Moving to the Netherlands

Are you thinking of moving to the Netherlands? Thanks to our many years of experience and good collaboration with our local partners, moving to Holland is a totally hassle-free process.

Whether you want to move to the Dutch capital; Amsterdam or any other city in the Netherlands. We will take all your worries off your hands and offer you personal support when relocating to the Netherlands.

Like any other relocation, moving to the Netherlands is a major event. But also very exciting, the Netherlands offers a high standard of living. Also this European country has a rich culture with open-minded people, a perfect place for expats. Do you have any questions? Our experts would be happy to help!

If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen: Anyone who is from an EEA/EU country or from Switzerland can move to the Netherlands very easily, they’re allowed to stay in the Netherlands visa-free. To stay for longer than four months, you must register your stay at the local municipal where you will settle.

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen: Then you will have to acquire a temporary residence permit first, live in the Netherlands for five continuous years, and then you will become eligible for a permanent residence document.

So where can you find more information about a residence document in the Netherlands? Well, the best place with the most information is the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation website. It’s the official website of the Dutch government, so all the information is correct and up-to-date.

There you will find all the information about the different types of permits available and their requirements, it was also help you find out what kind of residence document you will need.

If you want to apply for any kind of residence permit, you can visit this application page and it will take you through a couple of questions to help you find out what residence permit is most suitable for you.

If you need more information about the Dutch immigration laws or their naturalisation service, you can find it on the Immigration and Naturalisation website. You can also seek the help of a migration agent or lawyer.

After a certain time it is possible to obtain a Dutch passport. There are several ways of acquiring the Dutch nationality. For foreign nationals it is either the option procedure or naturalisation. Foreign nationals can apply for Dutch nationality if they have lived in the Netherlands legally for at least five years.

For more information on how to become a Dutch citizen, contact the local municipality where you live or visit the Immigration and Naturalisation (IND) website. You must also submit your application here and you will find more information about Dutch citizenship.

If you want to move to the Netherlands and live there for more than four months, it is required to register as a resident with your municipality. Your details (age, adres, date of birth etc.) will be entered in the Personal Records Database (BRP).

You must do this is within 5 days afters arriving in the Netherlands. If you don’t you may risk a fine. Make sure you don’t forget your passport and other important documents.

In the Netherlands it is required by Dutch authorities that all the people, over 18, living in the Netherlands have health insurance with a Dutch insurer. If you move to the Netherlands, you must take out health insurance within 4 months of arriving in the country.

In the Netherlands insurance is privatized, that means you can choose your own insurance package from multiple insurers. In 2016, the Euro Health Consumer Index (which ranks healthcare services) gave the Netherlands first place.

So the Netherlands has a great healthcare system, the hospital care is terrific! There is a standard health insurance; (basisverzekering). This is a compulsory health insurance scheme that costs each person around €95-€120 per month, and it’s very efficient.

Before your exciting move to the Netherlands, it’s smart to think about what kind of medical insurance you will need. Here you will find all the information about the Dutch health insurance.

If you want to move to the Netherlands and start working there, it is possible you’ll need a work permit or a certain visa. This page by the IND will give you all the information about work permits in the Netherlands.

To apply for a Dutch work visa you must:

• Make an appointment with the IND (the Immigration and Naturalisation Service): All applications for the temporary residence permit must be submitted to the IND.
• Collect all the required documents.
• Apply for a temporary residence permit
• Obtain a work permit: A Dutch employer must apply for the permit on your behalf so you do not have to prove that you are a highly skilled worker.
• Manage your finances: Before moving to the Netherlands, do some research on the living costs in the Netherlands and be prepared for high prices.

If you don’t have a job offer before your move to the Netherlands you don’t have to worry. There are many job opportunities in multiple fields right now. We do advise you to start searching early, that way you will have income/money once you arrive.

If you don’t know where to start, try contacting the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), they can provide support with looking for work and applying for a job. On werk.nl you’ll also find useful information about finding work in the Netherlands.

There are multiple helpful websites to find work in The Netherlands. We recommend to have a look at the following websites:

• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Monsterboard
• Werk

DigiD is an identity management platform. It allows you to identify yourself when taking care of important business. Like important issues with the government, school, healthcare or your pension fund. Your DigiD allows you to log in anywhere easily and securely. This ensures that your personal data are always protected.

DigiD is being used by more and more government organisations to providing access to their online services. You can apply for a DigiD via the DigiD website. Applying for a DigiD is not mandatory.

Also, you can manage online affairs with organisations in other European countries affiliated with European login (eIDAS).

If you don’t have a DigiD and you don’t want one, you should contact the relevant government organisation to find out how you can manage your affairs in some other way.

If you’re not a student and you’re not getting student housing, you will have to arrange you own accommodation. The Dutch government will not arrange this for you.

If you have enough money the easiest solution is buying a house in the private sector. This can be expensive, especially in the big cities. But if money is not an issue, the housing market is less difficult for you. There is currently a big housing problem in The Netherlands and prices are going up fast.

If your income is too low, you can register for social housing. You can register with the housing department of the Dutch municipality where you wish to live or with housing associations. The main social housing cooperation is WoningNet.

