SG NL 2015

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS
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NETHERLAN
EXPAT
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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLUS DAILY DUTCH NEWS

IN ENGLISH VISIT WWW.EXPATICA.NL
orientation tours
settling-in services
immigration services
financial management
home finding
Peter Smith, IT manager, relaxes in the sun with his family

after moving from Amsterdam to Moscow.
Relocation isnt just a question of finding a house, especially for international

expatriates! Its about creating an enjoyable life in a brand new culture for themselves
and their families. Our professional staffs main priority is to make the difference
between a normal service and a successful new start. By taking a proactive approach
and having the right skills, they take care of the expat through the entire relocation
process. This enables an employee to focus on his/her new job, quickly and stress-free
and generates a healthy return on investment for the company he/she works for.
We can make your and the expats life a lot easier!
More information +31 (0)70 301 13 66 or go to
www.eurohome-relocation.com
people relocating people

Member of Voerman Group
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME TO
THE NETHERLANDS!
Moving abroad is an exhilarating, life-changing
experience. That is, once the practical aspects are
settled. It rst can be a daunting process while you
try building a new life in an unknown language and
culture. Where do you begin?
The Expat Survival Guide assists your rst essential
steps: nding a home and job, organising permits,
setting up nances and healthcare, and enrolling in
education. It offers practical information on getting
started in the Netherlands and directs you to the
people, companies and institutions that can help
you along the way.
As the growing pangs subside, our newly redesigned website www.Expatica.com complements
this guide with relevant news in English, weekly
features from experienced expats, and essential
lifestyle information for getting out and about in
the Netherlands. Youll nd plenty of support with
our housing and job search tools, ask-the-expert
service, free classieds, AZ listings, events, expat
dating, and a thriving online community. Our goal is
to provide all the information you need to settle with
ease into your new Dutch lifestyle.
3 > INTRODUCTION
6 > SURVIVAL CHECKLIST
8 > RELOCATION: What kind of residence permit?
Expat centers; Relocation service providers.

13 > SPECIAL NEEDS
15 > FAMILIES: Family reunication permits;
Au pairs; Childcare; Child benets and allowances;

Family activities.
19 > HOUSING: Renting; Buying; Popular expat
locations: Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Maastricht,

The Hague, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
38 > FINANCE: Bank accounts; Tax; Insurance;
Financial and tax advisors.

46 > EDUCATION: Primary, secondary and higher
education; International schools.

62 > EMPLOYMENT: Work permits; Employment
law; Working culture; Finding a job.

74 > HEALTHCARE: Health insurance; Healthcare
system; Having a baby; Health services.

82 > HOME BASICS: Utilities: gas, water, electricity;
Communications: telephone mobile, internet. TV;
ENJOY THE NETHERLANDS!
Post ofces.
The Expatica Team
85 > TRANSPORT: Driving; Public transport.
This guide is published by Expatica.com, a leading

media organisation providing a complete resource
for international living.
88 > CONTACTS: Emergency numbers.

89 > ENTERTAINMENT: Public holidays; Festivals;
Groups and clubs; Activities.

96 > ADVERTISERS INDEX
Published October 2014 In memory of Antoine van Veldhuizen.

Expatica Communications B.V.
Wilhelminastraat 15
2011 VH Haarlem
Netherlands
www.Expatica.com | expaticaservice@expatica.com
Editorial: Casey Marriott
Layout & design: Benjamin Langman
Publisher: Mark Welling
Advertising sales: sales@expatica.com
Distribution: survivalguide@expatica.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including
photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without
prior written permission from the publisher. Requests for permission should
be addressed to Expatica Communications BV, Wilhelminastraat 15, 2011VH
Haarlem, the Netherlands.
Expatica makes great effort to ensure the accuracy of information contained in
this guide. However, we do not take responsibility for errors or omissions or any
damages, howsoever caused, which result from its use, and make no warranty
of claims as to the quality or competence of businesses or professionals
mentioned. Users are advised to take care when selecting professional services
and to use common sense when adjusting to new life in a new country.
THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM
IN LOVING MEMORY
ANTOINE VAN VELDHUIZEN
Antoine, Managing Partner of Expatica, and his
family were on Malaysia Airlines ight MH17 when
it crashed on Thursday, 17 July.
Antoine has meant a great deal for Expatica. He
is the personication of the Expatica Family and
co-developed Expatica almost from the very start.
His boundless and infectious energy has led to
many initiatives and successes, among which the
i am not a tourist Expat Fair, which is currently
in its 11th edition. It is impossible to mention
everything he has done for Expatica and the
international community over the last 12 years.
He always stood for Expatica, the Expatica Team,
its quality and its readers. His knowledge of and
contribution to the international community will be
missed.
Years ago, we changed Expaticas tagline to: Live.
Work. Love. When these three words popped up
during a brainstorm session, Antoine and I looked
at each other and knew instantly: This is it.
Without any further discussion, they were added
to the Expatica logo. Still, it wasnt until Antoine
passed away that it hit me: Live. Work. Love. not
only ts Expaticas mission perfectly, these three
words owed together seamlessly in Antoines life.
Above all, Antoine was a family man. He talked about his beloved wife, sons, brothers and parents very
often and very warmly. Typically, Antoine the family man also created a family feeling within Expatica
and kept it alive over time. In the many heartwarming reactions from former team members, Expatica
readers and clients alike, almost all of them mention the warm and sincere connection they had with
him.
Antoine will forever be part of the Expatica Family, forever known as its most important, energetic,
loyal, likeable, committed, sympathetic, best member with the loudest laugh. The time and sincere
attention he gave people, his passion to help others grow and ourish, and his urge to do the right
thing will always be an example to those who knew him.
Mother(-in-law) Christiene, Simone, Quint, Pijke and Antoine were widely loved and will truly be
missed. Our thoughts and hearts go out to their family and friends.
Mark Welling Expatica Communications BV
Family and friends of Christiene, Simone, Quint, Pijke and Antoine started a charity foundation in their
memory. Please take a look at www.pacqs.nl for more information.
2
WWW.EXPATICA.COM | THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Netherlands consistently ranks among the top places

in the world to live and work in.
It may be a small country in size, but certainly not
in impact. The Netherlands is famed for its liberal
social policies, maritime trading traditions, battles
to hold back the sea, robust multiculturalism and
leading technological communications, making
Dutch lifestyle a mosaic of cultural intrigue.
Living standards consistently rank high in the
OECDs Better Life Index, and the Netherlands has
the fourth best work-life balance and high levels of
employment and household wealth. Dutch children,
likewise, are ranked as the happiest in the developed
world, topping two surveys conducted by UNICEF.
To newcomers, Dutch society might seem open
and informal, but some complex social rules are at
play. Ostentatious behaviour is frowned upon, egalitarianism is valued and Dutch people like to be as
normal as possible according to Martijn de Rooij,
author of The Dutch I Presume? The Dutch saying

doe maar gewoon dan doe je al gek genoeg (just
act normal, thats crazy enough) is an anthem against
eccentricity.
No Dutch city has yet reached a million inhabitants
and each retains a unique character and architectural
style. The capital is something else entirely, and in
terms of atmosphere and attitude, Amsterdam and
the Netherlands could be two different countries.
International residents tread a well-worn path to
the Lowlands. Out of a population of some 16.8
million people, more than three and a half million
have a foreign background (cbs.nl). This multi-ethnic
characteristic of the countrys population has historic
roots stretching back several hundred years, though
most rapid changes in population demographics
have come about in the last 40 years.
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INTRODUCTION
Foreign policy has impacted domestic politics in

recent years, and inuenced two government collapses in the space of around two years. The last
collapse in April 2012 resulted from a coalition
breakdown over austerity measures to steer the
Eurozones fth-largest economy below the EU
decit ceiling of 3 percent.
Change followed from politics to royals, with Queen

Beatrix abdicating in 2013 after a 33-year reign, and
the Netherlands celebrated the coronation of the
rst Dutch king in 123 years. As Europes youngest
monarch, King Willem-Alexander pledged to modernise the royal image, even forgoing the traditional
your majesty if people want.
The Dutch governments traditional reliance on

a coalition of two or more parties has earned it
the nickname the land of compromise. But, for
the rst time, a majority coalition formed in the
last September 2012 elections. The Netherlands
strengthened its stance on austerity with large gains
achieved by pro-European parties, the central-right
liberal VVD and the social-democratic labour party
PvdA. In contrast, losses were incurred by the previous coalition parties, the Christian Democrat CDA
and Geert Wilders Freedom Party (PVV), a nationalistic party known for its right-wing focus.
Now the Netherlands biggest nation-wide party celebrates Kings Day on April 27 (the kings birthday),
breaking the traditional celebration on April 30
that has honoured the previous Queen Julianas
birthday since 1949. Regardless, the ubiquitous
oranjegekte (orange madness) still takes over, where
people wear orange shirts, hats, dresses and wigs to
celebrate while enjoying the annual free market
(vrijmarkt), as its the one time when people can set
up shop without a trading licence.
With Mark Rutte continuing as prime minister, a

coalition with Diederik Samsoms PvdA gives the
current Dutch government a comfortable majority
to pass budget cuts, although further opposition
support is needed to pass any laws in the Senate.
Economic downturn, however, saw a large shift in
public opinion towards cuts of EUR 6 billion in the
2014 budget. But the decit is nally expected to
reach the EUs target in 2014, at 2.9 percent.
Population: 16,829,289 (January 2014 cbs.nl)

Density: 497/km2 (one of the highest in Europe)
Administration: The constitution dates mostly from 1848, and
revisions undertaken in 1983. Parliament consists of an upper
chamber (eerste kamer) of 75 members elected by provincial
councils and a lower chamber (tweede kamer) with 150 members
elected every four years by proportional representation. The
cabinet is the executive body and its constituents cannot be
members of the cabinet and parliament at the same time.
Monarchy: The House of Oranje-Nassau has governed the Netherlands since 1815. King Willehm-Alexandar, born 1967, was
crowned in 2013, along with his Argentinean wife Maxima, who
serves as the queen consort.
Landscape: A fifth of the Netherlands is reclaimed from the sea
(polders) and about a quarter of the country is below sea level.
Culture and quality living combined make the

Netherlands an attractive place for expats, who are
an intrinsic part of the countrys knowledge-based
economy. The Dutch people are generally receptive,
curious, cultured, and friendly. English is widely
spoken a survey by Education First ranked the
Netherlands as third in the world for English prociency as a second language but this can be a
drawback for those learning Dutch. With many international companies headquartered in the Netherlands, there are plenty of employment opportunities.
There are 20 national parks and a few modest hills, with the countrys highest point reaching 322 metres in Limburg.
Agricultural facts: Tiny Netherlands is the worlds second largest
exporter of agricultural products, including just over 20 percent of
the worlds potato and tomato exports. The Dutch cow is a revered
milk machine, producing 35 litres a day.
Media and culture: The Netherlands has the highest museum
density in the world with nearly 1,000 institutions. The television
program Big Brother is a Dutch invention and Paul Verhoeven
is known internationally for his direction of RoboCop and
Total Recall.
Design: Dutch icons of style are nurtured in the revered Design
Academy Eindhoven and the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam,
attracting large ratios of international students. Dutch design is
admired for its minimalist, quirky and often humorous qualities.
Settling in, simply.

Were here to make it easier for highly skilled migrants
like yourself to work and register in the Amsterdam area.
Qualifying companies can start the paperwork before
arrival and a single visit to the Expatcenter will complete
the process. Whats more, our website has loads of
valuable information on a wide range of topics including
housing, education, taxes and healthcare.
The cities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Almere and
Haarlemmermeer are working with the Immigration and
Naturalisation Services (IND) to bring you the Expatcenter
services.
To learn more please visit:
www.expatcenter.com
SURVIVAL CHECKLIST
SURVIVAL CHECKLIST
Before the fun of exploring begins, there are some essential tasks
to take care of when you first land in the Netherlands.
Use this checklist alongside the information set out
in this Expat Survival Guide to help set up your new
life in the Netherlands. More information is provided
on Expatica.com.
REPORT TO IMMIGRATION
You must register with the BRP at your local town
hall within ve days of arrival. If you need a residence
permit, make an appointment with the IND quickly.
Get ready for lots of paperwork and make sure your
documents have all the right stamps. If youre not
sure which permit you need, we provide a quick
overview on page 9.
EXPAT BENEFITS
Find out if you are eligible for the Dutch 30 percent
ruling for taxes (page 43) and use the services of the
various expat centres to help you cut through the
red tape.
OPEN A DUTCH BANK ACCOUNT
Opening a Dutch bank account will make your life
easier (see page 38). Youll need your passport and/
or residence permit, burgerservicenummer (BSN),
proof of address, and evidence of income, such as
an employment contract or payslip.
FIND A HOME
Our Housing section on page 19 will help you
decide whether to rent or buy, and offers tips on
dealing with housing agencies and where to live in
the Netherlands.
HOME BASICS
After nding your home, youll need to sort out
a broadband connection and water, electricity
and gas utilities. We list the major suppliers and
several useful websites on page 82 to help you get
connected.
EDUCATION
Should you send your child to a local or international
school? What learning opportunities are available to
expats? Get the lowdown on education (onderwijs)
in the Netherlands on page 46.
JOB HUNTING
If youve got a work permit (or dont need one),
youre ready to begin. Sign up with agencies that
specialise in nding work for expats or start your
search online. We offer job-hunting tips and information on Dutch labour law on page 70.
HEALTH
Did you know it is compulsory for residents to take
out the Dutch health insurance basisverzekering?
Our Healthcare section on page 74 guides you
through the Dutch health system, and explains what
to do in an emergency and how to nd a hospital,
doctor or midwife.
GETTING AROUND
Before you drive, see page 85 to nd out about
Dutch road regulations, if you need to exchange
your driving licence, and how the Dutch public
transport system works.
MEETING THE COMMUNITY
If youre nding everything a little overwhelming,
take heart: many others have been in the same
position and made it through. Get out there, get
active, and read on page 90 about groups and clubs
for meeting new people.
Workshops + coaching cross-culture issues since 1996!
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downside up?!
Visit us at LinkedIN.com!
Jussara Nunes Pereira de Souza!
Fernando Lanzer !
fernando@LCOpartners.com !
jussara@itim.org!
Sometimes it feels as if your whole world has been turned upside down
Especially when you are a stranger in a strange land.!
We can help you understand the values and logic underlying Dutch culture,
wherever you are coming from.!
This will help you to communicate more effectively with the Dutch
and with every nationality living in The Netherlands.!
RELOCATION
RELOCATION
The Netherlands is a bureaucratic country and proud of it.

Regulations and procedures for expats and their
families can seem daunting at rst, but being prepared will make the process easier and faster. First of
all, ensure that your documents are in order before
you approach the two main bodies involved in registration and immigration: the BRP, where you must
register your details into the Dutch system, and the
IND, which implements immigration policy and
makes decisions on residence permits.
Check that your passport is valid for the period of
your stay and that marriage and birth certicates are
translated into Dutch, English, French, or German
and sufciently legalised. This is generally done
with the addition of an Apostille an extra stamp
on the original document required to certify foreign
papers which you obtain from the competent
authority in your own country. See the Apostille
section of www.hcch.net.
COMPULSORY REGISTRATION IN THE BRP
Formally named the GBA, the Municipal Personal
Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen in
Dutch, or BRP) contains the details of everyone who
lives in the Netherlands. Anyone who intends to
stay in the Netherlands for more than four months
(including EU/EEA/Swiss nationals) must register
their details in the BRP within ve days of arrival.
Registration with the BRP triggers the start of other
processes and proof of registration is essential for
many more formalities. The information you provide
is also shared between other public authorities,
for example the tax and welfare ofces, to help the
government perform its public tasks and reduce
duplicate registrations. The details you give when you
register (such as your address and the size of family)
determine charges for water and refuse collection,
prompt the local health department to contact you
regarding checkups for your children, and determines
eligibility to register for social housing.
The burgerservicenummer (BSN) (which replaced
the old scal SOFI-number) is also initiated here
and youll need it to open a bank account, work,
and claim benets or healthcare. Once you have
completed this process, you can get a printout of
your details (uittreksel), which proves your residence
8
and rights, such as being able to vote in local and

European elections.
Documents required include a passport (valid for a
minimum period of the length of your stay), rental
contract (in your name), employment contract (if
applicable), and birth and marriage certicates of all
family members (see above for legal format). Registration is free.
You should register at your local municipality; highly
skilled migrants and employees of IND recognised
sponsors, however, can register at a specialised
expat centre (for a fee). To register, you need to
make an appointment, and all members of your
family (regardless of age) must be present at the rst
interview. Once youre registered, contact the IND
to make an appointment regarding your residence
permit (if required).
You dont have to repeat this process every time you
move house; you can generally just visit a local ofce
(stadsdeelkantoor) to update your details, which you
are legally obliged to do.
You also need to de-register with the BRP when you
leave the Netherlands, and give back your residence
permit to the IND.
IND
The Immigratie-en Naturalisatiedienst (IND) implements immigration policy including applications
for residence permits, Dutch citizenship, visas, and
asylum requests. The ofcial policy line is strict but
fair and efforts have been made to speed up the
processes involved. The website has extensive information in English, a Residence Wizard for specic
circumstances, and downloadable brochures and
forms. You need to make an appointment and visit
an IND desk personally to be interviewed or have
a sticker put in your passport. To collect a permit
you also need to visit an IND desk in person. If you
receive a letter stating the permit is ready, you can
visit the IND desk without an appointment. Renewal
forms are automatically sent to you. Ofce locations
can be found on the IND website (www.ind.nl) or call
+31 (0)88 043 0430 (call charges apply). In 2014 the
IND launched @IND_NL for general questions.
RELOCATION
RESIDENCE PERMITS
A residence permit is related to the purpose of your stay.

WHAT KIND OF RESIDENCE PERMIT?
Your country of origin, purpose for coming to the
Netherlands (work, study, joining a spouse or relative), income, age, and period of residency are
some key factors in determining what kind of residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) you need or are
eligible for. There are many variations, with individual prices, so reuniting family can add up. Other
requirements include proof of sufcient nancial
support and no criminal record or pending cases.
The system was largely reformed in 2013 under the
Modern Migration Act, with streamlined processes,
lower family prices, and extended permit lengths.
A temporary residence permit is issued initially for a
set period up to a maximum of ve years, and can
be renewed. Residence permits are usually valid
for the same length as your purpose of stay (for
example, the length of your study programme or
work contract, or that of your partner), otherwise one
year is common. After ve years of legal, continuous
residence in the Netherlands, you can apply for a

permanent residence permit or consider citizenship.
EU/EEA/SWISS NATIONALS AND RELATIVES
For stays longer than four months, EU/EEA/Swiss
nationals previously needed to register with the
IND to get a sticker in their passport, but this was
abolished in January 2014. Your passport or ID
is now evidence enough of your right to live and
work in the Netherlands but you will need to register at your local municipality, get a social number
(BSN), and take out Dutch health insurance. Any of
your non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members, however,
must apply for a certicate of lawful residence and
show proof of their relationship to you (eg. birth or
marriage certicate). Croats can also apply for this
certicate if needed but it is not compulsory. After
ve years of residency, all EU/EEA/Swiss nationals
and family members (who have lived with them) are
eligible to apply for permanent residence for EU
citizens, which costs around EUR 50.
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Businesses on the Move
We offer the following services:
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Immigration Services
Consulting Services
Property Management
International Mobility
Management
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Het Kleine Loo 414 T - NL-2592 CK The Hague

Tel: +31 (0)70 324 25 24 - info@novagrp.eu
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RELOCATION
NON-EU/EEA/SWISS
Third country nationals need a residence permit
to stay for more than three months, and may also
require a temporary permit to enter the Netherlands
(MVV, see below). As of June 2013, both the MVV
and residence permit can be applied for in a single
application, known as the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV). Sponsors in the Netherlands, such as
an employee or family member, can apply for the
permit on your behalf before you arrive.
MVV (MACHTIGING TOT VOORLOPIG VERBLIJF)
This is an authorisation for temporary stay that
applies to migrants intending to stay longer than
three months (90 days), and can only be applied for
while you are outside the Netherlands. An examination covering Dutch language and society (Civic
Integration Examination Abroad, EUR 350) is part of
the procedure but is not generally required for those
coming for employment or studies (see below). See
www.naarnederland.nl for more details on the test.
The MVV is a sticker (valid for six months) placed
in your passport and its costs vary according to the
purpose of your stay.
WHO DOESNT NEED AN MVV?
When applying for a residence permit, there is
no MVV requirement for nationals from EU/EEA/
Switzerland (and their family members), Australia,
Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South
Korea, US and Vatican City. Citizens with a long-term
residence permit EC issued by another European
Community (EC) state are also exempt, as are those
who have held a Blue Card for 18 months in another
EC state plus their relatives. More exemptions are
listed in the application form.
CIVIC INTEGRATION ACT
Foreigners requiring an MVV are obliged to take an
integration exam before applying for their permit.
There are, however, many exemptions listed on
www.ind.nl. Knowledge migrants and those coming
for work, study, or exchange are exempt while on
temporary permits, as are under-18s and those who
have reached pension age. Ofcial self-study packs
are sold by www.naarnederland.nl. The IND links
to an online registration form to book your exam.
The exam is undertaken at a Dutch embassy or consulate in your country (if none, at the nearest Dutch
mission).
10
The inburgering (civic integration) legislation also

obliges foreigners who wish to apply for a continued or permanent residency permit to speak the
language by passing an integration exam in the
Netherlands (EUR 250). Knowledge of the Dutch
language, culture and society is required. The main
exemption is for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and their
families. For information, check en.inburgeren.nl.
HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANT SCHEME
(KENNISMIGRANTEN)
This scheme is initiated by an employer authorised
to admit highly skilled migrant applicants the
IND has a list of companies on their site and it
applies to jobs with a gross salary of over EUR 4,372
per month, or EUR 3,205 for under 30s. These salary
bands dont apply to medical specialist training,
teaching and academic positions, which are also
included under this scheme. Sponsors of highly
skilled migrants apply for a residence permit (and
MVV if necessary) on the workers behalf before they
arrive. The employee can begin work once they
pick up their residence permit on arrival, or if its not
ready, have obtained the residence endorsement
sticker (verblijfsaantekening) from the IND.
GRADUATES/HIGHLY EDUCATED
Foreign students who have completed a HBO/
WO (higher education), Masters or PhD in the
Netherlands can le an application with the IND
to remain for one year to look for a job. This also
applies to Masters and PhD students from abroad
who obtained a degree in the last three years from
a university listed in the top 200 of the most recent
Times Higher Education World University Rankings,
QS World University Rankings, or Academic Ranking
of World Universities. During this year graduates do
not need a separate work permit for employment.
This visa is non-extendable, so the graduate must
apply for a new residency permit if they nd appropriate work, or register as self-employed in order to
stay.
INDEPENDENT PERMITS
A non-EU national who has a residence permit based
on a relationship (a Dutch partner, for example) can
apply for a permit in their own right (continued residence permit) after ve years of holding a Dutch
permit, or less in certain situations on which the IND
can advise.
RELOCATION
Personal representation
Tailor-made packages
Independently operating
Qualified and experienced
WE CARE,
EVERY STEP
OF THE WAY
CHANGING PERMITS
Most residence permits can be extended, although
some are restricted, for example, working holiday, au
pair and graduates orientation permits. If you switch
permits (eg. residency based on a study/work permit
to residency as a highly skilled migrant), you must
apply for a new permit with the IND, with supporting
documentation. Workers can change jobs without
requiring a new residency permit, however, the IND
must be notied and a new work permit obtained.
IDENTIFICATION
All residents over the age of 14 must carry an ID that
shows their residence status (for EU/EEA nationals, a
passport).
CUSTOMS
On www.douane.nl there is extensive information in
English regarding duties payable and procedures for
individuals and businesses. If you move to the Netherlands from outside the EU or if you wish to bring
your car, you can download an application form from
the website for exemptions on removable goods.
t +31 (0)297 272784

e info@relocaid.com
i www.relocaid.com
RELOCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS

LAWYERS AND NOTARIES
Buma Algera Notariaat
Prins Hendriklaan 27-29 | 1075 AZ Amsterdam
+31 (0)20-3058922 | info@banotariaat.nl | www.banotariaat.nl
Noordam Advocatuur
Oranje Nassaulaan 5, 1075 AH Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 689 8123 | info@noordamadvocatuur.nl
www.noordamadvocatuur.nl
Everaert Immigration Lawyers
IJDok 23, 1013 MM Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 752 3200 | info@everaert.nl | www.everaert.nl
Smeets Gijbels
Amsterdam | Jacob Obrechtstraat 70 | +31 (0)20 574 7722
Rotterdam | Westersingel 84 | +31 (0)10 266 6666
info@smeetsgijbels.com | www.smeetsgijbels.com
Mr MJ Meijer Notairssen
Keizersgracht 695699, 1017 DW Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 531 7070 | info@meijernotarissen.nl
www.meijernotarissen.nl
RELOCATION SERVICES
De Haan Relocation
Edisonweg 18, 2952 AD Alblasserdam
+31 (0)78 692 0333 | info@dehaan.nl | www.dehaan.nl
Eurohome Relocation Services
Wolga 12, 2491 BJ The Hague
+ 31 (0)70 301 1366 | www.eurohome-relocation.com
Hello World Holanda
+31 (0)61 978 0664 | Skype: hwhelloworld
info@hwhelloworld.com | www.hwhelloworld.com
Interdean Relocation Services

