Thinking about relocating?

Have you ever thought about moving to the Netherlands but don't know where to start? 

The Netherlands (or Holland) is known for the beautiful fields of tulips, the windmills, its painters, variety of cheeses, bikes and…. because they are tall!! but did you know there is Plenty of job opportunities too?

In addition to being one of the countries that offers the best quality of life in Europe, the Netherlands has one of the lowest unemployment rates, therefore, finding good employment offer good conditions, career growth and a good work life balance is not difficult.

If you are an EU passport holder and want to come to the Netherlands to live and work, I have very good news for you... to start your new adventure all you need is a little of pre planning, your passport and your suitcase!

What do you need to do before and after you arrive in the Netherlands?

Register and ask for BSN (Burger Service Nummer)

Before you get on a plane, I Highly recommend you make an appointment for your BSN (Burger Service Nummer),  at the town hall, nearest to where you will be living, at the moment, the waiting time for appointments is taking longer than usual, so by booking before you arrive you will avoid any lengthy delays.

You will need your BSN (Burger Service Nummer), to do anything related to the public administration of the Netherlands.

It is important to know that this procedure must be carried out within the first 5 days after your arrival – if you wait until you arrive to make your appointment, you may not get a slot within the 5-day time period, so BOOK AHEAD

What documents do you need to bring the day of your appointment?

• Valid EU passport
• An address to register as your home address 

DigiD

The DigiD is the abbreviation of Digital Identification, which is used by means of a username and a password. This is what you are going to use to access service and government sites. You could say that it is your digital version of your passport.

However, it is important to mention that in order to obtain it you must first have your BSN. 

Once you have your BSN, you go to the DigiD website and fill in the information. Once sent, a letter will arrive at your residence, and you will have to enter a code by mail to validate your identity. You cannot change your username and password until your DigiD is active, so if you are like me one of those who forget your passwords, write them down VERY well so you don't lose them.

Medical insurance

You can only get this once you have your DigiD

IMPORTANT: everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands is required to have health insurance with a Dutch insurer. From the moment you register at an address in the Netherlands or start working, you are obliged to pay for health insurance. If you do not do it immediately and decide to wait to do it later, the day you start paying it, you will be charged for all the unpaid months backdated from the day of residence registration or the first day of work.

The fine for not paying health insurance in 2022 was also €437.35, You read that right, this is the fine if you do not pay your health insurance!

Useful to know: People in the Netherlands have a high level of English, so being able to speak Dutch initially is not always necessary, but having a good level of English is a MUST it is highly recommended to sign up to a Dutch course so you can fully integrate into community

These are the most important things you must do to live in the Netherlands. So, take note and start this new adventure!

If you are interested in finding a job in the Netherlands, don’t hesitate to get in touch:

maria@corecruitment.com