The time is almost here, and you’ll soon be flying to the Netherlands, where your new adventure begins. Together, we’ll make it a dream start!
Congratulations. You will soon be leaving for the Netherlands, where your great adventure begins. You are already largely prepared and have a lot of knowledge about the country. However, things won’t always be exactly as you are used to, and not everything will be immediately clear. That is why it is important to prepare thoroughly in advance.
If you already have the address of your accommodation in the Netherlands, you can look up the house, the street, and the surrounding area on Google. For example, use Google Street View to explore the neighborhood—see where the shops, butcher, or bakery are located. You can also check the distance to your workplace and the best way to get there. You will have a bicycle, but you can also use public transport. Look into this beforehand so you don’t face any surprises.
Carefully select what you want and are able to bring with you to the Netherlands. Remember that it can be much colder in the Netherlands and that it rains frequently. So, if you are arriving during the Dutch winter, make sure you have a warm coat, gloves, and a hat.
Once you arrive in the Netherlands
You will receive a warm welcome at Schiphol, the Netherlands’ main airport. You will be met there and taken to your accommodation by bus. It might be temporary housing; make it cozy, most essentials are already provided. It certainly won’t be exactly the same as your home environment, but you are free to buy extra items or do so together with your colleagues.
Your accommodation: You will be living here with several colleagues. Everyone has a private bedroom, while the kitchen, living room, and bathroom are shared. Make sure to get to know each other well and divide up the chores. You are in this together and will need one another.
There is also a good chance that you will start work after just two days. They are certainly taking you and your move to the Netherlands into account, but they also expect you to start getting acquainted and begin your onboarding program.
Don’t underestimate the first week. You will be tired from the journey, and there will be a lot coming at you all at once. This can be demanding, so it is crucial to know where to find the information you need. Below, you will find answers to common questions, as well as various tips. You can read through all of this before you leave; I encourage you to do so, so that whenever a question arises, you’ll know exactly where to find the answer.
Dutch mobile number
Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you will receive a SIM card for your mobile phone. You get free calls and data within the Netherlands for the first month. Please note that making calls outside Europe is expensive, so use WhatsApp or video calling instead—always via your data connection or Wi-Fi.
After this first month, you can extend the included plan or choose a different one yourself. You will be responsible for the costs after the first month.
Burger Service Nummer (BSN)
Everyone who lives and works in the Netherlands has a BSN (Citizen Service Number). This is mandatory, and you need it for many different services. We will schedule an appointment for you; we take care of the arrangements and assist you with the process. An appointment will be made for you, and you will need to bring your passport and your Dutch address details.
You will receive further information about this once you arrive in the Netherlands.
Residence documents
Once you are in the Netherlands, an appointment will be scheduled for you with the authorities so you can collect your official residence documents. You will be informed about this upon your arrival. Please note that this must be done within a specific timeframe, so make sure to keep track of your appointment details.
The appointment will take place in a location other than where you live, so plan your journey and the time you need to leave to ensure you arrive on time.
Open a bank account
You need a bank account as soon as possible. You must provide the details to your employer so they can deposit your salary, starting from the very first month. In the Netherlands, salaries are never paid in cash; they are always deposited into your bank account. Foreign bank accounts cannot be used.
To open a bank account in the Netherlands, you need a valid form of identification, a Citizen Service Number (BSN), and a Dutch residential address. You can usually apply online via the bank’s app or by visiting a branch in person.
Valid identification: A passport, driver’s license, or identity card. A Dutch residence permit or a European identity card is also acceptable.
Residential address in the Netherlands: You must be registered with the municipality. You may sometimes be asked for proof of address, such as a rental contract or utility bill.
Steps to open a bank account:
Public transport
Public transport is available everywhere in the Netherlands. Buses and trains operate throughout the country, while trams and the metro serve certain areas. You can best find timetables via the following two websites (or apps):
On these sites, you can enter your departure and arrival addresses, as well as your desired departure or arrival time. You can even plan trips for a future date—for example, three days from now.
Trains run less frequently during the evening and on weekends.
You are allowed to take your bicycle on the train in the Netherlands, though certain conditions apply. Sometimes—especially when it is busy—taking a bike is prohibited or incurs an extra fee, so be sure to check the rules carefully. Link NS.
Health insurance
If you are new to living or working in the Netherlands, you are required to take out a Dutch basic health insurance policy within four months. This insurance covers standard care, such as GP visits and hospital stays. Health insurers are required to accept you for the basic policy, regardless of your medical history.
There is a mandatory basic insurance policy, as well as options for supplementary insurance. You can easily compare different providers on the Independer website. You can also determine for yourself whether—and if so, which—supplementary insurance policies are important for you.
You can also compare other types of insurance on this website.
Doctor and dentist
Everyone in the Netherlands has a general practitioner (doctor) and a dentist. Find one in your local area and register with them for free.
