Aruba fully digitized its paper embarkation/disembarkation card, so what used to be a form filled out on the plane is now completed online before every trip. This guide covers who needs the ED Card, how Dutch Citizens should complete it, the $20 Sustainability Fee attached to it, and how to avoid paying more than necessary to unofficial websites.
Did you know? Dutch Citizens are visiting a country with a constitutional status of its own: Aruba became a separate constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on January 1, 1986 — known as "status aparte" — breaking away from the Netherlands Antilles, which Curaçao remained part of until 2010. — Status aparte — Wikipedia
| Quick facts for Dutch travelers | |
|---|---|
| ED Card | Mandatory — free, submit within 7 days of arrival |
| Visa to enter Aruba | Not required for tourism — visa-free entry |
| Dutch travelers to Aruba | Visiting Aruba, a separate Kingdom country since 1986 — not administratively linked to Curaçao's entry process |
This is an independent guide, not an official government website. Below, you'll find everything Dutch citizens need to know about the ED Card, plus how we can help you get it right.
File My Aruba Arrival CardWhat Is the Aruba ED Card?
The ED Card (Embarkation-Disembarkation Card) is Aruba's mandatory digital entry and exit registration. It replaced the old paper landing card and is administered by Aruba's Immigration Department. It is not a visa — it's a separate declaration confirming your identity, travel details, and accommodation before you arrive on the island. Completing it successfully does not guarantee entry; Aruban immigration officers still assess each traveler individually on arrival.
Do Dutch Citizens Need a Visa to Enter Aruba?
Visa requirements depend on nationality. Many travelers, including US and Canadian nationals, Dutch citizens, and most EU citizens, do not need a visa to visit Aruba. If you're unsure whether Dutch passport holders require a visa, check with your local consulate or the Government of the Netherlands' visa guidance, since Aruba is part of the Dutch Kingdom. Either way, the ED Card is required in addition to any visa — one does not replace the other.
Who Must Complete the ED Card
Every individual traveler entering Aruba needs their own completed ED Card — there's no family or group form, and there's no general exemption tied to how long you're staying. This includes:
- Adults, each with their own submission (or completed by a parent/guardian for a minor)
- Children of every age, including infants — every child needs their own valid passport
- Returning residents, though many qualify for a fee exemption
- Non-resident homeowners
- Private aircraft and yacht arrivals
That separate status is more than historical trivia: Aruba has run its own immigration process independently since 1986, so being a Dutch Citizen doesn't fold your Aruba trip into any broader Kingdom-wide entry process — Aruba's ED Card and Sustainability Fee are specific to Aruba itself. Assuming Kingdom ties mean one process covers the whole Dutch Caribbean. They don't — Aruba has had its own separate immigration administration since gaining status aparte in 1986, so Dutch Citizens still need to complete Aruba's own ED Card specifically, regardless of any other Dutch Caribbean travel you've done.
Cruise passengers are generally exempt. Most cruise travelers don't need an ED Card unless their vessel is required to clear Aruba Immigration — check with your cruise line if you're unsure. Separately, certain transit passengers staying under 24 hours as part of a formal transport agreement are exempt specifically from the $20 Sustainability Fee, though this is a narrow carve-out tied to the fee, not a general 24-hour grace period on the ED Card itself.
When Dutch Citizens Should Submit the ED Card
The ED Card can only be submitted within 7 days of your arrival date — submitting earlier will result in an invalid application. Most travelers find it easiest to complete the form 24 to 72 hours before departure, which leaves enough time to fix any errors without leaving it until the last minute.
How to Complete the ED Card
Personal & Passport Details
Have every traveler's passport in hand before starting. You'll need each person's full legal name exactly as it appears on their passport, nationality, date of birth, and passport number. This applies even to infants — a child cannot be added to a parent's passport for ED Card purposes.
Travel & Accommodation Details
You'll also need your airline name, flight number, departure city, and arrival date in Aruba, along with the name and address of your hotel, resort, or vacation rental. Once submitted, you'll receive a "qualifier" by email — a document with a QR code that airlines check before boarding and that Aruban border control scans on arrival. Save it as an email, screenshot, and printed copy just in case.
Keep in mind: the ED Card cannot be edited once submitted. If your flight details change, you'll need to complete an entirely new form, though you won't be charged the Sustainability Fee twice if you already paid it.
