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Moving to : Netherlands

There are a number of things you will need to research or do before moving to The Netherlands, these include:

• Local Culture 
• Residence Permits/Visa Requirements/Fees 
• How to search for work if you do not already have a job 
• The importance of your Contract of Employment 
• Self Employed? Starting a new business 
• Studying in the Netherlands 
• School/Childcare - admissions, childcare, registration 
• Retiring to the Netherlands 
• Accommodation, property search 
• Removal Companies and Personal Effects 
• Public Healthcare 
• Registering with a Doctor/Dentist 
• Medication 
• Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare and Hospitals 
• Banking 
• Setting up TV, Telephone and Internet 
• Registering for a mobile phone 
• Taking your car 
• Moving your pets 
• Make sure your passport is valid 
• Tickets for your move, hotel bookings and car rental 
• UK Voter Registration 
• Final Checklists 
• Final Notifications 

Dutch culture is defined in many ways. From their flat landscape with beautiful windmills to what they legally sell in their coffee shops!  Clicking on the links below will help you understand the country and its unique appeal. They are a people who love life and everything about it.

Power of Culture - Culture
Kwintessential - Language & Culture

Each area of the Netherlands will also have its own history and culture. Don't forget to run a search specifically on the area of Holland you are looking at moving to. We recommend Google for all searches and the easiest way of searching for local culture is to put "culture" + the area of the Netherlands you are investigating.

EU Citizens wanting to stay in Holland for more than 3 months no longer need a residency permit, however you do need to register your arrival with the IND (Immigration and Naturalization Department).  On arrival, you will also need to get a sticker in your passport from the "alien's police."

Foreign Office - Permits & Registration

When planning to live in another country it's always advisable to have employment set up before you go.  As an EU citizen, you have the same rights as any Dutch National. You do not need a work permit.

Foreign Office - Employment

More information can be found on this in our "living in..." Registering your arrival in the Country.

The following websites may help in your search for employment:

Foreign Office - Employment
Job Centre Plus
4ICJ
Euro Jobs - Finding work in the Netherlands
Jobs Abroad
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

If you do not have an employment contract you will be working illegally and could be sent home. In order to work you will need to register with their  volksverzekeringen (National Insurance Schemes) which you arrange with the Aliens Police Service with your local authority.  You must then apply for your social security/tax number (SoFi-number) with your local tax office. You will also need your work contract to get finance for a car etc...

More information can be found about this on our "living in..." Tax registration with the authorities.

If you are planning on going to the Netherlands and starting your own business, this site may be of use to you: Doing Business

Expatax - Working as a self-employed person

Be aware of the following restrictions:

Expatax - Contracting in the Netherlands

The Netherlands was the first non-English country in the world to offer courses in English.  As a result, you have a lot of choice.  The establishment you choose should provide you with information regarding the enrolment process.

Nuffic - Studying in Holland 
Int Study - Why the Netherlands?
Prospects - Postgraduate study
Open University - Business School in the Netherlands
ECIS - International Italian Options

We would advise you to speak with the local authority regarding child care places for younger children who are below school age prior to moving.  Please remember, many of these establishments are over subscribed and you may need to register early to get your child a place.

The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Dutch school?" Once you have made this decision, you can contact either local schools or one of the International schools. Be aware there is usually a huge waiting list and applications should be made early.

Netherland Private Schools - International Options
British International Schools

If you are considering retiring to the Netherlands, then the following sites should be useful:

Emigration Expert - Retiring Abroad  
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Moving Abroad 

In addition, the IND website states:

You are a pensioner or have taken early retirement.
Conditions

1.  you must have worked in the Netherlands for at least twelve months immediately prior to reaching the age of 65 or taking early retirement, and

2.  you must have resided in the Netherlands for longer than three years prior to reaching the age of 65 or taking early retirement.

The decision regarding whether to purchase or rent a property in Holland can be difficult. If you are looking to buy, these links will help.

Foreign Office - Finding Accommodation 
House Buying - Netherlands
Right Move - Property Website
Real Estate - Property Online

Rental can be harder as most real estate agencies focus on short term/holiday rentals, however it is not impossible. You will usually be expected to pay a deposit and a months' rent in advance and property search for rentals is usually easier in autumn and winter as during the summer months the shorter lease periods are more appealing to landlords.

Perfect Visit - Short and Long term rentals
Iagora - housing - Long and short term rental
Easier - Property to rent in Netherlands  

When shipping your personal (household) effects within the EU, they are not subject to normal customs formalities or restrictions.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on English speaking removal companies.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Dutch nationals.