A Einsteinweg 12, 2408 AR Alphen aan den Rijn
+31 (0)17 244 7979 | amsterdam@interdean.com
www.interdean.com
Map Relocations
Brusselsesteenweg 321, 3090 Overijse, Belgium
+32 (0)2 658 8080 | contact@map-relocations.com
www.map-relocations.com
Mie-Lan Kok Estate Agency
JH Weissenbruchweg 19, 2102 AE Heemstede
+31 (0)23 547 5941 | info@mielankok.nl | www.mielankok.nl
New2nl
Amsterdam, the Netherlands | +31 (0)62 909 3933
annebet@new2nl.com | www.new2nl.com
Noble Mobility
A. van Leeuwenhoekweg 50, 2408 AN Alphen aan den Rijn
+31 (0)17 274 5454 | info@noble-mobility.com
www.noble-mobility.com
Nova Relocation
Het Kleine Loo 414T, 2592 CK The Hague
+ 31 (0)70 324 2524 | info@novagrp.eu | www.novagrp.eu
PASBMS Relocation Services
Schoutenlaan 62, 2215 ME Voorhout
+31 (0)25 234 7876 | info@pasbms.com | www.pasbms.com
RelocAid: Relocation and immigration
Rendementsweg 12A, 3641 SK Mijdrecht
+31 (0)29 727 2784 | info@relocaid.com | www.relocaid.com
Tulip Expats Services
Malakkastraat 8890, 2585 SR The Hague
+31 (0)70 220 8156 | info@tulipexpatsservices.com
www.tulipexpatsservices.com
11
RELOCATION
EXPAT CENTRES
Expatcenter Amsterdam area
World Trade Center Amsterdam | F Tower, 2nd floor
Strawinskylaan 39, 1077 XW Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 254 7999
welcome@expatcenter.iamsterdam.com
www.iamsterdam.com/expatcenter
Expat Centre Leiden
Stationsweg 41, 2312 AT Leiden | +31 (0)71 516 6005 |
welcome@expatcentreleiden.nl | www.expatcentreleiden.nl
Expat Center for the Netherlands
Startbaan 8, 1185 XR Amstelveen | +31 (0)900 9811
info@expatcenter.nl | www.expatcenter.nl
Expatdesk Rotterdam
Coolsingel 195197, 3012 AG Rotterdam | +31 (0)10 790 0190
expatdesk@rotterdampartners.nl | www.rotterdam.nl/expatdesk
Rotterdam Investment Agency (same location)
+31 (0)10 790 0140 | www.rotterdaminvestmentagency.com
Expatdesk Utrecht
Keizerstraat 3, 3512 EA Utrecht | +31 (0)30 246 8536
info@expatdeskutrecht.nl | www.expatdeskutrecht.nl
The Hague International Centre
City Hall (Atrium) | Spui 70, 2511 BT The Hague
+31 (0)70 353 5043 | internationalcentre@denhaag.nl
www.thehagueinternationalcentre.nl
12
Holland Expat Center South (Noord-Brabant and Limburg

provinces)
Vestdijk 27A, 5611 CA Eindhoven | +31 (0)40 238 6777
eindhoven@hollandexpatcenter.com
Mosae Forum 10, 6211 DW Maastricht | +31 (0)43 350 5010
maastricht@hollandexpatcenter.com
Stadhuisplein 128, 5038 TC Tilburg | +31 (0)40 238 6777
tilburg@hollandexpatcenter.com | www.hollandexpatcenter.com
Nijmegen Expatdesk
Stadswinkel | Marienburg 75, 6511 PS Nijmegen
+31 (0)24 329 2408 | informatiebalie@nijmegen.nl
www.nijmegen.nl/expats
Twente Expat Center
World Trade Center Twente | Spoorstraat 114, 8th floor, 7551 CA Hengelo
+31 (0)74 291 5604 | info@expatcentertwente.com
www.expatcentertwente.com
INFORMATION CENTRES
Maastricht Region Branding Foundation
Stationsplein 18E, 6221 BT Maastricht | +31 43 328 2565
info@maastrichtregion.com | www.maastrichtregion.com
Twente Branding
Hengelosestraat 500, 7521 AN Enschede | Gebouw The Gallery
+31 (0)53 483 6839 | info@twente.com | www.twente.com
RELOCATION
SPECIAL NEEDS
A wide array of organisations assists people with special needs

in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands has legislation protecting the
rights of people with a physical, mental, emotional, or sensory impairment that ensures equal
access to social, economic and transport systems
and encourages full participation in society. In
typical Dutch fashion, multiple ministries and
organisations coordinate policy. Your doctor, city
hall or one of the major advice centres (ANGO,
Ieder(in) or MEE) can point you in the right
direction.
The language of instruction is Dutch, but children

from a non-Dutch background can sometimes be
taught in their mother tongue to help them settle
in. You will find SEN teachers at international
schools (public and private) where the language
of instruction will be (mostly) English but you may
have to fund the assistant. Contact the school
directly in the rst instance. For higher education,
education and disability is an expert centre (www.
onderwijsenhandicap.nl).
Experienced expats can also provide invaluable

advice and support; start a thread on a forum such
as Expatica Community, if existing threads dont
cover your query.
FUNDING
Many services (such as transport) are supported
by government funding but there is also nancial
support for individual families, such as additional
child benet, healthcare and carer allowances, and
adaptations to home or transport. Search the government welfare site www.svb.nl to see if you
qualify for a carers allowance (TOG) or a personal
budget (PGB) to cover support costs.
TRANSPORT
Old Dutch cities with narrow, uneven streets and
bikes parked everywhere are not brilliant terrain
for those in wheelchairs, but access is improving.
Help is available getting to/through Schiphol
airport (www.schiphol.nl) and railways (www.ns.nl),
and theres a bureau for disabled travellers (call
030 235 7822 or register online) to request journey
assistance. Your gemeente site will give local information, often in English, for the location of disabled parking places and other access issues, or
look up zorg en welzijn and gehandicapten.
EDUCATION
Wherever possible, children are encouraged to
attend mainstream primary schools under the
Going to school together policy. A new Inclusive
Education Act (Wet Passend Onderwijs) came into
effect in 2014, which requires all schools to provide
equal learning opportunities for every child.
The school of their choice special or mainstream
will receive funding to cater for their needs, and
the school will arrange assistance as required.
Parents can also opt for a special school, whether
a speciaal basisonderwijs (SBO) for learning and
behavourial support or a speciaal onderwijs (so)
for specic special needs.
GOING OUT
A combination of wheelchair accessible activities
and accommodation can be found at www.accessibletravelnl.com, and restaurants from several sites
(for example, www.dinnersite.nl). Good sources for
sporty types include Stichting Resa (www.stichtingresa.nl) or www.fondsgehandicaptensport.nl.
Amsterdam has a dedicated site detailing accessible buildings: www.toegankelijkamsterdam.nl.
HOLIDAY
De Zeeland (www.zeilenalacarte.nl) offers adapted
sailing trips for wheelchair users and families,
and some campsites such as De Ruimte
(www.campingderuimte.nl) cater especially for
children with special needs. Find out about accessible nature reserves and recreation areas at
Staatsbosbeheer (www.staatsbosbeheer.nl). For
farther travels, organised group trips are available
at www.gehandicaptenreizen.nl.
13
RELOCATION
ASSISTANCE ORGANISATIONS
(links mostly in dutch)
14
Valys: Regional assisted transport

+31 (0)900 9630 | www.valys.nl
ANGO: General Dutch Disability Organisation

+31 (0)33 465 4343 | www.ango.nl
NCTT: Dutch centre informing on public accessibility

+31 (0)23 574 8357 | www.nctt.nl
MEE: Support and help for living with a disability

+31 (0)900 999 88 88 | www.mee.nl
Handilinks: A useful portal with lots of related links

www.handilinks.nl
Ieder(in): Network for the chronically ill and disabled

(Formally known as CG-RaaD)
+31 (0)30 720 0000 | www.iederin.nl
Dutch Autism Network: www.landelijknetwerkautisme.nl
Accessibility Foundation: Accessible internet for all

+31 (0)30 239 82 70 | www.accessibility.nl
Deaf/blind support: www.doofblind.nl
Down Syndrome Foundation (SDS): www.downsyndroom.nl

Children/teenagers support: www.nsgk.nl; www.moov.nl
FAMILIES
FAMILIES
Ranked first in the world for childrens well-being by UNICEF,

the Netherlands is great for families.
Immigration policies have been reformed in recent
years, making it easier and cheaper for family
reunication in the Netherlands.
Many policies were updated in 2013 under the
Modern Migration Act. Now partners or relatives
in the Netherlands can apply for permits on behalf
of family member(s) who live abroad. The applications for both the entry visa (MVV) and residence
permit were streamlined into one Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV), which can be lodged
before family members arrive. Partners also no
longer need to be married to receive residency,
cancelling a rule adopted in October 2012,
although other conditions apply.
Fees have also been reduced for family members
permit applications, including childrens permits.
Now higher fees are focused on labour and highly
skilled migrant permits, with fees for additional
family members being signicantly lower. If you

need an MVV permit to enter the Netherlands,
you may need to follow an integration programme, although many exemptions apply.
It is important to visit the IND website (www.ind.
nl) for the most up-to-date information and prices,
as changes occur regularly. Search the Residence
Wizard and news sections.
EU/EEA/SWISS NATIONALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
You need to rst register in the Municipal Personal
Records Database (BRP), after which you will get
your mandatory social number (BSN). You must
ensure that all appropriate documentation (marriage certicates, birth certicates for you and your
children etc.) is duly stamped with an Apostille (if
this is relevant for your country) and translated into
Dutch, English, French or German. You will need
valid passports for all family members.
A new generation of Childcare.

Crche (0-4 yrs) and out-of-school-care (4-12 yrs)
Oyas in Amsterdam Zuid offers children a supportive
environment that fosters individual development,
creativity and social interaction.
Oyas was created to meet an increasing need for fully
flexible childcare of the highest quality, coupled with an
exceptional range of services to make parents lives just that
bit easier. Our nannies are qualified, experienced and trained
to be sensitive to the individual needs of a child.
Please call or email us to make
an appointment to have a look around.
020 7058040 info@oyas.nl

IJsbaanpad 8 1076 CV Amsterdam
All information is available in English and Dutch at www.oyas.nl
Print ad 126x90.indd 1
9/18/14 12:37 PM
15
FAMILIES
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not need a work permit,

and no further registration is required to live in the
Netherlands.
Exceptions include Croatian citizens, and family
members who are not EU/EEA/Swiss nationals themselves. Instead, after four months, an application for
verication against EU law must be submitted to the
IND to request a certicate of lawful residency. This
application is compulsory and costs EUR 53 for a
ve-year period. This registration still requires Croats
to be covered by work permits for their rst working
year, after which no work permit is required. Non-EU
family members have no restrictions on working. Visit
www.ind.nl for conditions.
NON-EU/EEA/SWISS NATIONALS
All other non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals must have their
own residence permit. The application fee depends
on your personal situation and permit type. Employees
and highly skilled migrants pay EUR 861 and EUR 228
per adult family member. These rates are subject to
frequent change, so it is best to refer to www.ind.nl.
Partners and family members generally receive the
same conditions as the relative they are joining in the
Netherlands. So family members of highly skilled
migrants or labour workers do not need a work permit
once their residency application is approved.
SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS
If you want to bring a family member to the Netherlands, you will become their sponsor. A sponsor must
sign a declaration and meet certain obligations, for
example, you must prove you can support your spouse
or relative. The IND publishes a table of required
income levels. If you, along with your family, come to
the Netherlands as a highly skilled worker, your contract
will be sufcient to meet the requirements regardless
of the length of employment.
AU PAIRS
Bringing an au pair to the Netherlands is restricted.
One of the key rules is that the au pair cannot have
previously worked for your family abroad. Only a recognised au pair agency can submit a permit application
on behalf of au pair.
An au pair can stay in the Netherlands for one year for
the purpose of cultural exchange and is not allowed
to work outside the agreed au pair duties. The IND
website (www.ind.nl) has a section for au pairs who wish
to come to the Netherlands, as well as conditions for
what an au pair is allowed to do.
16
Below are some general conditions.

Au
pair: Must be over 18 and under 31; only light

domestic duties to assist the host family in exchange
for bed and board; maximum work 8 hours per day,
30 hours per week; two days off weekly; TB test, if
necessary; no previous Dutch residence permit for
exchange purposes.
Sponsor: Sufcient income to support family and au
pair; daily schedule for au pair agreed upon in writing;

au pair must be registered at same address.
CHILDCARE (KINDEROPVANG)
It is never too early to register your child for daycare, for
instance, when you are pregnant. Government policy
(in Dutch) can be found on www.rijksoverheid.nl.
OPTIONS
Kinderdagverblijf: Public daycare for children aged
six weeks to four years old. Centres are generally open

from 8am to 68pm. Find a local one at www.kinderopvang.net. Urban areas have a shortage so
expect long waiting lists.
Private daycare: In large cities, there are private facil-
ities offering exible options up to 24-hour care, which

are more expensive, plus international nurseries and
pre-school establishments.
Pre-school/playgroups (peuterspeelzalen): Activities
and play for two to four year olds. This is often more
social rather than proper daycare but if you can
get a place it can be sufcient if you intend to work
part-time.
Employers: Some employers have their own daycare
arrangements or local daycare places, which can be

cheaper.
After-school
care: Some daycare centres provide

this for children up to 12, but it is also provided by
naschoolse opvang and buitenschoolse opvang
(BSO) establishments (see www.kinderopvang.net).
CHILD BENEFIT
Parents living or working in the Netherlands with
children under 18 are entitled to the kinderbijslag, a
quarterly contribution to the cost of raising children
from the Sociale Verzerkerings Bank (SVB). The amount
depends on age, special needs etc. but is not
income-related. It can be paid into a bank account in
some foreign countries (but this will take longer). Find
information in seven languages and a list of local ofces
at www.svb.nl.
FAMILIES
CHILDCARE ALLOWANCE
Parents working (or studying) in the Netherlands are
entitled to the childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag) for children under 12. This is a contribution
to the cost of childcare, whether for a childcare
centre, afterschool care or a private childminder
(gastouder). The allowance can reduce childcare
costs up to a maximum of 90 percent, depending
on income and number of children. Contact the tax
ofce for details.
Many changes in recent years have affected the
amount and granting of childcare allowance. Since
2013, the allowance amount has been dependent
on a households (joint) income, after the Government repealed the 33.3 percent employers contribution rate (werkgeversbijdrage). Increased
budget allocation for childcare in 2014 has seen a
reinstatement of childcare allowance for high-income
households, capped at 18 percent of costs for households with incomes over EUR 103,574. Childcare
allowance is also capped to a set of maximum hourly
rates, ranging up to EUR 6.70 per hour depending
on the type of care.
Changes to the Dutch Childcare Act in 2010 included

a reduction in childcare allowance for private childminders and no allowance for live-in childminders.
Private childminders need to be registered, show
proof of formal training, and rst-aid training is mandatory. As of 2012, parents must also be in regular
employment to claim allowances.
Parents cannot claim allowances if they look after
each others children or relatives provide care, and
parents cannot claim more than 230 hours maximum
per child, per month for all types of care. There is a
cap on the maximum hours parents can declare,
which is linked to the number of hours worked by
the parent who works the lowest contracted number
of hours.In the event of sickness, holiday, parental
leave, extra training or part-time unemployment
benefit, the number or hours worked remains
unchanged, as does the number of hours of
childcare allowance granted. The same rules apply
for both independent entrepreneurs and those
employed by an organisation.
If a parent amends the number of childcare hours
they receive, however, they must pass the information to the Tax Ofce (belastingdienst) within four
weeks, or incur a ne.
17
FAMILIES
TOP TIPS FOR FAMILIES

There are many playgrounds scattered about but
the Dutch transport system makes it easy to
explore farther, and children travel free on certain
passes (see our transport section). There are also
abundant cycling facilities for family outings, or
you might consider a bakfiet, the Dutch cargo
bike.
For ideas, Dutch publisher J/M (www.jmouders.nl)
covers a range of activities and age groups.
You can search for kids gids (kids guides) covering your area, or nd childrens activities on
www.uitkrant.nl (choose jeugd from the genres)
and out with children (www.uitmetkinderen.nl).
GET OUT AND ABOUT:

Fun for free visit a childrens farm or kinderboerderij. These city farms often have educational and recreational activities during the week.
Cultural fun Dutch museums often have audio

guides for kids available in several languages.
Hit the beach the Netherlands has 451 kilometres of (windy!) coastline accessible by car,
bike, boat and public transport.
Dutch theme parks De Efteling is a huge park

offering (scary/exciting) rides for older kids and
a Disney-esque experience with folkloric touches
for younger ones.
Top scoff who could resist poffertjes? Tiny

puffed up pancakes served with butter and tons
of powdered sugar.
Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot
Free Muiderslot app for IPhone and Android
18
HOUSING
HOUSING
Finding the perfect home is not easy in the densely populated Netherlands.
The Dutch housing market is characterised by the
biggest social housing sector in Europe, which
makes up 75 percent of the rental market. This
narrows the supply of private rental properties for
expats, who generally do not qualify for social
housing due to strict, income-based allocation.
However, more houses have become available in
the private rental sector in recent years, mainly
because homeowners have rented their properties
waiting for a better sellers market and social
housing restrictions have changed. Still, competition for attractive housing in popular areas is
erce, so house hunters need to be ready to sign
quickly if they nd the right home.
More than half of the houses in the Netherlands
are owner-occupied, more in rural areas than cities.
In the past, governments have promoted house
ownership with some success using nancial incentives, such as tax-deductible mortgage interest
and reduced transfer tax from 6 percent to 2
percent. However, the economic crisis and stricter

mortgage regulations stalled the housing market
in recent years, and prices decreased around 20
percent over the same period.
In wake of the crisis previous incentives are being
phased out, although in 2014 the buying market
showed signs of recovery, especially in the lower
price ranges. As the rental supply further
decreases, prices on the rental market continue
to go up.
RENT OR BUY?
The usual advice is that if you are here for more
than ve years and are paying a signicant rent
(say EUR 1,700 a month or more), you are better
off buying a house in the Netherlands. Buyers who
may wish to retain the property and rent it out in
the future should make sure there is a scenario
whereby given the restrictive verordening (regulation) in Amsterdam the legal rent that they
are permitted to charge can cover costs.
NEED YOUR HOME

FURNISHED FAST?
V@Amsterdam designs unique handmade

souvenirs for companies and individuals.
Visit our website to get gifts for your
friends, family and business partners,
or anyone connected to Amsterdam.
www.vatamsterdam.com
WWW.MOVING-IN.NL
19
HOUSING
In the past, the main incentive for potential buyers

was that mortgage interest payments were tax
deductible if the house was a main residence,
however, the economic crisis has inuenced stricter
control of the mortgage market. Since 2013, only
interest payments for full-repayment mortgages over
30 years are tax deductible, and the maximum tax
rate for deductibility will be reduced by 0.5 percent
per annum until 2040.
Expats are advised to buy only if they will be in the
Netherlands for ve years minimum, mainly due to
the recovery of start-up costs involved in buying
property (in total, around six percent of the purchase
price). If you are only here for a couple of years,
renting is likely your best option, despite high rents
in desirable places. At least contract costs are xed,
repairs and maintenance are the landlords headache
and contracts can be ended if you need to return
home.
FINDING A HOME
Properties to rent (te huur) and to buy (te koop) can
be found in newspapers, and on online property
portals and agency websites, including www.funda.
nl, the national database of the Nederlandse
Vereniging van Makelaars (NVM), or the Dutch Association of Estate agents. There are many agencies
specialising in expats (be wary of those that charge a
registration fee), which can steer a path through the
local market. The downside of using an agency is the
commission or nders fee. A months rent (plus 21
percent tax) is the going rate. On the other hand,
using a reputable agent can help you to avoid renting
an illegal apartment, being removed by a handhavings action, not recovering your deposit, being
bound by an unreasonable contract, or paying too
much.
If youre bafed by real estate terminology, you can
search for English language postings on housing.
expatica.com, or try www.pararius.com with searches
in six languages. It should be noted that not all properties on intermediary real estate portals may have
been screened by the listing agent.
Rental properties that have less than EUR 699.48 base
rent will fall under social housing restrictions, and most
people will not qualify for these properties as they
either earn too much or have no required link to the
area. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Amsterdam House Hunting

Your Personal Real Estate Specialist
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20
Tel: +31 (0) 653 108 884
www.amsterdamhousehunting.nl
HOUSING
RENTING
USING AN AGENT
A good agent should be able to tell you about the
market, city, price, quality of housing and restrictions
that apply to expats, as well as arrange visits for you,
negotiate with landlords, and provide a contract in
English. Check their portfolio to ensure they have a
range of properties to suit you.
THREE HOUSING SECTORS
The dominant distribution sector has rent-controlled
social housing, and income status plays its part in
allocation. These restrictions are applied by the local
authority, of which all intermediaries should be aware
of and apply in practice. Social housing is split into
two sectors, depending on whether the property is
privately owned, or owned by a housing corporation
(woningcooperaties).
However, the reality is that there are too few rental

properties, which puts upwards pressure on some
types of accommodation. You can nd more on the
points system by searching huurwoning on
www.rijksoverheid.nl or check what your propertys
rent should be at www.huurcommissie.nl.
The
government regulates base-rents up to EUR

699.48 a month (2014) and anything over this price
is in the liberalised sector (assuming it has the
correct points/price ratio), where rent prices are not
restricted.
Signed the contract but now think you are paying
too much? Contact a local huurteam or initiate a

rental review on www.huurcommissie.nl within six
months of signing the lease.
Some landlords expect your employer to act as a
guarantor.
Generally
income conditions apply for cheaper
housing.
corporations: While these properties are

often considered to be the best value, there are
many restrictions regarding who may live in them
and waiting lists of up to 10 years or more are not
uncommon. Only those with a total income of less
than EUR 34,085 and valid residency will be eligible.
Be cautious of sub-lets when searching solo. You
Private distribution sector: You can only rent in this
empty? There may be an inventory and/or photos.
Housing
sector when your total taxable household income

(ie. combined income of all occupants) is EUR 43,602
or less. This includes holiday allowance and bonuses.
Landlords are free to nd their own tenants, and as
such, residency status does not apply.
Liberalised
sector: Most expats end up renting

accommodation in this sector because there are
fewer restrictions and housing is easier to rent.
Owners with low-priced rental properties usually
rent easily through their own networks.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
may have problems registering with the BRP and be

evicted with little notice.
COSTS AND CONTRACTS
Your rental contract should cover:
Status: is the property furnished, semi-furnished or
Duration of lease (eg. one year).

Notice period and stipulations about how notice
should be provided.
Service charges (check all-inclusive. What portion
is rent?).
Utilities
(apportioned how?). If you agree to a

monthly fee, including an advance for utilities, then
make sure that utility use is metered for your
property. Your landlord should show you an account
(eindafrekening) of payments and real costs at least
once a year.
The Dutch rental system for housing, tenants and
A diplomatic clause if you have to leave because
agents is intensely regulated but not necessarily

reective of current market conditions. Base rents
(kale huur) are controlled by a points system, woningwaarderingsstelsel, which scores everything from
the oor space and heating system to location and
property type to determine a rental value, and
whether a property falls under the regulated or liberalised sector.
your employer has relocated you elsewhere. You

need to be clear on when and how this clause can
be used to allow you to escape your rental obligations.
Expect to pay one or two months of rent as deposit,
a months rent in advance to the landlord, and a
months rent plus 21 percent tax as commission if you
use an agent.
21
HOUSING
TIPS FROM PERFECT HOUSING AGENCY

Discuss your needs explicitly with your agent.
Select one, at most two, agencies: We all talk to
each other.
Arrange viewings three weeks before you need to
move in, no earlier, and have vision: You may have

to look through the mess of the current tenant
strewn randomly throughout every room.
Dont be pressured, but you must be ready to move
quickly.
Make your mind up. You like the place. You agree
terms in writing. You take it.

OTHER HOUSE HUNTING OPTIONS
If the agent brokerage commission seems one
nancial burden too many, there are other ways to
find property but you will need to put in lots of
legwork and the monthly rental price wont be much
cheaper. Most of all, you will need luck and timing is
important. If you start your search too early (say a
couple of months before you need to move in) good
properties wont still be available. Every avenue is
worth exploring. Post a notice in the housing section
of expat forums or Dutch internet sites with housing,
or reply to postings from private landlords. Steer clear
of anyone asking for a cash payment or commission.
Given the competition for housing, you need to be
able to respond quickly to adverts and, if you can,
take someone along with you when viewing. If you
see a at advertised in an estate agency window or
in a newspaper with an estate agent contact number,
make it clear you are only interested in that property
you might get away with no commission but you
will still have to pay a deposit etc. There may be room
for negotiation. Always check that you can register
with the BRP and check the contract details. The
standard NVM (Dutch estate agent association) contract has an English version for comparison.
22
STUDENTS
Universities try their best to help students with
housing but there are serious shortage issues. There
are non-commercial agencies for students, housing
corporations and antikraak (anti-squat) agencies that
rent out accommodation. Check the city housing
department or dienst wonen, zorg en samenleven for
more information about low-priced housing. You can
also find useful internet sites for renting a room
(kamer) or student accommodation.
SHORT-TERM HOUSING
Many cities in the Netherlands have aparthotels for
corporate clients, which can sometimes be less anonymous and cheaper than hotels. If you are looking for
a private apartment for a couple of months, the websites aimed at tourists are also worth scouring as they
have a wide choice of accommodation, including
properties in the choicest of locations, which are
priced accordingly. Short-stay regulations in
Amsterdam make it illegal to rent the majority of
properties for less than six months. The only exceptions are where a property has been explicitly
exempted or the landlord has a short-stay permit, and
when a property was built after 1 January 2008.
Despite this, there are many properties listed for less
than six-month stays that are illegal due to new rules.
LIVING ON THE WATER
Tempted by life on a houseboat or Dutch barge? The
houseboat market is a very close-knit community so
personal references will go a long way. There are many
rules and regulations regarding permits and mooring
conditions and, if you want to buy a boat, it will usually
(certainly for newcomers) be a cash transaction. Track
down a specialist agent to steer you through the procedures. Useful sites include www.waterwonen.nl and
www.botentekoop.nl (which includes all kinds of boats
for sale).
Updated in cooperation with Perfect Housing.
HOW TO BUY A HOUSE

IN THE NETHERLANDS?
ASK SUSAN.
Welcome to ABN AMRO. Expert in expats.
Buying a house may be a smart move for expats. At our International Client
Desks we are more than happy to give you personal and tailor-made advice.
In English, or in 25 other languages. Watch Susans personal video answer on
abnamro.nl/expats. Or schedule a free orientation meeting with one of our
consultants. So you can feel at home in the Netherlands! Feel free to contact
us anytime, we are here for you 24/7.
HOUSING
BUYING
It is common to appoint a makelaar to do much of the
legwork: tracking down appropriate houses, arranging
viewings, suggesting areas where theres room for
negotiation, and advising on potential pitfalls. Some
properties come with specic regulations; some expats
have bought property only to nd they do not have
permission (woonvergunning) to live in it. Another
benet might be that a makelaar knows which property
will come on the market shortly.
As with renting, nd a makelaar who understands your
needs and let them get on with it. The agents commission will be 12 percent of the purchase price. You
can hunt on Funda (www.funda.nl) to get ideas of prices
in particular areas or scour the pages of newspaper
housing supplements. Proximity to work, schools and
amenities all play their part. Be aware of the costs
involved in renovating older property to current
building standards or the quality required for renting.
For leasehold properties, check out the ground rents.
Tax is also levied on the deemed property value (WOZ),
evaluated by the local municipality each year. See www.
nvm.nl for useful information in English.
ARRANGING A MORTGAGE (HYPOTHEEK)
There are many different types of mortgage and the
tax issues are complex. The general conditions for a
mortgage up to four or ve times your salary are:
You have a permanent residence permit (depending
on nationality and employment contract, this may not

be applicable).
You have a permanent employment contract or a
continuation statement from your employer.

