When relocating to the Netherlands, finding somewhere to live is one of the most important and daunting tasks you’ll face - and so it pays to start your search early. The good news is that if you're working with a relocation company, they may be able to support you with your search and help you secure accommodation in advance. 

Renting in the Netherlands:

Many expats choose to rent property for the duration of their stay in the Netherlands, but this can prove tricky as not only does a large proportion of available rental properties fall into the social housing sector, but the country is also suffering from a severe shortage of housing, meaning the private sector can be quite competitive. 

Your rent will consist of two parts - the basic rent and the service charges (i.e. utility bills and municipality taxes) - and you’ll likely be required to pay a one-time security deposit (generally equal to one or two months of rent). Rental prices in the major Dutch cities will be significantly higher than in smaller towns and more rural areas, but you might be eligible to apply for the Dutch government’s rent benefit (huurtoeslag) to help you cover your monthly housing costs. 

There are plenty of online platforms that offer an overview of properties available in the Netherlands, including Pararius, Funda, and IamExpat Housing. If you’re renting, it’s important to note that you’ll need to provide your landlord with proof of employment and your BSN (Citizen Service Number), and maybe even a Dutch bank statement.

Buying a house in the Netherlands:

Alternatively, you could choose to buy a house in the Netherlands. It’s a great financial investment, and the good news is that internationals are eligible to buy property and apply for mortgages, regardless of how long they’ve lived in the country.

Dutch visa rules differ depending on your nationality and how long you’re planning to stay in the Netherlands. 

EU/EEA citizens and countries with reciprocal arrangements with the Netherlands:

Many countries have a deal with a Dutch government that means their citizens don’t need a visa to enter the Netherlands. The same applies to citizens of the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You can check if you need a visa on the Dutch government website.

Non-EU citizens:

If these exceptions don’t apply to you, you can travel to the Netherlands for up to 90 days in a 180-day period with a Schengen visa. If you plan on staying in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, then you’ll have to apply for a residence permit. Some expats may be able to apply for residency after arriving in the Netherlands, but most people will have to finalise these arrangements with the Dutch embassy or consulate in their country of residence before traveling.

Working in the Netherlands:

Similarly, the rules for work permits in the Netherlands differ depending on your nationality and what kind of work you’re planning to do.

EU/EEA citizens:

Expats from the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland do not need to apply for a work or residence permit in the Netherlands. Furthermore, expats coming to the Netherlands for certain kinds of short-term work (i.e. as musicians or service staff) are also not required to apply for a work permit. 

Non-EU citizens:

All other internationals will need a permit to work in the Netherlands. The main kinds of work permits that apply in the Netherlands are the VVA or single permit, the highly skilled migrant permit, the orientation year permit for expat graduates, and the entrepreneur permit. 

Regardless of your nationality, if you’re planning on staying in the Netherlands for more than four months you’ll have to register with your local municipality. Most municipalities require internationals to register within five days of arriving in the Netherlands.

Registering is vital, as it ensures that you’ll receive your BSN (Citizen Service Number), which you’ll need for administrative purposes (i.e. opening a bank account, getting health insurance and receiving your salary). In order to register, you’ll have to book an appointment at your local town hall (gemeente). 

You can find more information on registering with the main gemeenten in the Netherlands via the links below:

• Amsterdam
• Utrecht
• Rotterdam
• The Hague
• Groningen
• Nijmegen
• Eindhoven (in Dutch)

You’ll have to present the following documents when registering:

• Your passport or ID card
• Your residence permit (if applicable) 
• Your rental contract (if you haven’t secured accommodation before arriving, you’re advised to register as soon as your rental contract has been finalised)
• A certified copy of your birth certificate
• Your certificate of marriage, registered partnership, or divorce (if applicable)

It’s important to note that municipalities only accept official documents in Dutch, English, French, or German, so you may need to get your documents translated and certified before you move. When you eventually leave the Netherlands, you’ll also be required to deregister with your municipality. 

If you’re staying in the Netherlands for less than four months but are planning to work or study while there, you’ll also need a BSN - but you don’t need to register in the same way as other expats. Instead, you can register as a non-resident (RNI) with the Personal Records Database (BRP). 

