Netherlands

Expat Clubs

ACCESS

Not-for-profit organization supporting the Expat Community in The Netherlands. Whether you are working here on an expatriate assignment, have recently relocated, studying or have made Holland your home, then their free information and range of services, including publications, courses, counseling referrals and community events will help support you.

Address: Spui 70, 2511 BT The Hague

Tel: 0900 2 ACCESS (0900 2 222 377)

Email: [email protected]

Website: access-nl.org

 

Association Hispanica De La Haya

Spanish Association presenting films, musical events, lectures etc.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.asoha.nl

 

Alliance Francaise De La Haye

The French Alliance represents the first global cultural network, with 1,040 locations in 136 countries on five continents. Each year over 450,000 people of all ages come to learn the French language in French Alliances, and more than 6 million people participate in cultural activities.

Address: Kerkplein 3, 2513 AZ Den Haag

Tel: + 31 (0) 70 362 15 23

Fax: + 31 (0) 70 362 17 43

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.aflahaye.nl

 

American Women's Club Of The Hague

Visit the American Women's Club of the Hague to meet other expats, check their library and gift shop, upcoming events and much more.

Address: Johan van Oldenbarneveltlaan 43, 2582 NJ The Hague

Tel: +1 31 (0) 70 350 6007

E-mail: [email protected]

FB: www.facebook.com/groups/115831811854874/

Website: www.awcthehague.org/

 

British Society of Amsterdam

British society serving the expatriate community since 1920.

Address: Postbus 7429, 1007 JK Amsterdam

Website: www.britsoc.nl/

 

Central Bureau Voor Genealogie

The CBG is the ideal starting point for most research into Dutch ancestors or Dutch migrants who settled in other countries in the world.

Address: Postbus (PO Box) 11755, NL-2502 AT DEN HAAG, The Netherlands

Tel: +31-70-3150570

Fax +31-70-3478394

Website:  www.cbg.nl

 

Club Of Amsterdam

The Club of Amsterdam is an independent international, future-oriented think tank involved in channelling preferred futures.

Website: www.clubofamsterdam.com

 

Connecting Women Based In Den Haag

Connecting Women aims to provide a forum for motivating and supporting professional and internationally aware women in the paid and unpaid sectors. How? Through networking and presentations at their monthly meetings, a web site, together with a variety of interesting workshops.

Email: [email protected]

FB: www.facebook.com/groups/296276805789

Website: www.connectingwomen.nl

 

Genootschap Nederland-Engeland, GNE

The GNE is a Dutch society which aims at promoting friendly relations between Greenland and the Netherlands.

Email: [email protected]

FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Genootschap-Nederland-Engeland/159366804102606?sk=info

Website: www.nederlandengeland.nl

 

Indiawijzer

A comprehensive portal in India centric information.

Website: www.indiawijzer.nl 

 

International Almere

English speaking group whose aim is to connect and build essential social networks with people who understand the unique situation of being a foreigner in this modern Dutch city.

Address: Over­gouw 29, 1351KC Almere

Mobile: 0647205595

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.internationalalmere.com    

 

International Women's Club of Breda

The International Women's Club of Breda was founded in September of 1969. It was originally called the British and American Ladies Club. Now we have 50-60 members from about 17 different countries with an age range from 20's to 80's. We're single, married, working or full- time mothers. We're retired, have grandchildren or are devoted to our hobbies.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.iwcbreda.nl 

 

International Women's Club Eindhoven

The IWCE is a non-commercial, non-political and non-denominational organization that promotes networking between English speaking women from many different countries. Whether you're new to Eindhoven or have been here for a while and have just discovered us, the IWCE can be a great way to meet new people or to explore new directions via our special interest groups (daytime and evening activities).

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.iwce.nl 

 

International Women's Contact Of Amsterdam

The Club also helps members who come to Holland to settle in, enjoy their new environment and gain a better understanding of Dutch life and culture. The International Women's Contact of Amsterdam is an ideal way to make friends, learn a little more about each other, exchange information and socialise. We provide a wide range of activities, lectures, excursions and special interest groups which appeal to many women in the international community.

Address: WC Amsterdam, Erasmusweg 16, 2202 CC Noordwijk

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.iwcamsterdam.nl

 

International Women's Contact The Hague

The International Women's Contact The Hague, founded in 1978, has an international flavour as its members are from around 60 countries. Over the years, it has brought together women with an international exposure to meet and exchange ideas amidst a congenial setting of monthly meetings, coffee mornings at members' homes, excursions within the country and various activities, both indoor and outdoor.

