How to Move to Holland: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Moving house to the Netherlands is a very exciting prospect. You don't have to worry because you'll be living among the friendliest, tallest and most beer-loving people in the world! One of the things that many people love about this country is its coffee drinking culture. In addition, people can easily go anywhere by foot or by bicycle because the ground is flat. There's so much you'll love! If you are planning to move to this beautiful country, you should bring the appropriate documents, as well as plan what work you will do and where you will live in advance.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Getting a Visa

Step 1. Don't worry about visas if you're moving from one of the EU countries

The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area of Europe. Its territory consists of several countries that use the same type of visa and do not have border checks. You also don't have to worry about getting a visa if you are a citizen of the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland.

However, if you are from Croatia, a new member of the European Union, you will still need a visa.
If you have dual citizenship and two passports, you may still need a visa depending on which passport you use to enter the Netherlands.

Step 2. Make a C-visa application for a visit period of less than three months

If you wish to stay in the Netherlands for three months or less, you can apply for a short stay visa. You can stay there for up to 90 days in any six month period.

The cost of applying for a short stay visa is 60 euros.
As long as your employer provides a work permit on your behalf, you can work on this type of visa.
You cannot apply for a residence permit using this type of visa.

Step 3. Apply for a long term visitor visa for a stay of more than three months

If you want to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months then you will need a long term visitor visa (MVV Visa). You will make the application at the same time as the creation of your residence permit. This process will vary slightly depending on where you are from. For a residence permit, you must make an appointment with the Immigration and Naturalization Office (IND).

If you are traveling from the United Kingdom, you can apply for a visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which has the Netherlands Visa Application Centre.
You do not need a long term visitor visa if you are from the European Union, United States, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland or Vatican City State. However, you will still need a residence permit from the Office of Immigration and Naturalization (IND).
You can make an appointment with IND by calling +31880430430. The office is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the IND website to check prices for long term visas.
You do not need a visa if you are traveling from a member state of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or from Switzerland.
Visit the nearest Dutch Embassy to ask questions about the specific visa requirements based on your situation.

Step 4. Visit a doctor and vaccinate yourself if necessary

Before you move, you must also do a medical examination and obtain the health certificate you need.

For example, you should get the measles (measles), mumps (mumps), and rubella (rubella) vaccine, also known as the MMR vaccine, on a regular basis. In addition, you should also get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine and the flu vaccine.
If you are not traveling from the United States, you may need the hepatitis A, hepatitis B and some other vaccines as well.

Part 2 of 3: Registering at City Hall

Step 1. Bring the necessary documents from home

You will need official documents to register with the city hall or gemeente. If all your documents are not written in Dutch, English, French or German, you will need to have them officially translated. Bring additional copies of important documents, such as birth and marriage certificates. Bring these documents from home:

Valid passport (or personal identification)
A residence permit, such as a sticker on your passport, an ID card, or a letter from the IND.
house rental contract
Certified copy of your birth certificate
If required, you will also need to bring a marriage certificate from your home country, a divorce certificate or proof of residence with a registered spouse.

Step 2. Find an address that can be used as your registration address

You will need a rental contract or agreement to get your social security number or BSN. This means that you will have to find a place to live before registering with the city hall. When looking for a place to live, you should ask the landlord if they allow their address to be used as your registration address. Some hosts don't allow it because they have to pay higher taxes if they allow this.

If you have friends in the Netherlands, you can ask them to help you find an apartment or room.
You can search for a group Facebook account for rentals in the Netherlands.
If you are studying in the Netherlands, you can also find accommodation at a university.

Step 3. Make an appointment to register at the town hall

You should make an appointment there as soon as possible after arriving there. Ask them to let you know when the next free schedule is, then specify the day and time.

If moving from Amsterdam, you can call the city hall on 14020 255 29 09.
If moving from Utrecht, you can call 030 286 00 00.
If you know which city you're moving to, you can find out whether they accept appointments online. Look for the website of the city hall where you will be moving and make an appointment online.