If self-employed or a contractor, you have certied
accounts for the last three years and forecasts for the
following year.
MORTGAGES AND TAX IMPLICATIONS

When arranging a mortgage it is important to look at
the whole picture: interest, cost of life insurance, savings
plan and investment accounts. If you are intending to
sub-let, you may need to pay off a substantial part (say
30 percent) of the mortgage to get permission from the
lender. When your interest rate comes up for renewal,
it is important to check that it is still competitive.
Tax implications include:
Interest payments are tax-deductible if the property
is your primary residence and the loan is used for

acquisition of the house, although conditions apply.
There is no capital gains tax in the Netherlands but
increases in the value may impact your mortgage

relief if and when you use the prots to buy another
house in the Netherlands.
Tax is levied on the deemed rental value of the house
(WOZ) determined by the local authority.

Expenses in nancing the purchase of a house are
tax-deductible.
Pre-sale agreement (koopovereenkomst): prepared
by vendors agent or lawyer (notaris) with a 72-hour
cooling off period. It will include details of when the
10 percent deposit should be paid, or when the bank
guarantee has to be arranged.
Maximum mortgage obtainable was reduced to 104
Valuation (taxatierapport): designed for mortgage

purposes; not a survey.
percent of the purchase price in 2014, and will be

lowered further by 1 percent per annum until it
reaches 100 percent in 2018.
Transfer or conveyancing tax (overdrachtsbelasting):

2 percent of the purchase price (reduced from the
former 6 percent by the government).
COSTS
The buyer generally pays costs (kk kosten koper) but
some costs are tax-deductible. Allow for around 6
percent on top of the purchase price. Once your offer
has been accepted, a written agreement is mandatory,
and a 10 percent deposit should be paid. Make sure
your nances are in place rst (ie. that a mortgage
24
lender will lend the required amount). On completion,

both parties sign a transfer contract (akte van levering)
and a notaris must register the property at the Land
Registry (www.kadaster.nl). Notary fees can range from
EUR 1,0003,000, so it pays to look around. An
accredited translator must also be hired if one or more
of the parties is not a Dutch citizen. The whole process
can take just two to three months.
Deed of transfer: transportakte.

Mortgage deed: hypotheekakte.
Agent commission (makelaarscourtage): generally
12 percent, if applicable. A full structural survey is sensible;
possibly fees for translation, plus 21 percent VAT on the total.
Updated in cooperation with Finsens.
HOUSING
ACCOMODATION AGENCIES
Amstelland Makelaars
Prinsengracht 750, 1017 LD Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 320 9080
info@amstellandmakelaars.nl | www.amstellandmakelaars.nl
Amsterdam Beautiful Property Rental
Waalstraat 15, 1078 BP Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 330 7338
info@amsterdambeautiful.nl | www.amsterdambeautiful.nl
Amsterdam House Hunting
+31 (0)65 310 8884 | jaap@amsterdamhousehunting.nl
www.amsterdamhousehunting.nl
GDY Housing
Tolstraat 112, 1074 VK Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 470 4749
info@gdyhousing.com | www.gdyhousing.com
Havaa Apartments
Apartments: Plompetorengracht 11A, Utrecht
Studios & penthouse: Korte Jansstraat 2A, Utrecht
+31 (0)30 231 7100 | info@havaa-apartments.com
www.havaa-apartments.com
HousingXL
Amsterdam | Javakade 488 | amsterdam@housingxl.nl
Haarlem | haarlem@housingxl.nl
+31 (0)63 086 3911 | www.housingxl.nl
Interhouse Huur- en Verhuurprofessionals | www.interhouse.nl
Amsterdam | Haarlemmermeerstraat 55 | +31 (0)20 845 0527
Haarlem | Zijlweg 16 | +31 (0)23 531 8100
Hilversum | Gijsbrecht v. Amstelstraat 104 | +31 (0)35 303 1320
Rotterdam | Mariniersweg 84A | +31 (0)10 303 2720
Sassenheim | Havenpoort 21 | +31 (0)25 222 5450
Multiwonen | www.multiwonen.nl
Amsterdam | Baarsjesweg 275 | +31 (0)20 662 2366
The Hague | Anna Paulownastraat 101 | +31 (0)70 302 0730
Rots-Vast Group
Friesland | Groningen | North Brabant | North & South Holland
Zeeland | info@rotsvast.nl | www.rotsvast.nl
Sonar Appartementen
Gevers Deynootweg 126, 2586 BP The Hague | +31 (0)70 350 5080
info@sonarappartementen.nl | www.sonarappartementen.nl
Stoit Groep
Vestdijk 22, 5611 CC Eindhoven | +31 (0)40 214 0660
info@stoit.nl | www.stoit.nl
Tweelwonen
Oude Herengracht 18, 2312 LN Leiden | +31 (0)71 524 6878
mail@tweelwonen.nl | www.tweelwonen.nl
SERVICED HOUSING
Corporate Housing Factory
Claude Debussylaan 235, 1082 MC Amsterdam
+31 (0)88 116 9500 | bookings@corporatehousingfactory.com
www.corporatehousingfactory.com
De Thijmse Berg
Nieuwe Veenendaalseweg 229231, 3911 MJ Rhenen
+31 (0)31 761 2384 | info@thijmseberg.nl | www.thijmseberg.nl
Htel Serviced Apartments

Amsterdam | Teilingen 9
Amstelveen | Laan van de Helende Meesters 421
+31 (0)20 426 6400 | +31 (0)20 333 7242
welcome@htelapartments.com | www.htelapartments.com
The Student Hotel
Amsterdam | Jan Van Galenstraat 335 | +31 (0)20 760 4000
Rotterdam | Willem Ruyslaan 223 | +31 (0)10 760 2000
The Hague | Hoefkade 9 | +31 (0)70 762 1000
+31 (0)20 422 8669 | info@thestudenthotel.com
www.thestudenthotel.com
World Fashion Apartments
Koningin Wilhelminaplein 52, 1062 KS Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 301 3930 | info@wfapartments.nl
www.worldfashionapartments.com
MORTGAGE SERVICES
ABN AMRO | 0900 8170 | +31 (0)10 241 1723 (abroad)
www.abnamro.nl/en
Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 343 4002 | internationals.amsterdam@nl.abnamro.com
The Hague
+31 (0)70 375 2050 | internationals.thehague@nl.abnamro.com
Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 402 5888 | internationals.rotterdam@nl.abnamro.com
Eindhoven
+31 (0)40 237 9000 | internationals.eindhoven@nl.abnamro.com
Expat Mortgages
Roerstraat 133, 1078 LM Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 717 3908
info@expat-mortgages.nl | www.expat-mortgages.nl
Finsens
Herengracht 136, 1015 BV Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 262 4300 | info@finsens.nl | www.finsens.nl
CLEANING SERVICES
Helpling Netherlands
+31 (0)20 217 0804 | contact@helpling.nl | www.helpling.nl
UCC-Services
Spieringweg 603-Q, 2141 EB Vijfhuizen | +31 (0)23 576 2395 | M:
+31 (0)61 391 1500 | a.barker@ucc-services.nl | www.ucc-services.nl
FURNITURE RENTAL
In-Lease, the furniture rental company
Stationsweg 94, 6711 PW Ede | +31 (0)35 542 6695
netherlands@in-lease.com | www.in-lease.com
MovingiN
Bedrijvenpark Twente 322 | 7602 KL Almelo
+31 (0)54 645 4105 | info@moving-in.nl | www.moving-in.nl
HOME ACCESSORIES
V@Amsterdam
Dirk Vreekenstraat 81, 1019DP Amsterdam | Skype: vat amsterdam
vatamsterdam@gmail.com | www.vatamsterdam.com
25
HOUSING
AMSTERDAM
The Dutch capital is a highly prized location with a diverse

international population.
With some 165 canals and more bicycles than residents, Amsterdams scenic and quirky centre
offers a diverse living experience for its dynamic
population. More than 170 nationalities make up
around 50 percent of the citys residents. There
are many distinct neighbourhoods densely packed
together and competition for housing is erce.
Rental agency Pararius estimated an average
rental price in 2014 of around EUR 19 per sqm.
Amsterdam is expected to have a population of
850,000 by 2025. This growth will be possible by
new residential areas: IJburg and Zeeburgereiland
in Oost, and Bongerd and Overhoeks in Noord.
CENTRE AND CANALS
In the centre, apartments veer towards snug rather
than spacious and stairs are steep. Prices on the
canal ring (grachtengordel) lined with 17th- and
18th-century houses are vertiginous, although
many expats enjoy the typically Dutch experience
in grandeur surrounds.
JORDAAN
This district just west of the grachtengordel and
north of Amsterdams shopping district is an
exceptionally desirable neighbourhood. Its beautiful canals and quirky, narrow streets are occupied
by a bohemian mixture of artists, yuppies and
expats, with a core of working-class locals. Prices
have exploded in recent years and in terms of
price per square metre, it offers poor value and
accommodation is often cramped. In the bordering district of Westerpark, housing developments on former industrial sites have lled the
need for affordable three to four bedroom houses,
with the benet of a huge park nearby.
DE PIJP
Directly south of the centre lies the regenerated
Pijp, or so-called Latin Quarter, which is a vibrant,
funky neighbourhood that has beneted from
government regeneration and initiatives to
increase private-home ownership opportunities,
to the benet of many expats. Rising prices reect
its newfound status as a desired neighbourhood.
26
SOUTH (OUD-ZUID)
Oud-Zuid is a popular upmarket location for
expats with easy access to international schools,
the Vondelpark and spacious, privately-owned
housing. Theres a leafy, gracious-living feel with
cafes and shopping streets to match. Duivelseiland
is particularly desirable with apartment accommodation, numerous cafes and upmarket shops.
WEST (OUD-WEST)
Across the park, housing is cheaper (and smaller)
yet Oud-West is another area very popular with
expats, particularly districts such as Helmersbuurt,
which is a little more urban and edgy than
Oud-Zuid and not as expensive for buyers.
ZEEBURG, KNSM AND DOCKLANDS
Behind Centraal Station lies a very different
Amsterdam. Zeeburg (which comprises Oostelijk
Havengebeid, the Indische Buurt and the new
islands of Ijburg) offers architecturally interesting
surroundings in one of Amsterdams hottest development areas. Its a little less family friendly, but a
growing area. Further west and growing in popularity are KNSM Island and the Eastern Docklands.
This former working port established on four articial island peninsulas is becoming home to locals
and expats who enjoy their modern accommodation options with a twist of traditional Dutch
streetscapes and buildings. The area offers more
space for your housing budget, while remaining
easily accessible to central Amsterdam.
Population: 811,185 (www.os.amsterdam.nl)

International residents: 50.6 percent
International schools: Amsterdam International Community
School: www.aics.espritscholen.nl Annexe du Lyce Franais
Vincent van Gogh: www.lyceevangogh.nl British School of
Amsterdam: www.britams.nl International School Amsterdam
(in Amstelveen): www.isa.nl The Japanese School of
Amsterdam: www.jsa.nl
Links: www.amsterdam.nl www.iamsterdam.com (English site)
BOOK YOUR PROFESSIONAL

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www.helpling.nl
Helpling Netherlands | 020-2170804 contact@helpling.nl
HOUSING
AMSTELVEEN
Prices are slightly cheaper than in Amsterdam

and theres more family-style housing with gardens.
The extra space means parking is not a problem and

many homes have garages, with some 80 percent of
housing built after 1960. Amstelveen has many green
areas, and excellent shopping and local amenities,
particularly for sporty types. Amstelveens population
is booming, expected to reach almost 86,000 citizens
by 2020. Some 3,000 houses are estimated to be built
by 2023, with more than half on the edge of the
Westwijk area.
WESTWIJK
Westwijk is a relatively new area of Amstelveen, which
is more modern and spacious and lined with small
canals. The one central shopping zone in the centre of
the neighbourhood preserves the feeling of a residential area. Larger detached family homes and villas
are available here, in green and tranquil settings that
offer a lot of individual privacy. These are premium
properties, so expect to pay premium prices.
Close proximity to both Schipol airport and Amsterdam

make Amstelveen attractive for international companies, and high living standards appeal to a growing
expat community. The International School of
Amsterdam is based here with more than 1,000 students from over 50 countries, but pupils attending
Amsterdams other international schools (such as the
British School) often live in Amstelveen. The area is
anked by Amsterdams largest park, the Amsterdamse
Bos, and the CoBrA Museum adds of a dash of culture.
ELSRIJK
Directly north of the town centre, this is considered
classic Amstelveen with its wide streets, huge trees and
post-war housing next to small parks. There are terraces, semidetached houses and villas.
HET OUDE DORP

The Old Village is the ancient hub of the original
settlement (1278) with the Amsterdamse Bos to the
west and the town centre to the east. Theres a mix of
older detached houses, farms, terraced houses,
and apartments.
28
PATRIMONIUM
Running along the Amsterdamse Bos, theres a mix of
housing, shops and businesses in a variety of styles and
periods. The Prinsessenbuurt in the north west of Patrimonium is known for large open spaces and detached
houses, set among some of the oldest small parks in
the area.
Population: 85,045 (www.amstelveen.incijfers.nl)
International residents: 14 percent
International schools: International School of Amsterdam:
www.isa.nl Gifted Minds International School:
www.giftedmindsinternationalschool.com
Links: www.amstelveen.nl www.amstelveenweb.com
HOUSING
MAASTRICHT
The citys tranquil lifestyle is just a short hop from major cities in
Belgium, France and Germany.
Maastricht can feel a world away in its southeast corner
of the Netherlands, complete with a local dialect, Limburgish, and a green, hilly terrain. Yet nearby airports
and good rail links make this postcard city well connected. High-speed trains stop in Maastricht en route
to Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, London
and Paris. Slightly lower rents compared to the
Randstad region enhance the appeal for expats, as
does the citys impressive historic centre and location
across the Meuse river. Maastricht University, with its
huge range of English-language courses, attracts a
large student population, livening the nightlife scene.
CITY CENTRE
Historic buildings jostle with shops, cafes and restaurants. Encompassing the city walls, university buildings
and the Stadspark, the Jekerkwartier has an artistic
slant that entices creative types and students.
RIGHT BANK
Across the river, Wyck has an old-town feel, while the
new Ceramique district, a renovated industrial ceramic
area, offers modern accommodation favoured by
expats who like inner-city living with full amenities and
services.
BASSIN AND BELVEDERE
The inner-city harbour t Bassin, on the northwest side,
has grown into a residential and commercial village
since redevelopment started in 1999.
SINT PIETER AND SURROUNDINGS
A green residential area along Jeker valley and St
Petersberg Hill, yet within walking distance to the
centre or Belgium.
Population: 121,448 (maastricht.incijfers.nl)
International residents: 29 percent.
International School: United World College, www.uwcmaastricht.com.
Links: www.maastricht.nl www.maastrichtregion.com
Innovation is
our second nature.
29
HOUSING
THE HAGUE (DEN HAAG)
Den Haag is a multicultural hub with four centuries of international

integration.
The city is a mixture of modern skylines with a historic city centre, and the scenery and activities are
as diverse as its mix of residents. Den Haag is the
third most populated city in the Netherlands, the
capital of South Holland, the seat of government,
and home to the Dutch royal family. It is also an
outpost for most of the worlds human rights organisations, including the International Court of Justice.
Many embassies are based here and, with numerous
international schools, its a comfortable place for
relocation.
Its known as s-Gravenhage (literally, the counts
hedge), dating back to the 13th century when the
Count of Hollands hunting lodge was founded
here. History, ritual and tradition play their part in
this city, with terric museums and cultural events.
Smart areas nearby such as Rijswijk and Voorburg
have a sprinkling of Michelin-starred restaurants,
though Den Haag itself is most famous for Indonesian cuisine. Building development has been
active in past years (www.wonenindenhaag.nl), and
newly built residential neighbourhoods on the citys
outskirts, such as Leidschenveen-Ypenburg and
Wateringse Veld, are expected to be in demand as
the city approaches some 520,000 residents in 2020.
WASSENAAR
The gated villas of Wassenaar house diplomats and
upmarket expats, as well as members of the House
of Orange. This district is known by some as the
Beverly Hills of the Netherlands, and it remains a
favourite among expat families with large budgets
for housing, situated in close proximity to several of
the areas international schools.
ARCHIPELBUURT/ WILLEMSPARK
A city centre area of beautiful 19th-century houses
and apartments full of character, with broad streets
and big town houses and villas. This is embassy land
and a top location where prices are premium and
parking space problematic.
30
STATEN QUARTIER/ DUINOORD

A similar feel to Archipel, with charming, spacious
and elegant homes. Close to shops and cafes, it is a
popular area. Typically smaller housing can be found
in Duinoord, which also has a slightly bohemian
ambiance.
BENOORDENHOUT
A green, quiet location but still close to motorway
and other transport links with woodlands to the north
and east. There are traditional, beautiful 1930s villas
inhabited by wealthy older residents, and some
single-family homes. Considering the space and
environs, it is a good option for young families with
children. Also in this area is Mariahoeve, which has
the benet of being on the train line and close to
the British primary school.
SCHEVENINGEN
If you want something less genteel, head for the
seaside town of Scheveningen with its casino and
long, sandy beach.
Population: 509,682 (www.denhaag.buurtmonitor.nl)

International schools: The American School of The Hague:
www.ash.nl The British School in the Netherlands (BSN):
www.britishschool.nl Deutsche Internationale Schule:
www.disdh.nl The European School of The Hague:
www.eshthehague.nl Haagsche Schoolvereeniging
(Dutch international primary school): www.hsvdenhaag.nl
The International School of the Hague: www.ishthehague.nl
Le Lyce Franais Vincent van Gogh: www.lyceevangogh.nl
The Indonesian Embassy School in the Netherlands:
www.sekolahindonesia.nl
Links: www.denhaag.nl www.thehagueinternationalcentre.nl
www.thehagueonline.com
31
HOUSING
EINDHOVEN
Well connected and close to many hi-tech multinationals,

Eindhoven has a thriving expat community.
Philips and Eindhoven go hand-in-hand but the
city and surrounds have a lot more to offer, as
many expats have already discovered. In 2011, Eindhoven was dubbed the smartest city in the world
by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) in New
York, meaning the region makes best use of ICT
and broadband internet, and Forbes named it the
worlds most inventive city in 2013 (based on patents).
The region accounts for around half of the countrys
R&D (research and development) investment and is
ofcially known as Brainport. Aimed to be among
the top 10 regions by 2020 in terms of technology
and economy, this southeast area is a hub for start-up
companies and employment opportunities. The
creation of the collaborative Brainport Talent Centre
(www.talentbox.nl) helps place skilled workers in international companies.
Until the arrival of Dr Philips in 1891, Eindhoven was
not much more than a collection of villages. Because
of 19th-century urban planning decisions, there are
no canals, and pre-1940 architecture was destroyed
by wartime bombing. But over the years things have
changed immensely and for the better. Eindhoven
has a world-class Technical University and the Design
Academy Eindhoven. Theres vibrant nightlife along
Stratumseind the Netherlands longest caf and bar
strip but also strong links to the nearby countryside
and extensive sporting facilities. The renovation of
the former Philips terrain, Strijp-S, is adding an extra
dimension of cultural, residential and commercial
facilities to the city. Eindhoven is well connected with
the railway station close to the centre and the airport
about 3km away with good international access.
CENTRE
Accommodation is mainly in new, pricey apartments, which are popular with single expats and
couples without children. People living in the centre
have plenty of facilities, including a shopping mall
and scores of international restaurants. International
schools (attended by children from Den Bosch
and Tilburg) and the PSV football stadium are also
located here.
32
NORTH (WOENSEL)
The area north of the centre is divided by wide, treelined boulevards, and is mainly residential in nature.
Housing is mostly newbuild, with apartments and
terraced houses for all budgets. Woensel South
is cheaper and theres a great market for ethnic
shopping.
EAST
Situated around the Karpendonkse Lake and Eckart
Forest, the area has a range of housing including
some exclusive detached properties.
SOUTH
The Philips High-Tech Campus is situated at Gestel plus
the local international school, the Open-air Museum
and the Tongelreep International Swimming Complex.
Expats also gravitate towards Stratum, with its wide
range of modestly priced to exclusive housing.
VILLAGES
The villages closely surrounding Eindhovens centre
are popular with expat families. International schools
are still within cycling distance and the sense of community is greater. Nuenen was home to Vincent van
Gogh (18831885) and the older centre stretches
around a leafy village green. Theres some detached
housing; outer areas are newer and mid-priced. Veldhoven is virtually a southwest suburb (the other side
of the A2 from Eindhoven). Housing is modern and in
a range of price bands. Best is a contemporary, wellplanned village with good access, while more rural
retreats can be found in Waalre, which is surrounded
by large areas of forest. The twin towns of Son and
Breugel are usually mentioned in a single breath, and
popular with expats. Son has a pleasant old centre but
the majority of housing is located in newer, greener
(and more expensive) districts.
Population: 220,932 (eindhoven.buurtmonitor.nl)
(The region has some 745,000 inhabitants.)
International school: International School Eindhoven,
www.isecampus.nl
Links: www.eindhoven.nl www.eindhoven.eu
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME TO
ROTTERDAM
Must-see city 2014

according to
New York Times
& Rough Guides
Rotterdam, Netherlands second city, is a friendly and welcoming city. People from all
over the world have chosen Rotterdam as their home. You will be pleased to discover
that the citys flair and its multicultural society make Rotterdam an exciting and
accessible place to settle in.
City of Architecture
Rotterdam is acclaimed nationally and internationally for
its modern and experimental architecture. The city offers
a complete overview of architectural styles from the 20th
and 21st centuries within a few square kilometres.
The latest additions to the city are the hypermodern
high-rises De Rotterdam by OMA/Rem Koolhaas and
the Market Hall by MVRDV.
World Port World City
As the biggest port in Europe, Rotterdams maritime
flavour is intensified by the Maas River that flows through
the city towards the sea. On and around the river, as
well as in the citys many inner harbours, theres much

to see and do. Former port areas like the Kop van Zuid
peninsula, Lloydkwartier and Katendrecht have been
transformed into lively residential districts.
Dynamic City
Rotterdam is vibrant and dynamic all year round.
The internationally acclaimed Museum Boijmans Van
Beuningen and Kunsthal Rotterdam always host provocative and fascinating exhibitions. The year-round
festivals range from small and intimate to city-wide
and international, such as International Film Festival
Rotterdam and the North Sea Jazz Festival.
33
What is your favourite thing to do in Rotterdam?

In the weekends, we cycle a lot and almost always
discover something new. De Kralingse Plas lake and the
parks are my favourite spots. In the evening, we like to
go have dinner in the city. Its nice that restaurants here
make me feel that I can simply take my child along with
me. For example, the three of us ate at La Pizza last
weekend, where I ate the tastiest pizzas in town. Yes,
we really hope to be able to stay here for a while.
Het Park (nearby the Euromast)
Still happy with your choice?

Yes, we love Rotterdam. The first time I visited the
downtown area, I wasnt all that impressed; I doubted
if I wanted to move here. A day later, my son and I went
for a walk through the city. Just like that, without a map
at all. We spontaneously stumbled across all sorts of fun
places and wandered through green parks. It changed
my opinion. Its nice that everyone here speaks English,
too, even in the bus.
Kralingse Plas lake
Why Rotterdam?
My husband worked for Unilever in Hamburg. When
his work moved to Rotterdam, we decided to live in
Rotterdam too. The Netherlands has lots of fun cities,
but we wanted to be able to cycle to work.
How did you end up in Hillegersberg?

