Immigration to Netherlands

People of Netherlands

The Dutch are Germanic ethnic group in the Netherlands and they share a common ancestry and culture. They speak the Dutch language. There are 76.9% Dutch people in Netherlands and rest comes from other ethnic groups like Germans, Turkish, Moroccan, Indonesian, etc.

Local Dutch take great pride in their cultural heritage. The government bodies respect and take good care of their heritage as is evident in their paintings and monuments. People here are food lovers. Their cuisines are well known all over the world like, pancakes, spice cookies (fried and dusted with sugar), cheeses like Edam and Gouda made by Dutch people. Dutch are also known as the ancestors of GIN. They take part in Literature and performing arts like music, theatre and dramas. Dutch are also fond of sports and recreation. Dutch people are very adaptable, straightforward and honest. For more information on the people of the Netherlands,  refer to: britannica.com

Job offers in Netherlands

To get a job in the Netherlands, residence permit and work permit are required. Single permit is also advisable as it combines both the
permits into one. This can be issued for one to three years.  In some sectors there are continuous demands of qualified professionals like engineers, ICT specialists, innovative persons in creative industries, health care specialists.

Engineers: Netherland is a country which has a long tradition in high tech engineering, innovation and science. According to a survey this country has the second highest demand for engineers globally. Especially Mechanical or technical engineers are in demand here.

ICT Specialist: This country has a strong focus on high-tech industries, technological and social innovations. Well trained specialists in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are also in demand.  IT sector is the one of the fastest growing sector in here.

Creative Industries: Fashion designers, architects, DJ’s, authors, artists, illustrators and graphic designers are highly in demand in Netherlands. If you are one of them and want to start your career in creative industries, you can apply for work in Netherlands.

Healthcare specialists: Healthcare sector is one of the largest sectors in the Netherlands and it is growing as the population here is ageing and soon there will be a big gap between the demand in this sector and the number of employees to fill it.

Other occupations in demand are: Agriculture, Energy, Finance, Transport and Logistics. For more information please visit: nlalumni.nl

Unemployment rate

The unemployment rate in the Netherlands stands at 3.7% as of October’24. This is a slight increase from the previous three months, when the rate was 3.6%, thus indicating a stable labor market despite slight fluctuations over the year. In 2023 the unemployment in the month of October was around 3.6% just slightly lower than 3.7%. The increase could be due to economic slowdowns due to inflationary pressures, disruptions in global trade, or adjustments in labor market demand post -pandemic.

For the current unemployment rate in the Netherlands, visit: tradingeconomics.com

Economy of Netherlands

According to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, Netherlands economy is the seventeenth largest in the world in 2021. Its GDP per capita was very high in previous years, which makes it one of the highest earning nations. Netherlands has had constant natural gas resources since last fifty-sixty years in the European Union. Over the years, the sale of natural gas generated a better rise in revenue for the Netherlands.

It has a prosperous and open economy and mostly depends on foreign trade.  This economy also depends on transportation, resource extraction and heavy industry. Netherlands’s economic freedom score is 76.8, making its economy the 16^th freest in the 2021 index.

For more information on the Economy of the Netherlands,  visit: heritage.org

Renting and buying of real estates for foreigners in the Netherlands

If you are planning to move to the Netherlands, you might rent a property rather than buying it. Renting property here is common among both locals and expats. Prices for renting or buying apartments, detached or semi-detached homes, etc. may vary. According to a report, approx 40% of Dutch people rent their houses. Apartments and houses for rent are furnished, semi furnished and unfurnished.

Amsterdam, the capital has many immigrants, over 50% from abroad. It is considered a better place to stay, which reflects on the rental prices which are very high and comparatively expensive than other cities of the country.

Rotterdam, a city in South Holland, home for many companies like Unilever, Pfizer and Allianz has good rental prices but less expensive as the capital city and still costlier than other Dutch cities.

