# Dutch coffeeshops and the wietpas: can tourists buy in 2026?

> The Dutch toleration policy: 18+, 5 grams per purchase, and a residence criterion since 2013 that each municipality enforces differently. What tourists need to know.

Source page: https://420.camp/wiki/netherlands-coffeeshops-wietpas-tourists  
Published 2026-09-29, last updated 2026-10-15.  
Published by 420.camp — quote with attribution and a link (https://420.camp/license).

Buying cannabis in a Dutch coffeeshop is *tolerated*, not legal. The national toleration policy sets the conditions every coffeeshop must meet, and since 2013 it also contains a residence criterion — often called the "wietpas" rule — that decides whether a tourist can buy at all.

## The national conditions

According to the Government of the Netherlands, a coffeeshop:

- may not cause nuisance and may not sell hard drugs;
- may not sell to minors — buyers must be 18 or older;
- may not advertise drugs;
- may not sell more than **5 grams** of cannabis in a single transaction.

## The residence criterion ("wietpas")

Since **1 January 2013** only residents of the Netherlands — people living in and registered with a Dutch municipality — are permitted to visit coffeeshops and buy cannabis there. Coffeeshop owners must check that everyone they admit is a resident aged 18 or older.

**Whether this rule is enforced differs from municipality to municipality.** Each municipality decides whether it allows coffeeshops, how many, and which extra rules apply. That is why a tourist may be admitted in one city and turned away at the door in another.

## What it means for a visitor

- Bring an original, valid ID — you will be asked for it.
- Expect the 5-gram limit per purchase everywhere.
- Before you travel to a specific city, check that city's page on 420.camp: it shows whether the residence criterion applies there, where that is known, with its source.
- Smoking rules in public are set locally and differ between cities and even districts.

This article is information, not legal advice; check the official source below before acting on it.

## Sources

- [Toleration policy regarding soft drugs and coffee shops — Government of the Netherlands](https://www.government.nl/themes/family-health-and-care/drugs/toleration-policy-regarding-soft-drugs-and-coffee-shops)

## Explore these destinations

Open the destination directory for local information and places.

- [Explore Netherlands](https://420.camp/weed/netherlands)

## Continue reading

- [Maastricht coffeeshops: check residency before the journey](https://420.camp/wiki/maastricht-coffeeshop-access-guide.md)
- [Coffeeshops in Utrecht: plan the visit before travelling](https://420.camp/wiki/utrecht-coffeeshop-visit-guide.md)
- [Coffeeshops in Amsterdam: choose the right kind of venue](https://420.camp/wiki/amsterdam-coffeeshop-visit-guide.md)

## Where to go next

- [Browse destinations](https://420.camp/weed)
- [More about Laws](https://420.camp/wiki?topic=laws)