There are many types of insurance in the Netherlands. While some are compulsory, others are optional, and you’ll always have the freedom to choose your own provider. Compulsory insurances in the Netherlands are health insurance (zorgverzekering) and motor vehicle insurance (WA-verzekering). 

Health insurance:

Expats from the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland who work in the Netherlands must take out Dutch health insurance within four months of registering with their municipality. Similarly, expats from other countries have to secure health insurance within four months of receiving their residence permit. Generally, international students aren’t required to take out health insurance, unless they work alongside their studies. 

Motor vehicle insurance:

Everyone in the Netherlands who owns a car is required to take out motor vehicle insurance that covers damage to third parties, at the very least. Other insurance packages that offer more coverage are also available. 

Employee insurance, national insurance and option insurance:

Expats planning to work should also be aware of the employee insurance schemes, which are mandatory for everyone with a job in the Netherlands. These schemes are paid for by your employer and cover you during periods of unemployment, illness, or incapacity for work. 

Similarly, national insurance is compulsory for everyone who works or lives in the Netherlands, and the cost is deducted directly from your monthly salary. The national insurance scheme covers various basic social security programmes, including pensions and child benefits. 

Optional insurances include life insurance, liability insurance, bike insurance, and home insurance. 

When setting up their new life in the Netherlands, expats will need to set up a Dutch bank account - especially if they’re planning on staying in the country for a while.

There are plenty of banks to choose from, so take a look at the details of the different accounts on offer to see which one suits you best. You should also note that most Dutch banks charge customers a yearly fee to cover the costs of running the account. 

To open a bank account, you’ll either need to make an appointment online or just walk into your nearest branch with the following details and documents:

• Your BSN 
• Your passport or ID card
• Proof of address (i.e. a rental contract) 
• Your residence permit (if applicable)

If you’re planning to start your own business in the Netherlands, the process for setting up a business account is fairly similar.

There are plenty of ways to get around in the Netherlands. If you don’t drive, then the Dutch public transport system is a pretty comprehensive and reliable way to get around. There’s an extensive network of buses, trams, metros and trains that’ll get you from point A to point B, no matter where you live. 

Using public transport in the Netherlands:

In order to use public transport, you’ll need to get an OV-chipkaart, a physical card which works as the national payment system for all modes of transport. You can opt for either an “anonymous card” or a personal card, which is printed with your photo, name, and date of birth. Both cards are reusable and can be topped up with electronic credit. 

There are also various different kinds of subscriptions available if you’re planning to commute or take public transport on a regular basis. To use the OV-chipkaart, simply check in and out at the barriers at stations, or when alighting and disembarking a tram or bus.

Driving in the Netherlands:

If you’re planning to drive in the Netherlands, you have to make sure that your driving licence is recognised and valid. If you have a licence that was issued outside of the EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, it will only be valid for 185 days from the date of your registration with the municipality. After that, you must sit the Dutch driving exams in order to acquire a Dutch driving licence. 

If you don’t own a car but would still like to have access to one on occasion, there are a number of carsharing companies that operate in the Netherlands. 

Other modes of transportation:

Aside from driving and public transport, other modes of transport in the Netherlands include

As an expat family, you’ll have the choice between enrolling your children in a Dutch school or an international school. While international schools charge tuition fees, they follow internationally-recognised curriculums and classes are in English. 

The Dutch school system:

If you opt for a Dutch school, you won’t have to pay tuition fees, as primary and secondary education is funded by the government, but you may be asked for a voluntary contribution to cover some costs and extracurricular activities. Classes are taught in Dutch. At the age of 12, at the end of primary school, children in Dutch schools will sit an exam in order to determine which stream of secondary education they’ll attend: VMBO (preparation for vocational training), HAVO (preparation for universities of applied sciences), or VWO (preparation for university).

Education is compulsory for children from the age of five to 16, but most children attend school from the day after their fourth birthday. Before starting primary school, you could choose to enrol your child in daycare or preschool, which is designed for children from 20 weeks up to four years old.

Higher education in the Netherlands:

As far as higher education is concerned, Dutch universities offer a wide variety of courses taught in English, making the country a popular destination for international students. While tuition isn’t free, it is subsidised by the Dutch government.