Author: phoebe.a.young@gmail.com

Job Hunting in the Netherlands

Job opportunities in the Netherlands are abundant. But, as with every country around the globe, there are some cultural norms that you have to take into account, in order for your job search to be successful. Navigating the nuances might seem complicated at first. Becoming aware of cultural differences can help you better understand the job hunting process in the Netherlands.

Starting Your Job Search

When it comes to applying for a job in the Netherlands, there is no such thing as an ‘ideal time’. There is lucky ‘good timing’, of course, but the sooner you begin your job search the better! Don’t wait until you find accommodation, until your previous contract expires, or until after you receive your university diploma. Start preparing for your application early on, so you have everything ready before your job hunt begins, and in case an opportunity comes up. Also, spread the word about your upcoming job search as soon as possible. Looking for a job should be an active process. Stay ahead of the game and avoid the risk of missing out on a great opportunity in NL.

Searching for Job Vacancies

The process of looking for job vacancies varies from country to country. In some areas of the world, it is common practice to turn to family and friends, who could connect you to a prospective employer or even assign you a specific job. While networking and personal contacts are important in the Netherlands, a job search is predominately an individual responsibility.

Have a Strategy

Searching for job vacancies in the Netherlands might seem easy, but it can turn out to be more complicated than anticipated, especially for non-Dutch speakers. For instance, you may be attracted by the job specifications written in English, but find out that mastering the Dutch language is one of the requirements. Having a ‘job-search strategy’ can really increase your chances of finding work. Start off by defining your criteria and standards. These could be relates to: location, sector, title, skill set & interests, future goals, values, flexibility, commuting times, etc. Next, start making lists of companies and organisations that you find interesting, and that also hire internationals. Moreover, take notice of every job portal, jobsite and association website that matches your criteria, and has opportunities for internationals. Sign up for their job alerts. Finally, contact a Dutch recruitment agency (uitzendbureau) that specialises in your targeted field of work, and also works with international job seekers.

Tip
Go the extra mile: Find opportunities that fit your interests and motivations in ways beyond an application. A friendly LinkedIn message, a call to ask some questions or simply express your motivation, a sales pitch during a networking event or a job fair, a speculative application, etc. All these will all be appreciated by a Dutch employer, if done in a polite and subtle manner.

Building and Using Your Network

Networking is an integral part of this country’s business culture. Networking during your job search in the Netherlands is not just going to events and job fairs to meet prospective employers and make small talk. It is more about leveraging who you know and spreading the word about your ongoing job hunt. Talk to people you already know, e-mail and reconnect with people who are willing to help, connect with the right people on LinkedIn, share your career goals, passions and even… your resume too! Why not? A good reference, and show of genuine motivation, could be a hundred times more effective in the Netherlands than an impeccable CV or cover letter.

The Application

While it’s important to ‘sell’ yourself to an employer, your CV should represent you in a neutral way, as Dutch employers value modesty. Having international experience plays a big role in selecting candidates, as it is a good indication of soft skills and cross-cultural competence. Moreover, don’t underestimate your activities outside work and studying, as they are very important for Dutch employers. Make sure you elaborate on your volunteer work experience, side jobs and civic responsibilities.

The style of the Dutch application letter is short, direct and professional. Keep in mind, when writing your application letter, that a candidate’s motivation is one of the main selection criteria.

The Interview

When invited for a job interview in the Netherlands, educate yourself thoroughly in advance. This goes as much for the company’s culture, as it does for the country’s culture. Researching the company’s values, mission and goals as well as the people you will be working with, is a step that you should definitely not overlook. This will help you align your answers to their expectations, adjust your behaviour, and show them that you are a perfect fit for their team.

Aside from questions about your motivation, education and the company, prepare yourself for questions about your character, strengths and weaknesses, extra-curricular activities, as well as questions on membership of societies and organisations. Dutch recruiters attach great importance to leisure activities and civic responsibilities. Be prepared! At the end of the interview it is common for you to ask some questions yourself. Give some thought to this in advance.

Some examples of general questions in job interviews in the Netherlands are:

  • What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
  • What do you like about our company?
  • Have you ever joined a student association? Have you joined any commissions?
  • Did you have any civic responsibilities?
  • What is your current family situation and how do you foresee this in the future?
  • What are your hobbies?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

Body Language

Body language is one of the first things that a Dutch hiring manager will note during an interview. Sudden movements and stiff posture will make your interviewer(s) tense as well, while crossed arms and a laid-back posture make you look arrogant. Make sure to sit up straight and not in a ‘closed’ position.

The Follow-Up

In some countries, following up after an interview can come across as intrusive or rude. However, in the Netherlands following up after interviews via a thank you e-mail and a call to find out about the status of your application is considered appropriate and shows your genuine interest in the position.

Useful links
Plan your Global Future:
Expertise in Labour Mobility: www.labourmobility.com

Job Hunting Websites:

Go the Directory for Recruitment Agencies

Travel and Vehicle Insurance in NL

Planes, trains, cars and bikes: they’re essential for getting around, into, and out of the Netherlands. All these forms of transport are extremely safe in Holland. Still, moving at high speed, be it on wheels or by air, comes with some inherent and unavoidable risks. Because you never know what is around the next cobbled corner, we highly recommend that you insure yourself for getting around in NL! There are different types of insurance for drivers, passengers, vehicles and accidents in this country. Read on to learn what is available.

Travel Insurance in NL

Going Away on Holiday

Holidays are meant to be fun and relaxing. Therefore, the last thing you want is to have to worry about:

  • Whether your luggage is going to arrive
  • Getting pickpocketed, and losing your money or travel documents
  • Dropping your expensive new camera
  • Breaking a limb on the ski slope

Insurance Options

You can give yourself some peace of mind by taking out travel insurance in NL. Here’s how it works:

  • Depending on which package you pick, it can include cancelation insurance
  • Dutch travel insurance will cover you for all the mishaps we just mentioned
  • If you wish, you could take out year-round travel insurance
  • This will generally cost little more than insurance for a three-week vacation, so could save you money in the long run

Car Insurance in NL

Driving in NL

Driving in the Netherlands can be risky! Here’s why:

  • Holland may be widely considered one of the safest countries to drive in the world to drive in 
  • Still, as a people, the Dutch are not especially calm when they get behind the wheel
  • When it comes to tail-gating and claiming right of way, they are pretty feisty!
  • This can lead to some hair-raising situations on Holland’s highways

Obligatory Car Insurance

For these reasons it is mandatory to take out car insurance, if you plan to own and drive a car in NL:

  • In Holland, car owners are legally obliged to have at least ‘minimum liability coverage‘
  • This is referred to as ‘WA-verzekering‘ in Dutch
  • If you take out car insurance, this will automatically include minimum liability insurance
  • For an extra fee this can be extended
  • Paying for an extension will mean that you are covered for more eventualities, such as: damage to your car, theft or joyriding
  • Contact your insurance company to discuss what they offer
  • You can also opt to include legal aid insurance in your car insurance plan

Passenger Insurance in NL

Should anything happen to one of your passengers whilst you are driving, it is unlikely that it will be covered by your regular car insurance. Consequently, we advise you to take out additional ‘passenger insurance‘:

  • In the Netherlands, passenger insurance does not merely cover you for incidents that occur whilst you are driving
  • It also covers you for anything that happens whilst you are parked on the side of the road. It makes no difference whether this is because your car has broken down, or because you are filling up with gas 
  • There are typically two kinds of passenger insurance to choose from in NL

1. ‘Damages Insurance’

2. ‘Accident Passenger Insurance’

  • ‘Accident passenger insurance’ is a fixed amount of money
  • It’s purpose is to cover the expenses, if one of your passengers dies or becomes permanently disabled

Accident Insurance in NL

Dutch ‘accident insurance‘ works as follows:

  • You will be paid a lump sum if you have an accident in NL
  • This money is intended to cover any large expenses, that result from said accident
  • You have the option of taking out either individual or family accident insurance

Accidents in NL

The insurance covers all manner of incident, and is not limited to road accidents. It is intended to insure you for eventualities like:

  • Falling off a stepladder
  • Dislocating an arm playing rugby

Motor, Scooter and Bike Insurance in NL

Dutch Motor and Scooter Insurance

There is a special type of insurance for Motors and Scooters in NL:

  • Unsurprisingly, it is called ‘Motor and Scooter Insurance‘
  • Motorcycle and moped drivers can take out additional passenger insurance for their vehicles as well

Bicycle Insurance in NL

Having a bicycle is an amazing way for expats to truly become a part of life in Holland.

Sadly, one of the thriving black markets in the Netherlands is that of stolen bicycles:

  • It is highly likely that, at some point, your bicycle will be stolen or damaged
  • Luckily, you can take out bicycle insurance in the Netherlands
  • If you are attached to your trusty Dutch ‘fiets’, we suggest you invest in a good lock with a chain

Useful links

Go to the Business Directory

Health Insurance in NL

It is obligatory to have Health Insurance in the Netherlands. However, it is not a ‘one insurance plan fits all’ kind of system in this country! Your line of work, your annual income, and the condition of your health all impact the type of coverage you will need, and how much it will cost you. You yourself have a say in what kind of health insurance you would like to take out in NL as well. This page will explain what your options are, as an expat. Find out how you can compare Dutch insurances, what they will protect you against and how you can fund them in NL.