NHS Guide 
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel Insurance

If you require medical treatment in the Netherlands, you need to find a Doctor (Huisarts).

I Amsterdam - Family Doctors & Dentists
Expat Focus - Healthcare and Medical Treatment 

If you are in receipt of Sickness Benefit in the UK, you may be able to transfer payment to Holland. Ask at your local Jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus office or Social Security office in the UK for more information.

Most Doctors and Dentists are English speaking. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.  Remember, in the Netherlands, English really is a second language and they know how to use it!

For prescribed medicines you will be charged a standard fee, which is non-refundable.

Before taking any medication into the Netherlands, make sure that you check that it is legal to do so. Interestingly 63% of Britons didn’t know that some medication in the UK e.g. alcohol based prescription drugs and painkillers such as codeine are illegal in some countries. In Japan for instance, the Vicks inhaler and Sudafed are illegal!

It is a legal requirement to have private medical insurance in the Netherlands which covers at least the basic health package.  If you do not get this insurance within the first 4 months of living there, your residential status can be removed.

Private Health - Healthcare in the Netherlands
Minvws - Health insurance system 

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.

When it comes to opening a bank account in the Netherlands, shop around.  Most banks offer similar services so it's really up to you regarding what you want.  Most banks also offer internet and telephone banking.  To open a bank account you will need  proof of address in Holland and your SoFi number (NI equivalent).  You may also be asked for your employment contract or if studying, proof of your course.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on international banking.

Many companies take a while to set these up, so once you know where you will be living, you might want to contact these companies in advance, so you are able to have connection from the day you move in.

The most popular companies for both Telephone and Internet are Casema, Tele 2 and KPN. Their website's are:

Casema 
Tele 2
KPN 

The websites are in Dutch. If your Dutch is not fluent, you will need a Dutch speaker with you when you register alternatively give them a call - most of their operators speak English.

Shop around and remember, you're not stuck with one or the other, you are able to mix and match.  You can have one company's telephone/internet service and another company's tv.

To run a television in the Netherlands is much the same as doing so in the UK. You will need a Licence which is paid for with your monthly subscription to your provider.

Please check our Resources section to see if there are any alternatives.

There are loads of different mobile phone options in the Netherlands. Trying to help you decide which one to go with would take forever! However, once in Holland, taking ID (your passport) into a shop with proof of address will be all you need.  As in most countries, you will have the choice of contracts or "Pay as you go" options.

As for your UK mobile. Our guess is that you will be returning to the UK from time to time and may want a low cost way for people to contact you when you are there. So why not cancel your contract, but switch to a "Pay as you go"? This is a number that most of your friends/family will already have, so record your voicemail explaining that this phone is now only on when you are in the UK, and tell them how to contact you when you're not. Be careful when choosing your PAYG plan as some expect you to use your phone every few weeks to keep it active.

Deciding whether to take your car or not, is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!

Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently. 

Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad

You are able to take your car into the Netherlands tax free under the "Free Movement of Goods" act within Europe providing you an prove you have lived for more than 185 days in another EU country and have used the car for at least 6 months.  If you bring your car in using this act, you must be aware that you are not allowed to sell your car for 12 months.  If you plan to bring your car this way, you will need a permit. You can apply for this at the customs office in the area which you plan to move to.  Be aware that nothing is quite as simple as it seems!  Make sure you research this thoroughly since there are exceptions to every rule...

Belastingdienst (Customs) - Cars and immigration 

No one wants to leave their other family members behind, so take them with you!  

DEFRA - Qualifying Countries for the PETS Scheme
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (cats, dogs & ferrets)
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (rabits and rodents) 

Make sure you have a valid passport. You do not need a minimum period of validity; however it must remain valid for the duration of your stay.

UK Passport Office - UK Passport Information 
Foreign Office - British Citzen Passports 

When moving you need to set a date to do so. Once you have this date, you need to consider your flights or travel arrangements. Investigate cheap flights or travel. There is no need to spend a fortune getting there when there are many cheap options available. The following site details the list of low cost airlines flying to the Netherlands:

Attitude Travel - Guide to Cheap Airline Carriers

If you have not arranged somewhere to live, make sure you have accommodation until you do. Book yourself a hotel. In addition, you may be going to sign contracts for your accommodation. This does not mean you can stay there on the first night! This may not be possible. So make sure you know exactly what your plans are and make arrangements that take these into consideration.

Where car hire is concerned do your research. Different companies offer different deals at different times.

Please check our Resources section to see if there more information on car hire and deals.

Don't Lose Your Vote!

If you are 18 and over, and were previously registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can apply to register again as an overseas voter.

Overseas Voting