My husband and I were looking for a child-friendly
neighbourhood with lots of outdoor space and playgrounds. We found that in Hillegersberg: a lovely green
neighbourhood with two large lakes, which I enjoy
jogging around. Its almost a village within the big city;
thats how quiet it is. Everything we need is close by,
and Im downtown in no time if I take the bicycle.
Our son also goes to a very fun, good daycare centre
here. Not an international one, a Dutch one. Were expats,
but we find it important to get to know Dutch people
here, learn the language and life like the Dutch do.
34
Terrace at the Binnenrotte
German national Susanne Dous (35)

works for Hajok Design BV in Rotterdam.
She and her husband Philipp (45) - also
an expat - and young son Henri (2) have
been living in the Hillegersberg area of
Rotterdam since 2013. This quiet, green
district in the north of the city is known
for its classical appearance, detached
single-family dwellings and the Bergse
Plassen lakes.
Market Hall
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
RotteRdam
INFo
eXPatdeSK
Rotterdam Info expatdesk is the one stop shop for expats in Rotterdam. We offer
you tailor-made information and service that is important for living and working in
Rotterdam, such as education, health care, housing, taxes and careers. We can also
help with the immigration procedure with the INd (after approval) and the registration
process on your behalf. By using our expatdesk free of charge you can greatly
simplify your relocation to Rotterdam.
our services include:
Registering in the municipal Personal Records
database and arranging a citizen service number
opening bank accounts and applying for insurance
Finding a GP, dentist and other medical services
Finding a home, school or childcare facility
Helping arrange connections for gas, light, water,
internet and telephone
Finding language courses and/or other courses
Coolsingel 195-197
+31 (0) 10 790 01 90
expatdesk@rotterdam.info
www.rotterdam.info/expatdesk
facebook.com/expatdeskRotterdam
open: monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00
Please make an appointment before visiting us.
35
HOUSING
UTRECHT
Utrecht attracts expats and foreign companies with high living

standards and an educated workforce.
Arriving in Utrecht by train, you emerge into the countrys largest shopping mall, but dont let that put you
off. Utrechts medieval centre is a delightful place to
live, with its unusual sunken canals and cellar bars.
A pleasant mix of urban excitement and small-town
charm, according to local convention centre Jaarbeurs. The vibe gets particularly lively at night due
to the huge (70,500) student population.
Utrecht is undergoing the fastest development rate
in its history, focused on transforming into a regional
capital of European importance, complete with a
bursting cultural agenda. It attracts international companies and expats alike, having the Netherlands most
highly educated workforce and second-best standard
of living. The municipality offers expats information in
English (www.utrecht.nl).
However, house-hunting here can be even harder than
in Amsterdam. To deal with the shortage, the city is in
the midst of expansion projects such as in Leidsche
Rijn, and around the railway station to the west, which
will form a natural extension of the central district.
Transport links are excellent, particularly by train, as
Utrecht is HQ for NS (Dutch National Railways) and
Utrecht Centraal is the biggest and busiest train
station in the Netherlands. It is an easy commute to
Amsterdam (25 minutes by train) and the service is
regular (ve trains an hour).
The centre is prime territory for housing, particularly
the museum quarter and Wilhelminapark with its
well-maintained 1930s houses.
IJSSELSTEIN
Twenty minutes down the motorway is the popular
suburb of IJsselstein, complete with a car-free
medieval city centre and castle (now a museum).
There are fast train connections to Utrecht and Nieuwegein, and good cultural amenities. Nature lovers
can enjoy the green heart of the Netherlands with
bike trails through scenic countryside and along the
river Lek. New housing was completed in 2012, and
zoning has been approved for more. The centre is
expected to get new retail and housing stock by 2016.
36
LEIDSCHE RIJN
Ofcially part of the city of Utrecht, Leidsche Rijn consists of the two small villages of Vleuten and Meern
and includes the entire agricultural area between
those villages and Utrecht itself.
Considered the largest new development in the
Netherlands, some 30,000 houses and new space
for industry and companies are being built in Leidsche
Rijn. In effect, this means that a medium-sized town,
which will house 100,000 people, is being built out of
nothing. Great effort is being made to create an environmentally friendly town with high quality housing.
An underground motorway is the pride of the project.
NIEUWEGEIN
Lying 7km south of Utrecht, Nieuwegein was a new
town created in 1971 to cope with the expanding
population of Utrecht. There is a variety of housing
styles from classic Dutch brick homes to modern highrises, and if you need to drive to work, easy access
to nearby motorways (A2, A12 and A27). To the east
is Houten, a fast-developing town, where some third
of its population is under 20.
DE VECHSTREEK
This beautiful area is north west of Utrecht and close
to the Loosdrechtse Plassen lakes. Popular with young
families and retirees, Breukelen and Maarssen are
connected to Utrecht by local rail and bus services.
Older villages include Oud-Zuilen (built around a
castle) and Maarssen-Dorp. Maarssenbroek contains
newer housing estates with local amenities and services in place.
Population: 328,276 (utrecht.buurtmonitor.nl)

(1.25 million in the whole region.)
International school: IS Utrecht, www.isutrecht.nl
Links: www.expatdeskutrecht.nl www.investinutrecht.com
www.iwcu.nl
HOUSING
Enjoy our comfortable, spacious and fully equipped apartments in the centre of the Netherlands.
All of our apartments and studios are situated in
the historical centre of Utrecht, or within walking
distance. Our apartments are located near the
central station, museums, bars, restaurants and
several shopping areas. Whether you are looking
for an apartment for short stay or long stay,
Havaa Apartments can offer you both!
Havaa Apartments
P.O. Box 467 | 3500 AL Utrecht
M: +31 (0)6 25090191 | T: +31 (0)30 2317100
E: info@havaa-apartments.com
MISCELLANEOUS
ONLINE FOOD DELIVERY
HelloFresh Nederland
H.J.E. Wenckebachweg 53 JK, 1096 AK Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 760 2014 | facebook.com/HelloFresh
@HelloFreshNL | www.hellofresh.nl
Udea EkoPlaza
Doornhoek 4040, 5465 TD Veghel | +31 (0)41 325 6700
webshop.ekoplaza.nl/en | www.hellofresh.nl
NUTRITION CONSULTING
EatLiveLoveFood
+31 (0)63 055 4729 | info@eatlivelovefood.com
www.eatlivelovefood.com
MEDIA & PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Media & Art
Entrepodok 117, 1018 AD Amsterdam | +31 (0)62 853 3924
info@markmedia.nl | www.markmedia.nl
Sassen en Verstraaten
Studio Twisk | Dorpsweg 147, 1676 GJ Twisk
+31 (0)22 754 1080 | M: +31 (0)64 101 7798
www. studiotwisk.nl | www.sassen-verstraaten.nl
AUTO
Dollar Car Rental | www.dollar.com
Hertz Rent a Car | www.hertz.nl
+31 (0)23 567 0747 | salesnl@hertz.com
AIRLINES
EasyJet: www.easyjet.com
37
FINANCE
FINANCE
Money matters can be complex, and the Dutch tax system

is anything but simple.
The Netherlands is home to some of the worlds
banking giants. Before you open a Dutch bank account,
you should have no problem obtaining cash from an
overseas account using an ATM or geldautomaat. They
dispense money (in several languages) and accept a
wide range of debit and credit cards. The amount you
can withdraw and any extra service charges will depend
on what kind of account you have and where it is. There
should be no charge if you are using a card from one of
the 18 Eurozone countries (Britain is not one of them).
If you want to exchange cash, services can be found
at the Post Ofce (postkantoor) or a GWK exchange
ofce. If you shop around, you may nd good rates in
banks and exchange bureaus but check if they have
higher commissions.
The Netherlands has had the euro since 2002 and
paper denominations are EUR 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200
and 500, though you may encounter problems using
anything bigger than a EUR 50 note. The coins, with an
image of Queen Beatrix on the back, come in denominations of EUR 1, EUR 2, and 5, 10, 20 and 50 eurocents.
Coins for 1 and 2 eurocents have been discontinued
but prices will be quoted exactly for instance, as EUR
7, 21 but will be rounded up to the nearest 5 eurocents for giving change. On bank statements, the exact
gure will appear.
All major credit cards are accepted but not everywhere.
Hotels, restaurants, large department stores and tourist
attractions present no problem, but you cant use a credit
card in the supermarket. Cash is still widely used, but the
most common method of payment is pinnen, using a
debit card with a PIN code. In some cases, a magnetic
swipe card might not work, for example, some train
ticket booths only accept chip-and-pin cards or cash.
OPENING A DUTCH BANK ACCOUNT
The main Dutch banks are:
ABN-AMRO: www.abnamro.com/international-
clients
ING Bank: www.ing.nl (Postbank merged with ING
in 2009)
Rabobank: www.rabobank.nl
ABN-AMRO, which was nationalised, has the most

38
information in English online and a special expat

package but you should generally have no problem
conducting business in English at any of them. SNS
Reaal (www.snsbank.nl) was also nationalised in early
2013. You will also nd nancial providers aimed specifically at expat clients, with extensive English-language
services.
Documents generally required:
valid ID, plus residence permit if applicable;
BSN burgerservicenummer, which youll get when
you register with the BRP or direct from the tax ofce;
proof of address (bevolkingsregister extract, utility
bill, rental contract etc.).

If you want to open anything other than a savings only
account you may also need evidence of income, such
as an employment contract or payslip.
The credit rating of new clients may be checked with
the Central Credit Registration Ofce (BKR). An account
can be opened in your name and your partners (they
will also need identity documents).
A private bank account is a privrekening. Various cards
are on offer but the bankpas is standard. You can pick
up the card personally with ID. A four-digit PIN code
(pincode) will either be posted separately or given
to you on pick up, but it can be changed at a bank.
When you pay by pin, you swipe your card through
the machine and punch in your four-digit number. Its
the most common method of payment used in shops,
supermarkets, bars and restaurants.
INTERNET BANKING
Online banking is common in the Netherlands. You will
usually be issued with a calculator-sized device into
which you slot your bankpas and enter your PIN, then
exchange numbers with the online login system to gain
authorised access to your account. You can pay bills
directly or set up direct debits (automatische overschrijving) for regular payments. There is usually information
in English but you can also get step-by-step tuition
from the bank.
INTRODUCTION
HOW TO BANK
IN THE NETHERLANDS?
ASK OUR EXPERTS.
Welcome to ABN AMRO. Expert in expats.
Welcome to the Netherlands! At our International Client Desks we are more than
happy to answer all your banking questions, in English or in 25 other languages.
Our experts offer you full service and support. At our offices, on the phone, on our
website or Mobile Banking App. Have a look at their personal video answers on
banking, housing, payments and insurances at abnamro.nl/expats. Feel free to
contact us anytime, we are here for you 24/7.
39
FINANCE
OFFSHORE BANKING
The term offshore banking originates from the
Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey etc.) but is generally used today to refer to any tax haven (such as
the Netherlands Antilles). Essentially it is any account
held in a bank located outside your country of residence, usually in a low tax jurisdiction, and offers
certain nancial benets for those who wish to
reduce their tax liability.
Accounts can be held in a variety of currencies and
theres a diverse range of savings and investment
products. Previously renowned for a high degree
of condentiality, offshore banking is changing
with the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA), which requires foreign banks to share
account information of US citizens with the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS).
For expats based in the Netherlands, the tax situation can be complex. Dutch residents pay tax on
their worldwide income and there are wealth, inheritance and gift taxes.
Non-residents however, generally pay tax on Dutchsourced income, but if you are a US citizen or green
40
card holder and have the 30 percent ruling, you can

be considered as a non-resident or partial non-resident taxpayer. In such a case only offshore banking
might offer extra advantages.
Pensions, investments and savings can all be
arranged through a licensed independent nancial
adviser (IFA) or a bank. Interest rates for savings can
be xed or variable; some banks websites provide
tools to predict investment returns. The type of fund
and level of appropriate risk will obviously depend
on individual circumstances, and it is advisable to
consult an adviser to ascertain your Risk Prole. In
the current economic climate, there are additional
risks to depositing money offshore: recent bank
mergers, differing protection schemes and deposits
held in a different country to the banks service centre
can mean investors are unclear about how safe their
deposits are.
Before settling on a bank, expats would be wise to
ask themselves the following basic questions:
Which bank is my money in, who owns it, what is
its credit worthiness, and which jurisdiction does it
fall under?
Make your money

work for life
Ask about our personal International
Wealth Management Services today
Contact Clare Summerfield:

T: +31 70 204 0445 M: +31 643 816 253
E: clare.summerfield@blacktowerfm.com
Van Gijnstraat 19
2288 GB Rijswik
The Netherlands
www.blacktower-nertherlands.com/Clare-Summerfield
Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission Licence 00805B
Blacktower Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK
FINANCE
CHIPKNIP
Chipknip was intended as an easy way of paying
small transactions since, unlike with pinnen payments, you dont need a PIN. However, the e-purse
system will be phased out by 2015, as pinpas is
increasingly being used for small transactions.
CREDIT CARDS
Commercial banks usually have an arrangement
with Mastercard or VISA but you will generally
need to be a customer for a while before getting
one. A credit card will be more expensive than
other bank cards and you will be encouraged to
pay off the card swiftly and consistently.
IBAN ACCEPTGIRO
A common method for paying bills, this is a yellow
payment slip attached to the bottom of an invoice
into which you enter your bank details and sign.
You can pay online into the account on the slip or
post it at the bank, where theres a box for them.
Dutch
Tax
Advisor
For Corporate clients
& Individuals
Ofce in WTC Amsterdam

Full service by email
client.team@duijntax.com
www.duijntax.com
From 2014, these are only acceptable with IBANs

(International Bank Account Numbers).
DTS-advertising.indd 1
42
04/09/14 12:07
FINANCE
TAX
resident taxpayer you are taxed on your assets

worldwide.
The Dutch tax system, especially for an expat, can

have many variables. Tax rules also change regularly, so it is important to check the latest regulations
regarding your individual situation.
The Netherlands is a socially conscious country, and
you can expect to pay a substantial proportion (up
to 52 percent) of your salary to the taxman. But
your personal situation (non-working partner, for
example), type of work, residency status and other
assets and earnings (particularly from abroad) affect
your position considerably. In many cases, you will
still be ling a tax return in your home country and
will be entering the land of double taxation agreements. There are many expat nancial specialists
who can complete your tax forms or provide consultancy services, or you might nd useful information
using Expaticas Ask the Expert free service, where
nancial experts answer readers questions.
The deadline for the tax return is 1 April, and 1
July for the M form (for residents in the Netherlands for part of the year only). If you are not able
to le before 1 April, you can request an extension.
Whether you have to pay Dutch taxes depends on
your personal situation, but if you receive an invitation from the tax authorities then you certainly
need to le a tax return.
Particularly in the year of arrival and the year of
departure, ling a tax return may result in a substantial rebate. Tax returns can be completed retrospectively for a period of ve years.
DIGID
In general, tax returns are submitted digitally,
except the M form, which must be led on paper
in the year of migration. To le a digital return, you
will need a digital signature or DigiD (www.digid.
nl) or the services of a tax consultant. The DigiD
is essentially a personal login that you use with all
government agencies enabling some transactions
(paying parking nes, applying for permits etc.) to
be done over the internet.
RESIDENCY STATUS
If you have demonstrable ties to the Netherlands
(for instance, you live here, you work here, or your
family is based here) you are generally regarded
as a resident taxpayer from day one. As a Dutch
If you live abroad but receive income that is taxable

in the Netherlands you are generally a non-resident taxpayer. Non-residents can also apply to
be treated as residents for tax purposes (in order
to gain access to Dutch deductible items) and an
additional category of partial non-resident taxpayers
covers those eligible for the so-called 30 percent
ruling (see the next page).
THE BOX SYSTEM
Different categories of income are treated differently
for tax purposes on the tax return. There are three
types of taxable income.
Box
1: Income from prots, employment and

home ownership. This includes wages, freelance
income, pensions, social benets, company car,
and WOZ value of owner-occupied property (tax
rate maximum 52 percent).
Box
2: Income from substantial shareholding

(5 percent minimum holding, tax rate 25 percent).
Box 3: Taxable income from savings and investments. For example, income from property owned
but not lived in as a main residence is taxed here;
not the actual income but the value of the asset on
1 January of each year (ctitious return of 4 percent
taxed at 30 percent = 1.2 percent).
The amount of tax payable is calculated by applying

the various tax rates to the various taxable incomes
in the boxes. The amount calculated is then reduced
by one or more tax credits.
TAX CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES
Everyone is entitled to a general tax credit
(EUR 2,103 in 2014) and may be additionally entitled
to other credits. The employed persons tax credit
is age and income-related (maximum EUR 2,097 in
2014). The single parents tax credit is EUR 947 plus
a maximum EUR 1,319 under additional conditions,
however, this tax credit will not apply as of 2015. The
general tax credit comprises an income and social
security element, to which you are only entitled if
you have compulsory Dutch social security coverage. Your employer will take these into account
when deducting wage withholding tax but not any
other personal circumstances. You claim other allowances and potential refunds when you le your tax
return or request a provisional refund or allowance.
43
FINANCE
PARTNERS
Where possible, partners are taxed individually but
when only one partner works, the other partner is
generally entitled to a refund of general tax credit
and deductible expenditure can be apportioned
to take advantage of tax credits. Under certain
conditions, unmarried couples may qualify as
tax partners also, for example if they have a
child or own a home together. Details are listed on
www.belastingdienst.nl.
30 PERCENT TAX RULING
This is a tax incentive for employees recruited from
abroad who bring specic skills to the Netherlands.
It acknowledges the additional expenses incurred
by expats (extraterritorial costs) by allowing the
employer to grant a tax-free lump sum to cover
these costs up to a maximum of 30 percent of the
sum of wages and allowances. Another benet of
the ruling is that the savings and investments in Box
3 do not have to be reported, except for a second
(owned) property in the Netherlands. This is a consequence of the partial non-resident tax status.
Applications (completed by both employer and
employee) should be made to the tax authorities
foreign department in Heerlen. The conditions for
the 30 percent ruling were changed in 2012 to be
more relevant to the intended focus group, with the
biggest change being the introduction of a salary
requirement to qualify.
TAX REFUNDS
Certain expenses can be deducted. You may be
able to claim benets from ling a tax return if:
you have not worked in the Netherlands the whole year;
you are a partner without income (whereby your

partner has paid sufcient tax);
you have a child who is living with you;
you have a child who is not living with you but
for whom you pay the costs of living (deduction
possible for the last time in 2014);
you own a house which is your main residence and
you pay interest on a mortgage for this property;
you paid alimony to your ex-partner;
you had education costs;
you paid premiums for an income annuity
insurance or (specic) private pension;
you donated money to certain organisations;
you had specic medical expenses which were
not reimbursed;
you travelled between home and work with public
transport and these costs were not reimbursed;
you own a state monument/listed building; or
you were non-resident and had foreign workdays.
44
INSURANCE
You can arrange insurance through your employer
or a private insurance company. Aside from obligatory medical insurance required by everyone (see
the Healthcare section), self-employed persons are
expected to arrange additional specic insurances,
although in some cases welfare benets are applicable. National insurance schemes available for all
residents are explained at www.svb.nl.
HOUSE AND HOME
Homeowners or house insurance is known as woonhuisverzekering. A standard policy covers re, storm,
ood and theft. In terms of ood, there is a distinction
between damage from rainwater ooding (covered)
and water damage due to a breakdown in the dykes,
for example (not covered). Houseboat dwellers come
under separate conditions. If you buy an apartment,
the Association of Owners (VVE) takes out the house
insurance.
CONTENTS
An annual household contents policy starts at about
EUR 20 depending on what is covered. This insurance
is known as inboedelverzekering. Higher priced items
such as art, jewellery or antiques need to be individually valued and insured separately.
DRIVERS
By law, you must have at least third-party insurance for
your car. You might also want to insure against theft,
re and damage/injury to yourself or your vehicle. This
is known as allriskverzekering.
LIFE INSURANCE
Known as levensverzekering, it is similar to schemes
in most other countries.
OTHER TYPES OF INSURANCE
Third-party liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidverzekering) protects you if your cleaner drops your precious china, or your child spills grape juice on your
neighbours oriental carpet. More than 95 percent
of the Dutch population has this insurance, and it is
often included in combination packages for either
homeowners or tenants. Many Dutch households also
have legal insurance (rechtsbijstandverzekering), guaranteeing (cheaper) access to legal advice. It insures
against costs of lawsuits and personal and labour disputes. Although most insurances are similar to those
offered elsewhere in the world, the Netherlands is
distinctive in the high level of insurance taken out by
the population. Many large insurers offer combination
packages that can bring down costs.
FINANCE
MORE INFORMATION
Tax ofce
The tax ofce, or Belastingdienst (www.belastingdienst.nl), has information in English for ling a tax
return and downloadable forms. There are separate
information lines for residents (0800 0543) and
non-resident taxpayers (055 538 5385 or +31 555
385 385 from abroad). For nancial policy, the Ministry of Finance has details: www.minn.nl.
National insurers
Het Verbond van Verzekeraars is the national association of insurers (www.verzekeraars.nl); call (070)
333 8500 if you need advice. Otherwise, speak to
your bank or nancial advisor.
Tax section updated with the help of Arjan
Enneman, Managing Director Expatax BV, and
Expaticas tax expert on our Ask The Expert online
service.
FINANCIAL AND TAX ADVISORS

ABBM Group | www.abbmgroup.com
ABN AMRO
0900 8170 | +31 (0)10 241 1723 (abroad) | www.abnamro.nl/en
Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 343 4002 | internationals.amsterdam@nl.abnamro.com
The Hague
+31 (0)70 375 2050 | internationals.thehague@nl.abnamro.com
Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 402 5888 | internationals.rotterdam@nl.abnamro.com
Eindhoven
+31 (0)40 237 9000 | internationals.eindhoven@nl.abnamro.com
Affinity Global Wealth
Portugal: Av. Vilamoura XXI, Edifcio Portal, Bloco B-1B, 8125-406
Quarteira
Spain: Calle Valdepinos 1315, Calypso, Mijas Costa, 29649 Malaga
Gibraltar: 3 Irish Place, 1st floor
+351 (0)28 931 4530 | www.affinityglobalwealth.com

Blacktower Financial Management (International)
Van Gijnstraat 19, 2288 GB, Rijswijk | +31 (0)70 204 0445
clare.summerfield@blacktowerfm.com
blacktower-netherlands.com/Clare-Summerfield
Blue Umbrella
Weesperstraat 106, 1018 DN, Amsterdam
Amsterdam: +31 (0)20 468 7560
The Hague: +31 (0)70 820 0298
www.blueumbrella.nl
DTS Duijns Tax Solutions

World Trade Centre, Tower H | Zuidplein 36, 1077 XV Amsterdam
+31 (0)88 838 7669 | client.team@duijntax.com | www.duijntax.com
Expatax
Keizerstraat 3, 3512 EA Utrecht | +31 (0)30 246 8536
info@expatax.nl | www.expatax.nl
Finsens
Herengracht 136, 1015 BV Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 262 4300
info@finsens.nl | www.finsens.nl
J.C. Suurmond & zn. Tax consultants
Jupiter 65, 2685 LV Poeldijk | +31 (0)17 424 4725
taxadvice@jcsuurmond.nl | www.jcsuurmond.nl
Okx Van Leeuwen: Tax Lawyers in Business
Keizersgracht 442, 1016 GD Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 521 0390
Jan-Hein@okxvanleeuwen.com | www.okxvanleeuwen.com
Ralphs Tax Service
Koningin Juliana Plein 10, 11th floor, 2595 AA Den Haag
+31 (0)65 779 7684 | ralph@ralphstaxservice.com
www.ralphstaxservice.com
Spectrum IFA Group
Strawinskylaan 3051, 1077 ZX Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 301 2119
craig.welsh@spectrum-ifa.com | www.spectrum-ifa.com
Witlox International Tax Advice
Hescheweg 79, 5342 CG Oss | +31 (0)41 264 4898
maurice@witlox.info | www.witlox.info
Corvus Tax
Naaldwijkseweg 101, 2691 RD Westland | +31 (0)17 424 0811
yves@corvustax.nl | www.corvustax.com
45
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
The Netherlands is committed to choice in education.

Compulsory education under Dutch law applies
to children of all nationalities who are residing in
the Netherlands. Children are leerplichtig (under
a learning obligation or leerplicht) at ve years old
for 12 years full-time education, and one or two
years part-time (until the attainment of a diploma).
In the Pisa/OECD (2012) international rankings for
15-year-olds in 65 economies, the Netherlands was
above average for mathematics (10th), and ranked
15th for reading and science. The school system is,
however, quite unusual.
CHOOSING A SCHOOL
The Netherlands is among the worlds top countries
for equity in education opportunities. Schools following particular religious or pedagogic principles
have had equal state funding as public schools
since 1917 and the number of privately run schools
more than doubles public ones, with one in ve
primary schools comprising less than 100 pupils.
International education is available at both Dutch
and private schools throughout the country, and up
to 20 schools are expected to implement bilingual
education by the end of 2015.
LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL?
Your nances, location, nationality, the age of your
children, and how long you are likely to stay in the
Netherlands are the main factors you should consider when selecting a school.
Many companies reimburse international school
fees as part of a relocation package, and the reimbursements could be exempt from income tax
(though not for all schools).
While teenagers might appreciate the educational
and social continuity provided by an international
school, younger children might get a greater sense
of belonging by attending a local school if you plan
to stay for a while. By learning good Dutch they will
connect to their new world more easily. You certainly
wont be the only non-Dutch parent in the playground.
APPLYING FOR A SCHOOL
Register your child as soon as possible at the school
of your choice. Public schools technically are not
allowed to refuse admission, unless full.
46
Popular schools have waiting lists and the municipality can assign catchment areas based on postcodes you should register as young as the school
allows. All schools have brochures and websites
where they announce open days when you can
visit the school.
Almost 90 percent of children attend early education at the age of three, and most children are
enrolled by the age of four (when children are
invited for orientation). Schools can arrange early
childhood education programmes for children aged
two to six whose rst language is not Dutch.
School inspection reports can be viewed online
(this applies to state schools and Dutch international schools only) at www.owinsp.nl: under Zoek
Scholen, enter the name of the school and/or town.
The visual representation of green (good) and red
(weak) will give some idea of performance.
COSTS
Primary and secondary state education is free,
with parents being asked to contribute a voluntary nominal amount, which varies from school
to school. Additional payments include lengthier
school trips, lunchtime supervision (tussenschoolse
opvang) and after-school care (naschoolse opvang),
which the school is supposed to provide or
sub-contract.
EDUCATION POLICY
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science sets
quality standards, attainment targets and social
objectives but individual schools ll in the details
of the curriculum and budget allocation.
Education policy includes increasing bilingual
opportunities, connecting education with the job
market, and raising the quality of schools that do
no meet the Education Inspectorates standard.
As of 1 August 2015, the government will allow
primary schools to teach 15 percent of courses in
English, German or French. Not only will pupils
learn a second language, such as English, they can
also learn other subjects, such as biology or history,
through one of these languages.
EDUCATION
TYPES OF SCHOOL
Source schools via your citys website (onderwijs =
education), or on Expatica.coms Education channel.
PUBLIC (OPENBARE) SCHOOLS
State-run schools (non-denominational) provide
secular education, but they can also offer teaching
around specic philosophic or pedagogic principles
(Montessori, Steiner etc.). Public schools are governed
by the municipal council or a public legal entity or
foundation set up by the council.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Most private schools are denominational (Roman
Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Hindu) or follow specic
philosophic principles, as above. Private schools are
governed by a board or the foundation that set them
up. Financially, they have the same status as public
schools and are basically free, although all schools
ask for a contribution for things such as school trips.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
These provide education for global nomad students
of any nationality. Dutch International Primary Schools
(DIPS) and Dutch International Secondary Schools
(DISS) provide international education at reasonable
fees because of subsidies from the Dutch government. They are designed for non-Dutch families
www.isutrecht.nl
living in the Netherlands for a limited time, and Dutch

families returning from, or preparing for, an overseas
assignment. These schools offer the International
Primary Curriculum (4 to 11 years), the IGCSE (11 to 16
years), or the International Baccalaureate programmes
at primary (4 to 11 years) and middle years level (11 to
16 years). All DISS teach the IB-Diploma programme
(16 to 19 years). A new curriculum, IBCC, offers an
alternative to the IB-DP in the nal years (www.ibo.
org/ibcc).
PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
These schools teach either an international curriculum
(as above) or a specic countrys national curriculum
(eg. American, British, French, German, Japanese,
Korean, Indonesian, Polish), sometimes in the native
language. Facilities (swimming pools, football pitches)
are often spectacular compared to the Dutch schools.
IPAD SCHOOLS
Since 2014, some 22 so-called Steve Jobs schools
have opened in the Netherlands, pioneered by
Dutch entrepreneur Maurice de Hond. These government-funded schools provide children with iPads
and educational apps, which replace everything from
books to blackboards. Teachers act as coaches to
help students direct their own learning.
International School Utrecht provides a high quality and accessible

international learning environment to students from diverse
international backgrounds.
ISUtrecht is a candidate International Baccalaureate World School,
currently teaching the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the
Middle Years Programme (MYP). From 2016 the school will offer
the Diploma Programme (DP).
47
EDUCATION
SPECIAL SCHOOLS
In 2014, all schools were required to cater to any childs
needs under the All inclusive Act, although participation in mainstream schools has been encouraged
through other policies for several years. Additionally,
there are schools for children with special needs, plus
special needs teachers at Dutch schools.
Lighthouse Special Education caters to the international community with special needs children providing
extensive assistance in English. Entry is by referral.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Major holidays for state schools are set nationally with
staggered start/nish times between three regions.
Private international school holidays can be different.
For school holidays per region, look up schoolvakanties
on www.rijksoverheid.nl.
DUTCH PRIMARY EDUCATION
(PRIMAIR ONDERWIJS OR BASISONDERWIJS)
There are eight years of primary schooling. Children are
placed in group one upon entry, and move up a group
every year; different age groups may therefore be in
the same class depending on when each child started.
In their last year, Group 8 children in 85 percent of
primary schools (basisscholen) sit the CITO test
(www.cito.nl) in February, which advises their next level
of education. As of spring 2015, all children in Group
8 will be required to sit a test to assess numeracy
and language skills. The government sets attainment

targets in six curriculum areas: Dutch, English, arithmetic and mathematics, social and environmental
studies, creative expression and sports and movement.
CHILDCARE
Baby Sensory Nederland
Straat van Gibraltar 41, 1183 GV Amstelveen
+31 (0)64 181 1260 | info@babysensory.nl | babysensory.nl
Kinderopvang Bimbola
Eendrachtsstraat 151, 3012 XK Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 213 2027 | kindplanning@bimbola.nl | www.bimbola.nl
Hestia Early Learning Centre
Amsterdam, Amstelveen | +31 (0)20 661 8710
info@hestiakinderopvang.nl | hestiakinderopvang.nl
Kinderopvang Het Steigertje
Hoogstraat 66a, 3011 PT Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 206 0711 | info@steigertje.nl | www.steigertje.nl
Oyas Childcare
IJsbaanpad 8, 1076 CV Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 705 8040 | info@oyas.nl | www.oyas.nl
The Windmill Preschool
Adriaan Vlackstraat 3, 2515 XT Den Haag
Elzendreef 68, 2272 EB Voorburg
+31 (0)70 327 2088 | info@thewindmill.nl | www.thewindmill.nl
The Little Gym
Henkenshage 4, 1083 BX Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 404 0798
Koningin Julianalaan 343, Den Haag | +31 (0)70 300 0992
www.thelittlegym.eu | www.TheLittleGymFranchise.eu
They always leave

a little taller
At The Little Gym, we take a non-competitive, progressive
approach to motor skill development. Children aged
4 months to 12 years, learn at an age appropriate pace,
building upon past achievements as they advance week to
week and semester to semester. Take the first step, and enroll
your child today. And see how one success leads to another.
Book your introductory visit NOW!