GP services are fully covered by your basic health insurance, and the GP is usually the first doctor you consult when you are genuinely ill. They assess the situation and determine whether you need a referral to a specialist. So, do not wait too long to find a GP.
Dental care is not covered by your basic health insurance. You can choose to pay for it yourself or take out supplementary health insurance.
Statutory liability insurance
You need this insurance if you accidentally cause damage to someone else. This insurance is mandatory, and the best way to compare options is via the Independer website or Google.
Heating in your home
In the Netherlands, we generally don’t have air conditioning; instead, we have central heating. This usually involves a thermostat—a central control unit typically mounted on the wall inside the home—where you can set the temperature to, for example, 20 degrees. When it is cold, it can take a while for the house to reach that temperature, so sometimes a little patience is required.
You may also have radiators in various rooms; these are fitted with a dial that allows you to turn them on or off. Adjusting the dial—closing it or opening it further—makes the room cooler or warmer.
Ventilate your house / prevent mold
By now, you know what winter in the Netherlands is like: sometimes (usually 😉) cold, with occasional rain. You are used to warmth and perhaps keeping the heating turned up high. That is understandable, but it can cause problems in the Netherlands.
If you keep the heating on high all the time without ventilating the room, mold will develop. Mold is stubborn and difficult to get rid of once it appears.
Questions about housing
The aim is for you to become self-reliant as soon as possible. Therefore, always try to find a solution yourself first. For instance, information on how appliances work or when the municipality collects household waste is something you can look up yourself. However, for urgent matters, you can email the housing department. They will respond within a few days (depending on urgency and workload). Try to explain your question as clearly as possible and include photos if relevant.
Unless otherwise arranged, you can direct all questions to the email address: support@care-investment-group.nl
Maintaining your bike
If you have received a bicycle from us, you are responsible for minor maintenance—such as fixing a flat tire, reattaching a slipped chain, or replacing a bike light. You might never have patched a bike tire before; it sounds complicated, but it is actually very simple. Here is a link to a video.
You can also use a professional bike repair shop. You will have to cover the costs yourself, but they can provide expert assistance.
The ANWB offers roadside assistance memberships that cover bicycles as well. Check their website to see which options might be right for you.
Supermarket
There are various supermarkets in the Netherlands. Some are quite upscale and offer a wide range of products, but they are also more expensive—for example, Albert Heijn (AH) and Jumbo. Aldi and Lidl are examples of budget supermarkets.
There are also bakeries, greengrocers, butchers, and so on. You can easily search for them in your local area using Google Maps.
Drugstore
At a drugstore, such as Etos, Kruidvat, or Trekpleister, you primarily buy products for personal care, health, and grooming.
Online grocery shopping
In the Netherlands, you can order almost anything online. You do need a bank account or credit card to do so. The advantage is that you can place orders online and have the groceries delivered to your home (usually for free). There are so many options that we are listing just a few examples here:
Supermarkets with their own websites, such as AH, Jumbo, Aldi, and Lidl.
Finding your own home
You can look for your own home if you wish, though usually only after a few months. Since there are very few affordable homes available, it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months to find something.
You will need a landlord reference (*verhuurdersverklaring*). You can request this via the email address: backoffice@carevisie.nl
You also need an employer’s statement (*werkgeversverklaring*), which you can request from your employer.
Then there is the search itself. In the Netherlands, we have social housing (*sociale huurwoningen*). These are cheaper homes, but there is usually a waiting list of several years. That leaves you with private sector housing (*vrije sector*). These are more expensive, but they are usually your only option. Expect to pay between €1,200 and €1,500 per month in rent. Pay close attention to whether water, gas, and electricity are included in the price.
!! Beware of scammers running websites where you can sign up but are immediately required to pay a registration fee. Never do this!!! You will almost certainly lose that money immediately !!
Here are a few websites where you can search; you can also look on Facebook:
Be sure to check with real estate agents and ask your colleagues as well.
It is crucial that when you find a property, you respond IMMEDIATELY—and I mean *immediately*. Otherwise, the home will be gone. You really need to respond on the very same day!!
And if you find a home that isn’t nearby, check first whether you can actually get to work from there using available transport.
Rent subsidy
In the Netherlands, you may be eligible for a rent allowance under certain conditions. This means receiving a monthly payment from the government to help cover your rent costs. Eligibility depends on your personal situation and income.
You can find all the relevant information and run a trial calculation on the Tax and Customs Administration website.
General allowances you might be entitled to.
Allowances:
A contribution towards the costs of health insurance, children, rent, and childcare.
For more information, visit the Belastingdienst website.
Family reunification
It is perfectly understandable that you would want to bring your children and/or partner to the Netherlands. We fully appreciate this, but we pointed out several times during the application process that you should not do this right at the start.
We advise considering this only after you:
Please also let us know; we might be able to assist you.
Notes:
Please fill in the contact form and we will respond as soon as possible.