Traveling with children
What is it?
Your child must have a valid passport or identity card, even if they are younger than 14 years of age.
Are you traveling abroad with your children and they have a different last name? Then this can cause problems at passport control at the airport. The parents, guardians or persons who have authority over the child must give you that permission.
When a parent traveling alone needs permission
There are several possible situations in which a parent travels alone with a minor child. For example:
- A parent with joint parental authority is traveling alone with a child. You needpermissionfor this.
- A parent with sole parental authority (single parent) travels alone with the child. You do not need permission for this, but you do needadditional documents.
- A parent without parental authority is traveling alone with a child. You needpermissionfor this.
- One parent has died. You will need an extract from the parental authority register. Youcan request an extract from the parental authority register in writing. You can do this at a court in your area.
What to do
- Check the website of themilitary police to see whether you need permission from, for example, the other parent.
- If you need permission, fill in the form 'permission to travel abroad with a minor'.
- Sign the form with the other parent.
- If you are traveling with more than one child, complete a consent form for each child.
- If necessary: an extract from thecustody register.
Your child is traveling with another adult
If your child is younger than 18 and is traveling abroad with another adult, permission from the parent(s) with parental authority is required. Examples include a vacation with a grandparent or the parents of a friend. You can arrange this using the form 'permission to travel abroad with a minor'.
What do I need?
- Your child needs their own passport or identity card.
- If necessary: the completed and signed consent form.
- If necessary: an extract from the register of custody.
How does it work?
Keep in mind additional rules and extensive checks by the Royal Military Police at the borders. The Royal Military Police checks parents traveling alone with a child into or out of the Schengen area. This is done to prevent international child abduction.