Checked against NetherlandsWorldwide and European Commission source material on August 13, 2026.
Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten are not Schengen Area countries.
NetherlandsWorldwide separates Schengen visas from Caribbean visas. It says a Schengen visa allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period in Schengen countries, while a short-stay Caribbean visa covers the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is not valid for European Netherlands or other Schengen countries.
Short answer: do not count Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St Eustatius, or St Maarten as Schengen 90/180 days. Track each Dutch Caribbean stay limit separately.
Jetseen helps you track days - always consult a qualified tax, legal, or immigration professional for advice specific to your situation.
Are Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten in Schengen?
No.
NetherlandsWorldwide says a Schengen visa is for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period in all countries in the Schengen Area.
It separately describes a short-stay Caribbean visa for Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten. The same source says a Caribbean visa cannot be used for travel to the European part of the Netherlands.
That gives you two separate records:
| Record | What it tracks |
|---|---|
| Schengen 90/180 | Days in Schengen Area countries |
| Dutch Caribbean stay limit | Days in the relevant Caribbean part of the Kingdom |
Do not put Dutch Caribbean days into your Schengen counter just because the islands are connected to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
What is the short-stay Caribbean visa limit?
NetherlandsWorldwide says a short-stay Caribbean visa lets someone visit the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
It also says the amount of time permitted on any one island varies.
| Destination | NetherlandsWorldwide short-stay Caribbean visa limit |
|---|---|
| Aruba | Maximum 180 consecutive days within a 365-day period, though the visa may state a shorter stay |
| Curacao | Maximum 30 consecutive days, with a local extension route for more than 30 and fewer than 90 days |
| Bonaire | Maximum 90 consecutive days in a 180-day period |
| Saba | Maximum 90 consecutive days in a 180-day period |
| St Eustatius | Maximum 90 consecutive days in a 180-day period |
| St Maarten | Maximum 90 consecutive days in a 180-day period |
That table is not a nationality-by-nationality visa answer. It is the island-by-island stay-limit record from the official short-stay Caribbean visa page.
What if you do not need a Caribbean visa?
Visa-free travelers still have stay limits.
NetherlandsWorldwide says travelers who do not need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom can stay for a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period.
The same page lists longer allowances for certain groups:
- Dutch or US nationals may stay for a maximum of 180 consecutive days in any 365-day period.
- Nationals of Schengen countries other than the Netherlands may stay in Aruba for a maximum of 180 days in any 365-day period.
- For those same Schengen-country nationals, the other Caribbean parts remain at a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period.
Even if you meet the general requirements, NetherlandsWorldwide says local authorities may refuse entry or allow entry for a shorter period than the maximum.
Does a Caribbean visa let you enter the Netherlands or Schengen?
No.
NetherlandsWorldwide says a short-stay Caribbean visa is not valid for travel to the European part of the Netherlands or any other Schengen Area country.
So the practical answer has two sides:
- Schengen permission does not become Dutch Caribbean permission.
- Dutch Caribbean permission does not become Schengen permission.
If your trip links Amsterdam, Aruba, Curacao, and Spain, keep those dates in separate travel records.
What should you track?
Track the Dutch Caribbean trip as its own stay, then keep your Schengen counter separate.
Useful records include:
- island visited
- arrival date
- departure date
- visa or visa-free basis
- passport and nationality
- visa validity dates, if you have a Caribbean visa
- Schengen trips before or after the island stay
- proof of onward travel
- source checked date
For multi-island travel, log each island separately. Aruba and Curacao do not have the same maximum-stay wording in the official short-stay source.
What mistakes should travelers avoid?
Avoid these shortcuts:
- "The Dutch Caribbean belongs in my Schengen tracker."
- "Aruba days count in my Schengen 90/180 tracker."
- "Every Dutch Caribbean island has the same limit."
- "A Caribbean visa covers Amsterdam too."
- "A Schengen visa decides my Dutch Caribbean stay."
- "Jetseen can make the travel decision for me."
The safer habit is to keep two visible clocks: one for Schengen, one for the Dutch Caribbean stay rule that applies to your island and travel basis.
Where Jetseen fits
Jetseen includes built-in Schengen 90/180 tracking. It also supports custom rules, trip records, visa records, document attachments, notes, alerts, simulations, and CSV exports.
A practical setup:
- keep your Schengen 90/180 tracker for Schengen countries
- create custom trackers for Dutch Caribbean stays where needed
- log Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten as separate country-level trip records
- attach visa or visa-free evidence
- simulate planned Schengen returns separately from island stays
- export CSV records for personal or professional review
Jetseen helps keep the records separate. It does not determine visa eligibility, grant entry permission, interpret immigration rules, or replace professional review.
If Dutch Caribbean travel is part of your Europe plan, Try Jetseen Free for 14 Days and keep the Schengen and island clocks apart.
Jetseen helps you track days - always consult a qualified tax, legal, or immigration professional for advice specific to your situation.
References
- 1NetherlandsWorldwideWhat kind of visas are there for the Netherlands?
- 2NetherlandsWorldwideShort-stay Caribbean visa
- 3NetherlandsWorldwideRequirements for travelling to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom without a visa
- 4NetherlandsWorldwideDo I need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom?
- 5European CommissionVisa policy
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Tax residency rules change frequently. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