Other cities like Groningen and Hauge are also good for accommodation with less rental amount compared to the other cities in the Netherlands.

Buying a property is that you can call a place of your own. Owning a property is also cheaper in terms of monthly outlay. Before buying a property you should check your mortgage. If you want to settle down in this country then purchasing will be a good idea.

For more information on renting and buying property in Netherlands, visit: expatica.com

Climate of Netherlands

Netherlands has moderate maritime climate. This type of climate generally features cool summers and mild winters.

Spring in Netherlands starts from March and lasts up till the month of June. The average temperature is 9.5˚C.  Summer, here starts from the month of June and ends in the month of September. The average temperature is 17˚C.

Autumn starts from September, ends in the month of December. Average temperature is 10.6˚C. Winter starts on December 21^st and ends in the first week f March. The average temperature during winter is 3.4˚C.

For more information on the climate of Netherlands, visit: iamexpat.nl

Languages

There are top 3 languages spoken in Netherlands, Dutch, Frisian and English. Dutch is the official language, spoken by 98% of the people in the Netherlands. The Netherlands also has a separate Dutch Sign Language, but it is still waiting for recognition and has a large number of users in the country. Between 90 to 93% of the total population are able to converse in English, 71% in German, 29% in French and 5% in Spanish. For more information on the languages spoken in the Netherlands, visit: en.wikipedia.org

To learn any of the above languages in just 17 minutes a day,  click on language course. 

Traffic in Netherlands

Driving in the Netherlands is generally safe as the country has well-maintained roads, clear traffic signs and strict enforcement of traffic rules. Speed limits and roundabouts are designed to improve road safety. There are separate lanes for cyclists covering more than 35,000 km of cycle paths. There are signs and traffic lights for cyclists and on roads where cycle is not allowed, there are signs stating cycle not allowed. There are also separate bike lanes which are clearly marked. The basic traffic rules in the Netherlands are as follows:

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road
• Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. A fine of €150 is charges for not wearing a seatbelt.
• Speed Limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h outside cities, and 100-130 km/h on highways. Over speeding fines range from €30 to over €400, depending on how much over the limit.
• Alcohol limits: 0.5 g/L for experienced drivers and 0.2 g/L for new drivers. Driving under the influence of alcohol incurs severe penalties, including fines up to €1,000, license suspension and also imprisonment depending on the alcohol levels and repeat offenses.
• Mobile phone use is prohibited unless hands-free. A fine of €380 is charges for using a mobile phone while driving.
• Roundabouts: Drivers on the roundabout have the right of way.
• A fine of €280 for running a red light is charged. 

The road network in the Netherlands is very dense, with 139,000 kms of public roads including 3,530 kms of motorways and expressways. The high motorway density of 64 kms per 1,000 square kms. During peak hours’ road congestion is common in the Netherlands on major motorways and in urban areas. The Randstad region (which includes cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Haque) is particularly prone to congestion. Tourists from the EU (European Union) and some other countries can use their valid foreign driver’s license to drive in the Netherlands. For non-EU nationals, an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your home country’s license in required if your stay is less than 6 months in the Netherlands. If the stay is longer than you many need to exchange your license for a Dutch license, depending on your country of origin.

Currency of Netherlands

Currency used in Netherlands is an EURO. A euro note comes in denominations like €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500, etc and coins in €1, €2, 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, and 50c cents. The Euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Netherlands on 1^st January 2002. The Euro is the official currency of 19^th of the 27^th member states of the European Union. This group of states is known as the eurozone or euro area and includes more than 343 million citizens.

Payment Transaction

Payments can be done by cash, cheque, debit/credit card or through online transaction depends on individual’s choice. The payment society in the Netherlands provides easy, stable and safe counter payments. The Dutch Payments Association closely follows and keep a track of innovations made in the payment system. If you’ve come from an European country and want to make payments here SEPA (Single Euro Payment Area) is useful as this makes transactions easy and feels no difference between a domestic payment and a euro payment from or to the other European Country.