The Little Gym Amsterdam Henkenshage 4 Amsterdam 1083 BX
020 - 404 07 98 amsterdam@thelittlegym.eu www.thelittlegym.eu
The Little Gym Den Haag Koningin Julianalaan 343 Voorburg 2273 JJ
070 - 300 09 92 denhaag@thelittlegym.eu www.thelittlegym.eu
Parent/Child
Classes
48
Preschool/Kindergarten
Gymnastics
Primary School
Gymnastics
Holiday
Camps
Birthday
Parties
Amsterdam
To be a community
where learning
is at the heart of
everything we do.
International
Community
School
We are a Primary and Secondary school offering international education in English. We cater for students aged
4-19 and offer a highly reputable school programme called the International Baccalaureate (IB). Our school strongly
believes in high quality and accessible education and we are able to offer our programmes at a highly competitive
rate. We are located in Amsterdam and -as a community school- make good use of its educational opportunities.
The International Primary
Curriculum (IPC) for children
aged 4 - 10 years
The International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme (IBDP)
for children aged 16 - 19 years
Prinses Irenestraat 59
1077 WV Amsterdam
T: 020 - 57 71 240
E: info@aics.espritscholen.nl
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

(IBMYP) for children aged
11 - 15 years
Dutch language lessons
fully accredited by
w w w . a i c s . e s p r i t s c h o l e n . n l
Education for International Understanding
For over 50 years, the International School

of Amsterdam (ISA) has been a global
leader in the international education
community fostering curiosity, creativity
and a passion for learning.
Serving 1200 students from over 50
countries, ISA combines a rich cultural
heritage with world-class faculty and staff,
inspiring students to look beyond simple
answers and facts and to pursue a
genuine understanding of the world.
We have built a tradition of excellence
by pursuing innovative, research-based
approaches to teaching and learning, such
as our long-standing partnership with
Harvard University's Project Zero.
At ISA, we develop students'
thinking skills and help them
learn how to learn.
EDUCATION
DUTCH SECONDARY EDUCATION

(VOORTGEZET ONDERWIJS)
From 12 years, pupils choose from vocational or
pre-university diplomas based on their ability. In the
rst years all pupils study the same subjects (to different academic levels), known as the basisvorming,
followed by a second stage (tweede fase) in which
students choose a specialist prole.
VMBO (a further four years of school): Prep school
for vocational secondary education; those who
achieve the highest level (theoretische leerweg)
can enter HAVO studies. VMBO graduates must
continue studying until age 18 or until they obtain
a basic qualication (minimum MBO level 2).
MBO: Secondary vocational education. MBO programmes vary from one to four years depending
on the level (14). If a student has successfully
completed the Dutch VMBO or the international
middle school programmes IGCSE or IB-MYP, but
is not admitted to the IB-Diploma Programme, the
MBO can prepare pupils for work or, if level 4 is
achieved, professional studies (HBO). A number of
English-language programmes are offered.
HAVO (ve years): Senior general secondary education. Provides entrance to higher professional education (HBO) at vocational universities.
VWO (six years): Pre-university education. Prepares
students for academic studies at a research university
(WO). VWO schools can be athenaeum, gymnasium
or lyceum (a combination of the rst two), a difference
being that Greek and Latin are core subjects in gymnasium programmes.
Just under a third of the 659 secondary schools are run
by the public authority. English is a compulsory subject.
VMBO pupils study one modern language and HAVO/
VWO pupils at least two. Other core areas include
mathematics, history, humanities, arts and sciences.
BILINGUAL EDUCATION
(TWEETALIG ONDERWIJS TTO)
There are 117 schools with a VWO bilingual stream,
plus 45 HAVO and 24 VMBO schools have bilingual
departments. Only students that master the Dutch language at an appropriate level will be admitted (www.
europeesplatform.nl/tto).
the
windmill
toddlers
0 to 4 years old
Every Friday
09:30 to 11:30
The Windmill Preschool is an English speaking preschool for

International children aged 2 to 5 years old, located in The Hague and Voorburg.
We use a carefully planned curriculum giving all children an opportunity to succeed in an
atmosphere of care and of feeling valued.
Each session is designed to develop your childs creative, physical and social skills.
In addition to our educational services we also provide an after-school and holiday program
070 3272088
www.thewindmill.nl
providing a solid foundation for your childs education since 2000
50
Inspiring & Flexible
Childcare in Rotterdam
The International School Hilversum is an internationally oriented
school with over three decades of experience in international and
bi-lingual education. We are a small, friendly yet professional
international community of 700 students and 80 sta members.
English daycare
Daycare After school care
Coordinated programmes of study for 4-19 year olds and:

- International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme
- International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme
- International Baccalaureate Diplome Programme
Transition to and from other national and international systems
Easy access by public transportation
Many extra-curricular activities
Cultural exchange and excursion programmes
An outstanding succes rate (over 95% pass rate)
International School Hilversum
Alberdingk Thijm
Emmastraat 56
1213 AL Hilversum
The Netherlands
T +31 (0) 35 672 99 31

F +31 (0) 35 672 99 39
E ish@atscholen.nl
Learning through diversity
www.ishilversum.nl
www.bimbola.nl
Secondary School
BENTINCKLAAN 294, 3039 KK ROTTERDAM

admin.riss@wolfert.nl
www.wolfert.nl/riss
+31(0) 890 7744
EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS LISTING

ALKMAAR AREA
The European School
Molenweidtje 5, 1862 BC Bergen NH
+31 (0)72 589 0109 | www.esbergen.eu
ALMERE
Letterland International Primary School
Roland Holststraat 58, 1321 RX Almere
+ 31(0)36 536 0566 | www.letterland.nl
Secondary Dept. at International School Almere
Heliumweg 61, 1362 JA Almere-Poort
+31 (0)36 760 0750 | www.internationalschoolalmere.nl
AMSTERDAM AREA
21st Century Global School
Korte Verspronckweg 79, 2023 BS Haarlem
+31 (0)63 948 2827 | www.21stcenturyglobalschool.com
Amsterdam International Community School
Prinses Irenestraat 5961, 1077 WV Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 577 1240 | www.aics.espritscholen.nl
Annexe du Lyce Franais Vincent van Gogh
Rustenburgerstraat 246, 1073 GK Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 644 6507 | www.lyceevangogh.nl
British School of Amsterdam
Anthonie van Dijckstraat 1, 1077 ME Amsterdam
Jan van Eijckstraat 21, 1077 LG Amsterdam
Fred. Roeskestraat 94A, 1076 ED Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 679 7840 | www.britams.nl
52
Gifted Minds International School

Landtong 18, 1186 GP Amstelveen |+31 (0)20 822 1365
www.giftedmindsinternationalschool.com
International School Amsterdam
Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen
+31 (0)20 347 1111 | www.isa.nl
The Japanese School of Amsterdam
Karel Klinkenbergstraat 137, 1061 AL Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 611 8136 | www.jsa.nl
ARNHEM / NIJMEGEN
Arnhem International School
www.arnheminternationalschool.nl
Primary dept. at Dr. Aletta Jacobsschool
Slochterenweg 27, 6835 CD Arnhem | +31 (0)26 323 0729
Secondary dept. at Lorentz
Groningensingel 1245, 6835 HZ Arnhem | +31 (0)26 320 2840
BREDA (including Zeeland and West Brabant)
International School Breda
Mozartlaan 27, 4837 EH Breda
+31 (0)76 560 7870 | www.isbreda.nl
BRUNSSUM (Limburg)
Afnorth International School
Ferdinand Bolstraat 1, 6445 EE Brunssum
+31 (0)45 527 8220 | www.afnorth-is.com
DELFT
International School Delft
Nassaulaan 2B, 2628 GH Delft | +31 (0)15 285 0038 | www.isdelft.nl
European School of Mol
Nursery, Primary & Secondary School from 3-18

Open to all students
Education in French, German, English and Dutch
Multilingual: Mother tongue tuition and up to
5 different languages
Many subjects taught in 2nd language
Multi-cultural: More than 50 nationalities
Internationally recognised European
Baccalaureate
Curriculum validated by 28 Member States
Individualised approach and
educational support
Many study trips and
sports activities
Green and large facilities
European by nature
Contact: dir@esmol.be
www.esmol.be
Phone: 0032 (0)14 56 31 01
Europawijk 100, 2400 Mol (Antwerp)
I love coming to school.

Everyones friendly and
the lessons are fun.
From expats to locals seeking an international education,
the British School of Amsterdam provides top-class
British schooling for children of all nationalities aged 3 to
18. Our curriculum leads to the respected British A-Level
qualification accepted by universities worldwide.
Every day is an open day at the British School of Amsterdam.
Contact: info@britams.nl, +31 (0) 20 67 97 840, or see
www.britams.nl
Onyinye
Age 9
English / Nigerian
TEACHING PEOPLE, NOT JUST TOPICS
EDUCATION
EERDE (near Zwolle)

International School Eerde
Kasteellaan 1, 7731 PJ Ommen | +31 (0)52 945 1452 | www.eerde.nl
EINDHOVEN
International School Eindhoven
Oirschotsedijk 14B, 5651 GC Eindhoven
Primary dept. | +31 (0)40 251 9437
Secondary dept. |+31 (0)40 242 6835
www.isecampus.nl
European School of Mol
Europawijk 100, 2400 Mol, Belgium
+32 (0)1 456 3111 | www.esmol.net
ENSCHEDE
International School Twente
Tiemeister 20, 7541 WG Enschede | www.istwente.com
Primary dept. | +31 (0)40 251 9437
Secondary Dept. |+31 (0)40 251 9437
GRONINGEN
Primary dept. at Groningse Schoolvereniging
Sweelincklaan 4, 9722 JV Groningen | +31 (0)50 527 0818 | www.g-s-v.nl
Secondary dept. at International School Groningen
Rijksstraatweg 24, 9752 AE Haren
+31 (0)50 534 0084 | www.isg.maartenscollege.nl
THE HAGUE AREA (Den Haag)

Deutsche Internationale Schule (German School)
Van Bleiswijkstraat 125, 2582 LB Den Haag
+31 (0)70 354 9454 | www.disdh.nl
Haagsche Schoolvereeniging (HSV)
Admissions: + 31 (0)70 318 4965 | www.hsvdenhaag.nl
International primary department
Nassaulaan 26, 2514 JT Den Haag | +31 (0)70 318 4950
Koningin Sophiestraat 24A, 2595 TG Den Haag | +31 (0)70 324 3453
Van Nijenrodestraat 16, 2597 RM Den Haag | +31 (0)70 328 1441
Lighthouse Special Education
Curriculum: Individual SEN-program taught in English
Amalia van Solmstraat 155, 2595 TA Den Haag
+31 (0)70 335 5698 | www.lighthousese.nl
Le Lyce Franais Vincent van Gogh
Scheveningseweg 237, 2584 AA Den Haag
+31 (0)70 306 6920 | www.lyceevangogh.nl
The American School of The Hague (also IBDP and IBCC)
Rijksstraatweg 200, 2241 BX Wassenaar
+31 (0)70 512 1060 | www.ash.nl
The British School in the Netherlands (BSN)
Jan van Hooflaan 3, 2252 BG Voorschoten | +31 (0)71 560 2222
Admissions/enquiries: +31 (0)70 315 4077 | www.britishschool.nl
Primary schools:
- Vlaskamp 19, 2592 AA Den Haag | +31 (0)70 333 8111
- Diamanthorst 16, 2592 GH Den Haag | +31 (0)70 315 7620
- Vrouw Avenweg 640, 2493 WZ Leidschenveen | +31 (0)70 315 4040
Secondary school (also IBDP and IBCC):
Jan van Hooflaan 3, 2252 BG Voorschoten | +31 (0)71 560 2222
The International School of The Hague
Innovative International Education
Email: ish.admissions@ishthehague.nl
54
Internet: www.ishthehague.nl
Telephone: +31(0)70 328 1450
EDUCATION
The European School of The Hague

Houtrustweg 2, 2566 HA Den Haag
Nursery dept. | French, Dutch, English, Spanish and German
Primary dept. | French, Dutch, English and Spanish
Secondary dept. | French, Dutch and English
+31 (0)70 700 1600 | www.eshthehague.nl
The Indonesian Embassy School in the Netherlands
Rijksstraatweg 679, 2245 CB Wassenaar
+31 (0)70 517 8875 | www.sekolahindonesia.nl
The International School of The Hague
Wijndaelerduin 1, 2554 BX Den Haag | www.ishthehague.nl
Primary dept. | +31 (0)70 338 4567
Secondary dept. | +31 (0)70 328 1450
HILVERSUM
International Primary School Hilversum
Rembrandtlaan 30, 1213 BH Hilversum
Frans Halslaan 57A, 1213 BK Hilversum
+31 (0)35 621 6053 | www.ipshilversum.nl
International School Hilversum
Alberdingk Thijm (Secondary dept.) | Emmastraat 56, 1213 AL Hilversum
+31 (0)35 672 9931 | www.ishilversum.nl
LEIDEN AREA | LEIDERDORP
Leiden International Primary School at Elckerlyc Montessori
Klimopzoom 41, 2353 RE Leiderdorp
+31 (0)71 589 6861 | www.elckerlyc.net
OEGSTGEEST
International secondary dept. Het Rijlands Lyceum
Apollolaan 1, 2341 BA Oegstgeest | +31 (0)71 519 3555 | www.isrlo.nl
MAASTRICHT
United World College Maastricht
Discusworp 65, 6225 XP Maastricht NL
+31 (0)43 241 0410 | www.uwcmaastricht.nl
ROTTERDAM
American International School of Rotterdam
Verhulstlaan 21, 3055 WJ Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 422 5351 | www.aisr.nl
De Blijberg international primary dept.
Graaf Florisstraat 56, 3021 CJ Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 448 2266 | www.blijberg.nl
Rotterdam International Secondary School
Bentincklaan 294, 3039 KK Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 890 7744 | www.wolfert.nl
The Japanese School of Rotterdam
Verhulstlaan 19, 3055 WJ Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 422 1211 | www.jsrotte.nl
UTRECHT
International School Utrecht*
Notebomenlaan 400, 3582 CN Utrecht
+31 (0)30 870 0400 | www.isutrecht.nl
*In the spring of 2015 ISUtrecht will move to:
Van Bijnkershoeklaan 8, 3527XL Utrecht
The Amsterdam MBA

Master in International Finance
Executive Programme in Management Studies
Fully accredited programmes, full-time and part-time
In the heart of Amsterdam, one of Europe's main business centers
Small class sizes, with a genuine personal approach
Internationally oriented, emphasising diversity in backgrounds
and experience
Plantage Muidergracht 12 | 1018 TV Amsterdam | abs@uva.nl
55
EDUCATION
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+ 31 76 560 7870
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www.isbreda.nl
GERMAN AND DUTCH

LANGUAGE COURSES
BBA/MBA
ACCREDITED BACHELOR'S
& MASTER'S DEGREES
REGISTRATION AND LEVEL TESTING
on 20 January, 17.00 - 19.00 h
or registration via www.stiftungsprachkurse.nl
12-week courses
Different levels of CEFR
Native-speaker teachers
Stiftung Sprachkurse Deutsche Schule
info@stiftungsprachkurse.nl
t
ar er :
St m 015 ry
m
2 a
Su rm nu
Te 7 Ja
2
56
All courses take place at

Deutsche Internationale Schule Den Haag (DISDH)
Van Bleiswijkstraat 125 2582 LB The Hague
BARCELONA
MUNICH
GENEVA
MONTREUX
ONLINE
EU Barcelona
Ganduxer, 70
08021 Barcelona, Spain
T: +34 93 201 81 71
info.bcn@euruni.edu
EDUCATION
HIGHER EDUCATION
Third-level education, as it is known in the Netherlands,
is offered at a vocational level (HBO, a university of
applied sciences or hogeschool) and at an academic
level (WO, at a universiteit). Bachelors and Masters
degrees are available at both HBO and WO institutions, but only universities (WO) offer PhD programs.
There are around 2,000 courses taught in English. You
can see whats available on Nufc (Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher education;
www.nufc.nl), which includes extensive information
about the Dutch higher education system. There is a
small, third branch of higher education offering international education (IE), comprising advanced courses
suited to international students.
Institutions are either government funded or government approved. There are also privately nanced
institutions that are not recognised. NVAO is the organistion that accredits institutions (www.nvao.net).
HBO
Around 416,000 students are enrolled at 42 universities
of applied sciences or hogescholen, which provide
practical-based programs lasting four years. Students
can prepare for particular professions in one of seven
sectors: agriculture, engineering and technology,
economics and business administration, healthcare,
ne and performing arts, education/teacher training
and social welfare. For more information visit www.
hbo-raad.nl.
WO
There are 18 research universities offering international
degrees and short courses, with some 240,000 students
involved in intensive, academic studies. For more information, visit www.studyin.nl.
COSTS
Fees depend on your nationality and age. Theres a fee
for EU/EEA nationals, which is set by the Dutch government, and tuition fee loans are available. Otherwise
you pay the institutional fee (up to 10 times more). The
fees at private institutions can be substantially higher.
HOW TO APPLY
There are more than 90,000 international students
studying in the Netherlands Germany tops the
international student list and information on fees,
qualications and study programmes is widely available
in English. Students should rst contact the institution
offering the course, which will specify what education
qualications are required for admission. A quota

system is in place for oversubscribed courses; places
are allocated by a lottery. At www.studielink.nl you can
apply online for third-level courses that are subsidised
by the Dutch Ministry of Education.
University programmes consist of a Bachelors or undergraduate phase lasting three years and a Masters or
graduate phase lasting one to two years. Many Dutch
universities have partner institutions in other countries,
so students can study part of their course abroad.
QUALIFICATION ACCREDITATION
Diplomas and certicates awarded overseas need to be
accredited by the Dutch authorities. Often the school
where you have applied takes care of this. If not, the
IDW Internationale Diplomawaardering (www.idw.nl)
offers this service for a fee.
Non-native English speakers are required to pass an
English language test at a specied level, most commonly the TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Test.
EDUCATION LINKS
Information on the Dutch education system
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
www.government.nl/ocw
Government policy | www.government.nl/education
Eurydice | www.eurydice.org
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Educaide: The Professional Helpdesk for International Education in
the Netherlands
PO Box 96911, 2059 JH Den Haag
T: +31 (0)65 598 8998 | info@educaide.nl | www.educaide.nl
Foundation for International Education in the Netherlands
www.sio.nl
Higher education in the Netherlands
www.studyin.nl | www.nuffic.nl/en
Information on studying and funding
www.duo.nl | www.newtoholland.nl
Portals for vocational training
www.s-bb.nl | www.mboraad.nl
Masters / PhDs
www.mastersportal.eu | www.phdportal.eu
Online applications
www.studielink.nl
Non-Dutch diploma evaluation
www.idw.nl
57
EDUCATION
BUSINESS EDUCATION
Amsterdam Business School University of Amsterdam
Plantage Muidergracht 12, 1018 TV Amsterdam
MBA: +31 (0)20 525 5655 | MIF: + 31 (0)20 525 4056
admissions-abs@uva.nl | www.abs.uva.nl
European University Business School
EU Barcelona | Ganduxer 70, 08021 Barcelona, Spain
+34 (0)93 201 8171 | info.bcn@euruni.edu
EU Geneva | Quai du Sujet 30, 1 201 Geneva, Switzerland
+41 (0)22 779 2671 | info.gva@euruni.edu
EU Montreux | Le Forum, Grand Rue 3, 1820 Montreux 2, Switzerland
+41 (0)21 964 8464 | info.mtx@euruni.edu
EU Munich | Theresienhohe 28, 80339 Munich, Germany
+49 (0)89 5502 9595 | info.muc@euruni.edu
EU Online Campus: | info.online@euruni.edu | www.euruni.edu
Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA Program
WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management
Campus Vallendar, Burgplatz 2, 56179 Vallendar, Germany
+49 (0)261 6509-184 | emba@whu.edu | www.kellogg.whu.edu
Maastricht School of Management
Endepolsdomein 150, 6229 EP Maastricht
+31 (0)43 387 0808 | info@msm.nl | www.msm.nl
Maastricht University School of Business and Economics
Minderbroedersberg 46, 6211 LK Maastricht
+ 31 (0)43 388 2222 | info@maastrichtmba.com
www.maastrichtmba.com
flexible business and management

studies with several specializations
Nyenrode Business Universiteit

Straatweg 25, 3621 BG Breukelen
+31 (0)34 629 1211 | www.nyenrode.nl
Rotterdam Business School MBA Rotterdam University
Kralingse Zoom 91, 3063 ND Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 794 6229 | M: +31 (0)62 150 2419
m.s.elenbaas@hr.nl | www.rotterdambusinessschool.nl
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 408 2222 | mba.info@rsm.nl | www.rsm.nl/mba
The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN The Hague
+31 (0)70 445 8888 | www.thehagueuniversity.com
United International Business School
Amsterdam satellite campus | Spaces Business Center
Herengracht 124128, 1015 BT Amsterdam
+31 20 5219423 | info@amsterdam.uibs.org | amsterdam.uibs.org
Vlerick Business School
Bolwerklaan 21, 1210 Brussel, Belgium
+32 (0)2 225 4111 | info@vlerick.com | www.vlerick.com
Webster University
Boommarkt 1, 2311 EA Leiden
+31 (0)71 516 8000 | info@webster.nl | www.webster.nl
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EDUCATION
CREATIVE HIGHER EDUCATION

SAE Institute
Amsterdam | Johan van Hasseltweg 31, 1021 KN Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 622 87 90 | amsterdam@sae.edu | amsterdam.sae.edu
Rotterdam | Kratonkade 5, 3024 ES Rotterdam | +31 (0)10 411 7951
rotterdam@sae.edu | rotterdam.sae.edu
MMS Worldwide Institute
Keizersgracht 6264, 1015 BN Amsterdam | +31 (0)64 254 0007
office@themms.com | www.themmsinstitute.com
COMPANY TRAINING & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Culture-Inc.
Crown Business Center | A. Hofmanweg 5A, 2031 BH Haarlem
+31 (0)62 556 0818 | info@culture-inc.com | www.culture-inc.com
in2motivation
Amstelveenseweg 739, 1081 JE Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 737 0312 | www.in2motivation.com
knowboundaries Coaching and Training
Jane Stephenson | +31 (0)62 416 1961 | info@knowboundaries.nl
www.knowboundaries.nl
Leadership & Change in Organizations (LCO)
Meester F. A. van Hallweg 23, 1181 ZT Amstelveen
Fernando@lcopartners.com | Jussara@itim.org | +31 (0) 20 645 0061
www.lcopartners.com
LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
Delken&Boot
Abeelhof 16, 3053 KL Rotterdam | +31 (0)10 422 1481 | M: +31 (0)64 201
4510 | M: +31 (0)62 454 0378 | info@delkenboot.nl | www.delkenboot.nl
easyNL
Roelofspad 10, 5645 JG Eindhoven | +31 (0)40 211 3101 | info@easyNL.nl
www.easynl.nl
Institute for Dutch Language Education
University of Amsterdam | Room 405 | PC Hoofthuis Spuistraat 134
+31 (0)20 525 4642 | intt@uva.nl | www.intt.uva.nl
60
Koentact Language School

Elandsgracht 70, 1016TX Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 737 1616
info@koentact.nl | www.koentact.nl
Language Institute Regina Coeli
Martinilaan 12, 5262 BR, Vught | +31 (0)73 684 8790
rcmail@reginacoeli.nl | www.reginacoeli.com
NedLes
Nieuwe Herengracht 145, 1011 SG Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 624 3510
M: +31 (0)62 558 5653 | info@nedles.nl | www.nedles.nl
Talencoach
Keizersgracht 8, 1015 CN Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 331 3738
www.talencoach.nl | www.dutchflownow.nl
Top Taal
Joan Muyskenweg 22, 1096 CJ, Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 716 3690
contact@toptaal.com | www.toptaal.nl
Tornante Trainingen
Riederlaan 200, 3074 CL Rotterdam | +31 (0)10 742 0465
info@tornantetrainingen.nl | www.tornantetrainingen.nl
University of Amsterdam Talen
Roetersstraat 25, 1018 WB Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 525 4637
trainers@uvatalen.nl | www.uvatalen.nl
LANGUAGE WEBSHOP
Dutch I presume
Akeleizoom 3, 3355 BR Papendrecht | +31 (0)78 700 1206
info@dutchipresume.com | www.dutchipresume.com
CORPORATE TRAINING
Outspoken Communication
+31 (0)88 111 9333 | info@outspokencommunication.com
www.outspokencommunication.com
COURSES & CLASSES
Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam
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ERASMUS UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
Expats are an essential component of the Dutch workforce,

and ofce life has its cultural quirks.
The Dutch workforce (7.86 million people) is internationally oriented, highly educated and multilingual.
Workers rights are strongly protected, although recent
economic recession has inuenced a rise in exible
contracts and pushed unemployment gures upwards
to 8.5 percent (July 2014). However, the demand for
highly skilled workers remains high and there are
incentives for international employees, such as the 30
percent ruling (a tax benet scheme), and a fast-track
immigration programme for highly skilled migrants,
including no requirement for a separate work permit.
To comply with EU conditions, the Netherlands introduced a single permit in April 2014 that combines the
employee residence and work permit into one, known
as the GVVA (gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid). As such, employers no longer need to
apply for a separate work permit for labour migrants. A
number of benecial policies were also implemented
under the Modern Migration Policy Act in June
2013. For example, if a worker needs a Dutch entry
visa (MVV) and/or residence permit, their employer in
the Netherlands can apply for the necessary papers
on the employees behalf while they are still abroad.
Applications can also be fast-tracked to two to seven
weeks for companies that are recognised by the IND
(www.ind.nl has a list).
WORK PERMIT CONDITIONS
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national and want to
work in the Netherlands, unless you are a highly skilled
migrant or qualify for the single employee residence
and work permit (GVVA), your employer will likely
need to apply for a separate work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV). Exceptions are listed below.
The TWV permit is specic to the job and employer,
and is issued for a specied period (up to three years),
although extensions can be applied for. The IND site
(www.ind.nl) has detailed information on coming to
work in the Netherlands, as well as the nancial and
other conditions that need to be met.
62
You can start work once your employer has been issued
a work permit and applied for a residence permit, if
needed. You do not need to wait for the IND to
approve your residence application, but you must get
a residence endorsement passport sticker from the
IND while you wait.
If the residence permit application is rejected though,
the work permit is no longer valid. The consequences
of illegally working can be severe for both employer
and employee.
After three years of employment on a Dutch work
permit, the employee is free on the labour market.
Employers can then hire you without needing a separate work permit. When you renew your residence
document, your new labour market position will be
mentioned as Arbeid is vrij toegestaan. TWV niet
vereist (free to work, no work permit required).
WHO DOESNT NEED A WORK PERMIT?
The main exceptions are:
EU/EEA/Swiss
nationals (except Croatians, who

need a work permit for their rst working year and
the proof of lawful residence permit at least until 1
July 2015, and potentially until 2020).
Highly skilled migrants.

