Brief Overview of Dutch Culture & Social Life<\/span><\/h2>\nThe Netherlands is a liberal nation with a progressive attitude. The Dutch are generally known for being direct, pragmatic, and <\/span>tolerant<\/b>.\u00a0 They are usually highly friendly, polite, and <\/span>hospitable <\/b>as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThey follow the rules, maintain conservatism, and pay particular attention to small details. The Dutch pride themselves on being sensible, diligent, and well-organized. They appreciate that foreigners also try to respect their social and cultural characteristics.<\/span><\/p>\nHowever, it should be noted that it may take some time for your new colleagues and neighbors to warm up to you, as the Dutch are quite <\/span>introverted regarding<\/b> communication. Meanwhile, you can connect with people going through a comparable change in the vibrant ex-pat community the Netherlands is known for.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Dutch take considerable pride in their cultural heritage, and the government is constantly involved in supporting all forms of art. It can be said that cultural diversity is clearly expressed in Dutch characters.<\/span><\/p>\nDo I Need to Learn the Dutch Language?<\/span><\/h3>\nThe majority of people in the Netherlands are able to communicate in <\/span>English<\/b>, with estimates of their ability varying from <\/span>90% to 93%<\/b> of the overall population.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
Technically speaking, the Dutch language requirement is not necessary since many businesses and organizations in the Netherlands provide opportunities for <\/span>English-speaking expats.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHowever, learning Dutch will not only make it easier for you to acquire a job and enable you to interact with colleagues and neighbors, read signs, and get help if you ever get lost. Furthermore, due to its position between German and English, Dutch is perhaps the easiest language<\/span> for English speakers to learn.<\/span><\/p>\nHow to Apply for a Dutch Visa?<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you decide to relocate to the Netherlands, you should apply for a <\/span>long-stay visa<\/b>, also known as a <\/span>provisional residence permit (MVV). <\/b>On the other hand, you do not need a Dutch visa or residence permit to move to the Netherlands if you are a citizen of an <\/span>EU\/EEA <\/b>country or a <\/span>Swiss national<\/b>, but you will still need to register with the <\/span>local authorities.<\/b><\/p>\nThe Dutch Embassy <\/b>or <\/span>Consulate<\/b> in your country is where you can apply for a visa. The processing of a visa application, whether it’s for the Netherlands or another country, takes a little while. For this reason, you need to apply for the visa process in advance of your intended departure. The suggested time frame is at least <\/span>3 weeks<\/b> before your trip.<\/span><\/p>\nOnline application forms <\/b>can often be requested and printed from the websites of Dutch embassies and consulates. Before submitting the application, you should fill it out and sign it. When applying for a Dutch visa, you must also provide a number of documents in addition to the application form.<\/span><\/p>\nSorting Out Health Insurance in the Netherlands<\/span><\/h2>\nHealth insurance for you and your family should be one of the top priorities when moving to the Netherlands. The <\/span>Dutch healthcare system<\/b> is one of the most advanced in the world, and all citizens, including most expats, are required by law to get health insurance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe majority of treatments should be covered by insurance. Still, for expatriates, the variety of health insurance alternatives in the Netherlands can be overwhelming because so many companies seem to provide almost identical options.<\/span><\/p>\nAfter your insurance is sorted, consider finding a <\/span>family doctor<\/b> in the Netherlands as a priority. Why? Because family doctors conduct regular medical examinations and tests, and refer patients to specialists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nEven in an <\/span>emergency<\/b>, you might need to call your family doctor and get a referral to avoid problems obtaining insurance to cover the medical procedure cost.<\/span><\/p>\nHow to Manage Finances in the Netherlands?<\/span><\/h2>\nManaging <\/span>long-term earnings<\/b> and meeting immediate <\/span>financial requirements<\/b> are crucial when moving to the Netherlands. Before relocating, exploring your economic alternatives, including <\/span>retail banks<\/b> and <\/span>mobile banking services, is essential<\/b>. Setting up a <\/span>mobile banking account <\/b>before your departure is also relevant.<\/span><\/p>\nYou might also need to rapidly and simply transfer money abroad. As a result, the following <\/span>payment options<\/b> can be beneficial.<\/span><\/p>\nWith money transfers available to over <\/span>150 countries<\/b> and currency rates up to <\/span>8 times<\/b> lower than those offered by banks, <\/span>CurrencyFair<\/b> enables you to avoid excessive bank fees. <\/span>Wise <\/b>is another provider of international money transfers available in <\/span>59 countries<\/b> and offers transfers between international bank accounts up to <\/span>8 times<\/b> less expensive<\/b> than traditional banks.