Permit for Antarctica

Do you want to organise activities in Antarctica from within the Netherlands? For example, scientific research, tourism, or fishery activities? Then you need a permit.

Applying for a licence

You apply for the Antarctic Protection Act permit (in Dutch) to Rijkswaterstaat Zee en Delta. You have to complete the application form (in Dutch) and send it via email to antartica@rws.nl. A specialist from the licensing department of Rijkswaterstaat can help you with your application.

Please note that the process to get a permit takes 7.5 months. The season for visits to Antarctica is between the beginning of November and the end of March. Therefore, make sure you apply to Rijkswaterstaat Zee en Delta before 15 March.

Protected areas in Antarctica

You are not allowed to organise activities everywhere in Antarctica. In certain areas tourists are not allowed, or you can only visit for special research. The protected areas on Antarctica are listed in the Antarctic Protected Areas Database. In your application you must indicate, among other things, if you plan to visit these protected areas.

Digital application with Message Box

You can apply digitally to Rijkswaterstaat for your permit for the Antarctic Protection Act using Message Box. Message Box is a secure email system which allows you, the entrepreneur, to exchange digital messages with Dutch government organisations.