Address: Vierloper 10 - 2586 KV Den Haag

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.iwcthehague.nl

 

Irish Club of the Netherlands

With the growing number of Irish people settling in the Netherlands and continental Europe, this club plays a central role in providing cultural and social links with the Irish community in many parts of Europe. Activities to include Gaelic Sports, Irish Step, Set and Ceili Dancing , Traditional Irish Music and Irish Language. The ICN Board are actively engaged in organising a variety of annual events  which attract a large audience comprising of many nationalities with a shared interest in the Irish Culture.

Address: Sophialaan 2, 2514JP, Den Haag

Website:  www.irishclub.nl

 

(NAWC) The North American Women's Club of Eindhoven

A group of North American and Canadian women aiming to provide members with basic information that will aid in easing their international transition to The Netherlands.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.nawceindhoven.com

 

Stichting Centro Latinoamericano de Orientación

Portal for Latin Americans in Eindhoven.

Website: www.cloeindhoven.nl   

International Schools 

American International School of Rotterdam

Founded in 1959, AISR is a coeducational day school for internationally-minded expatriate and Dutch families residing in the greater Rotterdam area.

Curriculum: International Baccalaureate

Address: Verhulstlaan 21

3055WJ Rotterdam

The Netherlands

Tel: + 31 (0)10 422 5351

Fax + 31 (0)10 422 4075

Website: www.aisr.nl

 

Amsterdam International Community School

Amsterdam International Community School has been an IB World School since March 2006. It offers the IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme to 231 students. The school is state funded. The head of the school is Kes van Ruitenbeek.

Curriculum: International Baccalaureate

Address: Prinses Irenestraat 59

1077WV Amsterdam

Tel: +31 (0)20 577 12 40

Fax: +31 (0)20 577 12 49

Website: www.aics.espritscholen.nl

 

The American School of The Hague

ASH offers a learner-centered, American curriculum modified for the needs of our international student and parent population.

Curriculum: American

Address: Rijksstraatweg 2002241 BX Wassenaar The Netherlands

Tel.+31 (0) 70 512 10 60

Fax+31 (0) 70 511 24 00

Website: www.ash.nl

 

The British School in the Netherlands

British International School for children aged 3 to 18 years with campuses in The Hague and Voorschoten.

Address: Vrouw Avenweg 640

2493 WZ The Hague, Netherlands

Tel: +31 70 315 4077

Website: www.britishschool.nl

 

International School of Amsterdam

The International School of Amsterdam is a recognized leader in education for international understanding. Founded in 1964, ISA was the first authorized IB World School, offering International Baccalaureate programmes from pre-school through grade 12. Since then, we have built a tradition of educating young people to be successful and constructive participants in the world, inspiring them to be lifelong learners.

Curriculum: International Baccalaureate

Address: Sportlaan 45

1185 TB Amstelveen

The Netherlands

Telephone: +31 20 347 1111

Fax: +31 20 347 1222

Website: www.isa.nl

Local News in English

DutchNews.nl

An online news resource for English-speaking expats in Holland.

Website: www.dutchnews.nl

 

NIS News Bulletin

Website: www.nisnews.nl

 

The Hague Online

An English, online magazine for expats living in The Hague.

Website: www.thehagueonline.com 

Country Information 

Location: Europe

Capital City: Ámsterdam

Other Important Cities: Utrecht

Currency: Euro €

Language: Dutch, Frisian

Calling Code: +31

Internet TLD: .nl

Electricity: The Netherlands run on 230V 50Hz. Electricity is provided by a number of companies:

Eneco Energie

Website: www.eneco.nl

 

Essent

Website: www.essent.nl/content/particulier/index.html#

 

Liander

Website: www.liander.nl/liander

 

N.V. Nuon Energy

Website: www.nuon.com

 

Oxxio

Website: www.oxxio.nl

 

TenneT

Website: www.tennet.eu/nl/home.html

 

Emergency Numbers:   

Ambulance: 112

Fire: 112

Police: 112

Country Information

en.wikipedia.org

Embassy Information

Check out this website for a handy guide to all of the local embassies in The Netherlands.



embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/netherlands

Residents Visa and Work Permit information

Schengen regulations apply when visiting the Netherlands. Nationals from several countries including the EU and the US are exempt from visa restrictions and may enter and stay in the country for a limited period. Other nationals will have to acquire a short-term Schengen visa to visit the Netherlands. Applications can be coursed through the Netherlands embassy or consulate in their home or host country. The government of the Netherlands has a list of countries and their exemptions and restrictions.



https://visaguide.world/europe/netherlands-visa/mvv/work/

 

Expats who intend to move to the Netherlands for extended periods beyond 90 days will have to acquire a long-stay visa, or a provisional residence permit MVV; also called a visa type ‘D’. This is especially required for most non-EU nationals. They will also need to apply for a residence permit. Normally, for expats who have secured employment at a Dutch company, their employers will apply for both MVV and residence permit.



Employment in the Netherlands comes in different categories:

• Seasonal labour
• Working as an employee
• Working on a self-employed basis
• Highly skilled migrant
• Scientific researcher
• Orientation year for graduates in the Netherlands
• Orientation year highly educated persons
• EU Blue Card
• Each category has different sets of document requirements and conditions. For Working as an Employee:
• Copies of all pages of your travel document containing the identification/ personal details. Also make copies of the pages containing travel stamps.
• A copy of the employment contract or letter of appointment, signed by your employer.
• Copies of diplomas and certificates. If the diploma(s) or certificate(s) was/were obtained abroad, the diploma(s) or certificate(s) need to be accompanied by a diploma evaluation from either Nuffic (the Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher education), AOB, COLO or IBG.
• If you do not have a negotiated salary subject to collective agreement, a further substantiation is needed to show that you will earn a competitive income.
• An original certificate of the registration of the company at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, if registration is possible.
• A copy of the vacancy listing at UWV, as well as a copy of the confirmation of receipt by UWV.
• Evidence of all recruitment efforts made by the employer. These could be advertisements of vacant positions, invoices for the advertisements, instructions to temporary employment or recruitment agencies, and printouts of vacancies posted online. The documents, in any event, need to show the date and period the position was advertised. The documents also need to demonstrate the means used by the employer to recruit new staff.
• Information detailing the results of the recruitment efforts. For example the number of job applicants (i.e. anonymous copies of their CVs), any motivated refusals, possible responses from recruitment and selection agencies, correspondence etc.
• Evidence of all recruitment efforts made in the other EU Member States. These could be advertisements of vacant posts, invoices for the advertisements, correspondence with international recruitment agencies and European intermediary services.

From the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation site: Working in the Netherlands

Accommodation

The openness of the Netherlands and its locals to other cultures, traditions and preferences that it is common to find a mixture of East and West in one commune. This is very pronounced in the major cities like Amersterdam, the Hague and Rotterdam. With such a dens mixture of populations coming together in these cities, demands are high as well as rental prices. Single bedroom apartment rents in Amsterdam start at $950 to $1,400 per month. It is possible to find cheaper rentals outside these cities. Most of the towns in the outlying areas have basic amenities like supermarkets.



In general, finding properties for rent or buy in the major areas will be a little more difficult, though the choices are wider compared to the smaller towns. Expats have the option to make use of real estate agencies, which work together with property websites, forming a big database of listings for would-be tenants to choose from. They will require a nominal fee, if not an extra month’s rent as payment for their services.



Rental accommodations are either fully furnished, semi-furnished (basic kitchen appliances), or unfurnished. Tenants will have to provide valid identification and proof of means, and in some cases a guarantor to the landlord. A lease can be any period of time, which will ultimately be agreed upon by both tenant and landlord. 1 month notice applies should any of the party decide to terminate it before the agreed date. The landlord will require a deposit which can be 1 or 2 months rent.



In Amsterdam, expat communities are found in the outlying areas instead of the busy city center. There are many things to enjoy in Amsterdam, among others that would be considered taboo in other countries. But for the ordinary expat, museums, city walks, and lively nightlife will keep foreigners’ moods alive. The Centrum area will be a delight for more cosmopolitan expat, although the housing in this area is small and pricey. Oud Zuid and Oost Watergraafsmeer are two of the most expensive suburbs in Amsterdam. Accommodations here are spacious, large raising prices at a steep curve. Westerpark and Zeeburg are family and budget friendly areas. These are quiet neighborhoods with a large number of expat residents and families. Good schools are found in here.

Driving License

Can I exchange a foreign driving licence in Netherlands?

Driving Licences in the Netherlands