Dutch Health Insurance: The Basics!

Health insurance is perhaps the most important kind of insurance to arrange in the Netherlands! Here’s why:

  • You cannot predict when you might fall ill
  • If you do unexpectedly require medical assistance, the last thing you will want to deal with is discovering that your treatment is not covered in the Netherlands
  • What’s more, all residents of Holland are obligated to arrange health insurance, in order to be able to legally reside in the Netherlands

Other Kinds of Dutch Insurance

For a better understanding of how insurance works in NL, and which kinds are on offer to you, take a look at our page on ‘Dutch Insurance‘. It will take you through:

  • The basics of Dutch insurance
  • How to compare insurance packages in NL
  • Insurance for students in NL
  • Disability insurance
  • Home insurance
  • Liability insurance
  • Legal aid insurance

For all things transport and travel insurance related, be sure to check out ‘Insurance for Getting Around in NL‘ too.

Paying for Health Insurance in NL

The system for funding your health insurance coverage in NL works as follows:

  • To receive Dutch health insurance, you must pay a fixed contribution of approximately € 1,450
  • You need to pay an income-dependent contribution on top of this
  • This income-dependent contribution should be compensated by your employer
  • Your employer will pay the money directly to the Dutch tax authorities
  • The size of your income-dependent contribution will be reassessed annually 
  • The tax authorities carry out this assessment

Health Insurance for Self-Employed Persons in NL

  • If you are unemployed or self-employed, you will receive no compensation for your income-dependent contribution in NL
  • The Dutch tax authorities will calculate the size of your income-dependent contribution, by estimating what you are likely to earn in the year to come
  • If you pay more than the tax authorities predicted you could afford, you will be reimbursed at the end of said year, following your final tax assessment
  • Dutch insurance companies cannot turn down an application for health insurance based on a person’s age, gender or health

Side Note

Care Allowance in NL

The Dutch government offers financial assistance to anyone whose income is below a certain level in the Netherlands. This financial assistance is referred to as ‘zorgtoeslag‘, in Dutch. Here are the bullet points:

  • ‘Zorgtoeslag’ translates as ‘care allowance’
  • It goes towards an insurance premium, that an individual cannot afford to pay in full
  • Children’s healthcare is covered free of charge by the Dutch government

Comparing Health Insurance in NL

If you want to explore your options by comparing insurance packages, the following organizations can help you:

Picking a Package

We recommend that you you take the following matters into consideration, when comparing insurance packages in NL:

  • What level of dental care you will be covered for
  • Will alternative therapies be included
  • The size of the deductible. In Dutch, this is described as ‘eigen risico‘, which translates literally as ‘own risk’. We will explain this in more detail a little later on
  • What kind of coverage you will receive if you fall ill whilst you are abroad

The European Health Insurance Card

If you are traveling within Europe, ask your insurance company to issue you a ‘European Health Insurance Card‘:

  • This card is commonly referred to as the ‘EHIC’ card
  • It allows you to receive either free, or reduced cost, medical care in any EU or EEA country, or Switzerland
  • If you require treatment whilst you are in another European country, or if you are suffering from an existing chronic condition, you can use your EHIC card to receive medical care
  • Bare in mind that the card has not been created for those who go abroad specifically to receive medical care
  • Be sure to ask your insurance company what, if any, further conditions apply

'Own Risk' Payment in NL

All health insurance policies have an ‘own risk’ clause written into them:

  • In Dutch this is called the ‘eigen risico’
  • This is an amount that you have to pay your insurance company, out of your own pocket
  • For 2018, the own risk deductible amounts to € 385. This amount is, however, subject to change each year
  • The idea behind it is that residents of the Netherlands will make considered healthcare claims

Exceptions to ‘Own Risk’ in NL

There are certain people, and instances, in NL to whom the own risk clause does not apply. They are:

Choosing a Higher Deductible

You could also save money, by opting to pay a voluntary, higher deductible:

  • A deductible can be as much as € 885 a year
  • By paying a larger own risk deductible, your healthcare insurance premium will be lower
  • How much your premium will be lowered by will depend on your healthcare insurance supplier
  • We recommend that you compare insurance companies, in order to get the deal that best suits you

Insurance 'In Kind' or 'Restitution' in NL

When you are arranging your insurance in NL, you will probably run into the following terms: ‘Natura polis’ and ‘restitutie polis’

1. The Dutch ‘Natura Polis’

  • In English, ‘natura’ loosely translates as ‘in kind ‘
  • It means that your insurance company will pay your medical bills directly to a healthcare provider, on your behalf
  • However, they will only pay medical service providers with whom they have a contract
  • You are, however, free to select your own GP and your insurance company will pay them for you

2. The Dutch ‘Restitutie Polis’

  • ‘Restitutie Polis’ translates as ‘restitution policy’
  • ‘Restitution insurance’ is slightly more expensive than ‘insurance in kind’ in NL
  • Still, it gives you more freedom to choose from whom you accept your medical assistance
  • With a restitution policy, you will have to pay your medical bills yourself
  • You must then show the bills to your insurance company, who will reimburse you

Side Note

A bit more on Dutch insurance policies:

  • Some insurance companies offer a combination of insurance policies in NL
  • You might also find that many companies are not too strict about the existence of an actual contract between themselves and the care provider
  • As long as the provider is recognized by a professional organization, they are usually happy to cover your bills

Exceptional Medical Expenses in NL

Long Term Medical Care in NL

Everyone who legally resides and works in the Netherlands has a right to be covered by the ‘WLZ’ scheme:

  • WLZ stands for ‘Wet Langdurige Zorg‘, which translates as the ‘Long Term Care Act’ in English
  • This is a national Dutch insurance scheme
  • It insures people against risks that cannot be covered by their own personal insurance
  • This means that it takes care of medical expenses that are simply not affordable for the average citizen
  • As a resident of the Netherlands, you have to pay social security contributions. Part of these will go towards the WLZ scheme
  • How large a contribution you will have to make, is calculated based on your salary and on which benefits you are receiving
  • Self-employed persons living in the Netherlands are also obligated to contribute to this scheme, if they are considered financially capable

The Dutch Personal Budget

A special aspect of ‘exceptional medical expenses’ is a feature called the ‘PGB‘:

  • PGB stands for ‘persoonsgebonden budget‘, meaning ‘personal budget’
  • It as a Dutch governmental subsidy
  • Through this scheme you can be granted a certain amount of money with which you can ‘purchase’ personal care
  • Anyone who requires some form of ‘exceptional medical care’, for a condition like a disability or a disorder, is eligible to receive this subsidy
  • The care could be in the form of having help from a nurse or a personal carer

Other Forms of Health Insurance

Dental Insurance in NL

Dental care is not included in any basic insurance package in the Netherlands. Therefore, you will have to pay for your own private dental care, unless you:

  • Are a child aged 18 or under
  • Require ‘specialist’ dental care, such as dentures

You can take out additional insurance to cover the costs of your dental care in NL. Remember, however, that this is a waste of money if either of the above points apply to you or your situation.

Insurance for Medication in NL

Insurance coverage for medication in NL works as follows:

  • Types of medication are ‘clustered’ in the Netherlands
  • This means that all medication is put into a category, or ‘cluster’
  • Dutch insurance companies have a maximum price, which they are prepared to pay for each medication ‘cluster’
  • If you are prescribed medication, then the maximum price for the cluster to which your medicine belongs will be covered by your insurance
  • If your medication is more expensive than the maximum price for its cluster, you will have to pay the difference
  • You may be able to take out an additional policy, to cover the extra costs of more expensive medication or homeopathic medicine in NL. Ask your insurance company whether they offer this option

Insurance for Pregnancy and Childbirth

The Dutch take Pregnancy and Childbirth very seriously. Therefore, the following parts of your parental journey will be covered by a basic Dutch healthcare insurance plan:

  • Visits to a midwife, during your pregnancy and in the build up to your delivery
  • At least two ultrasounds, so long as they are medically required
  • All elements of having a home birth
  • If your midwife, GP or specialist decides that, for health and safety reasons, your baby should be delivered in hospital, your hospital delivery will be fully covered

Hospital Births in NL

If you voluntarily choose to have your baby in hospital:

  • There are only certain insurance companies who will cover your birth
  • If you are with an insurance company who does not offer full coverage for a voluntary hospital birth, you will have to contribute towards the costs of your hospital delivery

Useful links

Go to the Business Directory

Matrimonial Property Law in NL

Marriage is about two people deciding to share their lives with one another. But, what about their property? It is very important to understand which ‘matrimonial property laws’ apply to your marriage specifically, as an expat living in the Netherlands. This knowledge will be essential if, for some reason, your partnership comes to an end. It is also crucial to understand it incase you, or your partner, goes into debt or inherits money whilst you are married. Essentially, you need to know what belongs to whom! This article will help you to gage which type of law applies to you, and how you can avoid legal complications over your property.

