Our top 12 expat services in the Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands as an expat is challenging in lots of different ways: from learning a new language to dealing with a new culture, there’s lots to adjust to. Over our time in the Netherlands, we’ve come across ten expat services that have made our life here so much easier, so we thought we’d share them here with you. 

Expat services in the Netherlands: parkrun

One of the most difficult aspects of moving to a new country is making new friends, and that’s particularly hard when you don’t have a set routine yet. parkrun can help you with both of these problems. It’s a programme that organises runs around the Netherlands each week, and the idea is to bring people together into a community that encourages fitness. You get a barcode and can measure your progress each week by scanning it when you begin and end the race. You don’t need to be fit at all- it’s more for community building, with the added benefit of fitness along the way.

Expat services in the Netherlands: bunq

bunq is a Dutch bank that’s breaking all sorts of boundaries. It’s fully digital, with a customer service team ready for all your questions in any language. Crucially, for expats, it’s much easier to sign up for than other banks, because you don’t immediately need to supply your BSN number when you register. That’s really handy- if you’ve gone through the process of setting up your life in the Netherlands, you know just how easy it is to get wrapped up in a bureaucratic circle of doom in doing so. bunq breaks that vicious circle, and in the process provides you with an account at a bank that only invests ethically, and doesn’t pay its staff massive bonuses like most banks.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Helpling

When you’re trying to adjust to a new life, make friends, find a job or a house, the last thing you want to be worrying about is how clean your house is. When you’re busy, it’s so easy for scrubbing the bathroom to slip (let’s be honest, it’s so easy for it to slip when you’re not busy, as well). That’s where Helpling comes in. Helpling is an online marketplace, linking up cleaners and people who need one for their home. In this internet era, scouring local noticeboards in search of a cleaner is truly passé, especially when Helpling is so convenient. You can select a time and date, and a list of cleaners who are available will automatically come up. So handy, and you don’t have to clean. What a win.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Partner Pete

The perfect expat service for sorting out your utilities in the Netherlands. Image: fancycrave1/Pixabay

Another thing no one wants to deal with, nor truly knows how to deal with, is setting up utilities in a new country. In the Netherlands, most utility websites are only in Dutch, so having someone to walk you through the process, or even better, to do it for you, is so helpful. We loved working with Partner Pete, a utility provider in the Netherlands that offers electricity, internet, phone connections and insurance to expats- yes, all in one go. That’s so much better than hunting down individual providers of each. Crucially, Partner Pete’s customer service is in English, and it also offers flexible contracts- really nice if you’re not sure how long you’ll be staying in the Netherlands.

Expat services in the Netherlands: N26

N26 is another great, expat friendly bank– particularly if you travel a lot, or come from a country that doesn’t use euros. N26 has a variety of tiers, the swishest of which is N26 Metal, which is €16.90 a month. With this tier you can make free withdrawals of cash anywhere in the world, pay without bank fees anywhere in the world, and you get an insurance package. N26, like bunq, is purely digital- there are no physical branches, but customer service is there to help you at any time. Plus, their cards are transparent, so: aesthetics.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Undutchables

While most people will move to the Netherlands with a job already set up, there are plenty who take the plunge and arrive jobless. Finding work as an expat, especially if you don’t yet speak Dutch (more on that later), can be really difficult. That’s why we love Undutchables: they’re an employment agency for expats in the Netherlands, and they can help you with finding your new Dutch career in the Netherlands. Even if you haven’t arrived yet in the Netherlands, get in touch with them and they can show you their list of current vacancies, and maybe you’ll be able to arrive in the Netherlands with a job already set up and ready to go.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Learn Dutch

Learn Dutch is the perfect expat service if you want to finally learn to say Scheveningen correctly. Or anything correctly. Image: 534131/Pixabay

You’ve almost certainly seen videos from Bart de Pau’s Learn Dutch: you can check our favourites out here. But there’s more to Learn Dutch than videos of expats being confused by Dutch culture, though admittedly that is extremely relatable. The Learn Dutch website has lots of different Dutch courses for you to choose from, as well as a blog filled with handy tips about the whole process of learning this strange language. There’s also a Summer School and a Winter School offered by Learn Dutch, if you’re up for going to intensive classes for a shorter period of time. Even though pretty much all Dutchies speak amazing English, learning Dutch is really important for your career and your social life as an expat in the Netherlands.