Self-employed workers (their eligibility for residency
is assessed by the IND).

Workers on short assignment (performers, musicians,
guest lecturers, journalists etc.).

Those with a residence permit or passport sticker
stating Arbeid is vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist

(free to work, no permit required).
PARTNERS: WHO CAN WORK?
If your spouse, partner or relative has permission to
work in the Netherlands, then generally you can work
without needing an additional work permit. Your
employment status (arbeidsmarktaantekening) will
be stated on your residence permit. You generally
need to have received your residence permit before
you can start work. It is advisable to le the residency
applications for you and your partner at the same time.
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Undutchables, your recruitment partner for international jobs in the Netherlands.
EMPLOYMENT
APPLYING FOR A WORK PERMIT

If you qualify for the single GVVA residence and work
permit, you or your employer must apply to the IND
(www.ind.nl). Otherwise, work permits are initiated
by employers who apply to the UWV WERKbedrijf
(www.werk.nl). In both cases, your employer has to
submit supporting evidence to show that EU/EEA/
Swiss nationals cannot occupy the position, which
can include copies of advertisements, postings on
the internet, or statements from agencies. This supporting evidence may not be required in the cases of
in-company transfers, internships and some scientic
jobs. For a company to apply for a work permit, the
candidate must be aged between 18 and 45.
If a visa and residency permit is required, your employer
can initiate your Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV)
on your behalf, before you arrive. They will request
information from you for the application, such as copies
of your passport/ID and education qualications.
HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANTS
To employ expats under the highly skilled migrant
scheme, employers must sign an IND statement to
become a recognised sponsor. Your employer must
apply for your residence permit for you, which will be
issued for the same period as the work contract, or up
to a maximum ve years for indenite contracts. With
the highly skilled migrant residency, your employer
does not need a separate work permit (TWV) to hire
you. If your residency permit is not ready when you
arrive, you are allowed to work in the interim period if
you visit an IND desk and get a passport sticker (verblijfsaantekening) that proves your application is being
processed. Partners of highly skilled migrants can work
without a work permit, though they do require a residence permit before commencing work.
SELF-EMPLOYED/ENTREPRENEURS
To be granted residency based on self-employment
(for non-EU/EEA/Swiss), your business activities must
serve an essential Dutch interest. A point system
is used to assess this. Your personal experience,
business plan and what you plan to offer to the Netherlands (innovation, job creation, investment etc.) are
taken into account. You will also need to prove you
have the appropriate qualications for carrying out
your business. With the self-employment residence
permit, you can still work as an employee provided the
UWV WERKbedrijf has issued a work permit to your
employer. Freelancers can also apply for this permit, but
proof of assignments in the Netherlands is required.
64
DUTCH AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP TREATY

Since 1956, American citizens who wish to start a
business in the Netherlands can apply under this
scheme. They dont need to satisfy the Dutch economic interest conditions as above, but they do need
to register at the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van
Koophandel, www.kvk.nl), have nancial accounts veried by a qualied accountant, have a business plan
and substantial capital, and they cannot apply for social
welfare. The same conditions apply to Japanese citizens under the Treaty of Trade and Navigation.
STUDENTS
There are no work restrictions for students who are EU/
EEA/Swiss nationals; they dont need a work permit.
All other nationalities can only work if a work permit
has been granted, and working hours are limited. Students can opt to work part-time throughout the year
for a maximum of 10 hours per week, or undertake
seasonal work in June, July and August. The employer
or agency must obtain a work permit from the UWV
WERKbedrijf, which will be valid for the same period
as the university registration. Students do not need a
work permit to undertake a compulsory internship as
part of their course.
WORKING HOLIDAY SCHEMES
Those aged 18 to 30 from Australia, Canada, and
New Zealand can apply under these schemes to live
and work in the Netherlands for one year. Conditions
include proof of a return ticket or funds to buy one.
Candidates can apply in their home country, or once
they arrive in the Netherlands. A restricted quota of
South Koreans can also apply under this permit as of
1 June 2014.
CHANGING JOBS
Any changes in your work or partnership status must
be reported to the IND within four weeks. You or your
sponsor (such as an employer) can be penalised by the
IND if changes arent reported, including contributions
to repatriation costs.
If you change jobs you dont necessarily need a new
residence permit, but the same rules will apply as for
the rst permit you were granted. So if you worked with
a separate work permit, your new employer needs a
new work permit, too. If you worked as a highly skilled
migrant, your new employer needs to be eligible to
apply under the highly skilled migrant scheme, and
will need to prove to the IND that you still meet the
requirements of the highly skilled migrant scheme,
for example, sending in your contract to show you earn
the required salary.
EMPLOYMENT
If you are applying to extend a residence or work

permit, your circumstances will be assessed again in reference to the original application. The main exception
is that after three years working on any given residence
permit that allowed you to work (such as partners
permits or employee single permit), you no longer
need a separate work permit. Highly skilled migrants
can also change their purpose of stay into labour after
three years, which allows them to work without a work
permit and without meeting the requirements for the
highly skilled migrants scheme.
It is essential to apply for a new residence permit before
the old one expires; the IND will notify you in advance.
Letting your permit expire can create a residence gap,
which may affect your eligibility for permanent residency, where ve years of continuous stay is required.
SOCIAL SECURITY
The Dutch social security system is one of the most
comprehensive in Europe but access to the welfare
system is becoming more restrictive. There are three
strands:
National
Insurance administered by the social

insurance bank (www.svb.nl), which includes old age
pension (AOW) and child benet (AKW);
Employee
Insurance administered by UWV

(www.uwv.nl), including unemployment benet (WW,
see below), long-term disability (WIA) and sickness
(ZW); and
Social
Assistance administered by municipalities

(www.rechtopbijstand.nl).
Specic conditions apply to each benet. Also, do

check that your residence rights are not affected if you
apply for benets. Your ofcial documents will need to
be in good order. Consult the Ministry of Social Affairs
and Welfare website (www.szw.nl) for more information.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (WW)
Your employment history will determine the amount
and duration of payments. For the rst two months
you get 75 percent of your last earned salary, and
thereafter 70 percent (theres a maximum monthly
rate of EUR 2,939 gross). You must have worked 26
out of the previous 36 weeks before the rst day
of unemployment (or less for those not in regular
employment). It can be restricted if other benets
are in operation. You apply for benet online at
www.werk.nl or at a local ofce of UWV WERKbedrijf.
Working to improve the future.

The European Investment Bank,
based in Luxembourg, as the bank
of the European Union, is dedicated
to shaping the future of Europe.
All details about current vacancies are available

on our website https://erecruitment.eib.org
66
EMPLOYMENT
COLLECTIVE LABOUR AGREEMENT (CAO)

This is a written agreement covering working conditions
and benets, which is drawn up by employers, employers organisations and employee organisations (such
as unions). A CAO operates at company or industry
sector level and the provisions (number of holidays, for
example) are often more generous than statutory
requirements. It should state in your contract whether
a CAO is applicable; you dont have to be a member
of a union to benet. If no CAO applies all must be
registered you will need to negotiate your own terms
and conditions. The largest trade union federation in
the Netherlands is the FNV (www.fnv.nl).
VOLUNTARY WORK
A volunteer is a vrijwilliger and there are many opportunities depending on your skills. Expat advice centre
ACCESS is always on the lookout for volunteers in its
ofces in Den Haag (www.access-nl.org).
We are successful in recruiting

for positions in: administration,
secretarial, logistics, finance,
HR, marketing and customer
service.
We also offer coaching &
training as well as recruitment
services and a network for
freelancers.
0 2 0 - 5 7 3 8 3 8 3 | WWW.PROJOB.NL
67
EMPLOYMENT
CONTRACTS AND EMPLOYMENT LAW

The laws covering employment in the Netherlands
are many and various. Your personal contract will
determine your pay and specic conditions. Dutch
legislation covers key areas such as trial periods,
holidays, notice and dismissal, minimum wages,
health and safety, and equal treatment. The system
for dismissal is particularly unusual in being so protective of employees: in most cases the employer
needs permission from the UWV WERKbedrijf or
the court to re you. Useful information regarding
working practices, employment law and the

minimum wage can be found on the Ministry of
Social Affairs and Employment website (www.szw.
nl) or the UWV WERKbedrijf website (www.werk.nl).
If you want to check the market rate for your salary
or calculate bruto/netto rates (before/after tax and
social security deductions), try www.loonwijzer.nl. It
is standard practice in the Netherlands to get extra
wages (usually 8 percent of your yearly salary) as
a holiday allowance (normally paid in May) plus
four weeks of paid leave.
SANNE VAN RUITENBEEK OF PALLAS ADVOCATEN

PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
If you work in the Netherlands, Dutch law is partly
The court and labour ofces assess whether
and often fully applicable to your employment,
there are grounds for a valid termination. If an
even if the law of another country is declared
employer gives notice of termination without
applicable in your contract.
obtaining prior approval, the employee could
The number of succeeding employment connullify the termination. This rule is not applicable
tracts for a xed term is limited to three. The
in the case of summary dismissal (such as fraud
total duration of xed term contracts is limited to
or theft by the employee). Courts are however
three years. As of 1 July 2015, this will be limited
very reluctant about accepting summary disto two years. If the duration of the contracts or
missals. It is therefore very important to contact
the number of xed contracts exceeds the legal
an employment lawyer immediately if you are
limit, the employment contract will automatically
red on the spot.
become a contract for an unlimited term.
The legal minimum number of holidays per
year is four times the weekly working time.
If the contract is for less than two years, the
trial period cannot be longer than one month.
This means 20 holidays in the case of a fulltime
The maximum duration of a trial period is two
employee working a ve-day week. However,
months. Trial periods in contracts for less than
it is common practice in the Netherlands for
six months are invalid. During the trial period,
a fulltime employee to be entitled to approxboth employer and employee are allowed to
imately 25 holiday days per year in addition to
terminate the employment contract with immeDutch public holidays.
diate effect.
By law, there is an expiration date of six months
The notice period for the employee is usually one
for taking the legal minimum number of holidays.
month. If the notice period for the employee is
Employees must take all their holidays within six
extended, the notice period for the employer
months after the year in which the holidays were
should be double the notice period of the
accrued. Should the employee not take the holemployee.
idays on time, the holidays will lapse without any
Employment contracts for an unlimited term
compensation or payment. The expiration date
can only be terminated by the employer with
of six months is not applicable to the holidays
consent of the employee, the labour ofce (UWV
employees are entitled to on top of the legal
WERKbedrijf) or the Court.
minimum number of holidays. These extra holidays will not lapse until after a period of ve
years.
Labour law updated in cooperation of Sanne van
Ruitenbeek, Pallas Advocaten.
68
Looking for international

tax and legal assistance?
> Dutch tax returns
> Accounting
> Payroll
> Business set-up
> 30%-ruling
> Tax advice
Utrecht Headoffice +31 (0)30 - 246 85 36
info@expatax.nl | www.expatax.nl
EMPLOYMENT
FINDING A JOB
Expats seeking a new career challenge in the Netherlands will nd ample opportunities.
The Dutch employment market is mature, sophisticated
and boasts an impressive array of both local and international companies spread across the Randstad region
and beyond. It also has a vast network of specialist and
generalist recruitment rms. Many newcomers take the
recruitment agency route for speed and convenience,
as well as for the valuable contacts that established
agencies can tap into, but there are many job hunting
streams that foreigners can use.
Work experience (the most recent rst is popular with
recruiters but some like to see career progression).

Include job responsibilities.
Leisure activities are valued very much by Dutch
companies, according to the UWV WERKbedrijf. In
your cover letter (which should be in Dutch if possible), include more about your motivation for the
job, but keep the tone professional. If youve done
your research, you should know what the company is
looking for and how you t in.
CULTURAL COMPETENCY
JOB HUNTING
Recruitment agencies are big in the Netherlands
and several specialise in recruiting non-Dutch
nationals. Its worth exploring every avenue including
internet job engines, such as www.intermediair.nl,
www.toplanguagejobs.nl (search by language) or the
popular www.monsterboard.nl, or even sector-specic sites (architecture, biotechnology, nance etc.).
Consider a wider range of areas or industries when
job-hunting, so you can get onto the working ladder.
Many international companies have headquarters in

the Netherlands. For senior executives, cross-cultural
competency tests may be part of the selection procedure for international assignments. Following on from
standard personality analysis programmes, such as the
Meyers Briggs Type Indicators, these tests analyse personality preferences and prejudices that could affect
performance in a new cultural environment; technical
competence to do the job is already assumed. Top
rms are looking for executives who are open-minded,
exible, mature, and show respect for, and interest in
different cultures.
The UWV WERKbedrijf portal (www.werk.nl) also has a

useful list, as does EURES, the European job mobility
portal (www.eures.info). Expat community sites, such as
Expatica, have extensive employment listings for foreigners (jobs.expatica.com). Getting a job through personal contacts is quite common, so dont be shy about
making a direct enquiry to a company or dropping in
at a branch of an agency or uitzendbureau.
WORKING WITH AGENCIES

Specialist and generalist agencies openly advertise their
services on websites geared to expats and are frequent
advertisers on job boards and leading publications.
Trade directories also carry agency listings and search
engines will help you navigate your way to various websites. But how do you nd an agency that is both tuned
into the local market and to your needs?
Vacancy (vacature) advertisements are covered in all

Dutch newspapers and senior positions at international
companies are often placed in English. The list of companies that are eligible for applying for highly skilled
migrants is a useful source and can be found on the
IND site (www.ind.nl).
Here are some golden rules:
SKILLS IN DEMAND
Expats with French, German, Flemish, and Scandinavian
language skills are always in demand, according to expat
job agency Undutchables. The job market is also strong
for experienced professionals in nance and IT, sales and
(online) marketing, and customer service.
Experience and personality are the most important
aspects employers look at, so highlight this on your CV.
CULTURALLY CORRECT CVS
Concise, direct and professional communication
is the style for job applications in the Netherlands.
Remember that a Dutch CV only states facts and
gures, advises UWV WERKbedrijf. One or two pages
maximum in this order:
Personal details (address etc.);
70
Education (courses, not results);
Maintain an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) in English
that fully reects your skills, education, work experience

and personal prole, and try to keep it as succinct as
possible. To really stand out, have a version translated
into Dutch, which some companies will appreciate.
Always support any application with a clear overview
or motivation letter setting out your primary work
requirements, personal qualities and career objectives.
Follow up any application if you hear nothing back
within three to ve days.
Always try to meet your agent in person as this can
build rapport and trust and make sure that your CV
does not get sent anywhere without your permission.
Be clear about your work preferences and present
yourself in a positive and personable light.
Stay exible and be ready to attend interviews as
opportunities emerge, but remain patient while your
agent scours the market for the right opportunity.
Keep your agent informed of any personal developments that might affect the work they are doing on
your behalf.
15TH EDITION
THE HOLLAND
HANDBOOK
20142015
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Illustrated by Floor de Goede
With a foreword by William
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and culture employment law

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If youre looking for an official guide to Dutch

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mans completely subjective and utterly biased
impression of Dutch culture, this is for you.
29.95 and www.hollandbooks.nl
XPat Media Tel.: 070 306 33 10 Fax: 070 306 33 11

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10-10-14 15:01
EMPLOYMENT
THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

Once youve set yourself up with your preferred agencies
and the enquiries are starting to ow in, you need to
prepare yourself for interviews. As an expat, one of your
primary concerns may be about language. Fortunately,
many HR personnel and other hiring managers in the
Netherlands speak English at a high level, but this
should not stop you from speaking clearly and slowly.
Avoid using jargon or colloquial expressions. Just like
in your home country, prospective employers expect
interviewees to be well-presented, enthusiastic and
well-informed. You should research the company in
advance, and while most good agencies will prepare
you in the best possible way based on their intimate
knowledge of the company, self-preparation is equally
important. Always attend an interview armed with a list
of relevant questions.
When you receive a job offer that fully matches your
expectations, your agent will help you to assess the
various aspects of the offer, including salary level, benets, role progression, and career development. Unless
you are fully convinced it is the right job for you, allow
yourself two or three days to consider all of the angles.
Starting a new job in a foreign country might be a
daunting prospect for some, but the Dutch are very
tuned into working with foreign nationals and you can
be reassured that your new co-workers will be supportive
of their new international colleague.
Finally, make an effort to learn some Dutch as it will pay

dividends in the long run.
WORKING CULTURE
Work life and home life are kept separate, and ofce
hours are strictly observed. Newcomers working at
Dutch companies are often surprised by the informal
working relationships, horizontal management structures and (lots of) meetings (overleggen), at which every
point of view must be discussed to reach a consensus.
Theres a punctilious approach to these meetings,
indeed social engagements of any kind: always carry
your diary (agenda). Colleagues often lunch together
(all part of working as an egalitarian team) or there may
be a canteen. The working environment in an international company can be very different. Flexible working is
common, particularly for families with children, however
senior executive women are still some distance from
the boardroom. In terms of gender diversity at the top,
the Netherlands lags sorely behind other countries,
says cultural consultant Mary van der Boon. In 2012
The Netherlands implemented an EU initiative target
of 30 percent of executive positions to be held by each
gender by 2016, although its not mandatory and applicable only to large or listed companies.
Text on finding a job courtesy of Madison Parker International Professional Resource Solutions.
Next step in
your career.
Twente, the Netherlands most
entrepreneurial hightech region.
175
jobs
twente.com/jobs
72
EMPLOYMENT
RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
EXPAT EMPLOYERS & CAREER RESOURCES
Amsterdam
Projob
Van Baerlestraat 6365, 1071 AR Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 573 8383 | welcome@projob.nl | www.projob.nl
Atlassian | Keizersgracht 311, 1016 EE Amsterdam

+31 (0)20 796 0060 | www.atlassian.com/company/careers
Undutchables Recruitment Agency

Westeinde 20, 1017 ZP Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 623 1300
amsterdam@undutchables.nl | www.undutchables.nl
Copernica Marketing Software

De Ruyterkade 112, 1011 AB Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 208 1108
Ask for Quentine Stoc | info@copernica.com
www.copernica.com/jobs
Unique Multilingual Amsterdam

Piet Heinkade 221, 1019 HM Amsterdam
+ 31 (0)20 570 2094 | +31 (0)20 535 3409
amsterdam@uniquemultilingual.com | www.unique.nl/umlss
Amstelveen
Burgemeester Haspelslaan 21, 1181 NB Amstelveen
+31 (0)20 345 5104 | amstelveen@undutchables.nl
www.undutchables.nl
Eindhoven
Veldmaarschalk Montgomerylaan 7, 5612 BA Eindhoven
+31 (0)40 237 3395 | eindhoven@undutchables.nl
www.undutchables.nl
Unique Multilingual Eindhoven
Dr Holtroplaan 32, 5652 XR Eindhoven
+31 (0)40 239 5200 | +31 (0)40 243 3392
eindhoven@uniquemultilingual.com | www.unique.nl/umls
Rotterdam
Unique Multilingual Rotterdam
Blaak 6, 3011 TA Rotterdam | +31 (0)10 503 2900
+31 (0)10 214 0295 | rotterdam@uniquemultilingual.com |
www.unique.nl/umls
The Hague
Madison Parker international BV
Koningin Julianalaan 351A, 2273 JJ Voorburg | +31 (0)70 387
5911 | info@madisonparker.nl | www.madisonparker.nl
Noordeinde 2021, 2514 GS The Hague | +31 (0)70 711 8300
denhaag@undutchables.nl | www.undutchables.nl
Unique Multilingual den Haag
Fluwelen Burgwal 1D, 2511 CH The Hague | +31 (0)70 310 2740
+31 (0)70 310 2727 | thehague@uniquemultilingual.com
www.unique.nl/umls
Utrecht
Achter de Dom 14, 3512 JP Utrecht | +31 (0)30 238 2228
utrecht@undutchables.nl | www.undutchables.nl
Unique Multilingual den Haag
Maliebaan 77B, 3581 CG Utrecht | +31 (0)30 232 6340
+31 (0)30 232 6349 | utrecht@uniquemultilingual.com
www.unique.nl/umls
Booking.com | Herengracht 597, 1017 CE Amsterdam

jobs@booking.com | www.booking.com/jobs
European Investment Bank

Boulevard Konrad Adenauer 98100, L-2950 Luxembourg
+ 352 (0)43 791 | +352 (0)437 922 000
Jobs@eib.org | https://erecruitment.eib.org
Liberty Global
Boeing Avenue 53, 1119 PE Schiphol Rijk
+31 (0)20 778 9840 | Enquiries: hr@libertyglobal.com
Resume: recruitment@libertyglobal.com
www.libertyglobal.com/careers
Maastricht Region
Stationsplein 18E, 6221 BT Maastricht | +31 (0)43 328 2565
info@maastrichtregion.com | www.maastrichtregion.com
MMS Worldwide Institute
Keizersgracht 62, 1015 CS Amsterdam | +31 (0)64 254 0007
office@themms.com | www.themmsinstitute.com
Optiver Europe
Strawinskylaan 3095, 1077 ZX Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 708 7000
info@optiver.com | www.optiver.com/amsterdam
PVH Tommy Hilfiger & Calvin Klein
Stadhuderskade 6, 1054 ES Amsterdam | www.careers.tommy.com
Sapienza Consulting
Kapteynstraat 1, 2201 BB Noordwijk | +31 (0)71 407 6518
www.sapienzaconsulting.com
Tesla Motors
Gustav Mahlerplein 76A, 1082 MA, Amsterdam
ITO Tower, 11th floor | +31 (0)20 258 3916
www.teslamotors.com/careers
TomTom
Oosterdoksstraat 114, 1011 DK Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 757 5000
www.tomtom.jobs
TravelBird Netherlands
Keizersgracht 281, 1016 ED Amsterdam | + 31 (0)20 308 0400
klantenservice@travelbird.nl | www.travelbird.nl/vacatures
Twente.com
Hengelosestraat 500, 7521 AN Enschede | Gebouw The Gallery
+31 (0)53 483 6839 | info@twente.com | www.twente.com
YER Technology
Hogehilweg 16, 1101 CD Amsterdam Zuidoost
+31 (0)20 697 5011 | service@yer.com | www.yer.nl/en-us
73
HEALTHCARE
HEALTHCARE
Medical care in the Netherlands is of a high standard

but non-interventionist in nature.
The Dutch healthcare system has undergone radical
change in past years. It is now mandatory for everyone
to purchase at least a basic level of insurance (basisverzekering) or run the risk of nes. However, you are free
to choose your own health insurer (zorgverzekeraar) or
change companies annually. Health-care plans are
renewed yearly on 1 January.
You must take out health insurance (zorgverzekeringen)
with a Dutch insurer within four months of arrival, or
once you have registered with the IND (family members
of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals) or obtained your residence
permit (non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals), even if you
already have an existing policy that gives you cover in
the Netherlands. Certain students, employees and
work arrangements can be exempt from this
requirement, but you should check carefully whether
your situation qualies. In the Dutch healthcare scheme,
children under 18 are included in their parents
insurance at no additional cost, unless they begin
74
working. You can get free advice from the independent

organisation Zorgverzekeringslijn.nl, run by the Dutch
health insurance ombudsman. On their website click
Coming from abroad for English information, or call
0800 64 64 644 (+31 88 900 6960 from abroad).
A Dutch insurance company cannot refuse to cover
you for the basic package, regardless of your age or
state of health. The standard basic coverage is set by
the government, although providers can vary in cost
and how they deliver these requirements. If your
income is under a xed minimum level, you can apply
for a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the tax
authorities (belastingdienst). Visit www.toeslagen.nl (in
Dutch) for details and application forms.
You can nd a list of insurers (zorgverzekeraars) at
www.zn.nl, or compare insurance policy costs at www.
kiesbeter.nl (choose better), www.independer.nl, or
www.zorgwijzer.nl. Some websites are only in Dutch.
INTRODUCTION
75
HEALTHCARE
For general details, the Health Insurance Information

Centre (www.zorgverzekering.org) has information in
English, as does the Ministry of Health, Welfare and
Sport (www.government.nl/health-insurance).
BASIC INSURANCE
The basic insurance covers general medical care (visits
to the doctor, for example), hospital stays, ambulance
services, IVF and maternity care, dental care for children
up to age 18, most prescription medicine, and various
appliances. The government tweaks this package on
a yearly basis.
You will need extra coverage for dental care, physiotherapy or anything else the government considers
your responsibility, and it is in these additional areas
that companies compete. You can amend your policy
each year, effective 1 January, so inform your provider
before then if you wish to select or change any extra
coverage. Always check that the healthcare supplier
(such as a physiotherapist) is registered with your particular insurer before starting treatment. Some
insurance companies have policy documents in English.
It is possible to purchase additional coverage (aanvullende packet) from a different provider than your basic
insurer. This may make things more complicated when
processing bills, but it can sometimes lower your overall
costs or allow you to purchase additional coverage
tailored to the needs of foreigners residing in the Netherlands.
Basic coverage is around EUR 100 a month. If you work
at a company, it is worth checking whether there is a
collective scheme that provides health insurance at a
discount. Some employers cover (some) costs. If you
are self-employed, you may want to take out extra
cover.
MANDATORY EXCESS
The standard insurance package includes a mandatory
excess or deductible that you must pay towards your
insurance claims. This deductible is generally raised
each year; in 2014, the excess amount was EUR 360
per adult. This means you will pay the rst EUR 360 of
bills each year, in addition to your health insurance
premiums. Exemptions apply to family doctor visits,
obstetric and postnatal care, national screening programmes, u vaccinations and some chronic illness
treatments, so the insurer ordinarily pays those
expenses in full. You can choose to increase your excess
contribution in order to reduce the monthly cost of
your standard package.
76
DENTIST
A dentist (tandarts) can also be located via your
insurance company and this is one area where you want
to check your policy carefully. An annual check-up for
adults may be included in the basic insurance package
(but not the hygienist fees, for instance). You can pay
for additional cover. Dental care for those under 18 is
covered in basic insurance, as are dental surgery and
dentures. Just as with the family doctor, it is important
to register early with a dentist to ensure you can be
seen if an urgent dental problem arises. Dentists are
in short supply in the Netherlands, so many practices
are full and not taking new patients. Expats may nd
anesthesia is less forthcoming than in their own country,
although this varies between dentists.
ORTHODONTICS
Extra health insurance is usually necessary if you want
this to be covered by your insurer. If you or a family
member is arriving in the Netherlands with orthodontic
appliances already in place, some research will be necessary to determine which orthodontist can continue
the care here, as there are various types of orthodontic
systems and equipment, and not all practitioners use
all of them.
D E N T I ST R Y
Driven by passion for dental care
Highly trained professionals

