID card?
Don't count on it. For Aruba, a valid passport is required as a travel document. If in doubt, check with your airline.
What is the ED-card for Aruba?
The digital immigration card that you fill out online before departure. You show the confirmation upon arrival, digitally or printed.
Do you need a visa for Aruba?
Not for a normal vacation. Different rules apply for longer stays, work, or study.
Is my Dutch driver's license valid in Aruba?
Yes, also for a rental car. An international driving permit is not necessary, although the rental company may have its own conditions.
Do you need to show a return ticket?
This can be requested upon arrival. Therefore, keep your return or onward ticket handy.
Papers in order? Then check out which activities and excursions suit your trip to Aruba.
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