Dutch tap water is perfectly safe and perfectly drinkable. In fact, it is the safest and cleanest in Europe and probably in the whole world. So there’s no need to buy bottled water at all 🙂 Price of Dutch tap water The Dutch water network is not privatized, which means you cannot choose your own … Read more
Public transport in the Netherlands is pretty good, even though it’s a national hobby to complain and make fun of the NS, the national railway company. Besides trains there are busses, trams and Amsterdam and Rotterdam have metro systems. Naturally, public transport is better in the more densely populated Randstad, than in some other less … Read more
You may need this visa before you travel if you intend to enter the Netherlands as potential resident. The MVV is similar to a visa because it grants entry to the Netherlands, however it is actually a provisional residence permit. The MVV allows you to stay in the Netherlands while your residence permit application is … Read more
First of all, you should get Dutch health insurance. Then, you should register with a a general practitioner (GP/’huisarts’). If you did not register with a GP and fall ill, you may have difficulty finding a nearby doctor who is taking patients. Register with a local doctor (general practitioner) To search for a local doctor, … Read more
The housing market in the Netherlands is, unfortunately, very tight at the moment. In particular in the more popular cities like Utrecht and Amsterdam affordable housing supply is basically non-existent and prices are skyrocketing. I will try to help you expats and international students in your quest to find a place to live in Holland. … Read more
‘Tradition’, it has been one of the most debated words in the Netherlands for the past couple of years. The Dutch have some crazy traditions and national holidays.
So, you just found yourself a place to live and you have to furnish your new place. Besides, of course getting the basic utilities like an internet and tap water. Looking for some cheap stuff or exclusive design furniture? At the Dutch Meubelboulevard there’s plenty of choiche. 🙂 Dutch furniture shopping malls (Meubelboulevards) The ‘Meubelboulevard’ … Read more
Most Dutch students start their bachelor when they finish high school around the age of 18. Although it’s getting more common to take a gap year between high school and university and go to South-East Asia or Australia for a while. Generally speaking, freshmen move to the city or town of their university to start … Read more
It is compulsory for all Dutch residents to have Dutch health insurance. I strongly recommend to take out Dutch health insurance as soon as you are registered at a Dutch municipality, and cancel the insurance in your home country. Even though, as a rule of thumb, expats have to take Dutch health insurance within four … Read more
You must hate this phrase by now “Must be fluent in both English and Dutch”. I can imagine finding a job as an international student or expat in the Netherlands can be challenging if you don’t speak Dutch, depending on your background. I got told that although most job descriptions state you must speak fluent … Read more
Whether you’re a Dutch citizen or expat, you are required to pay taxes if you earn money while living in the Netherlands. Like every other government, the Dutch tax office wants to have a (fairly significant) share of your income. 😉 Besides income tax, there’s sales tax, capital gains tax, road tax, parking tax, water … Read more