<\/span><\/p>\nRegarding taxes, it is essential to highlight that the Dutch system is straightforward, especially for expats. The Netherlands is a socially aware nation. Therefore, higher earners should consider paying <\/span>higher taxes<\/b> on their income.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nKeep in mind that your personal circumstances, a field of employment, residency status, and other assets and earnings directly affect your status as an expat in the Netherlands.<\/span><\/p>\nCustoms Regulations and Allowances for the Netherlands<\/span><\/h2>\nCustoms in the Netherlands does not impose a tax on personal luggage. When traveling with medicine, make sure you keep it in its original packaging as you might be asked to provide a prescription and prove it is for only personal use.<\/span><\/p>\nYou should also keep in mind that some medications, like strong painkillers and sleep-inducing drugs, may be classified as narcotics in the EU. When it comes to <\/span>alcohol, <\/b>don\u2019t forget <\/span>Duty-Free Customs customs allowances:<\/b><\/p>\n\n- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages (whisky, vodka, etc.);<\/span><\/li>\n
- 2 liters of sparkling wine;<\/span><\/li>\n
- 4 liters of wine;<\/span><\/li>\n
- 16 liters of beer.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0Furthermore, Duty-Free customs allowances for <\/span>tobacco <\/b>are the following:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- 200 cigarettes;<\/span><\/li>\n
- 100 cigarillos;<\/span><\/li>\n
- 50 cigars;<\/span><\/li>\n
- 250 grams of smoking tobacco.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The following <\/span>alcohol <\/b>and <\/span>tobacco <\/b>goods can be imported with increased duty-free customs allowances by those moving from another <\/span>EU nation<\/b>. However, there are no restrictions for citizens of EU countries on how much <\/span>money <\/b>they can import. Additionally, they experience fewer limitations when bringing in <\/span>motorcycles <\/b>and <\/span>cars.<\/b><\/p>\nHousing & Public Transportation<\/span><\/h2>\nIt’s difficult to find housing in the Netherlands. City centers frequently have <\/span>small homes<\/b> with narrow rooms that are <\/span>relatively old<\/b>. So, avoiding the center may be the best option for you if you like something more modern and <\/span>affordable<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\nRenting <\/b>your new house is usually your best choice if you’re uncertain of how long you’ll stay in the Netherlands. Of course, the price will vary depending on the home’s location, size, and quality. When searching for a home, one of the first places everybody looks is <\/span>Funda<\/b>. The vast majority of Dutch real estate listings are published on the website.<\/span><\/p>\nEven if you choose accommodation far from the center, it will be quite convenient to travel by <\/span>public transport <\/b>as compared to some other countries. Public transport in the Netherlands is <\/span>quick, safe, <\/b>and <\/span>effective<\/b>. A <\/span>bus<\/b>, <\/span>tram<\/b>, or <\/span>train <\/b>may take you almost everywhere in the country, and you can generally trust them to arrive on time.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Netherlands’ Best Cities for Relocation<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/h2>\n
As the relocation destination is one of the primary aspects you need to acquire before your relocation, we have included a few of the cities where you can live in harmony after moving to the Netherlands.<\/span><\/p>\nAmsterdam<\/span><\/h3>\nAmsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is famous for its <\/span>stunning canals<\/b>, <\/span>distinctive architecture<\/b>, and <\/span>exciting nightlife.<\/b> Additionally, it’s a fantastic location to explore Dutch art and culture as the city has a long history that reaches back to the <\/span>13th century.<\/b><\/p>\nRotterdam<\/span><\/h3>\nRotterdam is a <\/span>prestigious <\/b>city in the Netherlands, known for pre-eminent Dutch contemporary architecture, Europe’s <\/span>largest harbor<\/b>, and a vibrant <\/span>intellectual powerhouse<\/b>. This city takes pride in being culturally diverse and far<\/span> less expensive<\/b> than Amsterdam.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Hague<\/span><\/h3>\nIt is widely known for being the constant home of the <\/span>Permanent Court of Arbitration<\/b> and the <\/span>International Court of Justice of the United Nations<\/b>. Hague has plenty of opportunities to offer globally-minded individuals as global companies and delegations such as <\/span>Shell <\/b>and <\/span>EPO <\/b>are located here. Along with a picturesque and excellent shopping area in the middle of town, there are many bars and restaurants, numerous museums, and other attractions.<\/span><\/p>\nPros & Cons of Moving to the Netherlands<\/span><\/h2>\nPros<\/span><\/h3>\nEasy to navigate<\/span><\/h4>\nYou can go from one side of the Netherlands to the other in under three hours since the country is located on a very small territory. This is ideal if you want to explore your new environment since there is no need to take long car trips or internal flights. Additionally, everything is reachable by train, which is also pretty reasonable.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Netherlands is located between <\/span>Belgium <\/b>and <\/span>Germany<\/b>, so if you’re looking for a cheap vacation or a fast weekend getaway, you won’t have to drive too far.<\/span><\/p>\nGreat cycling culture\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n