THE HMPT, 1978

If you and your spouse are of different nationalities, and you live in the Netherlands together, you are considered to be in an ‘International marriage’. Every country has its own, specific form of ‘International private law’. This used to dictate which matrimonial property rules would apply to spouses in international marriages, in said country. However, under this system, matters grew complicated when multinational couples moved abroad. Therefore, the Hague Matrimonial Property Treaty was created. Here are some facts about it:

  • The Hague Matrimonial Property Treaty, or the ‘HMPT’ came into effect in 1978
  • Three countries entered into the treaty: the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg, in 1978
  • The HMPT applies to international marriages that were entered into on, or after, September 1, 1992

Freedom to Choose a Law

  • The key rule of the HMPT is that spouses themselves are free to determine which matrimonial property law applies them
  • A couple can choose the law of a country in which one of them has nationality, or residence status
  • Equally, a couple can choose the law of the country in which they will reside once they are married
  • The advantage of making this decision is that it clarifies which national law applies to a couples’ matrimonial property
  • If spouses do not actively make a choice, then the law of the country in which they first settled together as newlyweds applies to them

Why Pick Your Own Law?

So what’s all the fuss about? Why is it so important to make a decision about which matrimonial property law you would like to live under?

If some form of property dispute does arise between a couple who have not made the decision, they can find themselves in confusing situation. This is due to several factors:

  • There are exceptions to the rules of the HMPT
  • The law of the country that a couple first settled in could state that international couples, who married in their country, are subject to different rules
  • They might decide, for example, that the spouses should abide by the laws of the country with which they have the closest ties
  • Furthermore, under the rules of the HMPT, a couples’ circumstances will change. The treaty dictates that whichever law applied to them when they first married, it will automatically change once they have lived in a single country for more than ten years time

How Can this Affect an International Marriage?

  • This means that if you are an expatriate, living with your husband or wife in the Netherlands, and you were married on or after September 1, 1992, the rules will shift under you on your 10 year anniversary
  • If you are not of Dutch Nationality, Dutch matrimonial property law will become applicable to your marriage, a decade after your wedding day
  • If a couple does make a decision about which matrimonial property law they would like to apply to them, under the rules of the HMPT, they will not be subject to any new rules after the 10 year period

The Best Law for Your Marriage

There are some steps that it is strongly advisable for engaged expats, living in the Netherlands, to take when deciding on a matrimonial property law:

  1. Consult a specialized civil law notary 
  2. Ask them for advice about which law and/or a prenuptial agreement would best suit your unique situation and your needs
  3. If you are already married, ask them to clarify which national law applies to your marriage
  4. Ask the notary whether they believe this law is suitable for you as a couple
  5. If they believe it is not, make a request to change it to a law that they recommend

Side Note

Marriages Prior to September 1st, 1992

  • If you were married before September 1st, 1992, the rules of the HMPT do not apply to you
  • You may, however, still be able to choose which laws apply to your marriage
  • To learn more, read about the system that was in place before the HMPT came about: the 1905 Convention

Being married under Dutch law

If you, and your husband or wife, opt for your marriage to be subject to Dutch Law, here is what you need to do:

  1. Put your decision in writing. The written statement must be in keeping with the formalities of the individual country whose law you have chosen
  2. In the Netherlands, you must have a ‘notarial deed’ drafted on your behalf
  3. This can be done in combination with the ‘matrimonial property deed’, which must also be made up for you. A Dutch civil law notary must create both of these documents
  4. Once your deeds have been signed, the notarial deed needs to be registered in the public Matrimonial Property Registry of the District Court. This will make it binding for third parties

Moving Abroad

  1. Your choice will be respected by all countries that are part of the HMPT
  2. In countries that are not part of the treaty, you might have some trouble
  3. It is, therefore, strongly advisable for you to consult your civil law notary, before you move to a country that does not uphold the rules of the treaty

Dutch matrimonial property law

So, if you and your significant other reside in the Netherlands and have officially chosen to abide by Dutch Matrimonial Property Law, what does this mean for you in practice?

  • Technically, you and your spouse are married ‘in general community property’
  • This means that all your combined property belongs to both of you, equally
  • Anything either of you owned before your marriage, including inheritances and gifts, becomes joint property once you are wed
  • Debts incurred by either of you can be collected on your joint property
  • If your marriage comes to an end, your property and debts must be divided up, 50/50
  • If you and your spouse want to avoid this, you can enter into a prenuptial agreement
  • The agreement must be drawn up by a civil law notary
  • The notary will advise you on how your needs and wishes can best be met, in the event of a divorce

Being married under foreign law

What about expatriate couples who live in the Netherlands, and have not actively made a decision about which law they would like to apply to them?

  • In this situation, a foreign national law will be applicable to their marriage
  • If you and your husband or wife are in this situation, and you wish to keep it this way, there are some useful legal proceedings you can take
  • These will simplify any queries over property that may arise

Precautionary Steps

We advise you to take the following steps, if you and your spouse do not wish to live under Dutch matrimonial property law:

  • Register a deed or a statement, to clarify that Dutch law does not apply to your matrimonial property in NL
  • You must have this statement drawn up by a Dutch civil law notary
  • The notary must make sure that your statement is registered with the public Matrimonial Property Registry of the District Court
  • If you fail to do this, you could run into some complications over your property. For example, a third party, such as a creditor, may assume that your marriage is subject to the Dutch legal system

Useful links

Go to the Business Directory

Changing Employers in NL

As the Dutch economy continues to flourish, a trend is starting to develop. It is becoming increasingly common for expatriates to change employers within the Netherlands. If you are considering making this move yourself, beware of legal pitfalls! The rules surrounding changing your employer will vary, depending on your nationality and your personal circumstances. Read this article, to find out which laws apply to you.

If you have yet to secure your first job as an expat, then take a look into how to apply for a job in the Netherlands.

Coming to the Netherlands for work

Before we get started, let’s outline the three ways in which you can legally come to the Netherlands for employment:

1. As an ‘EU National’: If you are in this category, you will not need any kind of residence permit in order to work in the Netherlands

2. Upon the invitation of a recognized sponsor, as a ‘Highly Skilled Migrant’: In this case, you will have to complete a combined application for entry. You will need both a Dutch residence permit and a Dutch work permit

3. As a non-EU-National: with a regular work and residence permit

Can you Change Employers in the Netherlands?

You may be allowed to simply move on to a different employer in the Netherlands, without having to fulfil any legal obligations. However, depending on where you are from, there might be some further steps you need to take. We have created some scenarios to help explain what you must do. The employees in all three examples have been working for ’employer A’ in the Netherlands. Now, they wish to change to ’employer B’. Which rules apply to them?

1. THE EU-NATIONAL

Ms. Schmidt

Ms. Schmidt is German. Therefore, she is an ‘EU-National’.

What is an EU National?

You are an EU national if you are a citizen of one of the countries within the European union.

Is Ms. Schmidt allowed to stay in NL and work for employer B, after leaving employer A?

Because Ms. Schmidt is an EU-national, she has the same rights and obligations as any Dutch citizen. This means she is allowed to stay and work for another employer in the Netherlands. Neither she, employer A nor employer B needs to take any further action.

2. THE HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANT WORKER

Mrs. Andala

Mrs. Andala is Indian. She is also a ‘Highly Skilled Migrant’.

What is a Highly Skilled Migrant?

A Highly Skilled Migrant is an employee who has come to work in another country through the ‘Highly Skilled Migrant Procedure‘. This is referred to as the HSMP. It allows employers to bring skilled personnel to the Netherlands in a timely, cost-effective manner.

  • Many companies choose to register as recognized HSMP sponsors. Doing this enables them to ‘fast-track’ the immigration procedure for their employees
  • The processing time for the procedure takes only two weeks. After this time, an approval should be issued by the IND. IND stands for: ‘Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst’. It is the Dutch immigration department

Side Note

Salary Requirements for HSM Applications:

In order to qualify for HSM status, you must be earning a specific salary. How high it needs to be depends on your age and situation. The rules are as follows:

  • A post-graduate must earn: €2,228 / month
  • Anyone under 30 years old must earn: €3,108 / month
  • Anyone above 30 years of age must earn: €4,240 / month
  • Someone with company access to HSMP must pay a one-time fee of: € 5,183.
  • Someone with company access to HSMP, who works for a company that employs fewer than 50 people must pay a smaller one-time fee of: €2,592
  • For HSM applications, you must also pay legal fees of: € 910

Letter of Deputation

After 10 months of working for company A, Mrs. Andala receives an attractive offer from company B.

Is Mrs. Andala allowed to stay in NL and work for employer B after terminating her employment with company A?

Yes, Mrs. Andala is allowed to stay and work in the Netherlands. This is because:

  • When Mrs. Andala was invited to work for company A, she received a letter of deputation
  • The letter stated that she was to be transferred to the Netherlands for a period of 24 months, as an HSM. It said that only after this must she return to India
  • As long as Mrs. Andala fulfills the conditions for her status as an HSM, she can remain in the Netherlands and change her employer. She has only used 10 of the 24 months she was allotted, so she can legally remain, and work, in Holland

HSM Obligations in NL

However, unlike Ms. Schmidt, there are further actions that must be taken by Mrs. Andala herself, employer A and employer B.

What does Mrs Andala need to do?

