Moving to the Netherlands

So, you’re thinking about moving to the Netherlands? Maybe you’ve found a job here, you’re coming to study, moving in with your partner, or you simply feel like it’s time for something new. Whatever the reason, moving to a new country is exciting — but there’s also quite a lot to figure out.

The good news is that the Netherlands is generally an easy country to get around once you understand how things work. The less good news? Your first few weeks may introduce you to a whole new vocabulary: BSN, DigiD, gemeente, BRP, zorgverzekering... Don’t worry if none of this means anything to you yet. It will soon.

Before You Pack Your Bags

Before moving, try to arrange as much as you realistically can from home. You don’t need to have your entire Dutch life organised before you arrive, but having somewhere to stay, enough money for the first few weeks and an idea of what paperwork you’ll need will make everything much easier.

Your immigration situation depends on where you come from. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens have different rules from people coming from outside the EU, so check whether you need a visa or residence permit before making firm plans.

And then there’s housing. Start looking early. Seriously. Finding a home can be one of the hardest parts of moving to the Netherlands, especially in popular cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague. Don’t automatically limit yourself to the city where you work either. The country is relatively small and commuting from a nearby town can sometimes save you a lot of money and frustration.

One very important question when looking for a room or apartment is: Can I register at this address? If the answer is no, find out exactly why before agreeing to anything. Your registered address is important for getting properly set up in the Netherlands.

Your First Days in the Netherlands

Once you arrive, one of the first things you'll probably need to deal with is registration. If you're moving to the Netherlands for more than four months, you normally register with the municipality — or gemeente — where you live. This puts you into the BRP, the Dutch population register, and if you don't already have one, you'll receive your BSN.

You'll hear about your BSN a lot. It's basically your personal citizen service number and you'll need it for many official things in the Netherlands. Government services, taxes, healthcare and plenty of other administration will eventually involve those nine little digits.

After that, get your DigiD sorted. DigiD is your online login for Dutch government services. At first it might seem like just another account to create, but you'll end up using it regularly. It's one of those things that's much better to arrange before the day you suddenly need it.

You’ll probably also want a Dutch bank account, especially if you're going to work here. It makes getting paid, paying bills and setting up direct debits much easier. Compare a few banks and see which one suits you rather than simply choosing the first one you recognise.

Healthcare Is Another Thing to Sort Out

If you're living or working in the Netherlands and you're required to have Dutch health insurance, don't leave it sitting at the bottom of your to-do list. The exact rules can depend on your situation, particularly for students and some international workers, so check what applies to you.

It’s also worth finding a local huisarts, or GP. In the Netherlands, your GP is usually the first person you contact when you have a health problem. You don't generally head straight to a hospital for something that can be handled by your doctor.

Registering with a GP isn't usually the most exciting part of starting your new Dutch life, but you'll be very glad you did when you actually need one.

Finding a Job in the Netherlands

If you don't already have work arranged, there are plenty of ways to start looking. Recruitment agencies are very common in the Netherlands, especially for logistics, production, transport, construction, engineering, agriculture, hospitality and office work. International companies also regularly recruit people for IT, technology, finance, engineering and other professional roles.

And yes, you can find work without speaking Dutch. There are plenty of English-speaking workplaces, particularly in larger cities and international companies. But that doesn't mean Dutch is useless. Even learning a little can make everyday life easier and open the door to more jobs later.

If you're applying through a recruitment agency, don't just look at the hourly wage and press Apply. Ask questions. Is the advertised salary gross or net? How many hours are guaranteed? Is holiday pay included? Are there extra payments for nights or weekends? If accommodation or transport is provided, how much will be deducted from your salary?

Read your contract. Read it again. And if something doesn't make sense, ask before signing.

We also have a Recruitment Agencies section on Olandija where you can search for agencies based on the type of work you're looking for.

What Does Life Actually Cost?

This is one of those questions where everyone wants a simple number, but there really isn't one. Living in Amsterdam on your own is very different from sharing a house in a smaller town. Your biggest expense will probably be housing, followed by things such as health insurance, groceries, transport, utilities and your phone.

When you're planning your move, don't calculate only your normal monthly expenses. Your first month can be much more expensive. You might need a rental deposit, your first month's rent, furniture, transport, insurance and all those small things you suddenly realise you don't own anymore.

Having some savings before moving makes those first weeks considerably less stressful.

Getting Around

One thing the Netherlands does very well is getting people from one place to another. Trains connect the major cities, while buses, trams and metros cover many local journeys. And,