All dental treatments, including dental
implants, periodontology and surgery
Childrens dentistry
Dental hygiene
Also opened evenings and weekends
Practices in central locations in Amsterdam,
Krommenie, Utrecht, The Haque, etc.
Visit a practice near you!

w w w . i v o r y - i v o r y . n l
HEALTHCARE
DOCTOR
A huisarts is a family doctor and you need to register
with one convenient for you. House calls are rarely done
these days, so some people choose a huisarts close to
work, or travel farther to a family doctor they feel comfortable with. Most doctors speak English. Visit
www.zorgkaartnederland.nl/huisarts for doctors (with
ratings) in your area.
Some doctors will turn you away because their practices
are already full, or will place you on a waiting list. As
such, it is important to register with a huisarts when you
arrive in the Netherlands, even if you are not ill and
rarely use a doctor. If you are not registered with a clinic
and become ill, you may have difculty nding a nearby
doctor who is taking patients, which can delay your
treatment. Your insurance company can provide a list
of practitioners, or check the local gemeentegids (a
guide to everything in your area). Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations.
Dutch healthcare is generally non-interventionist, so
Dutch doctors tend not to hand out prescriptions
lightly. You might also see a doctors assistant (for blood
pressure readings, urine testing, injections etc.) or a
practice nurse (for monitoring chronic conditions like
asthma or diabetes).
Youll need a referral from a huisarts to receive non-urgent medical treatment from a hospital or other specialist health provider (like a cardiologist), if you would
like to have those costs covered by your Dutch medical
insurance. Many practices have a spreekuur (or consultation hour) where you can consult your doctor without
an appointment. At weekends or during holidays youll
hear a recorded message on their telephone telling
you how to contact on-call medical services. These are
often only recorded in Dutch, so if you do not speak
Dutch it is best to have a Dutch speaker call for you.
In case of urgent matters, your huisarts can alert the
hospital (for instance, if youve broken your ankle while
skating, they can call ahead to organise someone to
take an X-ray). Dont expect a lot of medication, as
Dutch doctors are generally reluctant to hand out antibiotics.
HOSPITALS
Accident and emergency is SEH (spoedeisende hulp)
at the hospital, or for rst aid, EHBO (eerste hulp bij
ongelukken). The emergency services line is 112. In
some cases, there is a huisartsenpost (HAP, family
doctor post) that you must visit before being admitted
to the emergency department, in case the matter is
something a doctor can handle without involving hospital care. If you need an ambulance, your doctor or
the emergencies services must call one for you, otherwise it might not be covered by your insurance.
For a hospital admission for non-emergency treatment,
keep your insurance company informed and check
your policy. Your insurers will require a referral letter
from your huisarts. You usually personally make the
appointment with the specialist at the hospital.
PHARMACIES
Pharmacists are able to give advice for minor complaints. Opening hours vary but the address of the
nearest out-of-hours pharmacy will be indicated on the
door, or you can call 020 694 8709. Drogists supply
over-the-counter remedies, while apotheek handle
prescription drugs.
Once you have located a huisarts, you need to locate
a nearby pharmacy (apotheek) where you will pick up
prescriptions. If this pharmacy deals with your particular
insurance scheme, you wont have to pay bills directly.
Pharmacy services vary, so look for one that has the
services you need. For example, many can deliver
medications to your home free of charge, and some
also offer services such as secured pickup boxes accessible with a key, so that you can retrieve prescriptions
after hours.
Pharmacies in the Netherlands expect patients to register with them, meaning that they take your contact
and insurance information and then consider you a
long-term client (although it is possible to ll prescriptions elsewhere, if needed).
If you have been treated at a hospital, you can sometimes
ll your prescription at an onsite pharmacy. This will often
save time and hassle, especially after business hours. You
can also order prescriptions online (www.nationale-apotheek.nl and www.medicijnen.nl are just two
examples), or find your nearest pharmacy at
www.apotheek.nl (click on zoek een apotheek and enter
your postcode).
HAVING A BABY
The Netherlands has a strong tradition in prenatal care
and natural childbirths. Your insurance company will automatically send you a special package for giving birth at
home. Around one fth of babies are born at home, which
means some 80 percent are born in a healthcare setting
for those who prefer a hospital. A midwife, an independent medical practitioner, will generally be your sole
care provider during your pregnancy and delivery. There
are also increasingly more doulas available these days, an
experienced woman who can give support and continuity
of care, complementary to the midwife or obstetrician.
77
INTRODUCTION
78
INTRODUCTION
79
HEALTHCARE
Doulas are (not yet) covered by insurance though. You

can nd one at www.doula.nl.
Expectant mothers with certain sorts of medical conditions
or complications will be handled by an obstetrician
(gynaecologist), which will automatically take place in the
hospital.
Should you prefer a hospital birth, let your midwife know
within the rst few months of your pregnancy. However,
you should check that your insurer will cover a poliklinische
hospital birth if you do not have a medical reason. Supplementary insurances are available to cover any extra
costs. Some hospitals have birth centres, where the environment is made more homely. If you do deliver your
baby in a hospital, you can often be back at home the
same day for postnatal care.
Regular check-ups take place with the primary caregiver
(midwife or obstetrician). Prenatal testing and genetic
screening are not routine for women under 35 unless there
is some medical history that puts her or the baby into a
higher risk category. If you need further tests according
to Dutch practice, your caregiver will arrange that. The
routine prenatal testing recommended in the Netherlands
is different from the guidelines in some other countries.
If you are not comfortable with skipping some of the
testing, then discuss this with you caregiver. It may be
possible to arrange the testing, although you might be
required to pay for it yourself.
There are many types of birth preparation classes, some
of which are offered through local homecare (thuiszorg)
organisations. ACCESS runs a number of popular ones,
from childbirth preparation to postnatal classes.
Pregnancy yoga is extremely popular, offering a variety of
approaches, from gentle breathing and relaxation exercises to more energetic stretching. One of the best things
about taking a class is meeting other parents-to-be and
sharing experiences, information and concerns.
FINDING A MIDWIFE OR OBSTETRICIAN/
GYNAECOLOGIST
The majority of women giving birth in Netherlands are
cared for by a midwife (verloskundige or vroedvrouw)
during pregnancy and childbirth. Gynaecologists/obstetricians are part of the care process for women who have
(or are expected to have) complications or multiple pregnancies. If your caregiver is a midwife, you can choose to
have your baby at home (thuisbevalling) or at a hospital
(poliklinische bevalling) with an assisting midwife. If your
caregiver is an obstetrician then the delivery will take place
in the hospital, although the specic arrangements within
the hospital vary from hospital to hospital.
You should register with a midwife early in your rst trimester. When locating a midwife, word of mouth is best
but your huisarts might be able to make a recommendation.
80
You can also visit the website of the Royal Dutch Association of Midwives (www.knov.nl). If the supervision of an
obstetrician/gynaecologist is needed, your huisarts or
midwife can assist you in locating one. Few hospitals in
the Netherlands have newborn intensive care units, so if
complications are anticipated with the baby, it is often
preferable to select a healthcare provider already located
at one of those hospitals. This minimises the risk that you
and your baby will end up in two different hospitals after
the delivery, as well as eliminating the risks of transporting
a fragile newborn to a different hospital.
It is important to let your caregiver know your feelings
about pain relief, as it is infrequently offered in the Netherlands but can be arranged for hospital births. While
some women complain that the Dutch childbirth system
is becoming too medicalised, and others that it is not
medicalised enough, most are positive about the postnatal care (kraamzorg). Once your baby has arrived, you
will be given assistance at home by a maternity nurse
(kraamverzorgster). She will monitor you and your babys
health, teach some general childcare and set up a daily
routine. Best of all, it may include household help. The
amount of kraamzorg varies (from a few hours a day for a
week, to full-time care) and a representative will come
round to discuss what is appropriate just before birth.
The insurance generally covers the costs but you should
conrm this. It is important to register for kraamzorg early
in your pregnancy, as the nurses are sometimes in short
supply. You can register online at www.kraamzorg.nl.
MATERNITY LEAVE
New mothers are entitled to 16 weeks paid leave in the
Netherlands and fathers can take two (paid) days after the
birth, after one year working in a company. During leave,
mothers are entitled to 100 percent of their earnings up
to a cap of EUR 198.28 per day, paid out by their
employers or the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemers Verzekeringen (UWV). Pregnant women must take pregnancy
leave (zwangerschapsverlof) from four to six weeks before
their due date. After the birth, women are entitled to 10
to 12 weeks of maternity leave (bevallingsverlof), even if
the child is born later than expected. Self-employed
mothers are equally entitled to paid leave, but the amount
depends on the hours worked in the last 12 months.
Parents are also allowed to take increments of unpaid
parenting leave (ouderschapsverlof) totalling six months,
until a child is eight years old. As part of this, fathers are
increasingly taking one day a week for child care, known
as papadag.
HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN
All aspects of childrens growth and development up to
19 years old is covered by the GGD GHOR municipal
health service and regional medical assistance
(Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst and Geneeskundige
HEALTHCARE
Hulpverlening Organisatie in de Regio). On their website

(www.ggd.nl) you can search for your local centre, but if
you have young children, theyll probably nd you rst
via your registration at your local municipality. Inoculations and checks from birth to age four take place at the
consultatiebureau, which is usually part of the GGD.
Expect a big check-up just before starting school.
Childhood immunisations in the Dutch scheme have
changed often in the past 10 years. You may wish to
check whether the Dutch immunisation scheme is the
same as the one from your home country, especially if
you expect to return while your children are still school
age. Immunisations different from those on the
standard plan can be arranged, although that must
sometimes be done via the family doctor rather than
the consultatiebureau.
HEALTH CONTACTS
ACCESS: www.access-nl.org ACCESS publishes several online
information guides.
Doulas: www.doula.nl
Homecare (thuiszorg): www.thuiszorg.startpagina.nl
Midwives: www.knov.nl
The Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG): knmg.artsennet.nl
MEDICAL
The emergency number for fire, police and ambulance is 112.
HOSPITAL
A hospital is a ziekenhuis and a complete list of hospitals and medical
centres for the Netherlands can be found at www.ziekenhuis.nl.
HEALTH SERVICES
DENTAL PRACTICES
Ivory & Ivory Dentistry | www.ivory-ivory.nl
Reguliersgracht 142, 1017 LZ Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 626 0289
amsterdam@ivory-ivory.nl
Laan van Wateringseveld 120, 2548 CC Den Haag
+31 (0)70 359 9774 | wateringsevel d@ivory-ivory.nl
Heiligeweg 175, 1561 DJ Krommenie | +31 (0)75 621 4224
krommenie@ivory-ivory.nl
Krijtwal 15, 3432 ZT Nieuwegein | +31 (0)30 605 7000
nieuwegein@ivory-ivory.nl
Maliebaan 44, 3581 CS Utrecht | +31 (0)30 231 0003
tpmaliebaan@ivory-ivory.nl
Lassus Tandartsen Amsterdam
Lassusstraat 9, 1075 GV Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 471 3137
Keizersgracht 132, 1015 CW Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 422 1912
info@lassustandartsen.nl | www.lassustandartsen.nl
Tandartspraktijk Hans de Liefde
Rietwijkerstraat 52 (corner Woestduinstraat 156), 1059 XB
Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 614 0053 | info@praktijkdeliefde.nl
www.praktijkhansdeliefde.nl
PHARMACY
To locate an apotheek, visit www.apotheek.nl.
DOCTOR
Dont wait for an emergency before registering with a family doctor.
Find one at www.zorgkaartnederland.nl/huisarts.
EMERGENCY DOCTORS SERVICES
(CENTRALE HUISARTSENPOST)
Amsterdam region (SHDA): 088 003 0600
The Hague (SMASH): 070 346 9669
Rotterdam: 010 290 9888
Utrecht: 0900 450 1450
Eindhoven: 0900 8861
National line for information on all medical services:
0900 1515 (24/7)
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
You can call one of the helplines below to find an out-of-hours dentist,
or call your own dentist and a recorded message will inform you what
to do. Many dentists provide their own emergency services. Find a
dentist at www.tandarts.nl.
Amsterdam: 0900 821 2230
The Hague: 070 311 0305
Rotterdam: 010 455 2155
INSURANCE
For more information about your specific situation, you can contact
the following:
College for Health Insurances: 020 797 8555.
Sociale Verzekeringsbank: www.svb.nl. Under contact, type your
postcode and get the phone number for your area and specific
situation (for questions regarding social security).
EXPAT COACHING & THERAPY

Protea Expat Therapy, Valeria Pierdominici
Amsterdam | Amstelveen | Den Haag |
De Wittenkade 192 I, 1051 AP Amsterdam | +31 (0)64 196 9497
proteapsychology@gmail.com | www.proteatherapy.org
PsyQ International Mental Health Services | +31 (0)900 235 7797
informatie@psyq.nl | www.psyq.nl/expatriates/expats
Overschiestraat 61, 1062 XD Amsterdam | +31 (0)88 357 4600
Carel Reinierszkade 197, 2593 HR The Hague | +31 (0)88 357 3478
INSURANCE PROVIDERS
ONVZ Zorgverzekeraar
De Molen 66, 3995 AX Houten | +31 (0)30 639 6222 | www.onvz.nl
IntegraGlobal
29/30 Fitzroy Square, London, UK | +44 (0)333 405 3003
www.integraglobal.com
Now Health | Suite G3/4, Coliseum Building | Watchmoor Park, GU15
3YL Surrey, UK | +44 (0)127 660 2100 | www.now-health.com
81
HOME BASICS
SETTING UP HOME
Dutch regulations make it easy for residents to choose

and change suppliers.
UTILITIES
Often, the utilities (gas, water and electricity) will
already be connected and you just need to transfer
them into your name. If you are paying an inclusive
rent, check your contract carefully for what is covered
in the monthly sum. You can connect all your utilities
online at www.aansluitingen.nl (in Dutch), or www.
utility-provider.nl offers a free service to connect
expats with the best deal (in English).
WATER
There are two elements of water payments: a consumption charge based on actual water usage
(which is estimated if you dont have a meter) and
a municipal tax for services (sewage, maintenance,
etc.). To see which water company covers your area,
visit www.vewin.nl and enter your postcode in the
box Uw drinkwaterbedrijf, or ask at your local
gemeente.
Sustainable
energy by
Greenchoice
Amsterdam: Waternet 0900 9394

Den Haag/Leiden: Dunea 088 347 4747
Rotterdam: Evides: 0900 0787
Utrecht: Vitens 0900 0650
North Holland: PWN Waterleidingbedrijf
0900 405 0700
ELECTRICITY AND GAS

The energy market is liberalised, so you are able
to choose (or change) suppliers. Most have green
options, where energy is bought from alternative
sources such as sun, wind, water and biomass.
Regulatory authorities ensure fair practices and
tariffs. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers
and Markets (www.acm.nl) provides a list of gas and
electricity suppliers on their website, or you can
use their consuWijzer (in Dutch) to compare prices
or seek advice.
Why choose energy from Greenchoice? We generate

our energy from Dutch wind, water, sunlight and
biomass. This is not only beneficial for you as an
Expatica reader, but also for the environment. If you
sign up right now, you will receive an additional
discount and start reducing your carbon footprint.
We provide:
Power from Dutch sustainable sources
Carbon offsets to compensate gas emissions
An additional discount for Expatica readers
For more information, visit our web page
www.greenchoice.nl/expatica and sign up within
just a few minutes.
get your green energy at www.greenchoice.nl/expatica

duurzaam dichtbij
82
WWW.EXPATICA.COM
| THE NETHERLANDS
EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015
14007_advertentie_expat7.indd
1
18-09-14 13:51
HOME BASICS
On www.energievergelijken.nl, you can compare

prices in English and connect your services online.
MAIN SUPPLIERS:
Budget Energie: www.budgetenergie.nl
Electrabel: www.electrabel.nl
Eneco: www.eneco.nl
Energie Direct: www.energiedirect.nl
E.ON: www.eon.nl
Essent: www.essent.nl
Greenchoice: www.greenchoice.nl
Nederlandse Energie Maatschappij: www.nle.nl
Nuon: www.nuon.nl
Oxxio: www.oxxio.nl
COMMUNICATIONS
There is a huge range of options from many suppliers with combination deals for telephone
(bellen), internet (surfen) and TV, charged under a
single monthly fee.
TELEPHONES
KPN is the main supplier for landlines, while Ziggo
and UPC offer phone connection via cable networks. Often the easiest way to connect a landline
is to visit a KPN winkel (shop) with appropriate
identication and they can set it up, while some
cable networks allow you to sign up online. There
are many additional services such as discounts for
favourite numbers, or combination deals with
internet and TV. For low cost international calls, you
can have calls charged via a cheaper provider. For
instance, you can rent a line from KPN but direct
long-distance calls through Tele2 or OneTel, or
register with bell1649 (www.bel1649.nl), or use an
international calling card, which you can buy from
independent call shops. In all these cases, you key
in a combination of codes before dialling overseas.
Internet telephony (such as Skype) is a cheaper
option. To use a public phone, youll need to buy
a phone card from a supermarket or newsagent.
MOBILE TELEPHONES
The cheapest deal for a mobile is via a contract
(abonnementen) with one of the main suppliers.
You can compare the latest rates on www.bellen.
com (in Dutch). Youll need proof of identity,
address, income and a bank account to sign a deal.
A prepaid phone is more expensive but easier to
get; you can top it up with cards from supermarkets.
If your phone is unlocked, you can buy a Dutch SIM.

Every phone has a unique IMEI serial number (enter
*#06# to nd out yours). Youll need this when
reporting a stolen phone. You can call 0800
numbers toll free; 0900 numbers are charged (per
call or minute).
INTERNET
Connectivity in the Netherlands is among the
highest and fastest in Europe. All kinds of dial-up,
ISDN, ADSL, and cable options are available, and
can be combined with telephone and TV deals.
Fiber cable (glasvezel) is available, but you may
need to get your building connected; carriers generally install it free. You can compare prices and
packages at www.internetten.nl. It is possible to
opt for a TV option from one supplier and telephone/internet from another. It can take up to a
couple of weeks to set up, and you need a cable
connection. There are internet cafes dotted about
and many more with WiFi. Dutch libraries also
provide internet for a small fee; if you are in
Amsterdam, the central library (www.oba.nl) offers
free internet for members (yearly fee EUR 20) and
splendid views.
TELEVISION
Cable TV is cheap and accessed by more than
90 percent of the population. Main providers
include Ziggo and UPC, and included in the
standard package are BBC 1, BBC 2, BBC World,
and CNN alongside Dutch channels, which include
the government-owned Nederland 1, 2 and 3 and
RTL 4, 5, 7, and 8. Youll also receive Veronica and
Net 5 (quality lms and drama including popular
US serials), plus National Geographic, the Discovery
Channel and popular childrens channels. Local TV
channels are another option. For Amsterdam, it is
AT5.
Subtitling, rather than dubbing, is used except for
childrens TV. For more films, sport or other
interests, you can select different options for extra
payment. Check out www.digitelevisie.nl for coverage in your area (by postcode) or compare combination packages at www.internetbestellen.nl or
at any of the suppliers. You get a media box and
then pay for your chosen option. CanalDigitaal is
a provider of satellite TV but you will need to be
able to x a dish facing east and check there are
no restrictions on satellite placement with your
gemeente.
83
HOME BASICS
INTERNET / PHONE / TV SUPPLIERS

CanalDigitaal: www.canaldigitaal.nl
Fiber Netherlands: www.ber.nl
KPN: www.kpn.com
Online.nl: www.online.nl
Stipte: www.stipte.nl (formally Scarlet)
Tele2: www.tele2.nl
Telfort: www.telfort.nl
T-mobile: www.t-mobile.nl
UPC: www.upc.nl
Vodafone: www.vodafone.nl
Xs4all: www.xs4all.nl
Ziggo: www.ziggo.nl
PostNL aims to deliver locally within 24 hours, otherwise spoedservice guarantees local delivery by
10am the next day and next day delivery to Europe.
In 2014, PostNL started trialling evening and
Sunday deliveries for certain online shopping,
including the delivery of chilled foods. See
www.postnl.nl for online postal services, or call
0900 0990 (45ct) for customer service.
POST OFFICES
Post ofces are marked with an orange sign that
says postkantoor or PostNL and generally located
inside shops, newsagents or tobacconists (postagentschap). Formerly TNT, the company changed
its name in 2011.
USEFUL WEBSITES
Advice: www.access-nl.org
Film: www.lmladder.nl
Government: www.government.nl
News, information, community:
www.Expatica.com
Opera: www.dno.nl
Restaurants: www.iens.nl
Royal family: www.koninklijkhuis.nl
Telephone directory/Yellow pages:
www.detelefoongids.nl
Tourism: www.holland.com
Weather: www.hetweer.nl
Website links (by category): www.startpagina.nl
Stamps (postzegels) can be bought in all of the

above places and in some of the larger supermarkets, or printed online at www.postnl.nl. Postboxes are orange and scattered throughout
shopping areas and neighbourhoods. On the
post-box there are two slots: the right (streekpost)
is for local delivery and youll see a list of postcodes that indicate the areas included; the left
(overige bestemmingen) is for everywhere else,
including international destinations.
FURNISHING YOUR HOME

Hema (www.hema.nl) is a Dutch institution for all
household matters. Blokker is cheap (www.blokker.nl)
and Ikea (www.ikea.nl) has many branches across
the country.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
ENERGY & GAS
Greenchoice the only 100 percent sustainable energy provider
of the Netherlands, with most of its energy generated in the
Netherlands.
Pieter de Hoochweg 108, 3024BH Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 478 2326 | vragen@greenchoice.nl
www.greenchoice.nl | expatica.greenchoice.nl
84
COMMUNICATIONS
Elbenk Com, IPTV & Satellietontvangst
Verlaatweg 72 L, 8243 PS Lelystad | +31 (0)32 021 3130
www.elbenk.nl
Truphone
Jan van Eijcklaan 24, 3723 BC Bilthoven | +31 (0)30 760 0556
business.nl@truphone.com | www.truphone.com
TRANSPORT
TRANSPORT
Conditions apply to foreigners driving in the Netherlands, otherwise

theres an excellent public transport system.
Once you are a resident of the Netherlands (registered
in the municipality database) you cannot drive a car
registered in another country. You must also have a
valid licence recognised by Dutch law, be at least 18,
and have third party insurance.
EXCHANGING A DRIVING LICENCE
To exchange (omwisselen) your existing national
driving licence (rijbewijs) for a Dutch one, you must t
into one of the categories below. Otherwise you can
use it for 185 days after becoming a resident, during
which time you need to take the CBR theory and
driving tests. You can take both the theory and practical exam in English. Drivers in international trafc
essentially tourists or short-term visitors are
considered non-residents and do not need a Dutch
driving licence, although non-EU nationals should
check with their Dutch embassy if an international
licence is required (essentially a translation of your
national licence). Dutch licences are generally issued
for 10 years. Foreign licences from EU/EFTA countries
can be used in the Netherlands for 10 years from the
date of issue, or 15 years if issued after January 2013.
You may like to exchange it anyway: it is a valid proof
of identity in many cases.
Licenses that can be exchanged:
Austria,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dutch Caribbean,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, (States of) Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Isle of Man,
Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, and UK.
Specic
licenses from Taiwan, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Andorra, South Korea, Canadian Province
of Quebec.
Residents with the 30 percent ruling status (whatever
nationality).
Expat employees may also be eligible to exchange
their foreign licence if the Tax Ofce considers them
to provide specic knowledge that is either una-
vailable or rare on the Dutch labour market.

