Smoking

If you're a smoker, you'll need to be aware that smoking is not permitted in a whole lot of places in the Netherlands. Like all public buildings. Nor can you smoke in any hotels, restaurants or bars. You can't smoke on the platform of any train stations, you can't smoke at work, and if you're taking children to and from school, note that you can't smoke in the school playground. And the smoking ban includes e-cigarettes. Smoking is prohibited on the entire TU/e campus, so that includes its outdoor spaces.

Cannabis

While the Netherlands is generally thought as heaven on earth when it comes to cannabis use (also known as marijuana or pot), you may be surprised to learn how tight the rules are. In principle, the buying and selling of cannabis in any form, including the leaves ('weed') and the resin ('hash'), is not permitted, and although the sale of cannabis in allowed in retail outlets known as 'coffeeshops', it is, in fact, only tolerated under very strict conditions. Being out and about with a pocketful of weed or hash is something else that, strictly speaking, isn't allowed, although if you're carrying only a small amount (no more than 5 grams), these 'soft drugs', as they are called, will be taken off you but you won't be prosecuted. The law doesn't prohibit the use of weed, but in most municipalities in the Netherlands you aren't allowed to light up a joint in a public place.

Being in an area of nature at night

When you're out and about in a designated area of nature (natuurgebied), you'll need to obey a slew of rules. You can't, for example, be here after sunset, you can't make a camp fire, or walk or cycle anywhere except on the designated routes. Ahead of any visit to a national park, it's worth checking the local rules to be clear about what you can and can't do.

Cycling without lights

In the Netherlands you aren't allowed to cycle in the dark or in conditions of poor visibility without having front and back lights that are in good working order. The rules state that your bicycle must be equipped with a white or yellow light at the front, and a red light at the back. These lights mustn't be attached to your head, arms or legs, and they can't be flashing lights. Are your bike lights sub-standard? Then you're risking a 60-euro fine. And no, there's no discount for having one working light. You must have a bell on your handlebars that works, and you can't be holding any electronic devices, like a cell phone, while you're cycling. On the other hand, you aren't required by law to wear a cycle helmet.

Urinating in public places

Imagine, you're sitting with a group of friends in the park and suddenly you need to pee. There's no public toilet in sight. What are you going to do? Nipping into the bushes or peeing against a tree can be an expensive choice. In the Netherlands the fine for urinating in a public place (wildplassen) is 150 euros. So you'd do better to head to the nearest café or go home.

Camping where you please

Are you a true adventurer who would rather bed down under the stars than anywhere else? If so, we're sorry to disappoint you. Putting up a tent wherever you like in a forest, a park or on the side of the road and spending the night in it (wildkamperen) is strictly forbidden in Netherlands. Break this byelaw and it could cost you a 150-euro fine. But if you're still keen to camp out in nature, you'll find a lovely spot at one of the many camp sites in nature in the Netherlands.

Picking whatever is growing wild

It's a tempting sight: blackberry bushes laden with juicy fruit on the edge of the woods, or a meadow full of beautiful flowers. But, sadly, here in the Netherlands there are laws against picking things that are growing in nature. You might incur a heavy fine if you break this law against picking wild things (wildpluk). If you pick a small amount for your own use, a small bowl of blackberries, say, your transgression will likely be tolerated, but if you don't want to run any risk, you're better off not picking anything.