Mrs Andala must fulfill the legal terms that come with being an HSM. This means that she is required to never have a gap in employment. Therefore, she must ensure that her new contract with employer B begins immediately after her old contract with employer A terminates. If she fails to fulfill this condition of being an HSM, Mrs Andala risks:

  • Losing her residence permit
  • Losing eligibility for a Dutch passport. She could obtain one after working for five uninterrupted years in the Netherlands, if she respects the HSM requirements

Employer Obligations in NL

What does employer A need to do? 

Employer A must inform the IND about the departure of an employee from their company. This must be done within 28 days of Mrs. Andala’s departure. To do it, employer A must fill out a notification form

What must employer B do?

Employer B must inform the IND about the inclusion of a new employee within their company. This must be done within 28 days of Mrs. Andala’s arrival. To do this, employer B must fill out a notification form

It is important to note that:

  • Employer B must be a recognized HSM sponsor
  • If it were necessary, Employer B would have to renew Mrs. Andala’s residence permit, before it expired

3. THE INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREE

Mr. Anderson

Mr. Anderson is a US Citizen and an Intra-Company Transferee

What is an Intra-Company Transferee?

  • An Intra-Company Transferee is someone who has come to work abroad via the intra-company transfer procedure. This procedure is the most common way for non-EU-nationals to come to the Netherlands
  • It is the most time efficient way for a non-EU-national to move to the EU, to work for a foreign employer

Mr. Anderson received an offer to come to the Netherlands on an international assignment. He accepted it, and came via an intra-company transfer. Since then, he has been working for company A for almost three years.

One day, Mr. Anderson gets fed up. He decides to quit his job at company A and start working for company B, in a higher position.

IND Requirements in NL

Is Mr. Anderson allowed to stay in the Netherlands and work for company B, after terminating his employment with company A?

Yes, however, he must meet the requirements specified by the IND and the ‘UWV‘.  UWV stands for ‘Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen’, or ‘Employee Insurance agency’. They are the Dutch labor authority, and they implement and provide advice on employee insurance. 

What does Mr. Anderson have to do himself?

  • If Mr Anderson continues to work for company A until the full three years are up, he has the right to change employer in the Netherlands without having to apply for another work permit. However, if he does this he will also have to extend his residence permit. That process can take up to three months
  • If company B is a recognized HSM sponsor, Mr. Anderson can gain HSM status. If he does this, it must be instead of taking part in an Intra-Company Transfer. To obtain HSM status, he may have to extend his residence permit 

What does employer A need to do? 

  • In order to transfer Mr Anderson to employer B, employer A needs to do: nothing!
  • However, it is important to note that, before Mr Anderson came to work for them, they should have requested both a work and a residence permit for him. Both of these permits should cover the same period, at the same time

Intra-Company Transfer Procedure

What must employer B do?

There are certain requirements employer B must meet, before their company can even use the Intra-Company Transfer Procedure:

  • Employer B must have a minimum annual worldwide turnover of € 50 million
  • Employer B must have one branch in the Netherlands 

Once employer B has fulfilled these requirements, they can use the procedure. Before they transfer an employee, like Mr Anderson, to the Netherlands they must: 

  • Apply to the UWV 
  • Be able to prove that they have been unable to find suitable personnel in the Netherlands/EU, for the position Mr Anderson has been offered

Tip
Be aware that, on top of the information in this article, an employment contract may hold additional clauses.  These could make it more complicated for you to change employer in the Netherlands. Your employer may, for example, have restrictions concerning: property rights, confidentiality or non-competition clauses. Be sure to check this with both you current and future employer, to ensure that you remain above the law.

Useful links

  • Altair Global: Previously known as NOVA Relocation, Altair Global has been providing personal relocation and immigration services to its corporate clients and their employees, for over 25 years

The Dutch office can be reached at: ☎ +31(0) 70 324 2524 │ ✉ nl.relocation@altairglobal.eu │ Het Kleine Loo 414T, 2592CK The Hague

Dutch Specialists: Expat Expectations

There are many misconceptions about Dutch healthcare amongst the expat community in the Netherlands. Dutch medical specialists in particular are something of a question mark. Sickness is scary enough. When you have expectations about the care you require, and these are not met, your fears can grow stronger. This page aims to shed light on specialist treatment in NL. Read on to find out exactly what to expect at each stage of your care.

For more information on this subject, take a look at our page on ‘visiting a Dutch Medical Specialist’.

Expat Insecurities

Many expats suffer from insecurities about Dutch Healthcare services. Usually, this is because:

  • Being ill, and trusting the treatment you receive, can be frightening wherever you are in the world
  • When you are relying on the healthcare system of a new country, it is easy to feel even more vulnerable and insecure
  • When we are sick and in need of medical attention, we become more sensitive to cultural differences
  • In your home country, you know roughly what to expect. If you are treated differently in the Netherlands, the warning lights might on!

Dutch Healthcare is Excellent

Some statistics might put your mind at ease:

  • Rest assured that the Netherlands has top-quality healthcare services
  • There are numerous studies that can prove this
  • The ‘Healthcare Access and Quality Index‘ is a reliable source
  • They have carried out research into mortalities that result from causes amenable to healthcare, worldwide
  • In other words, they look into deaths that occur from illnesses that should be avoidable or curable through medical care
  • The Netherlands is ranked as one of the top-10 safest countries to live in, according to this research

Getting a Referral in NL

In the Netherlands, you cannot typically walk into a specialist’s clinic and book yourself an appointment. There are some initial steps you must take. Here’s what to expect:

  • If you have a medical issue that you believe might require further investigation, the first person you must contact is your GP
  • A Dutch Doctor is called a ‘huisarts’
  • He or she should be your first port of call when you need to use the Dutch medical system
  • In the Netherlands, you need a referral from your doctor, in order to get an appointment to see a specialist
  • The Dutch word for referral is: ‘verwijsbrief’

Expectations of Dutch Doctors

Having to go through this protocol can make expats feel as if they are having to argue their case, or prove that they need specialist treatment. Sometimes this is true! However, rest assured that this does not mean your Dutch doctor is incompetent. It is simply a cultural difference. Here are some tips about how to handle a visit to the doctor in NL, and receive the treatment you desire:

Stand your Ground

  • Dutch doctors are highly qualified, and will be able to see if you are urgently in need of specialist treatment
  • If they seem resistant, try to trust your instincts and stick to your guns
  • If necessary, explain what kind of treatment you are used to receiving in your home country
  • Most Dutch GPs will be understanding and accommodating of this
  • If they are not, there are plenty more doctors in Holland for you to try
  • As in any other country, you should have a relationship of trust with the person who is treating you
  • So, if your doctor does not respect your concerns, consult another one

Your referral Notice

Once your doctor has agreed to get you an appointment with a specialist, you can expect to be given a referral:

  • Your GP will write you a referral notice
  • He or she will usually note the phone number of the nearest hospital on it
  • You do not have to go to this hospital
  • You are free to choose the specialist you want to see
  • If you pick your own specialist you must have a specific type of Dutch insurance. Read about this in our side note box below

Side Note

Types of Dutch Insurance

You can take out two types of insurance in the Netherlands:

  1. ‘Restitutie’ insurance, or ‘restitution insurance’
  • If you have this kind of insurance, you must pay your medical bills yourself
  • Then, your insurance company will reimburse you
  1. ‘Natura insurance‘, which is sometimes called ‘contracted care’
  • Having this kind of insurance means that your insurance company will pay your bills on your behalf
  • They will, however, only do this if they have entered into a contract with the healthcare provider from whom you receive treatment
  • This allows them to create custom exclusively for their own clients 

Picking your Policy

Which type of Dutch insurance is right for you?

  • Having a natura insurance policy is cheaper than having a restitutie policy in the Netherlands
  • However, if you have a natura policy there is a risk that your insurance company will not pay your medical bills, or only cover a portion of them
  • You are always free to choose your own GP in Holland. Yet, if they do not have a contract with your insurance company, the expenses will not be covered
  • Generally speaking, straightforward medical care expenses will usually be financed by whichever type of insurance you have
  • It tends to be alternative therapy treatments that are sometimes not funded by insurers
  • If you wish to receive alternative therapy, it is advisable to ask whether a contract exists between your insurance company and your care provider
  • You may need to take out additional insurance, if there is no connection between them

Booking the Appointment in NL

Here is what you can anticipate when it comes to booking your appointment:

  • In the Netherlands, most specialists work from an out-patient clinic within a hospital
  • Only a few have their own clinic or practice, located on its own premises
  • When you know which specialist you wish to see, call the hospital and select a convenient date for your appointment
  • If you selected a specialist through your doctor’s office, they may have already forwarded your referral notice to the hospital. In this case, the hospital will be expecting your call
  • Whether or not you will have a long wait time before you can see the specialist depends on the nature of your problem and the specialist you choose
  • The urgency of your condition should be a key factor when you are picking a specialist. If possible, do not join a long waiting list if you require urgent treatment!