Expat services in the Netherlands: TransferWise

This is another important financial expat service: it’s almost certain that at some point, you’re going to need to either transfer money to the Netherlands from another country, or the other way around. When you’re dealing with non-euro currencies, that can VERY quickly get expensive. A lot of banks will tell you that transferring money costs a certain amount, but what you’ll end up paying is still higher than it should be, because your bank uses an exchange rate that’s higher than the true one. TransferWise cuts this out: it tells you what the fee is, and that’s what you pay. No sneaky money grabbing here. And when you’re sending money out of the Netherlands to somewhere else, TransferWise is particularly great, because usually you’ll get charged extra by the banks on both sides of the transfer. Again, TransferWise cuts that out: you pay exactly what it says on the tin.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Mortgages

It’s fully understandable that you want to settle down in the Netherlands: from the bikes to the canals, it’s a beautiful country with a high quality of life. Buying a house here can be complicated, especially given the current property market, so we’ve worked with two mortgage agencies- MortgageMonster and Expat Mortgages– specifically for expats to give you the best information on the process possible. Both can help you figure out how big of a mortgage you can get, where to get one, how to make an offer on a house, and all the delicious paperwork that follows. Financially, buying a house in the Netherlands makes a lot more sense than renting, when you’re staying here for an extended period of time- but it’s a complicated process, so having a mortgage broker on board can be so helpful.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Expat centres – Tilburg and Leiden

Beautiful Leiden. Image: Ivaylo Kirov/Supplied

Sometimes, you just want to go somewhere where you can find all the answers to your questions- and for expats, expat centres are just that. We have experience with the ones in Leiden and Tilburg, so we’re recommending those specifically, but there is an expat centre in most major cities in the Netherlands. They can let you know what’s going on in a city, from cultural events to sports, and they can also give you some tips on the nicest spots in each city. Plus, if you’re having trouble with any of the bureaucracy that comes with moving to the Netherlands, they can also help you out. So really, expat centres are a one-stop-shop for almost anything you’ll need in general as an expat here.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Animal shelters

If you’re settling down in the Netherlands, the obvious next step is getting yourself a Dutch furry friend. Whether you’re a dog or a cat person (or a rabbit person, or a bird person, or a snake person, we accept everyone here- except rat people), an animal shelter is a much better place to get your new best friend from than a pet store. There is a dierenopvang or a  dierencentrum in most major cities (find yours by googling these two words in combination with your city), and they can help you get started with your pet search. Most have a procedure whereby your needs are matched with an animal’s, so you have some assurance you’re going to be able to provide a happy home for your new child.

Expat services in the Netherlands: DutchReview Facebook Group

Listen, we have to promote ourselves a little bit, ok. But seriously, we have a Facebook group that is super helpful for the expat community. It’s a friendly, cozy space where you can ask questions, get people’s opinions, and best of all, feature in our articles if you respond to our questions about your experiences of life in the Netherlands. Our members post awesome photos of different parts of the Netherlands, so if you’re looking for exploration inspiration it’s the place to be. Also, if you’re considering moving to the Netherlands, it is also a great group to join, because you’ll get a real sense of what life here is like.

Which expat services have helped you the most while settling down in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feature Image: Start Up Stock Photos/Pexels

The post Our top 12 expat services in the Netherlands appeared first on DutchReview.

Our top 12 expat services in the Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands as an expat is challenging in lots of different ways: from learning a new language to dealing with a new culture, there’s lots to adjust to. Over our time in the Netherlands, we’ve come across ten expat services that have made our life here so much easier, so we thought we’d share them here with you. 

Expat services in the Netherlands: parkrun

One of the most difficult aspects of moving to a new country is making new friends, and that’s particularly hard when you don’t have a set routine yet. parkrun can help you with both of these problems. It’s a programme that organises runs around the Netherlands each week, and the idea is to bring people together into a community that encourages fitness. You get a barcode and can measure your progress each week by scanning it when you begin and end the race. You don’t need to be fit at all- it’s more for community building, with the added benefit of fitness along the way.

Expat services in the Netherlands: bunq

bunq is a Dutch bank that’s breaking all sorts of boundaries. It’s fully digital, with a customer service team ready for all your questions in any language. Crucially, for expats, it’s much easier to sign up for than other banks, because you don’t immediately need to supply your BSN number when you register. That’s really handy- if you’ve gone through the process of setting up your life in the Netherlands, you know just how easy it is to get wrapped up in a bureaucratic circle of doom in doing so. bunq breaks that vicious circle, and in the process provides you with an account at a bank that only invests ethically, and doesn’t pay its staff massive bonuses like most banks.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Helpling