The Aruba Sustainability Fee for Dutch Citizens
Most air travelers aged 8 and older must pay a $20 USD Sustainability Fee as part of the ED Card process, fully mandatory since December 6, 2024. This fee is collected by AWSS (Aruba Wastewater Sustainable Solutions) and funds wastewater treatment and broader infrastructure work on the island — so don't be alarmed if your bank statement shows a charge under that name; it's the legitimate fee, not fraud.
You may be exempt from the $20 fee if you are:
- A resident registered with the Aruba Census
- A child under 8 years old
- Arriving and departing Aruba for another destination on the same day
- An airline or ship crew member on official duty
- Returning to Aruba again within the same calendar year, having already paid
- A former Aruban resident studying abroad, within certain conditions
Only Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted — cash is not accepted online or on arrival.
Official vs. Unofficial ED Card Websites
The only official, government-run ED Card portal is edcardaruba.aw. Some third-party websites charge significantly more — sometimes $80 to $100 or more — to complete the same free form on your behalf. There's no legitimate reason to pay that much for a process that costs nothing beyond the $20 government fee (or nothing at all, if you're exempt). Before entering any personal or payment details, double-check that you're on edcardaruba.aw and not a look-alike site.
The Aruba Promise: What Visitors Are Asked to Respect
Separate from the ED Card itself, Aruba asks every visitor to consider themselves a guest of the island rather than just a tourist. This is known as the Aruba Promise, and it reflects the spirit of "Masha Danki" — respect for Aruba's people, land, and marine life.
The promise centers on four commitments:
- Considering your footprint on the island
- Embracing a slower pace
- Being a responsible, respectful guest
- Traveling mindfully so Aruba remains "One Happy Island" for future generations
In practice, this means admiring wildlife from a distance rather than touching or feeding it, packing reef-safe sunscreen, using a reusable water bottle, avoiding single-use plastics (which are banned island-wide), and not removing shells or coral from beaches.
What to Bring at Arrival in Aruba
Before you head to the airport, make sure you have:
- A valid passport for every traveler
- Your ED Card qualifier confirmation (email, screenshot, or printed copy)
- Proof of a return or onward ticket
Travel insurance isn't required, but it's strongly recommended in case of unexpected delays or medical needs during your trip.
How TravelDeclaration.com Can Help Dutch Citizens
You're always welcome to complete the ED Card yourself directly through the official channel. Where we come in is everything around the process: reviewing your entries for the mistakes covered above, coordinating multiple passports and travelers in one household, and making sure nothing gets missed before you're standing at the gate.
We know there are other assisted-filing services out there — what we're focused on is being the most accurate and transparent one, not the only one.
Get Started With TravelDeclaration.comMore Aruba ED Card Guides by Nationality
- Aruba ED Card for Canadian Citizens
- Aruba ED Card for Colombian Citizens
- Aruba ED Card for US Citizens
- Aruba ED Card for Venezuelan Citizens
FAQ for Dutch Citizens
Is the Aruba ED Card free?
Yes, the form itself is free. Most travelers aged 8 and older will also pay a separate $20 Sustainability Fee as part of the same submission.
Do children need their own ED Card?
Yes. Every traveler, including infants, needs an individual ED Card and their own valid passport — there's no family or group submission.
What is the Aruba Sustainability Fee, and who has to pay it?
It's a $20 USD fee charged to most air travelers aged 8 and older, collected through the ED Card platform to fund wastewater treatment and infrastructure upgrades on the island. Exemptions apply to residents, children under 8, same-day transit visitors, crew members, and a few other categories.
Can Dutch Citizens complete the ED Card at the airport?
It's strongly discouraged. Airlines check for a completed ED Card qualifier before allowing boarding, so it should be completed in advance — not left until check-in.
Is the ED Card the same as a visa?
No. The ED Card is a mandatory entry/exit registration required of every traveler, while a visa is only required for certain nationalities. Completing one has no bearing on the other.
Is Aruba's entry process linked to Curaçao's, since both are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands?
No. Aruba has had its own separate constitutional status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands — known as "status aparte" — since January 1, 1986, and runs its own immigration process independently of Curaçao. Dutch Citizens need to complete Aruba's own ED Card specifically; it isn't shared with or replaced by any other Dutch Caribbean island's entry form.