Practical information
Practical information
Welcome to MedicMatch!
Your great adventure is about to begin and we are excited to have you on board! We would like to wish you lots of success and fun with your new job in the Netherlands.
The next few weeks will be all about new experiences, meeting new people, getting your things in order, and learning a new language. Allow yourself the time and space to get adjusted and to discover everything.
In this document you will find all the (practical) information you need to know. We can imagine you might have many more questions after reading all the information. Please don’t hesitate to contact us in case you do!
Contact
Steven is responsible for everything related to overall contracts. Merlijn is responsible for arranging a lot of practical things, such as housing, transportation, BIG-registration, your Dutch language exams, et cetera. You can always contact them if you have any questions.
We will be available by mail, phone or WhatsApp. Don’t hesitate to reach out! It's a big transition and it can be nice to talk to someone. If you can’t reach Steven or Merlijn, you can always reach out to Joost in case of urgent matters.
How to reach us
Steven ten Bruggencate (owner) steven@medicmatch.nl
06-23293432
Joost Dijkshoorn (owner) joost@medicmatch.nl
06-52431093
Jennifer van der Laan (manager health care professionals) jennifer@medicmatch.nl
06-21623095
Merlijn Damen (operational manager) merlijn@medicmatch.nl
06-27084091
When you arrive
When arriving at the airport in the Netherlands, you will be welcomed by MedicMatch. We will bring you to your accommodation. For the first two weeks we made a rough schedule of all the necessary activities. You will receive the exact schedule on time.
Week 1 Activity
Arrival in the Netherlands
Extra information
MedicMatch will arrange your flight included 2 x 20 kg luggage + hand luggage. Dutch language exams Results within 3 days after the exam.
RNI appointment for your citizen service number (BSN)
Opening a Dutch bank account
City registration at the municipality
Bring your passport or ID Card.
Bring your passport or ID Card and a signed copy of your rental contract.
Welcome drinks with Steven, Jennifer, Joost & Merlijn We will send you the exact details later.
Week 2 First day at your new work location
Preparation before moving to the Netherlands
When you move to the Netherlands, you need to bring along a number of documents:
• Passport or identity card;
• Vaccination hepatitis B;
• Evidence of negative MRSA test;
• Certificate of good conduct
• Documents for the BIG-registration (see chapter ‘What you need to arrange’, section ‘BIGregistration’ for a list of (certified) documents that you need to bring!).
What you need to arrange
To make a good start in The Netherlands, you need to arrange a lot of practical and necessary things. In the overview below you will find more information about all these matters.
1. Citizen service number (Burgerservicenummer or BSN)
The citizen service number (BSN) is a unique personal number allocated to everyone registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP). Everyone who registers with the BRP is automatically given a BSN. The government uses your citizen service number (BSN) to process your personal data. You can use your BSN for any government service in the Netherlands.
We will make an appointment for you at a RNI-counter (registration of Non-Residents) in the first week. You should bring your passport or identity card and a completed form we will provide with you.
2. City registration at the municipality
If you are staying for more than four months in the Netherlands, you are legally required to go to the city council and register as a new resident of the town where you are living. This procedure is mandatory, irrespective of your nationality or purpose of stay. If you are moving within the Netherlands, you must also inform your (new) municipality.
You can visit by appointment only. Depending on the municipality you have to make an appointment online or by phone. You can find more information about this on the website of the municipality. You need to bring your passport or identity card and a signed copy of your rental contract to the appointment.
3. A Dutch bank account
It is practical and necessary to have a Dutch IBAN bank account while working and living in the Netherlands. For example, you have to provide your employer with a Dutch IBAN account number in order for them to pay your salary.
There are three main requirements for opening a Dutch bank account
• You must have a valid identification document (passport or identity card);
• You must have a social security number (BSN nummer)
• You must have a Dutch address where you will live during your stay.
You can open a bank account number at various banks. An example is ABN AMRO or ING: in order to open a Dutch bank account you have to make an online appointment.
4. Healthcare insurance
Dutch law requires that all Dutch residences has an adequate health insurance. Basic insurance is mandatory, additional insurance optional. You pay for your health insurance from the moment you are registered with the municipality, even if you take out your health insurance later. This must be arranged within 4 months, but we recommend you to do this as soon as possible.
To take out Healthcare insurance, you must be registered with your municipality, you need a Dutch bank account and you need your social security number (BSN nummer). At www.zorgkiezer.nl you can compare various health insurance policies. You can always discuss with us what is right for you! Depending on the amount of your salary, you may be entitled to the healthcare benefit. This is a contribution towards the costs of your Dutch healthcare insurance
5. BIG registration
If you want to work as a dentist in the Netherlands, you must register in the BIG register. The BIG register has been set up to protect patients against professional misconduct and medical errors. It clearly states what a healthcare professional can and cannot do.
You can only register in the BIG register if you have the right professional qualifications and diplomas. You need to bring the following documents:
• A certified copy of your diploma;
• A certified copy of your diploma supplement(s);
• A recent CV (including your current work experience in the Netherlands and updated with your Dutch language certificates);
• Certificate(s) of Current Professional Status (CCPS) (certified and this document must not be older than three months)
• A valid certificate of Good Conduct (CGC);
• Your Dutch language certificates (which you will receive in the Netherlands);
• Copy of a valid passport or identity card
The majority of documents have to be certified. A certified copy is a copy of a document with an original certification stamp (ink stamp) and the signature or initials of the person at the institute who has issued the document. Another option is to have the copy of your diploma certified by a lawyer. MedicMatch will help you applying for the BIG-registration after you arrive in the Netherlands.
6. Dutch certificate of good conduct (VOG)
A certificate of conduct (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag, VOG) is a document by which the Dutch Minister of Legal Protection declares that the applicant has not been convicted for any crime relevant to the performance of his or her duties.
