FAQ

Membership

I Want to Become a Member

Are you interested in becoming a member of Servas? We look forward to meeting you! Sign up here

A local contact person will then invite you for an introductory meeting. During this meeting, we’ll explain what makes Servas special and how it works. Naturally, we expect you to share Servas' goals and values.

Once you become a member, you’ll create a profile on ServasOnline, allowing you to connect with Servas members worldwide and for them to connect with you.

Help with Signing Up

Servas Netherlands is part of Servas International. When you sign up as a new member, you’ll be directed to the English-language Servas International website, ‘How to join Servas’. Here, you’ll find an introductory text followed by the ‘Application Process,’ which provides step-by-step instructions on how to register.

Below this, select ‘Netherlands’ and click the button ‘Go to the joining process.’ Choose the region where you live and complete the registration form. Fields marked with an * are mandatory. Finally, click ‘Submit your application’ to send your registration.

A contact person from your region will get in touch with you afterward.

What Does Servas Membership Cost?

Servas Online

Logging in to ServasOnline for the First Time

Click on  Log In Servas (orange button in the top right corner).
Click on wachtwoord vergeten.
You will receive an email (check your spam folder if needed).
Click the link in the email.
On the page that opens, enter a new password twice. Make sure to include uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters; otherwise, the system will not accept your password.
Scroll down and click on the Edit Profile button.
A message will appear: I confirm my profile is up to date. Click on it.

You only need to set your password once.

Afterward, you can complete your profile with all the details you’d like to share with other Servas members.

Updating or Completing Your Servas Profile

Click on Log In Servas (orange button in the top right corner).
Click on Edit Profile in the black menu bar.
Select Members in the left column to update your profile.
At the bottom, click on the red Edit Member button to update your photo, personal description, languages spoken, and contact preferences. Click Save in the bottom left corner. On the same page, you can also update your account details, password, and email address.
Select Address & Hosting in the left column and scroll down. Click on the red Edit Address & Hosting button to update or complete your address details.
On the map, click Pull From Address to move the pin to your correct location. Indicate whether you are available as a host and/or day host. Click Save in the bottom left corner.
Select Household in the left column to describe your household.
Select Children & Others in the left column to provide information about household members who are not Servas members.
Select Travel in the left column if you plan to travel. Here, you can update your Letter of Introduction (LOI), download a PDF, and request an eStamp.
Finish by selecting Profile Confirmation in the left column. Click the green I confirm my profile is up to date button.

Traveling

I Want to Travel: How Do I Find a Host?

Click the red button Log In Servas in the top right corner.
Click on your photo in the top right corner to log in.
Check if your profile is up to date and include details about your travel plans
Go back to the homepage and click Search for Hosts in the black menu bar. On the next page, refine your search by selecting the country, preferred language of communication, age group, families with children, etc.
You’ll see a map indicating where hosts that match your criteria live, along with a list of their profiles. Zoom in and out on the map as needed.
Click on a host’s name for more details and contact information.
If a host’s profile interests you, send them an email. Describe your travel plans and ask if a visit of one or two days would be convenient.

Tip
Hosts in major and well-known cities sometimes receive many requests. Consider exploring areas outside of large city centers, where there is often plenty to see and do. You can also refine your search to focus on hosts who have indicated that they are open to receiving more travelers.

What Is an e-Stamp? How Do I Request One?

An e-Stamp is a digital seal that confirms your current Servas membership. When traveling, you write your Letter of Introduction (LOI) in your profile and request an e-Stamp by emailing travel@servasnl.org.

You present your LOI with the e-Stamp to your host upon arrival.

Click the red Log In Servas button in the top right corner.
Click on your photo in the top right corner to log in.
Click on Edit Profile.
Navigate to the Travel section.
Under eStamp Renewal, click the green Renew button.
You will receive a digital e-Stamp on your LOI with a validity of one year.

Tip
Don’t wait until the last minute to request your e-Stamp. As soon as you know your travel plans, email your departure date to travel@servasnl.org. Your e-Stamp will be valid for one year from that date.

