International Movers to and from the Wadden Islands
Moving to a Wadden island means a ferry crossing for the lorry, an island council that keeps motor traffic out unless it grants an exemption, and a freight category for any vehicle of 6 metres or more.
A few short questions. Nothing is sent until you check and confirm.
Can a removal lorry drive onto a Wadden island?
Only with the island council’s permission. Schiermonnikoog allows a car, motorbike or moped only with an exemption from its municipality, and on Vlieland the main streets are shut to motor traffic except for holders of one kind of exemption. The islands also have no road link, so the lorry crosses on a ferry that treats any vehicle of 6 metres or more as freight.
This page sets out what the council and ferry pages say for Schiermonnikoog, Vlieland and Terschelling, and what we read for Texel and did not read for Ameland. For duty relief on your belongings, see the customs page; the national street rules are in the zones and street access guide, and the stages of a move from England are in the UK to Netherlands guide.
What does Schiermonnikoog ask for a vehicle used in a move?
A temporary exemption. The council’s 2026 policy lists motor vehicles for removals (motorvoertuigen ten behoeve van verhuizingen) among the cases where it grants one, so a move is a named reason. It grants one when the vehicle is, in its words, indispensable for a reasonable interest on the island.
The application goes in at least three working days before the exemption starts. Under the policy the council may decline to handle a later request if it judges there is too little time to assess it. The exemption is valid only on the route and the days written on it, and a fee is due; the amount sits in the council’s tariff table, which we did not read.
The policy also limits the vehicle. The axle load may be no more than 10,000 kg. Inside the built-up area a vehicle may be no longer than 12 metres and a vehicle combination no longer than 16 metres, and a tractor unit with a semi-trailer is not allowed there. The combination limit and the tractor rule do not apply when an indivisible load must be carried. The ferry operator confirms the starting point: bringing a car, motorbike or moped is allowed only with an exemption from the municipality.
How does Vlieland treat vehicles?
Its streets are closed to motor traffic. In a traffic decision of 18 March 2025 the council declared the whole Dorpsstraat, and the Havenweg between Havenweg 7 and the coupure (a gap in the dyke) at Havenweg 1, closed to all motor traffic except holders of an A-exemption (A-ontheffing), and replaced five signs to say so.
The ferry operator adds that Vlieland is a low-traffic island and that a T-exemption (T-ontheffing) must be requested from the municipality before the journey. Neither page says which exemption a removal lorry needs, who applies for it, how long it takes or what it costs, so we state none. Put the question to the municipality in writing and keep the answer with your quotation.
How does the ferry treat a removal vehicle?
As freight. For Terschelling and Vlieland the operator says a vehicle of 6 metres or longer, or a lorry cab travelling alone, falls under freight. Its freight vessel, the Noord-Nederland, takes about 2 hours for the crossing from Harlingen, and the 2026 timetable shows weekday sailings to Terschelling at 8:45 and 13:45, so check the current timetable for your date.
Its fares page says vehicles longer than 6 metres, and vehicles wider than 2.05 metres, can be booked by telephone only. Cars and motorbikes sail only on the regular ferry, not on the fast service. For loading arrangements, the bridge dimensions and the maximum weight per vehicle the operator asks you to contact it, and a transport over 45 tonnes needs a separate exemption.
What does Texel allow in streets with an entry ban?
In some Texel streets loading and unloading is allowed only from 7.00 to 11.30 and from 18.00 to 21.00. A business, such as a removal firm, can ask for an exemption to enter at other times; it costs €49.15 and is valid for one year from the start date you choose.
Residents have an equivalent exemption to load or unload at home, or to park on a bay by the house: also €49.15, valid for five years, and not refunded. Both are asked for online or at the town hall counter, paid by iDEAL, Wero, Mastercard or Visa, and the card goes behind the windscreen. The wardens scan the plate. Neither page gives a lead time, so ask the council before you fix the ferry date.
The Texel ferry leaves from Den Helder, which has its own pedestrian-area exemption on the mainland.
What did we not read about the Wadden islands?
Ameland and Terschelling. We found no council or ferry page on a removal vehicle for them, so this page states no permit, fee or notice period for those two, and none for Texel beyond the entry-ban exemption above. We also read nothing on removal companies that already serve the islands.
Before you book, ask in writing which exemption the lorry needs, who applies, the lead time, the fee, the ferry crossing and its booking channel, and whether the lorry’s length and axle load stay inside the island’s limits. Do not assume one island’s rule applies to another. For the mainland ports and the tunnel to Zeeland, see the Zeeland guide.
Questions about moving to a Wadden island
Does Schiermonnikoog allow a removal vehicle?
Yes, with a temporary exemption.
The council’s 2026 policy names motor vehicles for removals among the cases where it grants one.
How early must you ask Schiermonnikoog for the exemption?
At least three working days before it starts, under the council’s policy.
A later request may not be handled.
Can a car or van drive on Vlieland’s main street?
Only with an A-exemption, says the council’s 2025 traffic decision for the Dorpsstraat and part of the Havenweg.
When does the ferry count a vehicle as freight?
From 6 metres in length, according to the operator serving Terschelling and Vlieland, and a lorry cab on its own is freight too.
What does a Texel entry-ban exemption cost?
€49.15.
For a business it is valid one year, and for a resident five years. The loading windows are 7.00 to 11.30 and 18.00 to 21.00.
Send us your island move details
Name the island and the street, the ferry port you would use, the length and weight of the lorry if you know them, and your dates. Add the floor, the lift and whether the road is narrow.
About International Removals Companies
International Removals Companies is an enquiry and introduction service run by DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, in partnership with AGM Group. We don't move goods ourselves: the removal company quotes for your move and carries it out, so check its credentials and terms before you book. Our service is free. Discuss the quotation and booking terms directly with the removal company.
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- In partnership withAGM Group (agm.group)