On the Day of your Appointment

The day of your appointment should go as follows:

  • Try to arrive at the hospital approximately fifteen minutes early
  • This gives you time to register at the administration desk
  • Staff will ask for your full name, date of birth, address, insurance company name and the name of your GP
  • This information will be entered into their system and used to print out labels and documents for further tests, if necessary
  • Some hospitals will issue you a credit-card sized ‘ponsplaatje’, or ‘electronische patiëntenpas’
  • These are cards that list your personal information
  • You must always bring your card with you when you visit the hospital
  • Some Dutch hospitals no longer use them, so do not worry if you don’t receive one

The Outpatient Clinic

  • After you have registered, the staff at the administration desk will direct you to the correct outpatient clinic
  • This will be called the ‘polikliniek’, or simply the ‘poli’, in Dutch
  • Once you have found it, inform the receptionist of your arrival
  • He or she will place your paperwork where the specialist can find it
  • Usually, you will not have to wait more than 15 minutes to see the specialist 
  • When your turn comes, you will usually be called in by a nurse
  • He or she will ask you a few questions and carry out some initial tests
  • Then, you will finally meet your specialist!

Meeting your Specialist

  • Be aware that the person you see at your very first appointment may be an assistant specialist. They could be in-training, or just working as an assistant within the practice
  • Usually, you will not be able to tell, so don’t feel rude about asking
  • As the patient, it is completely reasonable to want to know with whom you are speaking, and what their level of expertise is
  • You will discuss your problems, symptoms and concerns with the specialist

Preventative Healthcare in NL

There are some expat misconceptions about Holland’s attitude towards preventative healthcare too. Let’s dispel the myths:

  • Dutch doctors are not renowned as advocates of preventive healthcare
  • Neither do they tend to hand out prescriptions flippantly
  • Dutch Medical specialists are very different
  • They are huge proponents of preventive healthcare 
  • In fact, a Dutch specialist is likely to praise you for being proactive by getting your appointment to see them
  • They will probably encourage you to contact them whenever you have any additional questions

Prescriptions from Specialists in NL

  • What’s more, if a Dutch specialist decides that you require medication, their main concern will be finding the right type for you
  • They will typically try to select medicine that has least amount of side effects, while still achieving the desired results
  • To this end, they will go over your health history with you
  • They will want to know all about your family background, your lifestyle, etc
  • For follow-up appointments, even unscheduled ones, you generally do not need another referral notice

Googling Symptoms in NL

We’ve all done it. We sit and mull over our curious symptoms and then, before we know it, we’ve asked google for a diagnosis. Sometimes it’s a help, sometimes it’s a hindrance. It can abate our fears, or frighten and confuse us even more!

This is another practice, about which Dutch Doctors have mixed views:

Older Dutch Doctors

  • Generally speaking, the older generation of doctors in the Netherlands can be taken aback by their patients’ reliance on Google: they thought they were the gurus!
  • Don’t let this stop you from asking questions about the information you have found online, so long as it is relevant

Younger Dutch Doctors

  • Usually, the younger generation of Dutch medics will expect you to have done some of your own research
  • They will be happy to discuss any additional questions your search has triggered
  • This is another instance in which the issue of trust becomes pertinent
  • If you feel that you are not being taken seriously, or that your specialist is not really considering all the possible diagnoses, you do not have to settle
  • Get an appointment with another doctor, if only for a second opinion

Aftercare Expectations

Here’s what will happen after your initial appointment:

  • If your specialist feels that you need to see another specialist, they will send you straight to the reception of the out-patient clinic to make an appointment
  • You will not need a new referral notice for this – even if you need to visit a different hospital
  • If your specialist thinks you need to have any blood tests, you will be sent straight to the in-hospital laboratory
  • If you need an operation, you will be sent to the hospital reception desk
  • Here, you will be asked to fill out a lengthy form on your health and medical history
  • You will also make an appointment for your operation
  • Of course, every operation is different. Therefore, how things go from here, will depend on your personal situation

Useful links

Go to the Directory for Health Services

Divorce, Death and Inheritance in NL

It is natural to believe that if you divorce your husband or wife you will automatically have cut all ties with them. In the Netherlands this is not necessarily the case. If you have kids with your ex-spouse their inheritance needs to be protected. There are various ways in which your ex can gain access to your estate, in the unfortunate and unlikely event that you pass away. If you want to ensure that only your offspring receive your worldly possessions, read on. We will cover the pre-emptive steps you can take on this page.

To better illustrate the procedure, we will use a case study as an example. Meet Maria and John:

  • Maria is Italian and she married her Canadian husband John, in Italy
  • Maria and John lived in Italy for three years, following their marriage
  • Afterwards, they moved to the Netherlands
  • For the past six years, they have been living in NL
  • They have two children, aged 5 and 7
  • Both John and Maria work for a large international company and are fully-integrated into the expat community in Holland
  • Sadly, however, their marriage has hit a rough spot
  • Maria and John have decided to get a divorce

As expats living in the Netherlands, how will this play out for them?

Check out our page on ‘Divorce in the Netherlands‘ for further information on the legal side of securing a divorce Holland.   

International Divorce in NL

As an expat who wishes to divorce their spouse in the Netherlands:

  • You will have a hotchpotch of rules, treaties and regulations to contend with
  • You will require the help of a lawyer
  • In order to provide sufficient guidance, this lawyer must specialize in international divorce

Dutch Divorce Regulations

  • European regulations will determine which national courts are competent to deal with your divorce
  • In principle, the court of yours and your spouse’s ‘usual place of residence‘ will take on the case
  • If you and your spouse are of the same nationality, this will largely determine which country issues the divorce
  • The judge must decide which divorce law will be applied to your marriage
  • The Judge must also rule on which matrimonial property law yours and your spouse’s shared possessions should be divided against
  • Partner and child alimony arrangements must also be settled upon
  • A solid parenting plan will have to be drawn up regarding the care of, and interaction with, the children

What did Maria and John do?

  • They hired themselves an international divorce lawyer, to help guide them through the process
  • Because they had both fully integrated into the Netherlands, the Dutch courts were made responsible for their divorce

'Til Death Do Us Part?

Unfortunately, many people forget to make arrangements in case one of them passes away during the divorce proceedings'

Prepare for your Passing

There is a very important matter for divorcing expat parents to consider. Under the stress of divorce proceedings it is often neglected:

  • Should one spouse pass away in the middle of the divorce case, what would happen?
  • It is easy to forget to make arrangements for such an eventuality
  • Many people simply assume that said event would never happen to them
  • However, it is crucial that you plan for this occurrence
  • It may seem unrealistic, but jeopardizing your children’s inheritance is not worth the risk

Can you legally disinherit your spouse? Yes, you can'

Inheritance Law in NL

What will happen if Maria and John do not make provisions for their deaths?

  • European Inheritance Law states that the law of your last country of residence applies to your estate, if you die without having made a will
  • Since Maria and John live in the Netherlands, Dutch inheritance law will be implemented if one or both of them passes away
  • According to Dutch inheritance law, your ‘future ex-partner’ is still your legal heir
  • So, if Maria or John died during their divorce proceedings, their marriage would not have been formally terminated
  • This means that the living future-ex partner will inherit the deceased’s worldly possessions
  • Unsurprisingly, many divorcing couples do not like this idea at all!
  • To Maria, it is unacceptable
  • She does not want John to inherit any of her possessions if she passes away
  • Luckily, it is possible for her to draw up a will which disinherits him, and leaves all her possessions to her children

The Rights of the Disinherited Spouse in NL

If Maria chooses to go ahead with making a new will and disinheriting John, there is not a lot he can do to stop her. However, he does have some rights. He can exercise these if Maria passes away before their marriage has officially ended. John has the right to:

  • Continue living in the marital home for a period of six months
  • Usufruct the home and the household contents that are part of Maria’s estate
  • Usufruct all Maria’s other possessions, if John can demonstrate that he needs them for his own personal care

John can only invoke the rights of usufruct if the divorce proceedings have been under way for less than one year at the time of Maria’s death.

It goes without saying that John, of course, can also draw up a testament, in which he disinherits Maria. They can arrange this independently of each other, with the aid of a civil law notary.

The Inheritance of Underage Children in NL

Disinheriting a spouse does not totally eliminate the possibility that they will have influence over your estate, should you pass away. You will have to take further precautions if you have chosen to make your children the soul heirs to your worldly possessions, and they are underage.

Here is what would happen to Maria and John:

  • Let’s say Maria goes ahead and makes her two underage offspring her legal heirs
  • What they inherit will have to be administered by their legal representative, until they are of age
  • Their legal representative would automatically be John

What can Maria do to remedy this?

  • Maria can appoint someone else to be her children’s legal representative. She could choose a close relative, like her sister, for example 
  • This will take John out of the picture completely
  • Maria can make sure that her chosen representative keeps their legal power until her children reach an age of her choosing
  • As their father John will, of course, retain parental authority over the children as long as they are underage
  • He will, however, have no official control over their inheritance

If a Child Passes Away

What happens to Maria’s assets in the unfortunate event that, after her own death, one of her children passes away?