Bear in mind that the wait for social housing is almost always several years. In the meantime, you can rent housing via the private sector or a housing association. Another option may be to stay with friends or family.

If you have a  valid UK driving license, you can exchange it for a Dutch driving license. You don’t need to retake your driving test if you do this in time.

If you are moving to the Netherlands with children, bear in mind that all children aged 5 to 16 who live in the Netherlands are considered to be of compulsory school age. If your child has not yet obtained a basic qualification, they are considered to be of compulsory school age until they turn 18.

In the Netherlands, a basic qualification can be a senior general secondary education (HAVO) or pre-university education (VWO) certificate or a secondary vocational education (MBO) qualification at level two or higher.

Equivalent UK qualifications include GCSEs and some vocational qualifications. You must register any children of compulsory school age with a school. You can find out more about how to register your children from the school you want them to go to.

The municipality in which you intend to live can also provide you with more information. The website ‘Ouders en Onderwijs’ provides more information (in Dutch) about choosing a school and registering your children.

So you are going to emigrate to the Netherlands. Atlas International Movers is the right partner for expats moving to the Netherlands. We are a Dutch company with partners all over the world and can assist you in every way possible!

Now you can take a look at the many advantages that the Netherlands has to offer. Expats living in this country enjoy a very high quality of life, good education, great healthcare, a fantastic work-life balance and great job benefits from employers.

The Netherlands is a country known for its windmills, canals and tulips. But besides the many breathtaking gardens and picturesque villages, you will also discover plenty of other nice places.

• Explore the Canals of Amsterdam: Amsterdam has a beautiful canal system. This water network is one of the best attractions in Amsterdam and you can explore these idyllic routes by boat or water taxi.
• Zaanse Schans: The Zaanse Schans is located about 15 kilometers north of Amsterdam, in Zaandam. It is a kind of open air museum. You can stroll through a traditional Dutch village, with original windmills and discover how old craftsmen did their work.
• Visit Keukenhof: Tulips are the signature flowers of this country and the Garden of Europe, also known as Keukenhof, just outside Lisse is the largest public garden in the world.
• Explore the Hoge Veluwe National Park: This park is full of beautiful areas, flowers and quirky exhibits. It is also full of animals. Maybe you’ll spot on, if you are lucky.
• Visit the Rijksmuseum: The Rijksmuseum is the Dutch National Museum located in Amsterdam. It is filled with an amazing collection of art and antiques which date from 1809. The building houses over 7 million items and has more than 5,000 paintings across 250 rooms!
• Visit Rotterdam: If you’re more into modern architecture, Rotterdam is the place to be. See how the city rebuilt itself after WW2 and became a beautiful city with many unique buildings.

Of course there is so much to see in this small country and you don’t have to visit everything at once. That is the beauty of living in the Netherlands, there is so much to see and discover.

And it is never more than a 3 hour drive or a 3 hour train ride. Want to know more about the country? Visit the website of Dutch tourism, you will find everything that Holland has to offer.

Moving to the Netherlands is exciting and new for expats and foreign nationals. But living in the Netherlands also comes with certain rules and guidelines. The Dutch etiquettes.

It can be a culture shock for some expats coming here. The Netherlands is a modest country, but the Dutch people are very straightforward. It takes some getting used to it. But after a while the Netherlands is a very welcoming place to live.

So what are the things expats should read into, before living in the Netherlands? These are a few of the most common culture and social etiquettes, most expats living in the Netherlands comment on:

• How to Greet People
• Dutch Directness
• Every Penny Counts
• Don’t Show Off
• Riding a bicycle

If you want more information about the Dutch culture and social etiquettes, try this website. You’ll find loads of useful information about the Netherlands.

The Dutch language requirement is not technically obligatory, as many companies and businesses in the Netherlands offer opportunities for English-speaking expats.

However, knowing the Dutch language will not only help you land a job more easily, but also help you communicate with your coworkers, make new friends, neighbours, read signs, and ask for directions if you ever get lost.

Try as hard as you like, but any attempt to speak to a Dutch person in Dutch will almost inevitably result in them replying to you in English. If they can tell that you’re not a native, they won’t waste any time letting you speak their language. Dutch people will always try to speak english.

This is can be annoying for people who go to the Netherlands to practice their Dutch. According to the worldwide English Proficiency Index, the Netherlands has the highest proficiency of English as a second language than any other nation.

However, it’s not just down to the schools; none of the English or American cartoons are overdubbed on Dutch television, so kids have got to learn their Engels fairly quickly if they want to have a fun childhood.

Atlas International Movers guides your relocation from door to door. If you have any questions during the entire process, please contact your personal relocation coordinator. This person can answer all your questions about the move.

If you would like storage for your household goods whilst moving to the Netherlands, this is also possible. Still not sure if we’re the right company for you? Check out the reviews our customers wrote, we’re very proud of our satisfied clients!

If you want to know more about Atlas International Movers, read more about our moving company here! If you are moving to the Netherlands and you want to make an appointment with us or one of our partners, please feel free to contact us or view our website!