WELCOME TO THE NETHERLANDS! Moving abroad is an exhilarating, life-changing experience. That is, once the practical aspects are settled. It first 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 first essential steps: finding a home and job, organising permits, setting up finances and healthcare, and enrolling in education. It offers practical information on getting started in the Netherlands and directs you to the

2 4 5



14



36 45

47

 

 



INTRODUCTION SURVIVAL CHECKLIST EMPLOYMENT: Work permits; Employment law; Working culture; Finding a job RELOCATION: What kind of residence permit?; Relocation services providers; Popular expat locations, Expat Centres : Amsterdam Area, Leiden Area, Rotterdam, Utrecht Region, The Hague, The South of the Netherlands HOUSING: Renting; Buying SETTING UP HOME: Furnishing your home; Utilities: gas, water, electricity; Communications: telephone, mobile, internet; TV; Post offices FINANCE: Bank accounts; Tax; Insurance; Financial and tax advisors, Mortgages

I Am Not A Tourist BV Saturnusstraat 60- unit 89, 2516 AH Den Haag www.expatfair.nl Editorial: Janneke Bosscher, Louise Poppeliers Layout & design: Benjamin Langman Marketing: Janneke Bosscher, Louise Poppeliers Photos: Shutterstock.com Publisher: Tom Bey Advertising sales: info@expatfair.nl Distribution: info@expatfair.nl Printing office: MullerVisual www.mullervisual.nl

people, companies and institutions that can help you along the way. ENJOY LIVING, WORKING AND STUDYING IN THE NETHERLANDS! The I am not a tourist Team This guide is published by I am not a tourist Fairs & Events.

56



69



73 75



82 86 87 88 100





   

 DUCATION: Primary, secondary and higher E education; International school, Learning Dutch FAMILIES: Family reunification permits; Au pairs; Childcare; Child benefits and allowances; Family activities; Leisure; Maturnity, Groups & Clubs SPECIAL NEEDS HEALTHCARE: Health insurance, Healthcare system; Having a baby; Health services TRANSPORT: Driving; Public Transport EMERGENCY NUMBERS PUBLIC HOLIDAYS LISTINGS ADVERTISERS INDEX

With special thanks to • Altair Global Relocation & Immigration Company: +31(0)70 324 2524 | netherlands@altairglobal.com | www.altairglobal.com • Educaide: +31(0)6 5598 8998 | info@educaide.nl | www.educaide.nl • Healthcare for Internationals: info@h4i.nl | www.h4i.nl • Hestia Kinderopvang: +31(0)20 661 8710 | info@hestiakinderopvang.nl | www.hestiakinderopvang.nl • HousingAgent: +31(0)20-7723915 | info@housingagents.com | www.housingagent.com • New2NL: +31 (0)6 2909 3933 | annebet@new2nl.com | www.new2nl.com • Undutchables Recruitment Agency: www.undutchables.nl

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 I Am Not A Tourist BV, Saturnusstraat 60-unit 89, 2516 AH Den Haag, the Netherlands. I Am Not A Tourist BV 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.

WWW.EXPATFAIR.NL | THE NETHERLANDS | SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONALS 2020

1