FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the Embassy of the Free Mind
Questions about purchased tickets
Questions about the reading room
The EFM is open every Wednesday till Saturday from 10:00h - 17:00h and Sunday from 11:00h - 18:00h.
What are your admission rates?
We have the following rates:
Day pass adults € 15.00
Day ticket students € 8.50
Day ticket children 11-18 years € 6.00
Day ticket children up to 10 years free
Visitors with a youth ticket are expected to show proof of age at the entrance of the museum. Students are expected to show a valid college card at the museum entrance.
Our house rules can be found here.
I have a Museumkaart/Stadspas/I amsterdam City Card/ICOM card. Do I also have to book a ticket via the website?
No, that is not necessary. Admission is free with a Museumkaart, I amsterdam City Card, ICOM card, Stadspas and EFM friends card.
Museum Card and EFM Friends Cards are available at the museum desk. The VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART and the Rembrandtkaart are not valid.
Do I also have free admission with the VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART or the Rembrandtkaart?
No, you do not have free admission with these cards.
When is the next exhibition?
Information about the current and next exhibition can be found here.
Can I book a guided tour?
Yes and we even recommend it because you will learn a lot that way. We offer daily general tours at 10:30h.
These can be booked through the website or you can book spontaneously on the spot. There are also special tours in the afternoon, such as about the history of the House with the Heads. Or about the old books and the exhibition. On most Wednesday afternoons, Rachel Ritman gives a tour about the Grail artwork in our collection.
You can book the tours here.
There is also a free audio tour offered in English or Dutch that leads past highlights from the permanent exhibition. This audio tour can be listened to on your phone/tablet and with your own headphones or 'earphones'. We do not sell earphones. If you do not own a phone/tablet, we have iPads on loan.
In addition, we have developed 6 'Self-guided tours' for people who prefer to explore on their own. The topics are: Hermetic Philosophy, Alchemy, The House with the Heads, Kabbalah, The Grail and Rosicrucians.
These 'Self-guided-tours-books' are available free of charge in the Grote Sael on the table and are in Dutch and English.
Are the cafe and garden open?
Yes, the cafe and garden are open to visitors during our opening hours. Among other things, we have delicious homemade pumpkin soup by our Carmen and fresh apple pie.
Is it possible to visit the EFM with a school class?
Yes, for a school class request send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will arrange it. We also have children's programs on Wednesdays during school vacations.
Is group visit possible to the EFM?
Yes, we can accommodate 2 groups from 8 to 15 people at a time, but please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about the possibilities.
A group tour, once confirmed, cannot be cancelled and the number of persons cannot be changed. Should any persons be unable to attend on the booked date, they will be given the opportunity to take a tour on another day. They can then book a tour in our ticket shop according to the regular schedule. Please contact us for this.
Can I organize an event in the EFM (drinks, lecture, dinner, etc.)?
Absolutely. The Grote Sael can be rented for birthdays, weddings, book launches and meetings, among other events. For all information regarding room rentals, click here.
How many people are allowed in the halls and throughout the EFM?
The maximum number of visitors for the entire museum is 70 people. The Grote Sael can hold 50 during lectures and performances.
Can I cancel my purchased ticket and get a refund?
No, purchased tickets are not refundable. However, you can rebook your ticket to another date, this can be done up to the start time of your ticket. Please note that this only applies to entrance tickets and tickets for tours. Tickets for events such as lectures or webinars cannot be rebooked.
Rebooking tickets can be done through this link.
Can I rebook my ticket to another date?
You certainly can! Please note that this only applies to entrance and tour tickets. Tickets for events such as lectures or webinars cannot be rebooked.
Rebooking tickets can be done through this link.
I bought a ticket for a lecture, but I can't go after all. Can I get my money back?
No, purchased tickets are not refundable. Also, a ticket for a lecture or event cannot be rebooked. However, you will receive in your confirmation email a Zoom link to attend the lecture online and within two weeks you will also receive the recording of the lecture. This way you can still follow the lecture.
I bought a ticket for a (Zoom) lecture. Where can I find the Zoom-link?
You can find the Zoom-link in your confirmation email. Didn't receive anything? Perhaps the mail ended up in the spam. We can also resend the email and ticket, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020-6258079 to do so.
I bought a ticket for a (Zoom) lecture. Will I also be sent the recording? And when will the recording be sent?
Everyone who has bought a ticket for a lecture (regular, student or Zoom ticket), will receive the recording by mail. You can expect the recording in your mail within two weeks.
I would like to receive the recording of a lecture that was already held and I don't have a ticket for, is that possible?
Yes you can! You can send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and mention which lecture it concerns. The cost of a recording is €12.50.
Can I visit the reading room and view books there?
The "modern" reading room (books from after 1900) can be found on the 1st floor. You can just grab and read books there, but they are not for loan. There are two nice chairs with a lamp by the window. If necessary, it is possible to grab a book from the reading room and read elsewhere in the museum (excluding the café and garden). Our curators sit in the reading room by the window and you can ask them anything you want about the books.
The reading room holds about two thousand books from our Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica Collection. In our online catalog here you can see all the titles from our collection. It is possible to request specific books by sending an email prior to your visit to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. indicating the titles and signature of the works you would like to see.
Should you be interested in viewing books or manuscripts older than 1800, it is necessary to request the books by mail at least one week in advance. The curators will ensure that the books - if available - will be ready for you on the day of your visit.
For access to the reading room you need an entrance ticket.