When you’re trying to adjust to a new life, make friends, find a job or a house, the last thing you want to be worrying about is how clean your house is. When you’re busy, it’s so easy for scrubbing the bathroom to slip (let’s be honest, it’s so easy for it to slip when you’re not busy, as well). That’s where Helpling comes in. Helpling is an online marketplace, linking up cleaners and people who need one for their home. In this internet era, scouring local noticeboards in search of a cleaner is truly passé, especially when Helpling is so convenient. You can select a time and date, and a list of cleaners who are available will automatically come up. So handy, and you don’t have to clean. What a win.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Partner Pete

The perfect expat service for sorting out your utilities in the Netherlands. Image: fancycrave1/Pixabay

Another thing no one wants to deal with, nor truly knows how to deal with, is setting up utilities in a new country. In the Netherlands, most utility websites are only in Dutch, so having someone to walk you through the process, or even better, to do it for you, is so helpful. We loved working with Partner Pete, a utility provider in the Netherlands that offers electricity, internet, phone connections and insurance to expats- yes, all in one go. That’s so much better than hunting down individual providers of each. Crucially, Partner Pete’s customer service is in English, and it also offers flexible contracts- really nice if you’re not sure how long you’ll be staying in the Netherlands.

Expat services in the Netherlands: N26

N26 is another great, expat friendly bank– particularly if you travel a lot, or come from a country that doesn’t use euros. N26 has a variety of tiers, the swishest of which is N26 Metal, which is €16.90 a month. With this tier you can make free withdrawals of cash anywhere in the world, pay without bank fees anywhere in the world, and you get an insurance package. N26, like bunq, is purely digital- there are no physical branches, but customer service is there to help you at any time. Plus, their cards are transparent, so: aesthetics.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Undutchables

While most people will move to the Netherlands with a job already set up, there are plenty who take the plunge and arrive jobless. Finding work as an expat, especially if you don’t yet speak Dutch (more on that later), can be really difficult. That’s why we love Undutchables: they’re an employment agency for expats in the Netherlands, and they can help you with finding your new Dutch career in the Netherlands. Even if you haven’t arrived yet in the Netherlands, get in touch with them and they can show you their list of current vacancies, and maybe you’ll be able to arrive in the Netherlands with a job already set up and ready to go.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Learn Dutch

Learn Dutch is the perfect expat service if you want to finally learn to say Scheveningen correctly. Or anything correctly. Image: 534131/Pixabay

You’ve almost certainly seen videos from Bart de Pau’s Learn Dutch: you can check our favourites out here. But there’s more to Learn Dutch than videos of expats being confused by Dutch culture, though admittedly that is extremely relatable. The Learn Dutch website has lots of different Dutch courses for you to choose from, as well as a blog filled with handy tips about the whole process of learning this strange language. There’s also a Summer School and a Winter School offered by Learn Dutch, if you’re up for going to intensive classes for a shorter period of time. Even though pretty much all Dutchies speak amazing English, learning Dutch is really important for your career and your social life as an expat in the Netherlands.

Expat services in the Netherlands: TransferWise

This is another important financial expat service: it’s almost certain that at some point, you’re going to need to either transfer money to the Netherlands from another country, or the other way around. When you’re dealing with non-euro currencies, that can VERY quickly get expensive. A lot of banks will tell you that transferring money costs a certain amount, but what you’ll end up paying is still higher than it should be, because your bank uses an exchange rate that’s higher than the true one. TransferWise cuts this out: it tells you what the fee is, and that’s what you pay. No sneaky money grabbing here. And when you’re sending money out of the Netherlands to somewhere else, TransferWise is particularly great, because usually you’ll get charged extra by the banks on both sides of the transfer. Again, TransferWise cuts that out: you pay exactly what it says on the tin.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Mortgages

It’s fully understandable that you want to settle down in the Netherlands: from the bikes to the canals, it’s a beautiful country with a high quality of life. Buying a house here can be complicated, especially given the current property market, so we’ve worked with two mortgage agencies- MortgageMonster and Expat Mortgages– specifically for expats to give you the best information on the process possible. Both can help you figure out how big of a mortgage you can get, where to get one, how to make an offer on a house, and all the delicious paperwork that follows. Financially, buying a house in the Netherlands makes a lot more sense than renting, when you’re staying here for an extended period of time- but it’s a complicated process, so having a mortgage broker on board can be so helpful.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Expat centres – Tilburg and Leiden

Beautiful Leiden. Image: Ivaylo Kirov/Supplied

Sometimes, you just want to go somewhere where you can find all the answers to your questions- and for expats, expat centres are just that. We have experience with the ones in Leiden and Tilburg, so we’re recommending those specifically, but there is an expat centre in most major cities in the Netherlands. They can let you know what’s going on in a city, from cultural events to sports, and they can also give you some tips on the nicest spots in each city. Plus, if you’re having trouble with any of the bureaucracy that comes with moving to the Netherlands, they can also help you out. So really, expat centres are a one-stop-shop for almost anything you’ll need in general as an expat here.