For more information visit: betaalvereniging.nl

Apartment Rent in the Netherlands

Rent for one bedroom apartment in main city like Amsterdam will cost you €700 – €1200 for a studio apartment. Room in a shared apartment will cost you around €400 – €1100. For 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 2-3 BHK apartment/Houses, prices may vary according to individual’s choices.  Comparatively apartment outside main city of 1, 2, 3 BHK will cost you less than this. Staying in cities like Haarlem, Hilversum or Amstelveen is much cheaper than Amsterdam. Staying in the places like Groningen, Limburg and  Zeeland provinces are less expensive on the cost of accommodation.

For more information on apartment rents in the Netherlands, visit: dutchreview.com or rentola.com

Taxes system in Netherlands

Just like any other country, Dutch also have a taxation system and have to pay the tax on the regular basis. Higher earner can expect to pay substantial taxation on the salary upto 49.5%. However, individual’s personal situation, type of work, residency status, and other assets and earnings (earnings from abroad) will affect your situation accordingly. You must pay tax on income that you have earned during the whole year if you are a tax resident of Netherlands. Different rules apply to self-employment taxes in the Netherlands. If you are a Dutch resident and earning an income here then you will need to file a Dutch income tax return and pay taxes in this country.

For more information please visit: expatica.com

Health Insurance

Free medical treatment in the Netherlands depends on the Dutch Health insurance plan you choose. Public health insurance does not cover each and every treatment, such as physiotherapy and dental treatment. Private insurance policy is needed. The Netherlands’s healthcare system provides high-quality care and assures availability of English speaking doctors. Private or public both healthcare systems are available in the Netherlands.

For more information visit: expatica.com

Important addresses

Embassy of Ukraine
Zeestraat 78,
2518 AD Den Haag,
Netherlands
Ph: +31 70 362 6095
Website: https://netherlands.mfa.gov.ua/

Australian Embassy
Carnegielaan 4,
2517 KH Den Haag,
Netherlands
Ph: +31 70 310 8200
Website: https://netherlands.embassy.gov.au/

Embassy of the Republic of Poland
Alexanderstraat 25,
2514 JM Den Haag,
Netherlands
Ph: +31 70 799 0100
Website: https://www.gov.pl/web/holandia

Amsterdam Airport Schipol
Evert van de Beekstraat 202,
1118 CP Schiphol,
Netherlands
Ph: +31 20 794 0800
Website: https://www.schiphol.nl/nl/

Rotterdam The Hauge Airport
Rotterdam Airportplein 60,
3045 AP Rotterdam,
Netherlands
Ph: +31 10 446 3444
Website: https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/

Maastricht Aachen Airport
Vliegveldweg 90,
6199 AD Maastricht Airport,
Netherlands
Ph: +31 43 358 9898
Website: https://www.maa.nl/

Amsterdam Zuid (Subway Station)
Zuidplein,
1077 XV Amsterdam,
Netherlands

Heemstedestraat (Subway Station)
1062 KB Amsterdam,
Netherlands

Summary

The Netherlands is a country in Western Europe known for its flat landscapes, canals, windmills, tulips and cycling routes. It has a high quality of life with excellent healthcare, education and public services. Major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht are popular but come with high cost of living. The culture is open and practical, and its values a good balance between work and life, fairness for everyone and caring for the environment. The people of Netherlands are generally welcoming and tolerant towards immigrants and foreigners. The country is known for its multicultural environment and openness to diversity. While experiences can vary many immigrants find the Dutch to be friendly and accepting.

Many people move to the Netherlands for job opportunities in technology, finance, agriculture, logistics and healthcare. Netherlands is a best option for retirees due to its peaceful environment and good healthcare. In summary Netherland’s welcoming and diverse society, combined with its strategic European location, makes it a great choice for anyone looking to relocate.