Many Dutch healthcare institutions require a Dutch Certificate of good conduct (VOG). You will receive information from your organization about the (online) process when this is necessary. To apply for the VOG, you need a DigiD and a Dutch bank account.
7. DigiD
With your DigiD you identify yourself when you arrange matters online. Such as with the government, BIG-register, healthcare or your pension.
You can apply for your DigiD via an online application form. For your DigiD application you will need the following:
• Citizen service number (BSN)
• Registration address with a Dutch municipality
• Mobile phone
8. General practitioner
The first point of contact in getting healthcare in the Netherlands is to register with a general practice (GP (huisarts in Dutch). In the Netherlands, the GP holds a central role when it comes to healthcare. If you have any questions regarding your physical and mental health, your GP is the first one to ask.
It is important to register with a huisarts when you arrive in the Netherlands. If you have not registered with a GP and you become ill, you may have difficulties finding a nearby doctor, as their practice may already be full. You can find a local practice at www.kiesuwhuisarts.nl. Take in mind: you need healthcare insurance to register at a general practitioner. It is possible to visit the GP without health insurance, but you have to pay the costs yourself.
9. Dutch telephone number
A Dutch telephone number can be useful when you are moving to the Netherlands. You can arrange this online or in a phone store.
10. Energy supplier
Energy (electricity and gas) is transported by regional companies in the Netherlands. You have to choose your own energy supplier, depending on your rental contract. Some rental contracts include energy and water (in Dutch we call this Gas/Water/Licht or G/W/L). In that case, you don’t have to sign up with a supplier.
To determine which energy supplier is the best for your situation, you can use this website: www.energievergelijk.nl/english.
Drinking water in the Netherlands is provided by the waterleidingbedrijf (water supply company) responsible for specific areas. You must register your address at the waterleidingbedrijf in your area. This can be done via the website of the waterleidingbedrijf, via their app or via email. The best way to find out which company operates in a specific region is by searching on the internet.
11. Personal liability insurance
Personal liability insurance (wettelijke aansprakelijkheidsverzekering or WA-verzekering in Dutch) is compulsory. It insures you against costs you are liable for if you injure someone else or damage their possessions. Think of knocking over an expensive vase, dropping someone's phone, or spilling water on someone else's equipment. Taking out liability insurance costs about €3.50 per month and is easy to do. An example of an insurer is Nationale Nederlanden.
Accommodation in the Netherlands
MedicMatch will help you finding a rental property in the Netherlands. To do so, it's important to consider your housing preferences, whether you prefer to live alone, with other dentists, or with your partner, friend, or family. Living together is often more economical. Depending on the location where you will be living, the average rent per person is approx. €800 per month. This amount generally applies to renting a property with a partner or friend as well. If you prefer not to share a home and would like a space of your own (including a private kitchen and bathroom), the average price is significantly higher: renting a studio or apartment typically ranges from €900 to €1600. We will assess this with you later.
Financial information
Regarding financing, it is common for tenants in the Netherlands to pay a deposit and one month's rent in advance. It is intended that you bring your own money to pay these financial obligations. However, if this is not an option for you, MedicMatch can offer a pre-financing solution. We will provide a repayment plan (repayment within 4 months from the moment you start working). You can send us an e-mail if you need this financial help!
Furniture
In general, most rental houses in the Netherlands are unfurnished. This means that they do not come with any furniture or appliances and that you are responsible for providing your own furniture. Some of the houses and apartments are partially or fully furnished. We do not have control over whether a house is furnished or not. The level of furnishing can vary greatly from one house to another. We will inform you as good as possible about the level of furnishing in your house or appartement.
Public transport in The Netherlands
We have a very good public transport (openbaar vervoer/OV in Dutch) network, which makes it easy to get around. The main form of public transport for longer distances is the train. Long-distance buses are less common and are mostly used for regional and local transport. Some cities also offer metro and tram services. Within cities, the most common mode of transport is the bicycle.
You can easily plan your trip with the door-to-door journey planner in the free 9292 app. In this app you will find all times, fares and prices for the train, bus, tram, metro and ferry in The Netherlands. The app is available in English.
OV-chipkaart
The OV-chipkaart is the means of payment for the entire public transport system throughout the country (bus, train, tram, metro and rental bikes). The card is the size of a bank card and contains an invisible chip. You can find more information (also in English) on the OV-chipkaart website (www.ovchipkaart.nl).
You can buy and load an anonymous OV-chipkaart at a lot of places (Albert Heijn Supermarket, Bruna, bigger railway stations, et cetera). The other option is a personal OV-chipkaart. A personal OVchipkaart is useful if you often travel by public transport, if you want to use automatic reloading or if you want a personal subscription. You can buy the personal OV-chipkaart online. The OV-chipkaart can be loaded at a lot of places with credit in Euros, which you can use to travel anywhere within the Netherlands. You can also buy a single-use/disposable OV-chipkaart at railway stations or in buses/metro/tram (which is more expensive).
Car-sharing
You can also rent a car by hour in your neighbourhood. Greenwheels and Mywheels are two examples of car-sharing. You can download their apps, find a rental near you and pay for what you use. You simply open the car with your smartphone or personal OV-chipkaart. You can find more information (also in English) on their websites or apps.
Dutch Bingo
Make a photograph of or taste the following typical Dutch things (or take a picture while tasting!). We would love to see some of the pictures, don’t hesitate to send us a few pictures via WhatsApp (+31-627084091) Have fun!
Stroopwafel
Zaanse huisjes Klompen Delftsblauw
Hollandse koe Bakfiets Hagelslag Pannenkoeken
Drop
Magere brug in Amsterdam
Tompouce Tulpen
Trapgevel
Gouda kaas Molen Bitterballen
