information for expats and internationals in the Netherlands

essential information guides for expats in Netherlands
business directory for expats in Netherlands
events guide for expats in Amsterdam Hague Rotterdam Netherlands
news headlines for expats in Netherlands
information about the Netherlands for expats
Holland Netherlands Top 10 Lists

Expats & Internationals in Netherlands…

Holland is home to a large international community that includes expat employees, diplomats, international students, and EU nationals who have migrated to Netherlands usually for work. Large cities like The Hague and Amsterdam are culturally diverse, with more than half their residents having a foreign background.

Living in Netherlands

Over 90% of Dutch people can speak English, which makes living in Netherlands relatively easy for non-Dutch speakers. Written communication can be a challenge as it is always in Dutch, the official language. This would include correspondence from local government offices (‘gemeente‘) and the tax bureau (‘belastingdienst‘), as well as rental agreements, utility contracts, insurance policies, etc. Newspapers, in-store signs, product packaging, nutritional labels and retail websites are in Dutch too.

expatINFO Holland - Dutch windmill in Netherlands

Learning Dutch (‘Nederlands‘) is not mandatory for EU citizens or highly-skilled workers who come to the Netherlands, but acquiring a basic knowledge of the language will prove extremely beneficial.

Non-EU citizens who move to Netherlands are required to learn how to speak the language and about Dutch culture. This fosters social integration (‘inburgering‘).

Expat Children in Holland

Expat parents with non-Dutch speaking children will want to explore international education curriculums, with classroom instruction in English. There are many primary and secondary international schools in Netherlands to choose from.

Shopping in Netherlands

There are several large shopping malls in Netherlands, but most stores are found in city centers. Becoming familiar with Dutch retail chains can take a little while, as well as Dutch fashion brands and home decor companies.

Dutch meals and foods can be basic, but the largest supermarket chains in Netherlands all have international food sections.

Getting around Netherlands

Expats can move around Holland easily by public transport, driving or cycling. The OV-Chipkaart is a universal transport card. It can be used on all types of public transport including trains, trams, buses and ferries.

ExpatINFO Holland Website Content

  • Read essential information articles on topics like housing, working, healthcare and recreation in EXPAT HELP GUIDES 
  • Find listings of shops, schools, attractions and services in HOLLAND BUSINESS DIRECTORY
  • See what concerts, sports events, workshops and festivals are happening in NETHERLANDS EVENTS
  • Browse Netherlands headlines and local stories from Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht in NEWS
  • Get to know the Dutch, their customs, history and fun facts in THE NETHERLANDS
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