  • It depends on whether said child has any children of their own
  • If they do not, then everything that he or she has inherited from Maria will be inherited by his/her legal heirs
  • Unless Maria has stipulated otherwise, her child’s legal heirs will be Maria’s other child and their father John
  • Maria can take measures to prevent this from happening as well
  • She must state, in her will, that the remaining amount of her estate should go to her surviving child in the event that her other child passes away
  • This clause is a form of ‘ruling from the grave’
  • In the case of divorce, however, it is necessary to take these precautions

Dutch Divorce: The Bottom Line

The bottom line is: if you are going through a divorce in the Netherlands, make sure you plan for every eventuality. Here is a summary of the steps we have shown you on this page:

  1. Draw up a testament in which you disinherit your soon-to-be ex-spouse
  2. If you have children, and you want them to inherit your possessions, make them your legal heirs
  3. If they are underage, arrange for someone else to administer their assets to them
  4. Include a clause in your will that prevents your ex-spouse from inheriting what remains of your assets through your children

For further advice on how you, as a divorced expat parent, can help your kids through this challenging time take a look at our page: Expat Beak-ups: What about the Kids?

Useful links

Go to the Directory for Legal Assistance Services

Maternity Leave in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, all mothers have a right to maternity leave. They can take time off while they are preparing to have a baby, and once he or she has been born. It is so important to understand the Dutch laws surrounding maternity leave, because they may differ to those in your country of origin. By knowing your rights as a mother in Holland, you can ensure that you take the best possible care of your newborn, whilst maintaining positive relations with your work colleagues. We will explain it all on this page.

Before we get to the maternity part, let’s cover some legal matters you need to take care of when you are expecting your new baby.

Making a statement of pregnancy in NL

In the Netherlands, if you are pregnant, in employment and planning to continue working following your delivery, then you need to obtain a ‘statement of pregnancy‘. Here are the bullet points:

  • A statement of pregnancy is called a ‘zwangerschapsverklaring’ in Dutch
  • You can obtain this statement from your midwife or gynecologist
  • The document makes your estimated due date official
  • It will be used to determine when you will be eligible for ‘zwangerschapsverlof’
  • Zwangerschapsverlof’ is ‘pregnancy leave‘. You can read about this in the next paragraph

Pregnancy Leave and Birth Leave in NL

In the Netherlands, women have a right to 16 weeks of paid pregnancy leave. The Dutch call this: ‘zwangerschapsverlof and bevallingsverlof’. The leave will be divided into: 4-6 weeks of pregnancy leave and 10 weeks of birth leave.

Pregnancy Leave in NL

When can women take pregnancy leave in the Netherlands?

  • Pregnancy leave may be initiated 4-6 weeks prior to the estimated due date of your baby
  • Dutch law states that your leave from work can start no later than 4 weeks before, and for 6 weeks after, your delivery
  • The latter 6 weeks are referred to as ‘birth leave’
  • You must discuss the dates of your leave with your employer
  • If you are expecting twins (or triplets!) you will get 2-4 more weeks of leave. It will also begin at least 8 weeks before your due date
  • You will legally be allowed to go back to work after your 6 weeks of rest have ended
  • You may spread your remaining 4 weeks of birth leave out, if you wish. However, you must do this within 30 weeks of having your baby

Getting Paid during Pregnancy Leave

  • During pregnancy leave you will receive 100% of your normal wages
  • They may be paid to you directly from the Social Security Institution. Or, they might come via your employer. The Social Security Institution, or the ‘Social Insurance Bank’ is called the: ‘Sociale Verzekeringsbank‘ in Dutch
  • You can be paid a maximum of €205.77 a day. This is the Dutch ‘daily wage’
  • Some employers, however, will choose to pay out the gap between this and your last-earned salary

Due Date

What if your baby does not arrive on schedule?

  • Should your baby arrive early, you still have a right to your full 16 weeks of leave
  • If your baby is late, and you have used up your initial 6 weeks of leave, you still have the right to 10 weeks leave, following your baby’s birth
  • If your child has to stay in hospital for an extended period of time then you have the right to take a maximum of 10 additional weeks of birth leave. This way, you can take care of your child once he or she returns home

Pregnancy Complications

What if you have a difficult pregnancy?

  • If you find yourself unable to work due to a pregnancy-related illness before your leave starts, you still have the right to 100% of your official daily wage
  • If you are unable to return to work due to a medical condition after giving birth, you also have the right to claim up to 104 weeks of ‘benefits‘. You will be paid 100% of your daily wage during this time
  • In either case, you will receive benefits based on the ‘Sickness Benefits Act‘. They are not related to the ‘Pregnancy Leave-regulation’

Unrelated Illness

What if you fall ill for reasons unrelated to your pregnancy?

  • You could become ill more than six weeks before your due date for reasons unrelated to your pregnancy
  • If your illness renders you unable to work, then you cannot officially begin take your leave early
  • The leave will still officially start six weeks before your due date
  • During the days preceding your official leave you will receive at least 70% of your personal wage, if you are unable to work

Tip

Extra Insurance

Would you like to take more than the government-stipulated 16 weeks of leave? In order to do so, you need to apply for voluntary ‘Ziektewet‘ insurance:

  • Ziektewet is ‘Illness law’
  • Find out more about this, and whether or not you could use the insurance, by contacting your ‘Social Security Institution‘
  • This is referred to as the ‘UVW’ in the Netherlands
  • You must do this within four weeks of discontinuing your work activities

Leave for Self-Employed Mothers

What if you make your own money, and do not have an employer to pay your wages?

  • There is a system in the Netherlands called the ‘Zelfstandig en Zwangerregeling‘. It translates the ‘Self-Employed and Pregnant Regulation’
  • This regulation gives self-employed mothers a right to 16 weeks of pregnancy leave
  • Your leave will start 6-4 weeks before your due date
  • If you are expecting twins, it will start 8-10 weeks before your due date
  • Once your baby is born, you have a right to a further 6 weeks of birth leave
  • If your baby arrives early, after fewer than 6 weeks of your pregnancy leave has been taken up, then you can add the missed days of leave onto your birth leave

Pregnancy-Related Illness

  • If you have a pregnancy-related illness, you will unfortunately not be covered by the Self-Employed and Pregnant Regulation
  • Make sure that you have arranged voluntary insurance in order to receive financial help during this period. We mentioned this in the ‘tip’ box above
  • If your baby has to stay in the hospital after birth, for longer than 7 days, you have a right to a maximum of 10 additional weeks of leave

Size of Benefit

How much money do you receive under the Self-Employed and Pregnant Regulation?

  • The amount you receive depends on the number of hours you worked as a self-employed individual the previous year
  • If you worked for 1,225 hours or more, then you will receive a benefit equal to the Dutch minimum wage
  • If you worked for fewer than 1,225 hours, then your benefit will be less
  • Your profits and income over the previous year will also influence how much money you receive
  • You have a right to this benefit if you work for your partner’s or your spouse’s company too
  • If you, and your partner or spouse, are both self-employed then you may be able to receive benefits based on both of your working hours and incomes. The benefit will not, however, total more than your normal earnings, or more than the minimum wage

Contact the Social Security Institution to find out how much you will be eligible for and to request the benefit.

If You Are Receiving other Benefits

What if you are receiving other benefits when you become pregnant?

You must inform the UWV, and make some arrangements, if you are receiving any of the following benefits when you become pregnant:

Pregnancy leave payments will temporarily replace the money you receive from these benefits.

Your rights as a pregnant employee

Obligations to a Future Employer

What if you become pregnant when you are between jobs?

  • You are not obligated to tell a prospective employer that you are pregnant
  • If you choose to do so, he or she is not allowed to turn you down for this reason
  • Should your contract with your current employer come to an end during your pregnancy, you have the right to claim unemployment and sickness benefits
  • This means that you also qualify for pregnancy leave
  • Should you quit your job within 10 weeks of when your baby is due to be born, you have a right to pregnancy leave as well

Obligations to a Current Employer

  • You do have an obligation to tell your current employer that you are pregnant
  • You must inform him or her about when you would like to take your leave, at least three weeks before your due date

Employer Obligations

  • Your employer cannot legally fire you during your pregnancy
  • Neither can your employer fire you for 12 weeks, following the birth of your child
  • Your employment can only be terminated whilst you are pregnant under very special circumstances
  • During your pregnancy, your employer is obligated to protect your safety and health
  • You may be eligible for some additional rights as well. Discuss this with your employer
  • If you do not tell your employer that you are pregnant, you cannot exercise these rights, so it is a good idea to communicate with him or her

Your Rights in NL

As a pregnant employee in the Netherlands, you have the right to:

  • Regular working and resting hours
  • Extra breaks
  • A suitable, closed-off space to rest, where you can lie down
  • Alternative working hours, or even other work, if your current work is unsafe or hazardous to your health. If neither of these options is available, you have the right to be exempted from work
  • You are under no obligation to work overtime or at night

These rights are applicable for six months following your delivery.

Special Regulations

There are also special regulations for pregnant employees whose work involves:

  • Nursing
  • Hard physical labor
  • Stress
  • Chemicals
  • Radiation
  • Risk of infection
  • Noise
  • Extreme vibrations
  • Extreme heat or cold

For further details, check the website of ‘The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment‘. This is called the ‘Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid‘ in Dutch.

