I have an outstanding fine in Holland. If I fly in what will happen?

Question

It wasn't for anything serious, just hitching up a tent in a park in Amsterdam which wasn't allowed apparently! But the police found us and gave us a court date which we didn't attend as we were obviously back in the UK...We got letters in the post saying we had been fined a few hundred euros each. We never paid the fines and heard nothing more of it. This was three years ago nearly now. If I were to fly into the Netherlands and go through passport control...would they stop me there?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

They might.
I know they stop Dutch citizens at passport control, at least till outstanding fines and tax has been paid, they might keep you 'out' of the country till you have paid.

Of course you could/should have known a city park is not a camp ground, and not being able to read the signs does not mean that you do not need to obey them.
So make sure you have enough money to pay the fine, so you can enter the Schengen zone.
While not likely, it is possible that you will be blocked from entry into the whole zone till the fine has been paid.

Answer 2

No necessarily.
Until recently, border control on within-EU flights is very limited (EU = free transport of people and goods).
Also, last couple of times I flew in to or from the Netherlands, passport control consisted of a guy looking at the passport, nothing more. That doesn't really say a whole lot about any outstanding fines since those are not listed in your passport.

Recently, I read that border security placed automatic gates (much like found in the subways) which scan your passport. Being checked by such a machine is obviously an easier way of getting caught.

Answer 3

The Dutch have a fairly laid-back attitude to life in general, but they tend to be strict with people who abuse the system. There's a fairly good chance that you'll be arrested at the airport and kept in the cells until you can face a court. You'll then get the fines doubled and be kept in custody until you've made arrangements to pay. I suggest you pay the fines and get a receipt before you go.

Answer 4

It may be normal to pitch tents in a Park in London or Manchester, it's not normal in most of continental Europe.

Please do fly in, we'll get to see if our border control systems work as advertised. What should happen is that your records are flagged and you get a chance to either go back to the uk, pay the fine or do the jail time.