Have you decided to move to the wonderful Netherlands but you don't know exactly how to do it? It is a fantastic place to live once you have settled in, but it can be a difficult experience to deal with. However, by reading this article you can make the transfer to the land of the windmills a little easier.
Steps
Step 1. Do some research on the Netherlands
You will need to know as much as possible about this country. Culture, history and legislation are a great starting point. Then he broadens his research to topics such as cooking and language.
- Check the Dutch job market to find out which companies and sectors need workers. While it can be difficult to find work in this country, there are companies that are desperately looking for skilled foreign workers. Remember that these may be jobs that the Dutch don't want to do and therefore may be unpleasant or uninteresting.
- If you have children, look for good quality schools and find out about institutions that offer childcare.
Step 2. Get all the necessary documents
This part is essential to avoid being pushed back at the border. As a European citizen, you will first of all need a valid passport or identity card. You should also bring copies of important documents such as birth and marriage certificates with you.
Visit the Dutch embassy or consulate for information regarding your specific situation
Step 3. Visit your doctor and get any vaccinations and medical certificates you may need
Step 4. Set a budget
Now that you've decided to move, it's time to save some money. Make sure you have enough savings for the type of home you are interested in. Think very well about this aspect. Here are some pricing examples:
- Terraced houses (also old) - 320000-380000 euros
- Townhouses - 160000-190000 euros
- Apartments - 60000-70000 euros
- Independent villas - 220000-250000 euros
Step 5. Book your means of transport to get to the Netherlands
The simplest but not always the cheapest is the plane. Alternatively, you can think of getting there by bus or by boat. To make your journey smooth and hassle-free, take note of all the details relating to the means of transport chosen, such as flight number, airport and check-in time.
Step 6. Pack your bags
Larger items can be shipped separately, so take only what's in a bag with you! Things like the iPod or books can be put in your hand luggage to entertain you during the trip. Fundamentals are clothes, bathroom items, some food and water to start with and, most importantly, money. If you don't know the language, bring a dictionary with you. It will take a long time before you learn to speak Dutch fluently.
- If you carry small appliances like razors or hairdryers with you, also bring adapters as Dutch sockets only have two plugs. Alternatively, you could bring battery-powered appliances.
- According to the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions, the organization that deals with the country's tourism promotion, the Dutch are very flexible when it comes to clothing, so you can wear what you feel most comfortable with. For example, Amsterdam is a place where people go to the opera even in jeans and a T-shirt. But if you're going to be interviewing for a job or going to a fancy restaurant for lunch, you should bring a suit with a tie (for men) or a skirt (for women). In addition, you will need to bring clothes suitable for the various seasons: pack shorts and a light raincoat for the summer and warm clothes to face the 2 ° C in January and February.
Step 7. Single currency
Here is one of the advantages of being part of a united Europe: as a European citizen you will not need to convert money because, of course, also in the Netherlands the currency is the euro.
Step 8. Transfer your savings to a Dutch bank
You can do it online or at a bank counter. The bank will offer you the assistance of an expert, who will help you make the procedure easier. Some Dutch banks are: ABN AMRO and SNS bank
Step 9. Find out about health care coverage
Anyone living or working in the Netherlands is required by law to take out Dutch health insurance by themselves. The insurance covers part of the expenses of the general practitioner, medicines and the hospital. The length of your stay in the Netherlands is important in determining whether or not you need to buy health insurance. If you are not insured, you will still receive the basic benefits, but you will also have to expect a rather hefty bill. However, every hospital has a fund for uninsured people: you will never be denied emergency benefits. Since January 1, 2006, all Dutch people have been obliged to pay basic health insurance which costs between 900 and 1000 euros per year. You can choose the company with which to take out the insurance and integrate the basic package with other options that also cover expenses not included in the basic fee.
- The Netherlands has bilateral health care agreements with the European Union countries, Australia, the Cape Verde Islands, Croatia, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia. Citizens not belonging to these countries are granted only health treatments that cannot be postponed until the visitor returns to his country of origin.
- If you have questions about the Dutch health system and medical insurance, you can call the Agis Health Insurance International Section at + 31 (0) 33 445 68 70.
Step 10. Learn the language
Buying books and CDs is a great place to start. Or, if you have some money to invest, you can sign up for a course. Dutch can be difficult to learn, but you are helped if you already know some German or English.
Step 11. Look for a home
Visiting the country is an excellent opportunity to understand how life is in the Netherlands. The other optimal solution is to contact a real estate agent: he will be able to give you the best advice. Another way is to look for a home through the resources available to you, such as the internet and specialized magazines.
Step 12. Think about your pets too
If you are from another European country, your pet will need a European passport. You can inquire about how to get it from your vet. The animal will also need a legible tattoo or microchip. Make sure you apply for a passport at least two weeks before departure as it will take some time to obtain it. If you do not have a European passport, your pet must be vaccinated against rabies upon arrival in the Netherlands. Then it will have to remain in quarantine for 30 days. For some animals, a certificate of good health will be needed (birds, horses, cows and foxes). For others you will need neither a certificate nor a passport (rabbits, hares and fish can be brought to the Netherlands without any problems). For more information contact the Dutch Tax & Customs Department.
Step 13. Say hello to loved ones if they don't move in with you
This part is going to be really exciting, so don't forget to bring some tissues! Hug them and show them your affection and tell them they are welcome if they want to come and visit you. Promise you will hear from you often.
Step 14. Arrive at the airport / port / train station / bus station early
You won't want to miss the ride! If you are at the airport, you can take a tour of the shops and stop at a bar for a coffee.