PATERNITY LEAVE IN NL

  • In the Netherlands, fathers have a right to stand by their wife or partner while she gives birth
  • They must take ‘calamity leave’ from work in order to do this
  • Fathers are allowed another two days of paid ‘paternity leave’, after the birth of their child. This is called ‘kraamverlof’
  • It can be used at any point within four weeks of the birth of the child(ren)
  • If a child is born in the hospital, his or her father can take the leave within four weeks of the baby coming home
  • Under ‘calamity leave’, dads may also take time off to register the birth of their child
  • They are not technically given a full day off work for this, but they can take as much time as they need to accomplish it
  • A mother’s legal partner also has a right to three days of parental leave, immediately after the birth of the child
  • Whether or not he or she will receive wages over these three days depends on his or her employer
  • If a mother gives birth to twins, her partner has a right to three days of leave per child

Parental Leave in NL

The law stipulates that working parents have the right to take an unpaid leave of absence from work, in order to care for their children, in the Netherlands. Parental leave is called ‘ouderschapsverlof ‘ in Dutch. This rule is no different for the parents of adopted, step or foster children.

Parental Leave: The Basics

  • The law used to demand that parents needed to have been in employment for at least one year, before they could take parental leave. This is no longer the case
  • Parents can take their leave from the first day that they enter into employment, if necessary
  • Leave may be taken by both parents at the same time, or by one after the other, at any time during the first seven years of their child’s life
  • A request for parental leave must be submitted to an employer at least two months before the date on which a parent wishes to begin their leave
  • If parents have twins, they are allowed to take a leave of absence for each child

Length of Leave

  • The legal amount of leave-time allotted to a parent is based on the number of contractual hours of work they do per week, timesed by 26
  • This calculation is meant to ensure that you work 50% of your usual working hours, over a period of one year
  • Let’s say that you usually work 32 hours a week. Under the Dutch parental leave law, you can cut your time at work down to 16 hours a week, for a period of one year

Negotiate your Leave

These rules are not always practical employees and employers. Consequently, it is completely legal for other conditions may be agreed upon. Since 2015, parents in the Netherlands can decide for themselves when and how they take up their parental leave. For example, they can:

  • Take up 100% of their leave for a period of six months
  • Work 75% of their normal working hours over a period of two years
  • Spread their leave over six periods

We recommend that you talk to both your partner and your employer, to work out what best suits your family and your career.

Other Scenarios

There are a few other matters to take note of as well:

  • Check whether a collective labor agreement applies to you. It might mean that you are eligible for some further, more beneficial, regulations on parental parental leave
  • Although it is not required by law, some employers might choose to continue to pay you up to 75% of your wages, during your parental leave
  • If you become sick during your parental leave, your employer must pay you your wages for the hours which you would otherwise have worked
  • If you switch jobs, you can take your remaining parental-leave days with you to your new employer

Financial Difficulties

Financial difficulties during parental leave:

  • Because parental leave is technically unpaid, many parents experience financial hardship if they take it
  • Single parent families can request government support during their leave period
  • The amount of support they receive will be based on Dutch welfare regulations. These are referred to as: ‘Bijstand’ regulations in the Netherlands
  • The Dutch Social Insurance Bank, which we referred to earlier, is responsible for allocating welfare
  • Two-parent families are, however, expected to be able to manage their finances for themselves. One parent is expected to create enough income to take care of their family. This rule may be subject to change in the future

Adoption and foster leave in NL

If you adopt a child in the Netherlands, you and your partner have a right to four consecutive weeks of adoption leave each. Here are the details:

  • Unfortunately, if you adopt more than one child at once, you will still only be allowed four weeks of leave 
  • This leave may be taken up anywhere between four weeks prior to the arrival of your child and 22 weeks after his or her arrival
  • The leave can be spread out as much as you like over these 26 weeks

Pay During Leave

  • During your leave you will receive 100% of your wages
  • You are allowed up to a maximum of €205.77 a day. This is the ‘daily wage’ in the Netherlands
  • Under certain conditions, this same leave is available to people who take in a foster child
  • Sadly, self-employed people in the Netherlands do not receive any benefits related to unpaid leave when they adopt a child

Are you keen to learn more about longer-term parental leave? What about the kinds of rights you are entitled to throughout your children’s lives? We have another article about ‘Legal issues for parents in the Netherlands‘, which covers that information.

Useful links

Go to the Directory for Legal Assistance Services

Hazards of renting in NL

Before moving into your Dutch house, acquaint yourself with the hazards of renting in the Netherlands! Understandably, many expats are eager to sign a contract, and get settled into their new home as quickly as possible. However, it is crucial to check your rental agreement thoroughly, before you commit. Our article will show you what to watch …

Before moving into your Dutch house, you must acquaint yourself with the hazards of renting in the Netherlands! Understandably, many expats are eager to sign a contract, and get settled into their new home as quickly as possible. However, it is crucial to check your rental agreement thoroughly, before you commit. This page will show you how to spot the red flags, and how to deal with them. Being savvy about the hazards of renting in the Netherlands will enable you to preempt them, and avoid a lot of drama!

We will use a real case study to better demonstrate how to navigate Dutch rental hazards.

Meet Bill and Tamara:

  • They are a lovely Australian couple, with three kids and a dog
  • They fell in love with a house in the Hague, and rented it out for exactly four years
  • This fitted perfectly with the length of Bill’s contract
  • Bill’s employer also covered the costs of the family’s move
  • For over three years, everything seemed idyllic: the neighborhood, the corner shops, the close proximity to the children’s school
  • Until, one morning, a letter fell onto the doormat:

The Eviction Notice

Dear Bill and Tamara,

I do hope you are doing well and enjoying your life in The Hague.

Unfortunately, I have to inform you that we are returning to the Netherlands to re-occupy our home. I therefore give you a full three calendar months notice to vacate the premises.

My property manager will contact you for the check-out, to settle the remaining amount of the deposit after a careful inspection for any damage that might have occurred during the tenancy.

Bill and Tamara were stunned and baffled. What was going on?

Hazard 1

A Compromising Clause in the Contract

Unfortunately, many expats encounter this hazard:

  • Bill and Tamara had not read their contract thoroughly
  • They had assumed that only they could terminate it
  • The contract actually contained a clause, stating that the owner could move back into his house. He would be able to do this in the event that he was transferred back to the Netherlands, so long as he gave three months notice

The Effect on the Family

This was not good news for Bill and Tamara:

  • This clause was applicable from the start of the contract. So, it was far too late for the couple to challenge it
  • It looked as if they would have to pack up their whole life, find another house and move. What is more, they would have to accomplish all of this within just three months!
  • Bill and Tamara had specific requirements for their new home. It had to be:
  1. Furnished and affordable
  2. Close enough to the children’s school
  3. Close to the shops
  4. Near a park for dog walking
  5. In a safe and friendly area
  • Plus, the rental contract had to be only 8 months long, so that the family could move back to Australia when Bill’s contract came to an end
  • All these factors made the family’s task very challenging, and highly inconvenient

Hazard 2

Losing Your Deposit

On top of these issues, Bill and Tamara had failed to take some further necessary precautions:

  • They had not had an inspection report made up when they moved
  • They had not taken any photos of the house when they moved in

What was the effect of this?

  • The owner claimed back the full deposit, because of ostensible damage caused by the dog
  • He claimed that there were large patches of ruined grass, dirty marks on the walls, scratches on the parquet floors, chips in the woodwork and a few holes in the living room curtains
  • Without a report, and with no photographic documentation, Tamara and Bill could not prove that the house had been in this state when they first moved in

To add insult to injury, the couple faced a third problem, as a result of their eviction:

  • Bill’s employer covered the costs of the family’s initial move. Unfortunately, he was not responsible for covering a second
  • This is often the case when expats come to the Netherlands on assignment
  • Since the owner of the house was not required to help them with this either, Bill and Tamara stood to lose a lot of money

How can You Avoid these Hazards?

  • Be sure to have a detailed and signed inspection report made up, before you move in
  • Take good quality photos to accompany this report. They should document any damage and wear or tear that the property comes with initially
  • Protect yourself by negotiating the terms of your contract. If you detect a hazardous clause, for example, a section stating that the house owner can reclaim his or her home early, question it. If you still really want the property, try to come to a compromise with the owner. You could ask them to soften the blow of vacating your home at short notice, by covering your moving costs

So, the moral of the story is to:

  1. Read that contract before you move in
  2. Try to negotiate any terms that do not suit you
  3. Take a thorough inventory report

What Happened to Bill and Tamara?

Bill and Tamara were very lucky:

  • The owner of their house was understanding, and accommodating of some of their needs
  • Tamara and Bill came away from the experience having learnt a lot
  • They were able to truly enjoy their last few months in the Netherlands
  • This is not the case for everyone
  • Before renting your first place in NL, do your research!

Useful links

Go to the Directory

Rules of renting in NL

The rules surrounding rental properties in the Netherlands may well differ from those of your native country. This article will cover the fundamentals of Dutch renting protocol. It will outline which types of rental property are available in the Netherlands, and what you can expect from each one. It is so important to familiarize yourself with the rules of renting! It will help you to enjoy selecting and moving into your new Dutch property, without any misunderstandings.