Apply at a municipal ofce for an Aanvraag omwisseling voor Nederlands rijbewijs form (or download
it prior from www.rdw.nl) you must be registered
in the municipality database for at least 185 consecutive days, and non-EU/EFTA nationals must additionally present an Eigen Verklaring (a CBR statement
of health). If you are 75 years or over youll need a
medical examination, which the CBR may request for
non-EU/ETFA/Swiss nationals also. There are fees for
this. If you are applying under the 30 percent ruling
you will need a statement from the tax ofces international department in Heerlen.
Check with all departments if additional documentation is required for your certain situation, and if any
document requires translation or authentication. You
will generally forfeit your original licence (unless
applying under the 30 percent ruling). You need a
special licence for a bromfiets (moped), snorfiets (light
moped), or brommobiel (mobility car) (unless you have
a licence of the A or B category) and you must be 16
or over to get one.
For all information on driving licences and tests visit
www.rdw.nl or www.rijbewijs.nl.
REGISTERING AND OWNING A CAR
The hefty disincentive for bringing a car into the Netherlands is the private motor vehicle and motorcycle
tax (BPM) levied as a percentage of the value of the
car. Exemption certificates are dealt by customs
(www.douane.nl). There are many implications
affecting car tax calculations: consult the website
www.belastingdienst.nl for full details (in English). Also
note that you, as a Dutch resident, may not drive in a
vehicle with foreign registration plates you will be
considered as evading the import duty on the vehicle
and road tax, and risk heavy nes. All cars must be
registered with the RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer). If you bring your vehicle from abroad, it must
rst be reviewed at an RDW inspection station, after
which registration is handled through the same ofce.
This means getting Dutch registration plates, registration documents and paying the BPM.
85
TRANSPORT
To register ownership of a Dutch-registered car, you

can go to any post ofce or RDWTV (Tenaamstellen
Voertuigen) certied company with all the usual identication documents and a certicate of ownership,
vehicle registration documents, statutory liability
insurance (WA) and safety certicate (APK). For second
hand vehicles, there is a transfer certicate (overschrijvingsbewijs). A seller should ensure their previous
ownership certicate has been ofcially invalidated.
After registering your car, you will receive a bill for
road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting) from the tax ofce.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The Netherlands has excellent public transport links,
and the swipecard payment system OV-chipkaart is
the ofcial transport payment system for the metro,
bus and tram throughout the Netherlands. Paper train
tickets were abolished mid-2014, and infrequent train
travellers can buy a single-use chipkaart at EUR 1 extra
per trip. The card system has raised residents concerns, particularly the need to have EUR 20 credit on
the card to travel, and the extra travel cost for infrequent users.
The vehicles registration card (kentekencard, or

bewijs) and the certicate of ownership (tenaamstellingsbewijs) must be in the car at all times when on
the road. The APK test (at an RDW-approved garage)
measures the road-worthiness of your vehicle. For
insurance, check the yellow pages or other sources
for suppliers of autoverzekering.
There are two types of cards (EUR 7.50): anonymous,

which you can buy from the OV-chipkaart machines
or station, or personal, which you can apply for online.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING

You drive on the right. Unless otherwise marked, the
speed limits are 50 km/hr in the city, 80 km/hr on other
roads and 100, 120, or 130 km/hr on motorways. Trafc
is an issue (www.trafcnet.nl) and so is parking, for
which you generally need a permit. There are various
options for paying for parking: by cash, chip or via
your mobile phone. See www.parkmobiel.nl,
www.park-line.nl or www.yellowbrick.nl.
Many Dutch drivers are members of motoring organisation ANWB (www.anwb.nl), which can provide
breakdown cover (wegenwacht) at home or abroad.
There are park and ride (P+R) schemes in most cities
and the car-sharing scheme Green Wheels is a
popular option (www.greenwheels.nl).
CONTACTS
The Department of Road Transport: www.rdw.nl,
0900 0739, or +31 (0)59 839 3330 (abroad)
Information
Theory
on driving licences: www.rijbewijs.nl
and driving tests: www.cbr.nl, 0900 0210
Road
Trafc Signs and Regulations brochure:

do a search on www.government.nl to download
Common
trafc offences:
www.verkeershandhaving.nl
Driving section updated with the help of Michael

Davidson of The International Driving School of
The Netherlands (www.driveright.nl).
86
Your pass can be loaded from one of the OV-chipkaart

machines strategically placed at train and metro stations, or you can arrange for your personal card to
load automatically from a bank account. You pay for
the distance travelled by swiping it upon entering and
leaving your transport station. Personal products, such
as season or discount tickets, can be loaded to your
personal OV-chipkaart and you are automatically eligible for discounts.
The OV-chipkaart website (www.ov-chipkaart.nl) also
has an English language section where you can nd
lines of action should you lose your card or forget to
swipe out (you will automatically be charged the
maximum travel price but refunds can be requested).
Helpline: 0900 0980 (EUR 0.50/min) or @OVchipkaart.
TRAIN
The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (www.ns.nl) is the
national train company. NS offers season tickets and
discounts for off-peak travel (dal voordeel abonnement), which include up to 40 percent discount off
the price of your tickets and up to three people travelling with you. See a NS counter or online for more
information. Tickets are checked regularly and nes
are heavy.
You need an OV-chipkaart to travel on the NS. Make
sure you have a minimum EUR 20 uploaded on your
card (EUR 10 if you have a discount pass), and that
you swipe out on arrival or your travel costs could
triple. If you forget to swipe out, you have up to six
hours to go back and check out, otherwise you must
claim back the added costs. Call 030 751 5155 for help
with claims. For certain cities, you can organise the
NS Zonetaxi when you buy your train ticket. This is a
door-to-door taxi service at xed prices, for up to four
people (starting at EUR 6).
INTRODUCTION
Nothing sits
more comfortable
than a good deal
Sharply priced seats to major
European business destinations
Thats business sense.
87
CONTACTS
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
The emergency number for police, ambulance or fire is 112.

The pan-European 112 emergency operators will
speak English. You will be asked for the address and
city where you are calling from and the nature of the
emergency. For information on emergency situations
(noodsituaties) in the Netherlands, visit the government site www.denkvooruit.nl. Residents can also
subscribe to the government mobile alert service
(www.nl-alert.nl), which will send a text message
regarding any emergencies in your area.
WATER EMERGENCY
Contact your local gemeente for serious (sewage)
issues. If the problem is in the length of pipe between
the street and your house, this is the local water
boards responsibility; nd yours at www.vewin.nl by
typing your postcode in the box under Uw drinkwaterbedrijf. For other situations that are your responsibility, search the yellow pages (gouden gids) for a
loodgieter (plumber).
POLICE
The non-emergency number is 0900 8844. You will be
connected to your local police station. If your passport
has been stolen, contact your embassy immediately
for instructions as to what to do next. You generally
need to make a statement at a police station to start
any kind of ofcial procedure (insurance, applying for
a new passport etc.). Visit www.politie.nl for information.
SIREN
For acute danger, a siren will sound in the affected
area(s) and signals for people to head indoors. Information about the disaster or emergency will be published on www.crisis.nl. However, it should be noted
that each municipality tests their siren the rst Monday
of every month at 12pm.
FIRE
You can nd information on Dutch re services at
www.brandweer.nl.
AMBULANCE
In emergency medical situations you can call an
ambulance. You can also visit A&E but if a doctor
could have treated the situation, you may be charged
for this or refused treatment without a referral. For
non-threatening issues, you should rst contact your
local doctor or nd your closest out-of-hours medical
clinic (huisartsenpost).
USEFUL PHRASES FOR EMERGENCIES
Call an ambulance: Bel een ambulance
Call the police: Bel de politie
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
www.aa-netherlands.org | National: 020 625 6057
ANIMAL EMERGENCIES
Also provides a shelter for animals seeking new homes.
www.dierenambulancedenhaag.nl
National: 070 328 2828
GAY & LESBIAN SWITCHBOARD
www.switchboard.nl | National: 020 623 6565
HELPLINE FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
www.kindertelefoon.nl | 0800 0432
Call the re brigade: Bel de brandweer
SOS 24-HOUR HELPLINE

Staffed by Dutch volunteers but many speak English.
Get/call a doctor: Haal/bel een dokter
www.sensoor.nl | 0900 0767 (5ct/min)
I am ill: Ik ben ziek
LOST AND STOLEN:

American Express: 020 504 8000 (national)
MasterCard: 0800 022 5821
VISA: 0800 022 3110
Schiphol lost property: 0900 0141 (40ct/min)
NS (rail) lost property: 0900 321 2100 (80ct/min)
GVB (bus and tram) lost property: 0900 8011 (2.76ct/min)
GAS AND ELECTRICAL EMERGENCIES

If you suspect a gas leak (gaslucht) or have a power
problem (stroomstoring) you can call the national line
0800 9009; for serious emergencies posing a public
threat, call 112. See www.gasenstroomstoringen.nl
for details.
88
HELPLINES
ACCESS: Invaluable resource for all international
residents.
0900 222 2377 (20ct/min) | www.access-nl.org |
helpdesk@access-nl.org
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
Many activities exist for the Netherlands thriving expat community.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
There are a few regional variations for Dutch
public holidays, except for the orange madness
of Kings Day, which takes over the whole country.
Carnival is also celebrated in February and March
in Catholic areas.
Sinterklaas [Not an official holiday]
Friday, 5 December 2014 (Sint arrives in the Netherlands on
Saturday, 15 November.)
Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag)
Thursday, 25 December 2014
FESTIVALS
Rotterdam International Film Festival
This festival has built an international reputation over three

decades for presenting quality independent films.
Late Januaryearly February | www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com
Carnival (Mardi Gras), Maastricht
This historic Dutch town stages one of Europes biggest and most
lively carnivals | February | www.maastrichtregion.com
Opening of Keukenhof Gardens, near Lisse
The greatest flower show on earth blooms at this 32-hectare

(80-acre) garden in the heart of the bulb country.
March | www.keukenhof.nl
Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag)

Friday, 26 December 2014
Flower Parade (Bloemencorso), Noordwijk to Haarlem
New Years Day (Nieuwjaarsdag)

Thursday, 1 January 2015
Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) [Not an official holiday]
Friday, 3 April 2015
Easter Sunday/Monday (Pasen)
Sunday/Monday, 5/6 April 2015
Kings Day (Koningendag)
Monday, 27 April 2015
A procession with giant floats made of flowers make their way in

a 25-mile route, complete with music and performers.
Aprilearly May | bloemencorso-bollenstreek.nl
The Hague Festival
This is the umbrella name for several huge festive multidisciplinary art events, more than 200 in fact.
May/June | www.thehaguefestivals.com
North Sea Jazz Festival, Rotterdam
National Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking)

[Not an official holiday] Monday, 4 May 2015
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)
Tuesday, 5 May 2015 [Official holiday every 5 years. Next: 2020]
Ascension (Hemelvaart)
Thursday, 14 May 2015
The jazz festival began in 1976 and includes more than 1,000
local and international performers in one of the highlights of the
jazz calendar | July | www.northseajazz.com
Amsterdam Gay Pride
This festival attracts more than 150,000 people who turn up

to watch the boat parade of 100 or so outrageously decorated
boats on the canals | August | www.amsterdamgaypride.nl
Amsterdam Canal Festival (Grachtenfestival)
Whitsun (Pinksteren)
Sunday, 24 May and Monday, 25 May 2015
School holidays
www.minocw.nl > Wanneer zijn de schoolvakanties?
This classical music festival showcases concerts in unique

architectural venues of historic and cultural value, plus there is a
childrens festival (Kindergrachtenfestival).
Midlate August | www.grachtenfestival.nl
89
ENTERTAINMENT
INTRODUCTION
GROUPS AND CLUBS

ADVICE AND INFORMATION
ACCESS: www.access-nl.org
firstfriendsvoorhout.blogspot.nl
Voorschoten:
Play sessions for toddlers: voorschotentoddlers.webs.com
Helpdesk: 0900 222 2377 (20ct/min) | heldesk@access-nl.org
BUSINESS/PROFESSIONAL
Expatriate Archive Centre: www.xpatarchive.com
Amsterdam American Business Club (AABC): www.aabc.nl
BIRTH/BABIES/TODDLERS
Australian Business in Europe: www.abie-nl.nl
Passionate Parenting (information and seminars):

www.passionateparenting.nl
Growing up bilingual: www.growingupbilingual.org
Almere
ABCDE Almere Baby Club for Dutch and English:
www.abcdeplaygroup.nl
Amsterdam
Childbirth preparation courses: www.bumpandbeyond.nl
International playgroup: www.robbeburg.com
The Playgroup:
shop.englishbookshop.nl/childrens/the_playgroup
Amsterdam Mamas: www.amsterdam-mamas.nl
Brabant
Portal for expats and kids: www.brabantkids.com
Delft
Delft Maternity and Motherhood Assistance:
www.delftmama.nl
Connecting Women (The Hague): www.connectingwomen.nl

European Professional Womens Network (Amsterdam
chapter): www.europeanpwn-amsterdam.net
Junior Chamber International (Amsterdam): www.jciai.nl
Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce: www.nbcc.co.uk
Rotary Club Utrecht International: www.ikzie.org
Society of English-Native-Speaking Editors:
www.sense-online.nl
Toastmasters of the Netherlands: www.toastmasters.nl
CULTURE & MEDIA

Anglo American Theatre Group (Den Haag): www.aatg.nl
InPlayers (Amsterdam): www.inplayers.org
STET Stichting The English Theatre (Den Haag):
www.theenglishtheatre.nl
International Drama Group of English-Speaking Associates
(IDEA) (Dordrecht): www.idea-panto.nl

Reading Circle Eindhoven (RCE) (Eindhoven): www.tcw.nl/rce
Den Haag
Easylaughs (Amsterdam): www.easylaughs.nl
Birth preparation/baby massage: www.greatexpectations.nl
GAY & LESBIAN
International childcare centre: www.commealamaison.nl
Eindhoven
International play sessions: www.mumsandtoddlers.org
Haarlem
English Speaking Haarlem contact group: www.esphaarlem.nl
Leiden
Vogelwijk playgroup: www.homeinleiden.nl
Rotterdam
English-speaking family contact group:
www.intouchexpats.com
COC Amsterdam: www.cocamsterdam.nl

Gay Amsterdam: www.gayamsterdam.nl
Gay Tourist Information Centre: www.gaytic.nl
PinkPoint (gay information centre): www.pinkpoint.org
CLUBS BY NATIONALITY
Australia:
Australians abroad in Holland:
www.australiansabroad.com/hollandsite
Australian and New Zealand Club of the Netherlands:
www.anzwc.org
Voorhout:
International parent and toddler group:
90
EXPATICA DATE
Expand your dating horizons.

Register for FREE at:
www.expatica.com/dating
ENTERTAINMENT
France:
WOMENS CLUBS
Alliance Francaise: www.alliance-francaise.nl
American Womens Club of Amsterdam: www.awca.nl
Amsterdam Accueil: www.amsterdam-accueil.org
American Netherlands Club of Rotterdam:
India:
India in Nederland: www.indiawijzer.nl
Ireland:
Irish Club: www.irishclub.nl
Latin America:
CLO Stichting El Centro Latinoamericano de Orientacion:
www.cloeindhoven.nl
New Zealand:
New Zealands Global Network: www.keanewzealand.com
Singapore:
Singapore Netherlands Association:
www.sna.snappages.com
Spain:
La Asociacion Hispanica de La Haya: www.asoha.nl
South Africa:
The SA Club in the Netherlands: www.southafricanclub.nl
UK:
British Society of Amsterdam: www.britsoc.nl
British Club of The Hague: www.britishclubofthehague.com
St Andrews Society: www.standrews.nl
www.ancorotterdam.com
American Womens Club of The Hague: www.awcthehague.org
International Womens Club Breda: www.iwcbreda.nl
International Womens Club Eindhoven: www.iwce.nl
International Womens Club South Limburg: www.iwc-sl.nl
International Womens Contact Amsterdam: www.
iwcamsterdam.nl
International Womens Contact Utrecht: www.iwcu.nl
International Womens Contact The Hague:
www.iwcthehague.nl
Mom2Mom and womens church groups: www.trinitychurch.nl
North American Womens Club of Eindhoven:
www.nawceindhoven.com
Petroleum Wives Club of The Hague: www.pwc-thehague.com
Pickwick Womens Club of Rotterdam: iwcr.blogspot.nl
Womens Business Initiative: www.womensbusinessinitiative.net
CHURCHES & RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES

Christ Church, Amsterdam (international Anglican
churches): www.christchurch.nl | Locations: Amsterdam city

centre, Amsterdam Zuid, Amsterdam Zuidoost.
Christ Church, North Holland: www.christchurch-heiloo.nl
POLITICS/ACTIVIST
Crossroads International Church: www.xrds.nl
Amnesty International: www.amnesty.nl
VOLUNTEER GROUPS & OTHER
Democrats Abroad: www.democratsabroad.nl

Republicans Abroad: www.republicansabroad.nl
SOCIAL
Amsterdam Expat Meetup Group:
www.meetup.com/amsterdam-expat
Eindhoven expat group: www.meetup.com/TheHubEindhoven
English Speaking Haarlem (contact group):
www.esphaarlem.nl
Expatica Forum: community.expatica.com
Expatica Date: www.netherlandsdating.expatica.com
Expats in Amsterdam: www.expats-in-amsterdam.com
Legal Aliens: www.legalaliens.eu
Serve the City Amsterdam: www.stcamsterdam.nl

Serve the city Netherlands: www.servethecity.nl
Volunteer Centre Amsterdam: www.vca.nu
EXPAT NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

DutchNews.nl | www.dutchnews.nl | facebook.com/dutchnews
Mark Media & Art
Little Kingdom by the Sea | www.markmedia.nl/bestel

Stuff Dutch People Like
www.stuffdutchpeoplelike.com | facebook.com/stuffdutchpeoplelike
XPat Media
Van Boetzelaerlaan 153, 2581 AR The Hague

+31 (0)70 306 3310 | www.xpat.nl
Leiden Expats: groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Leidenexpats
92
ENTERTAINMENT
BOOKS
MUSIC, THEATER, FILM & COMEDY
ABC The American Book Center
Easylaughs
Amsterdam | Spui 12 | +31 (0)20 625 5537 | info@abc.nl

The Hague | Lange Poten 23 | +31 (0)70 364 2742 | dh@abc.nl
www.abc.nl
Waterstones Booksellers
Kalverstraat 152,1012 XE Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 638 3821

facebook.com/WatAdam | @watamsterdam
FOOD & DRINK
Eating Amsterdam Tours
Prinsengracht 2, 1017 DV Amsterdam

+31 (0)20 894 3068 | info@eatingamsterdamtours.com
www.eatingamsterdamtours.com
Gardner Kookt
+31 (0)62 244 6985 | contact@gardnerkookt.nl

@GardnerKookt | www.gardnerkookt.nl
Hard Rock Caf
House of Bols: The cocktail and genever experience
Opposite Van Gogh Museum, Paulus Potterstraat 14, Amsterdam

+31 (0)20 570 8575 | info@houseofbols.com
www.houseofbols.com
Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Room
Singel 182, 1015 AJ Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 320 6333

info@reypenaer.nl | www.reypenaer.nl
mexicancookingnl@gmail.com
www.meetup.com/Mexican-Cooking
EYE Film
IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam | +31 (0)20 589 1400

info@eyefilm.nl | www.eyefilm.nl
North Sea Jazz Club
Westergasfabriek, Pazzanistraat 1, 1014 DB Amsterdam

+31 (0)20 722 0980 | info@northseajazzclub.com
www.northseajazzclub.com
Stadsschouwburg & Philharmonie Haarlem
Philharmonie Lange Begijnestraat 11, 2011 HH Haarlem

Stadsschouwburg Wilsonsplein 23, 2011 VG Haarlem
+31 (0)23 512 1212 | info@theater-haarlem.nl
www.theater-haarlem.nl
TOURISM & ACTIVITIES
Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot | Rijksmuseum Muiderslot
Max Euweplein 5761, 1017 MA Amsterdam

+31 (0)20 523 7611 | www.hardrock.com/cafes/amsterdam
Taco Gallery, Mexican Cooking
info@easylaughs.nl | www.easylaughs.nl
Herengracht 1, 1398 AA Muiden | +31 (0)29 425 6262

info@muiderslot.nl |www.muiderslot.nl
Bleekemolens Race Planet
Amsterdam | Delft | Mijdrecht | Zandvoort

Herwijk 10, 1046 BC Amsterdam | amsterdam@raceplanet.nl
+31 (0)20 611 1120 | www.raceplanet.nl
WRITING
Amsterdam Writing Workshops
+31 (0) 62 502 0817 | info@amsterdamwriting.com

www.amsterdamwriting.com
93
NOTES
EXPATICA JOBS
THE EASIEST WAY TO FIND
ENGLISH-LANGUAGE JOBS
Stop by Expatica.coms Employment section

for information on work permits, management
culture, applying for a job, and more.
Check out our LISTINGS at:
jobs.expatica.com/netherlands
ADVERTISERS INDEX
ADVERTISERS INDEX
A
ABN AMRO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 39
Maastricht Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
27
Madison Parker International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Amsterdam House Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
MarkMedia & Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Amsterdam International Community School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
MMS Worldwide Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Mountbatten Institute
Amsterdam Beautiful Property Rental
Bimbola Childcare
............................
...................................................
51
Blacktower Financial Management Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Muiderslot Castle
Blue umbrella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,40
NOVA Relocation
Copernica Marketing Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
67
....................................................
18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Corporate Housing Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover
ONVZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Oyas Childcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
De Thijmse Berg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Deutsche Internationale Schule den Haag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Praktijk Hans de Liefde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
42
Projob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
DTS Duijns Tax Solutions
...........................................
EasyJet
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87,
inside back cover
Race Planet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
easyNL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Regina Coeli Language Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Eurohome Relocation Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside front cover
RelocAid Relocation and Immigration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
European Investment Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Rotterdam International Secondary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
European School of Mol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Rotterdam School of Management Erasmus University . . . . . . . 61
European University Business School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Smeets Gijbels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Expatdesk Rotterdam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33, 34, 35
Sonar Appartementen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Expatax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Expatcenter Amsterdam
Expatica Share Your Experiences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
The British School of Amsterdam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Expatica Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
The Holland Handbook
Expatica Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
The Little Gym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Expatica Live.Work.Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97,98
The Mobile Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
TopTaal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Gifted Minds International School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
The Windmill Preschool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Greenchoice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Twente Branding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
.............................................
71
Havaa Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Undutchables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
27
United International Business Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
How to be Orange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
University of Amsterdam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
International School of Amsterdam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
V@AMSTERDAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
International School Breda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
International School Utrecht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Witlox International Tax Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
International School of The Hague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Helpling
...............................................................
International School Hilversum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
XPAT Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Ivory & Ivory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
NEED MORE GUIDES?

The Expat Survival Guide will be distributed this year to over
40,000 expats in the Netherlands, through embassies, international
companies, expat housing and relocation companies and international schools. If you are involved in managing expats, or run a
bookshop, cafe, bar, or restaurant frequented by expats, and would
like to distribute the Expat Survival Guide, then please contact us
at info@expatica.com to order your free guides. Delivery is also free
within the Netherlands.
K
Kellogg WHU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
L
Lassus Tandartsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 78
LCO Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
96
...............................................
MovingiN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Once the practical aspects

are dealt with, life in your
new country can really begin.
Exploring and settling in brings
its own set of joys and challenges,
and Expatica.com provides you
all the information you need to
happily live, work and love in the
Netherlands.
TEXEL BEACH
EDAM
ZANDVOORT
AAN ZEE
AMSTERDAM
SCHEVENINGEN
BEACH
KEUKENHOF
GARDENS
UTRECHT
THE HAGUE
ZUIDPLASPOLDER
(-6.76 METERS)
GOUDA
ROTTERDAM
KINDERDIJK
DE BIESBOSCH
NATIONAL PARK
EASTERN SCHELDT
STORM SURGE BARRIER
BREDA
EFTELING
EINDHO
BELGIUM
From
Amsterdam (Noord-Holland)
The Hague (South Holland)
Eindhoven (North Brabant)
Groningen (Groningen)
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
To
Rotterdam (South Holland)
Utrecht (Utrecht)
Tilburg (North Brabant)
Almere-Stad (Flevoland)
Brussels (Belgium)
Paris (France)
Distance (km)
57.74
56.3
29.64
131.06
207
500
MA
LIVE
GRONINGEN
ELFSTEDENTOCH
HUNEBED
The Dutch clich rings true: Museums, tulips and windmills

number in the thousands in the Netherlands, and thats only
the start of sights to see! Expatica.coms Lifestyle section covers
cultural sights, restaurants and activities in the Netherlands to
get you out, about and active!
Raw herring not to your taste? Dutch food offers an array of
interesting and international cuisine, and you can never beat
getting Gouda and Edam from the source. Check out the top
Dutch foods on Expatica.com.
WORK
GIETHOORN
The Ranstad and Eindhoven are hotspots for internationals

but with the Netherlandss advantage of short daily commutes
and good connections, its not uncommon to live and work
in different regions. Travel from Amsterdam to the Hague or
Utrecht in just 3040 minutes.
RESTAURANT
DE LIBRIJE
RESTAURANT
DE LEEST
ENSCHEDE
VELUWE NATIONAL PARK
Wouldnt it be great to find one centralised location for jobs

relating to international workers in the Netherlands? See
whos hiring on Expaticas job search portal: http://jobs.
expatica.com/Netherlands.
LOVE
OLDEST CITY
GERMANY
CARNIVAL
OVEN
AASTRICHT
VAALSERBERG HILL
(322.7 METRES)
Is staring incessantly flirty or freaky? Should you dress-up or

dress-down? And will you be expected to go Dutch? Push your
love life in the right direction with Expatica.coms articles and
surveys on expat dating etiquette.
Finding love in a foreign country can be challenging when
you dont know the game rules. Meet like-minded singles on
Expaticas online dating site for expats: netherlandsdating.
expatica.com.
FOR THE
catching-uppers
This is generation easyJet.
The fastest and sharpest priced

routes back home.
flights from Schiphol
32
from
* Flight prices one way per person based on 2 or 4 people travelling on the same booking. Includes admin fee, airport and credit card payment taxes.
Additional charges for baggage. Available to book now. See easyJet.com for details.
Serviced
Apartments
the easy way!
corporate housing factory

properties available across the Netherlands
+31 (0)88 11 69 500
bookings @ corporatehousingfactory.com
Corporate housing factory is the serviced apartment provider nationwide in the

Netherlands. We help you nd a comfortable home for short, medium or longer stays.
High quality corporate housing
We want you to experience corporate housing the way we think it should be, with
our experience, professional staff, services and partners. With a variety of avors we
can make your or your employees stay an unforgettable one.
Serviced Apartments
Our serviced apartments are fully furnished, energy and internet included and
combined with services and facilities providing you comfort, sport and relaxation.
Ideal for a temporary stay in the Netherlands without the usual worries or hassle.
We offer our serviced apartments from one week onwards. Comfortably located
as a hub for frequently doing business and still being able to enjoy life in the
vibrant cities of the Netherlands!
Please do not hesitate to explore your wishes with our team and line up for a care free
experience. Check our website: www.corporatehousingfactory.com

SG NL 2015

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YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLUS DAILY DUTCH NEWS

Peter Smith, IT manager, relaxes in the sun with his family

Relocation isnt just a question of finding a house, especially for international

people relocating people

Expat centers; Relocation service providers.

Au pairs; Childcare; Child benets and allowances;

locations: Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Maastricht,

Financial and tax advisors.

education; International schools.

law; Working culture; Finding a job.

system; Having a baby; Health services.

Communications: telephone mobile, internet. TV;

ENJOY THE NETHERLANDS!

The Expatica Team

85 > TRANSPORT: Driving; Public transport.

This guide is published by Expatica.com, a leading

88 > CONTACTS: Emergency numbers.

Groups and clubs; Activities.

Published October 2014 In memory of Antoine van Veldhuizen.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted

THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

WWW.EXPATICA.COM | THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015

The Netherlands consistently ranks among the top places

author of The Dutch I Presume? The Dutch saying

INCENTIVES FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

ALSO INDOOR GO KARTING, LASER TAG AND BOWLING

Foreign policy has impacted domestic politics in

Change followed from politics to royals, with Queen

The Dutch governments traditional reliance on

With Mark Rutte continuing as prime minister, a

Population: 16,829,289 (January 2014 cbs.nl)

Culture and quality living combined make the

WWW.EXPATICA.COM | THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015

Settling in, simply.

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Workshops + coaching cross-culture issues since 1996!

The Netherlands is a bureaucratic country and proud of it.

and rights, such as being able to vote in local and

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A residence permit is related to the purpose of your stay.

residence in the Netherlands, you can apply for a

Brighter Solutions for People and

Het Kleine Loo 414 T - NL-2592 CK The Hague

THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

The inburgering (civic integration) legislation also

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t +31 (0)297 272784

RELOCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS

Interdean Relocation Services

THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

Holland Expat Center South (Noord-Brabant and Limburg

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A wide array of organisations assists people with special needs

The language of instruction is Dutch, but children

Experienced expats can also provide invaluable

THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

Valys: Regional assisted transport

ANGO: General Dutch Disability Organisation

NCTT: Dutch centre informing on public accessibility

MEE: Support and help for living with a disability

Handilinks: A useful portal with lots of related links

Ieder(in): Network for the chronically ill and disabled