Expat services in the Netherlands: Animal shelters

If you’re settling down in the Netherlands, the obvious next step is getting yourself a Dutch furry friend. Whether you’re a dog or a cat person (or a rabbit person, or a bird person, or a snake person, we accept everyone here- except rat people), an animal shelter is a much better place to get your new best friend from than a pet store. There is a dierenopvang or a  dierencentrum in most major cities (find yours by googling these two words in combination with your city), and they can help you get started with your pet search. Most have a procedure whereby your needs are matched with an animal’s, so you have some assurance you’re going to be able to provide a happy home for your new child.

Expat services in the Netherlands: DutchReview Facebook Group

Listen, we have to promote ourselves a little bit, ok. But seriously, we have a Facebook group that is super helpful for the expat community. It’s a friendly, cozy space where you can ask questions, get people’s opinions, and best of all, feature in our articles if you respond to our questions about your experiences of life in the Netherlands. Our members post awesome photos of different parts of the Netherlands, so if you’re looking for exploration inspiration it’s the place to be. Also, if you’re considering moving to the Netherlands, it is also a great group to join, because you’ll get a real sense of what life here is like.

Which expat services have helped you the most while settling down in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feature Image: Start Up Stock Photos/Pexels

The post Our top 12 expat services in the Netherlands appeared first on DutchReview.

How Brexit and these 7 ‘Top Ten’ lists made the Netherlands our clearchoice for emigration

Although I was raised in the true Greek fashion with all the discipline, weirdness (and awesomeness) that comes with that, I was English-schooled. Every tradition, song, game and fairytale I ever remember being taught in primary school was British.

I remember learning about Good King Wenceslas but being completely unfamiliar with snow, monarchs or winter fuel (in sunny South Africa)! I always imagined that I channelled Fatty in Enid Blyton’s Famous Five adventures because we were both so serious about our food. In short, I spoke English, thought in English, and expressed everything in a British way.

For most emigrants with British heritage or for English-speaking Europeans (like myself), it would seem unfathomable to emigrate to a country that is not…well, Britain. And I’m sure that Brits feel (equally) inappropriate about emigration from their beloved UK to a non-English speaking country. It seems utterly justifiable to say that it’s not the logical choice…

Brexit or bust?

As one feels the escalating pressure and urgency to make a life-altering decision such as emigration, one starts by grabbing onto whatever is safe and familiar. When our emigration journey began in August 2019 my bright red safety vest in the sea of choice was, of course, Britain.

Before Brexit this passport was much more powerful. Image: Sam Johnson/Pexels

However, the prime consideration was the reality of a looming Brexit. If not the UK, where to then? Because of this reality (did the Brits really have to vote?) we then had to imagine which alternate shoe would fit us best: learning to speak Spanish (hola!), French (je ne parle pas Francais) or Dutch (dank u, vaarwel)?

The Dutch had already landed…hallo daar!

As Afrikaans speakers (thanks to Jan Van Riebeeck and the VOC Dutchmen who strategically established a European colony in 1652) we South Africans are sufficiently able to understand written Dutch today. And so, after being an ‘emigration outsider’ and non-contender until then, the Netherlands had tactfully stepped into view as a possible destination.

However, my fearful thoughts still looped day and night and sounded like:

“Should we close the door on England?
Can we possibly adjust to Holland?
What if we miss the window altogether?”

As if the Afrikaans card wasn’t enough of an arrow in the quiver!

A ‘Top Ten’ prodigy

What does a crazed, frustrated, Dutchie-wannabe do best? Research! The more I delved into all things Dutch, the more gems I discovered about the small, flat, wet country. The more I cross-referenced and explored, the more Netherlands kept popping up on Top Ten lists! This little country was wicked and ticking all the right boxes…

Just take a look at these successes:

Happy inhabitants

According to the UN’s World Happiness report Netherlands is rated fifth in the world and the second happiest country in Europe. This takes into consideration the happiness of citizens in the community, focusing on technologies, social norms and government policies.

The top 10 happiest countries in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2019:

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Norway
4. Iceland
5. Netherlands
6. Switzerland
7. Sweden
8. New Zealand
9. Canada
10. Austriahttps://t.co/N6jyXHoPMU pic.twitter.com/xhNkLEVfe7

— David Roberts (@drvox) March 27, 2019

Socially progressive

The Netherlands proudly stands at shoulder height with much larger countries like Germany, UK and Canada for personal safety, access to advanced education, health & wellness, environmental quality, personal freedom, etc.