Step 15. Check in
Make sure you have your passport or identity card with you, otherwise you could find yourself in trouble. It is very important to have these documents with you.
Step 16. Get on board, and leave for Holland
Relax while traveling and think about how exciting it is to start a new life in a new country. It will be a great adventure! Don't worry too much about friends and family, they can come and see you often. And, in any case, you are about to make a lot of new friends!
Step 17. Prepare for culture shock
It will take time to get used to some things, but don't be discouraged, and laugh at it. Some things will come with time.
Step 18. Meet new people
While the Dutch are known to be very direct and quite outgoing, they generally won't invite you over to their home unless you've made your way into their circle of close friends and family. This is Holland, not Spain or Italy.
- You will make new acquaintances at work, in the pub, at the gym, at school or while practicing your favorite hobby. Once you are invited to someone's house, you will have passed from the status of "acquaintance" to that of "friend". Keep in mind that you will now have to attend every family birthday party.
- Once you have taken your first steps in Dutch society, you may be able to get in touch with your fellow countrymen who live near you. One of the richest resources for expats in the Netherlands is Expatica.
Step 19. Obtain citizenship
There are 3 ways to become a Dutch citizen:
- By birth, if at least one of your parents is Dutch. If the parents are not married, the child can have Dutch citizenship if the mother is Dutch. If the parents are not married and only the father is Dutch, he must recognize the child before he is born.
- Through the “optieprocedure” the children of immigrants can obtain Dutch citizenship if they were born or have spent most of their life in the Netherlands.
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Through the naturalization procedure, anyone can apply to become a Dutch citizen.
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To obtain citizenship through this route, all the following conditions must be met:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must have lived (legally) in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba for at least 5 years. If you are the (legally recognized) partner or spouse of a Dutchman, you can apply for naturalization after 3 years of marriage or cohabitation, depending on the area of residence. The only requirement is that you have lived together for at least 3 years.
- You have a non-temporary residence permit (for example those granted for work or family reunification). A temporary residence permit (such as those for study or for health reasons) is not enough.
- You have sufficiently integrated into Dutch society and are able to speak, read, write and understand Dutch. This will be verified during a specific test.
- In the last 4 years you have not been sentenced to prison sentences or received financial fines exceeding € 2, 453.78.
- You are willing to give up your current citizenship. In some cases it is allowed to maintain dual citizenship.
- You are able to bear the costs of the procedure. The whole process can take up to a year and cost around 1250 euros (2012 data), depending on your income.
Advice
- Don't make hasty decisions; this is a very important moment in your life and only you can decide what to do. You are leaving a lot behind so you have every right to take your time.
- You should know Dutch well enough before leaving. Many employers don't hire people who hardly speak the language. If there is a Dutchman in your family, ask him to teach you something.
- Making friends in the Netherlands has its advantages. Even having just one friend in another country is great. But having several is even better, because they can help you settle in and do simple things like buying a coffee or ordering a pizza.
- Don't get homesick. Gradually you will get used to being away from family and friends. Through the internet, telephone and email you can stay in close contact with them.
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Apply for naturalization. You will have to go to the town hall of the city where you live. There your identity will be verified and your criminal record will be checked. Then your file will be sent to IND (the office that deals with immigration and naturalization services) together with an opinion on whether or not to grant you citizenship. If the IND decides that you are entitled to become a Dutch citizen, the documents will be signed by the Queen and you will become a full citizen of the Netherlands.
For more information, you can consult the IND website page on how to become Dutch
- If you are undecided whether or not to bring a little extra money, well bring it! They will help you get started better. If that's not possible, don't worry, the Netherlands is a fairly cheap place to live and the extra money would just help you indulge in some luxury.
Warnings
- When it comes to drugs, the Netherlands is very liberal. But there are myths and some limitations. One of them is that every Dutchman uses cannabis and knows where to find the nearest dealer. Drug tolerance is a matter of choice and most Dutch choose not to use them. However, there are limits to drug tolerance. Selling hard drugs is illegal and punishable. Two Italian tourists discovered this to their own expense when they went to the Dutch police asking to test the quality of some hard drugs. They were immediately arrested and jailed.
- Most Dutch people understand and speak English, some very well, others less so. If it seems to you that someone does not understand you, use simple words, for example use "house" instead of "condominium" (condominium).
- The cultural differences within the Netherlands are quite evident. People from the south of the country are similar to the French, while those from the north are more like Scandinavians. But above all: the Dutch are not all the same. Even when you think you know them they are able to amaze you.
- If Holland attracts you, great. But please don't go unprepared. For the IND you must have a valid reason to move to the Netherlands: for work, you will need to present a contract; to start a family, your fiancée will have to demonstrate that she has enough means to support both of them; for family reunification. Today there is also a mandatory entry test which, for most countries, must be completed BEFORE arriving in the Netherlands. Contact the Dutch embassy or consulate for information on these rules and regulations.
- Many people end up wanting to go home and run into debt. Make sure this is the move you want to make, as it will affect your life drastically.
- The Dutch are very open and direct people. They might criticize your country's politics. Don't be offended but respond politely and explain your reasons.
- The Dutch learn British English in school but watch a lot of American TV programs. Depending on your choice of words, they may not understand some expressions typical of one or the other English.
- You may be insulted for being a foreigner. It's hard for that to happen but if the best thing happens and let it go. It will probably just be a joke.
- It's easy to get lost in a big city. Pay particular attention to places like Amsterdam, where there are neighborhoods that are best not to visit, even if you wish.
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