Visiting a Host: What Is Expected of You?

As a guest, you are welcomed into your host's home. This means spending time together and sharing insights about each other’s countries and cultures. The goal of Servas is, after all, ‘traveling for peace’—promoting mutual understanding, appreciation, and friendships worldwide.

Upon arrival, show your Letter of Introduction (LOI) with your e-Stamp to your host. The general rule is to stay for one or two days. Do not ask to stay longer, but if your host offers, feel free to accept. It is customary to share meals together, though this depends on your host’s situation. You could also offer to cook a meal yourself.

Ensure there is a balance between what your host does for you and what you do in return.

Writing a Travel Report

If you’d like, you can publish a travel report and photos in the Reisverhalen section. Your report will be accessible to everyone and may inspire others to travel as well. Send your report and photos to dialoog@servasnl.org

You can also read travel stories from others in the News section. Would you like to receive a notification whenever there’s a new post? Fill out the form at the bottom of this website to subscribe.

Host - Day host

I Want to Become a Host

To become a host, update your profile on ServasOnline and indicate that you are available as a host.
Provide a description of yourself and your living situation, including details such as your work, hobbies, interests, and unique aspects of your surroundings. Upload a photo of yourself.

Travelers will be able to view your profile and send you a request to stay for one or two days.

Respond to requests from travelers promptly, even if you cannot host at that time.

The uniqueness of Servas lies in spending time with your travelers. You might share a meal or engage in activities together. The goal of Servas is to foster better understanding and respect for each other’s cultures. As a host, you determine how much time you spend with your travelers and what activities you share.

I Want to Become a Day Host

If you don’t want to or cannot provide accommodation for travelers, you can choose to become a Servas day host. As a day host, you arrange to meet Servas travelers, for example, at a station, another public place, or your home.
Spend a day or part of a day with travelers. Show them something interesting in your area that matches their interests. You do not provide accommodation.

If you only want to be a day host and not a host, check day host only in your profile. This prevents you from receiving accommodation requests.

I Am Suddenly Unable to Host My Traveler

Vacancies

Servas Netherlands Is Looking for a Secretary

The secretary serves as the main point of contact for members and contributes to consistent decision-making by documenting meeting discussions. As part of the board, the secretary is directly elected and appointed during the General Assembly (ALV). Board members serve for a three-year term.

Responsibilities of the Secretary:

Preparing decision lists for board meetings (approx. 3-4 per year).

Taking minutes of the ALV (1x per year).

Writing reports for meetings involving the board and regional contacts (1x per year).

Organizing and documenting information about Servas to make it accessible to members.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

Strong proficiency in Dutch and English.

Comfortable using email, Word, and online meeting tools.

Friendly and enthusiastic communicator.

Time Commitment:

2-3 hours per week on average.

Participation in the annual ALV and board meetings.

What’s in It for You?

Collaboration with an active and energetic board.

Being part of an international friendship network.

Interested?
Contact Chairperson Monique Cornelissen at 0611010933 or info@servasnl.org.
Send your motivation letter to the board: info@servasnl.org.

Servas Netherlands Is Looking for a Webmaster

Responsibilities:

Keeping content up to date.

Posting news and travel stories.

Performing website updates.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

Strong proficiency in Dutch and English.

Knowledge of Mailchimp and Beaver Builder, or willingness to learn.

Time Commitment:

1-2 hours per month for content updates (as needed).

Monthly website maintenance and updates.

What’s in It for You?

Appreciation from the board.

Being part of an international friendship network.

Interested?
Contact Chairperson Monique Cornelissen at 0611010933 or info@servasnl.org.
Send your motivation letter to the board: info@servasnl.org.

FAQ

Membership

Servas Online

Traveling

Host - Day host

Vacancies

Servas Netherlands Is Looking for a Secretary

Servas Netherlands Is Looking for a Webmaster

The Servas Netherlands Association

Colofon

Documents and links

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