Part 3 of 3: Defending Yourself

Step 1. Learn Dutch

While almost everyone there can speak English, you should learn the language too. People will really appreciate you if you make the effort to speak their language. Look for a language class when you arrive or use a voice recording. Dutch can be a little difficult to learn, but your efforts will pay off if you plan to move there.

Step 2. Find a job in the Netherlands

You should seek employment opportunities before moving to this country. Most jobs will require a fairly good command of the Dutch language. In addition, there are also restrictions on the use of the services of persons who are not EU citizens so you should be prepared to look for work for a long period of time.

If you are a scientist or professional expert who is highly trained in a particular area, your employer may provide you with a sponsor

Step 3. Convert your currency to euros

Remember, the more money you bring in, the better chances you'll get there. Also pay attention to whether the euro is worth more or less than your country's currency.

Step 4. Look for a bank with a good foreign exchange service on the internet

You may find it difficult to pay for many things using a foreign bank card in the Netherlands. So, create a local bank account. While there are many banking options, there are several banks that provide services in English.

Bunq is a Dutch bank that provides the best English language services. You'll be able to do all your banking from your phone, as well as create a new account within five minutes.
In the Netherlands, the cost of living and renting a house is quite high. If you use Bunq, you can create a budget for yourself, as well as create several different financial accounts within the app.
Once you have created an account, you can send money in euros directly from your Bunq account. In addition, you can also make transfers through international money transfer service providers.

Step 5. Find out how you will be covered by the health care provider

You must have health insurance in the Netherlands. Basic coverage you can get by paying 109 euros. You must ensure that you have a health insurance plan or travel insurance plan that covers health services.

If you fail to get insurance within three months, you will be fined 386 euros.
You will get basic medical help if you are not insured. However, you have to pay a very high fee. However, every hospital has funds for uninsured or undocumented people. So you will never be denied urgent medical aid funds.
The Netherlands has agreements on health insurance with European Union countries and countries in the European Economic Area. In addition, they also have similar agreements with Australia, Cape Verde Islands, Croatia, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia.

Step 6. Prepare yourself for culture shock

You will need some time to adjust, such as driving on the other side of the road, or to the temperature there. However, don't take all of this seriously. Everything will pass in due time.

Step 7. Meet new people

You'll find new places to meet local people, such as at the pub, the gym, or at school. Dutch people are famous for not liking small talk and being quite open. However, they usually won't invite you to their house unless you know their close friends and family well.

You can meet new people at work, pubs, gyms, schools or associations where you do your hobby.
When you're just starting out in Dutch society, you may need to connect with other people. One good resource for foreigners in the Netherlands is the Expatica website which can be visited here.

Step 8. Obtain citizenship after you have lived there for five years

You can become a citizen of the Netherlands after you have lived there for five consecutive years. To do so, you must prove proficiency in Dutch, adopt a name that can be easily pronounced in Dutch, and give up your other nationality. You have to create the application via IND. This process will take about a year.

Tips

You should speak Dutch quite well before going there. You can ask your family members to teach you Dutch if they can speak Dutch!
Making new friends in the Netherlands is also advantageous. They can help you do some simple things like buy coffee or order pizza.
Keep in touch with relatives and friends by e-mail or letter.
If someone doesn't understand what you are saying in English, use simple words.
Pay attention to your choice of words in English, because they may not understand certain expressions in English.
Contact the Dutch Embassy or the nearest consulate to inquire about rules and regulations related to immigration and/or naturalization.

Warning

Dutch people can be very open and don't like small talk. They can criticize the political situation in your home country. Don't be offended, but join the discussion and explain to them.
Many people want to return to their home countries eventually, and then they are involved in huge debts.
You can be insulted because you are a foreigner.
You can get lost easily in a big city. Be careful in some places like in Amsterdam. There are some parts of the city that you should avoid.
Don't be in a hurry to make a decision to move to the Netherlands.