Rental Prices in NL

Because many properties in the Netherlands are rented out privately, their price and quality varies greatly. Generally speaking, however, Dutch housing is of a good standard. All properties will have hot and cold running water, heating, and electricity. Here are a few facts about rental prices in the Netherlands:

  • The price of a Dutch rental property will be based on its location, size and quality
  • The property’s proximity to schools, shopping, and public transport will help determine the price as well
  • Big cities, such as Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague offer more choice in rental properties
  • Properties in these larger cities are more expensive, compared to those in smaller Dutch towns

Recent Developments in Property Prices

  • The sales market for properties is picking up in NL. Therefore, Dutch realtors expect rental prices to go up over the years to come. This means that there will be fewer properties available for rent
  • Over the past couple of years, many owners rented out their property because they couldn’t sell it. This is beginning to change now
  • Properties that have a rent of under € 700 are considered to be social housing
  • Dutch Housing corporations have waiting lists of several years for such properties
  • Housing corporations will only accept tenants with a maximum annual income of € 34,678
  • Because most expats will earn more than this, they will usually struggle to find a property with a rent of less than € 700 a month

Now let’s cover some essential Dutch rental rules!

Rule 1: Learn the Renting Vocabulary

It is very important to get yourself acquainted with the vocabulary used to discuss renting in the Netherlands, before you begin your house hunt. Here’s why:

  • The terminology surrounding the various different types of Dutch rental property is baffling to many expats!
  • Unfurnished properties tend to be much cheaper than semi or fully furnished properties
  • If you do not know the meanings of the terms, and you make assumptions, you could find yourself in a sticky situation
  • You may think that you have found a great deal on a furnished place and arrive with just a few small suitcases, only to discover that it is completely empty!

Types of Dutch Rental Property

Here is an explanatory list of the categories of rental property available in the Netherlands:

1. Unfurnished: ‘Ongemeubileerd’

In the Netherlands, rental houses and apartments are generally unfurnished or ‘Ongemeubileerd’. An unfurnished property has the following characteristics:

  • This type of property is essentially a ‘shell’ of a house or an apartment
  • It will usually have no curtains, no lamps, no wall or floor coverings, and no kitchen appliances
  • For unfurnished properties, the rent is ‘cold’. This means that heating, water, electricity, internet, TV, phone, and communal taxes are not included in the rent. Hence, you will need to arrange your utilities yourself
  • When the former tenant leaves the property, he or she will strip the place bare and return it to its original state
  • Sometimes it is possible for old and new tenants to come to an agreement. New tenants might agree to buy the furnishings of the former tenant when they move in. This must be done formerly and signed for
  • This type of renting can be very time-consuming and expensive for an expat, especially if they will be staying in the Netherlands for just a couple of years
  • Furnishing an apartment requires a lot of DIY
  • You can employ a handyman to help you, but unfortunately labor in the Netherlands is expensive!
  • On the plus side, you will really get to make the place your own, if you can afford to

2. Semi-Furnished/ Soft-Furnished: ‘Gestoffeerd’

For the reasons listed above, most expats rent a semi-furnished, or ‘soft-furnished’ property. This translates as ‘Gestoffeerd’  in Dutch. Here are the bullet points:

  • A semi furnished property will have wall and floor coverings, curtains, (ceiling) lights, a kitchen with appliances, and sometimes even a washer/dryer
  • The tenant must bring his or her own furniture
  • Usually, the rent will be ‘cold’ for semi-furnished properties as well. (A definition of ‘cold’ rent is given above). As always, however, check this with your landlord

3. Furnished: ‘Gemeubileerd’

If you opt for a furnished rental property, it will probably come fully furnished. This means that:

  • Linen, kitchen equipment, pots and pans, cutlery, plates and glasses, TV, DVD player, towels, bed linens, etc. will all be included
  • Utilities will usually be included in the price as well
  • However, because every property and every landlord is different, be sure ask for a complete list of what is included in the price, before you sign a contract
  • Never assume that the items you saw when you viewed the property will still be there when you move in
  • Usually, an inventory list will be made for a furnished property. If the landlord does not mention this, ask for one yourself

Side Note

  • Wherever you live, communal taxes will be linked to the address of the property in the Netherlands. Communal taxes cover: waste, water and garbage collection etc
  • It is also mandatory to register at your local municipality, no matter which type of property you choose!

Rule 2: Read the Contract

It is so important to read your contract carefully, before you move in to your new Dutch rental home! Our  page on the Hazards of renting in the Netherlands will explain why! It is crucial to watch out for hidden defects in Dutch houses as well.

Luckily, many rental contracts have been specially designed to meet the needs of expatriates, and include an English translation.

The Dutch Rental Contract

Your Dutch rental contract should cover the following topics:

  • How much the rent will be for the property. Usually, it will be payable one month in advance
  • The deposit. This will typically be one- three months rent
  • An annual adjustment of the rent, based on increases in the cost of living, as determined by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS)
  • User’s costs, such as: utilities, municipal levies and garden maintenance
  • A ‘Diplomatic Clause’
  • The Brokerage/ realtor fees. These tend to be equal to one month’s rent, plus 21% VAT
  • A clause on minor repairs
  • A clause stating whether or not the tenant or the landlord is responsible for the yearly cleaning of the central heating system, water boilers, chimneys, gutters and drain pipes
  • The obligation to return the property in the condition in which it was first rented out. That is, with the exception of normal wear and tear. If this condition is not met, the tenant must forfeit (a part of) the deposit

Payment can be made from a foreign bank account using the IBAN and BIC codes.

Rule 3: Make a check-in report

The check-in report is another crucial task to take care of, before you move into your rented accommodation in the Netherlands. Here are the steps you must take:

  1. Before renting, be sure to have a check-in report drawn up, in English
  2. Ensure that the check-in report comes with photographs of the property
  3. Check whether anything is broken or damaged when you move in. If it is, include it in the report
  4. After moving in, you will have about one month to change or add things to your report. If there was any damage done to the property before you moved in, which you failed to document, you could be penalized for it later

What happens next?

  • The report will be referred back to, when you come to move out
  • Excepting normal wear and tear, the property should be in exactly the same condition as when you moved in
  • Remember that the owner holds your deposit, and you want it back. There is a common joke amongst expats: ‘You don’t really know whether your landlord is nice until you move out’. So, don’t give them any excuses to withhold your deposit money!

Rule 4: Check in properly

Be sure to follow the correct procedure when you first check in to your new (rented) home! The following steps should be taken:

  1. Contracts must be signed by all parties involved
  2. Rent and deposit must be paid into the account of the agent
  3. The tenant should be handed the keys to the property
  4. Ideally, the tenant will be checked in by the owner or his representative, and assisted by his own agent
  5. This is when the checklist should be filled out. It will document the condition of the house, furniture, fixtures and fittings, as well as the condition of the exterior/garden
  6. The inventory will be checked
  7. Checks will be carried out to ensure that the house has been thoroughly cleaned. The inside of kitchen and bathroom cabinets should be spotless
  8. The inspection report, as well as the inventory list, should be signed by both landlord and tenant

Rule 5: Terminate your contract officially

There are several rules surrounding terminating a rental contract in the Netherlands, that often catch expats out. Here we go:

  • Always inform your landlord well in advance about: the date you would like your contract to expire, and when you will be leaving
  • This should be done via registered letter
  • Depending on your rental contract, a notice period should be given before the expiration of the tenancy
  • If you do not stipulate in writing that you will vacate the premises after the initial one-year rental period, then the contract will undergo a ‘silent continuance’, or ‘stilzwijgende verlenging’
  • This means that you will be liable for a new year of rental fees
  • You will, at the very least, lose your deposit (usually two months rent) if you move out anyway
  • If you wish to continue your lease on a month-to-month basis after the initial one-year period, and your landlord is willing, this can be negotiated
  • You can also make arrangements to continue your rental contract for a longer period of time
  • Any arrangement that you come to with your landlord should be confirmed in writing

Rule 6: Check out properly

Side Note
The notice period you give your landlord, prior to checking out, should be:

  • At least one calendar month, if you have been in the property for under a year. This protects the landlord, if you (the tenant) terminate the contract earlier than expected
  • At least three months, plus one extra month for every year the property has been rented, if you have been renting long term. This protects you, incase your landlord terminates the contract
  • The notice period should never be longer than six months!

Checking Out in NL

This is what should happen:

  • A check-out must be completed with all parties concerned, preferably on the last day of the lease period
  • The inventory and condition of the lease property must be examined against the checklist, made when the lease began
  • If the state of the property is found to be satisfactory, and all bills in connection with the property have been paid, the deposit will be paid back to the tenant within three months of the check-out date
  • If necessary, the costs of restoring the rental property will be deducted from the deposit, in accordance with the bills provided by the tenant

Rule 7: Understand your responsibilities

In 2003, a law was introduced in the Netherlands. It is called the ‘Wet Besluit Kleine Herstellingen‘ . It roughly states that the tenant is responsible for the repair of any damage done to their rental property, if it is unconnected to: the furnace, water system, outside painting and electricity system.

Some expats come from countries where the owner takes care of all issues related to their rental accommodation. Said expats sometimes wrongly assume that this is what happens in the Netherlands too. Remember that the rules of renting are different here!

Tenant Responsibilities in NL

The following matters are the responsibility of you, the tenant:

  • Changing broken light bulbs
  • Fixing loose doorknobs or broken doorbells
  • Descaling faucets
  • Cleaning gutters 

As we have said before, all rental agreements will be different. You may find a landlord who is willing, or even keen, to take care of everything. The key is communication! Just make sure you are clear on the rules, before the contract is signed.

Useful links

Go to the Directory