Living in the Netherlands as an Expat

1. Visas for the Netherlands

2. Deciding on a place to live

3. Climate in the Netherlands

4. Healthcare in the Netherlands

5. Transport

5. Work life

From obtaining visas and residency to understanding the transport network, in this blog we delve into all things related to living in the Netherlands.

Visas for the Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands is quite simple if you’re an EU/EEA citizen. You can work, live or study freely here for up to 90 days, but if you’re wishing to stay for longer than this, you will need to register your residence with the local municipal authorities.

Looking for work in the Netherlands as a non-EU/EEA citizen can be more difficult, and you may need a visa. Your employer has to be on the recognised sponsor list and it must first be proven that the position could not have been filled by an EU national.

There are a range of visas to consider for nationals from non-EU/EEA countries, which include the following.

• Study visa: you may need a visa to study in the Netherlands. These are generally valid for up to a year but may be renewable.

• Entrepreneur visa: if you wish to open a business in the Netherlands, then this visa option might be for you. It is valid for a year, with some conditions including having a detailed plan about growing the business and being actively involved in the company.

• Highly skilled migrant visa: this is a popular option for expats who are looking to move to the Netherlands. To be eligible for this visa, you must first prove that you have the relevant qualifications or experience, and that you have a valid employment contract.

You might find that you really enjoy living in the Netherlands, and want to make the move more permanent. Typically, you can submit an application for permanent residency if you have been living here for five years, as well as meeting some other requirements.

If you think you might need a visa for relocating to the Netherlands, then take a look at our handy guide about obtaining one here.

Deciding on a place to live

Arguably one of the most important factors when thinking about a move abroad, choosing a place to live is important for your happiness and fulfilment when living in a different country.

Some of the popular picks for expats in the Netherlands incorporate:

• Utrecht: situated only 20 minutes from the nation’s capital, Utrecht is an ideal choice for those with families. It is one of the many thriving cities in the Netherlands, and has a population of over 1 million people.

• Amsterdam: the capital of the country is popular with expats, with almost 15% of the city’s total population made up of this group.[1] Prominent industries in Amsterdam incorporate technology, fashion and engineering.

• Rotterdam: there are a variety of jobs on offer in this port city, including in the technology, energy and shipping industries. More than 600,000 residents live in Rotterdam, which is known for its iconic skyline and innovative art scene.

• The Hague: this could be a desirable option for expats, with a large number of international organisations based here. The city is small, so you can enjoy the bustle of the city but a slower pace of life.

Climate in the Netherlands

Another important consideration when relocating is deciding on a place to live, helping you to identify if the climate is right for you and also to plan practical outfits ahead of the move.

The Netherlands has a maritime climate, which means that the weather is controlled by the conditions of large bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean. Areas in the south generally experience warmer temperatures, while those in coastal regions can expect to see heavier rainfall.

The climate in the Netherlands tends to be mild in the summer, with average daily maximum temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius in August. While the winter months are cooler, they are still quite mild, with the average minimum temperature being 5 degrees Celsius in January.

Healthcare in the Netherlands

The Dutch healthcare system has an excellent reputation, ranking 5th in Europe.[2] It provides universal health coverage to citizens and residents that is funded by premiums, taxes and government grants.

It’s worth noting that you must have basic health insurance cover with a local insurance provider in the Netherlands within four months of arriving in the country. You can expect to pay around €100 monthly for the premium.[3]

Eligible people can access a variety of services under the public healthcare system, which includes:

• GP visits

• Maternity care

• Prescriptions

• Specialist consultations

For additional cover, you could consider obtaining international health insurance to protect your healthcare needs. This provides you with flexible healthcare and is not limited to medical treatment within the Netherlands – you can use it across multiple countries in your area of cover.

Transport

The Netherlands is a small country that has a reliable transport network, makes it quite easy to get around. It is renowned for its cycle culture, with a huge 23.9 million bicycles estimated to be owned here in 2022 – an average of 1.4 per person! [4]

Transport options include a sophisticated train network, with approximately 400 stations meeting the travel needs of the country’s residents. For local travel, metro systems are present in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, while trams operate in a number of cities as well.

It’s good to know that for travelling around the Netherlands, you should purchase an OV-chipkaart, which is valid for up to five years. This credit-card style pass can prove very handy, as it can be used on many different types of travel, including buses, metros and trams.

The Netherlands is also home to one of the world’s largest airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. There are also a further 14 airports around the country that make it easy to reach international destinations.

Work life

There are many work opportunities available for expats in the Netherlands, with the country boasting the 5th largest economy in Europe.[5]

Understanding what work life looks like can be key if you’re considering a move here for work. For example, companies tend to have a flat working structure in the Netherlands, meaning that there isn’t a high level of hierarchy within organisations.

By law, employees work on average 32.2 hours a week, and a maximum of 60 hours per week, offering a good quality of life for employees.[6]You are also entitled to holiday leave to a minimum of 20 days holiday leave per year.

Though English is widely spoken in the Netherlands, it can be useful to learn Dutch so that you feel comfortable interacting with your colleagues in the workplace. This can help you feel more integrated into the workforce and make it easier to develop friendships.