Top-notch healthcare

According to the WHO, a well-functioning healthcare system requires steady financing, a properly-trained and adequately paid workforce and well-maintained facilities, thus earning the Dutch a place in the top five (whoa!)

Healthy economy

Netherlands is the best economy in Europe thanks to (play it again, Sam) its excellent infrastructure, high-quality IT facilities, stable government policy, highly educated workforce and excellent healthcare

Life first, work second

More work-life balance means more time for the good stuff in life. Image: J. Ketelaars/Pixabay

Netherlands takes FIRST place for work-life balance. Consider moving to a place where people juggle their work vs personal life very well – they don’t work very long hours and spend more time being happy (leisure, sleeping and relaxing)… my kind of Eden!

Smart approach to education

The quality of Dutch education is among the best in the world. Dutch universities are acknowledged worldwide for offering high-quality, affordable education in an international, open-minded country.

English pros

This is my personal favourite… as a non-native country, Netherlands ranks number ONE in English proficiency! Out of a hundred countries, and for the past nine years, Netherlands has ranked in the top three! The fact that English is compulsory in the Dutch school system, coupled with the fact that the Dutch don’t dub their foreign TV shows… makes the Queen’s English rock on!

For a small country, Netherlands sure as heck packs a mighty punch…

Whatever Dutch topic I researched, Google kept spewing positivity back at me. The Netherlands was good news after more good news (like good news squared) – it amazed me that it wasn’t on everyone’s Top Go-To list! Why is the country of tall people, no mountains and poplar trees overlooked when compared with other emigration destinations like UK and Spain?

All signs point to yes

When my own neighbours moved to the Netherlands last year, I became even more aware of this mighty little country…and with every step my former neighbours are taking (I’m definitely not stalking them) I’m learning and liking more about the Dutch and their extraordinary ways.

As I’m not yet living in Holland, my emigration dream has taken better shape since I’ve joined the Facebook page (er, lifeline) South Africans in The Netherlands. These fellow countrymen continually affirm that the Netherlands was the right choice..!

As for that fact, I’m certain of it! If you’re an English speaking expat, don’t be put off – take the plunge, take the first step! Does anyone else still need convincing (I can help you)? The Netherlands is a good choice for South African expats, or any other expat for that matter…

Brexit happened on Friday 31^st January, and although it’s a time of (either) joy or sorrow for Britons, it has (by default) given us our new home destination.

Have you taken the plunge and made the move to the Netherlands? Still considering your options? Tell us your story in the comments below!

Feature Image: DaniloBueno/Pixabay

The post How Brexit and these 7 ‘Top Ten’ lists made the Netherlands our clear choice for emigration appeared first on DutchReview.

Low percentage of highly skilled migrants working in the Dutch labour force

A recent report by the Central Bureau of Statistics, commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, looked at how much is the Netherlands able to get and keep foreign talent in the form of highly skilled migrants, NOS reports.

The Netherlands has always been a cosmopolitan country, and highly skilled migrants have played an important role in its society, culture and history since the Dutch Golden Age. How is the country faring nowadays in this matter?

What do the statistics say?

The report shows that over 4% of the Dutch labour force is formed of highly skilled migrants, with an average number of 383,000 people, who are either highly skilled or are general international job seekers.

There’s been an overall increase if one looks at the trends over the past 15 years, with an increase from 2,7 to 4,2% of the highly skilled migrants working in the labour force.

In comparison to nearby countries, the United Kingdom has a share of their respective labour force made out of 9% highly skilled migrants, while Belgium has a share of 7%. The top of the list Luxembourg, where a whopping 25% of the labour force is formed out of highly skilled migrants.  The lowest-ranked on the list is Finland, with only 2%. The Netherlands comes only as second lowest, after Finland.

What do the highly-skilled migrants in the Netherlands do?

A majority of the highly skilled migrants work in the service sectors, in jobs ranging from managerial positions to technicians. Two-thirds of them work at a high-level professionally. As with the general trend within the Dutch labour force, many of them work independently, with the highest percentage of independent highly skilled migrants in the report, at 20%. A lot of the independent workers can usually be found in commercial services.

Places of origin of highly skilled migrants

The report shows that quite a lot of the migrants come from outside Europe. South America is one of the highest places of origin of the migrants, usually Suriname and the Antilles, which is understandable given the colonial past of the Netherlands with these countries.

Overall, the country wishes to implement new policies to attract even more foreign talent, in order to have an impact on research and innovation in the Netherlands.

Should the Netherlands do more to attract foreign talent? Let us know in the comments.

Feature Image: Free-Photos/Pixabay

 

 

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