General information

 

Climate in June

  • not too hot, not too cold
  • temperatures range between 20°C during daytime and 10°C at night
  • an umbrella or rain coat for occasional showers may be useful
  • days are long in June, with sunrise at 05.30 am and sunset at 10.00 pm

Crime

 

Crime levels are low in Amsterdam, and it is one of the few cities where women will happily cycle home alone. However, watch out for cunning pickpockets, especially when on the train from and to Schiphol Airport, on crowded trams, or when watching street performers, et cetera.


Currency and banking

  • currency: Euro
  • Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted at the Registration Desk
  • in general, all major credit cards are accepted for payment in hotels, restaurants and shops
  • banks are open from 9.00 to 17.00 hrs on working days (on Mondays from 13.00 hrs)
  • an ATM machine is located right outside the VU Main Building

Medical care

 

Visitors who have medical insurance through a health plan in their home country are entitled to medical care in the Netherlands in accordance with the stipulations of the Dutch Health Insurance Act, providing that:

  • they come from a country with which the Netherlands has international agreements regarding health care;
  • treatment cannot be postponed until return to the home country; 
  • a copy of an international insurance document can be submitted to the doctor, dispensing chemist, hospital, et cetera

Visitors from countries with whom the Netherlands has no international agreements are advised to purchase travel insurance in their home countries. For more information, contact your Health Service.

 

First aid

 

If any delegate requires first aid, please contact the main reception desk of the VU University located on the ground floor. Their staff is trained to provide first aid and know who to contact if further medical assistance is needed. 

 

Opening hours shops

  • shops open 7 days a week in the city centre
  • opening hours: 09.30 until 18.00 hrs (Monday to Saturday); 12.00-17.00 hrs. (Sunday (City Centre only))
  • on Thursday evening shops are open until 21.00 hrs
  • pharmacies usually open during working days from 08.00 – 17.30 hrs. For a pharmacy open 24/day please consult the staff at the Registration Desk

Time zone

 

The Netherlands and Amsterdam are in the Central European Time Zone, one hour ahead of GMT.


Tipping

 

Service is always included. However, it is customary to tip in restaurants, bars and when paying for taxi’s. As a general rule tipping between 5-10% should be adequate.


Voltage

 

Electricity in the Netherlands is 220-240 volts. USA, English and some other foreign appliances require an adapter for the voltage as well as an adapter for the plug. There are no adapters available at the Congress venue. Speakers who wish to use their laptop computer must bring their own power converter and an adapter for two-prong and round-prong plugs.