Expat Focus - Overseas Jobs, Property Overseas, Jobs Abroad, Overseas Property
REGISTER - LOGIN - NEWSLETTER - E-BOOK - FORUMS - INTERVIEWS - ARTICLES - COUNTRIES - CITIES - FINANCIAL - PROPERTY - JOBS - BLOG
 Currency Transfers

expat foreign exchange currency services


 Join, Subscribe, Share

Join newsletter
Join LinkedIn Group
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to news
Subscribe to forums
Subscribe to blog Subscribe to tweets

Bookmark & share this page: Bookmark and Share


 Main Menu

NEW - Ask the Expert!

EXPAT COMMUNITY
FINANCIAL ADVICE
EXPAT RESOURCES
PROPERTY OVERSEAS
EXPAT FOCUS

 



View Larger Map

Expat Financial Services and Information

Currency Transfer

Pension Transfer

Insurance

Mortgages

Banking

Taxation

Investing

The Netherlands (Holland) - An Expatriate Guide

Overview
Culture
Climate and Weather
Government and Politics
Getting There
Visas, Permits, Residency and other Immigration Issues
Currency and Cost of Living
Foreign Currency - how to secure a favourable exchange rate
Banking
Taxation
Insurance
Business Culture
Healthcare & Medical Treatment
Social Security
Renting Property
Buying or Renovating Property
Starting a Business
Employment
Speaking the Language
Learning Dutch and How to Survive it!
Religion, Marriage, Birth and Death
Maternity Rights and Childcare
Legal Issues
Education & Schools
Driving in the Netherlands
Cycling in the Netherlands
Public Transport
Shopping
Food and Drink
Household
Leisure, Entertainment and Sports
Communications (Telephone, Internet)
TV, Radio and Newspapers
Holidays, Festivals and Important Dates
Pets
Expat groups in the Netherlands


Expat The Netherlands (Holland) - Destination Mini-Guides

Amsterdam
Rotterdam

Expat Experiences of Life in the Netherlands (submit yours here)

Anna Gilhespy

Anna and Chef Mouse

My name is Anna Gilhespy, I am 29 and I run my own business making handmade ornaments which I sell mostly online. I moved to Hoofddorp (just outside Amsterdam) with my husband in 2003 when he was offered a good job over here. There was little work where we were living in the UK and opportunity was too good for us to pass up...

Read more...


If you want to work here, you need a work permit from the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) as an addition to your residence permit. There are also many recruitment agencies for non Dutch speakers. Generally it is required (or at least desired) that you speak some Dutch. But I know that people who don't know (much) Dutch find jobs as well, but it does take some time...


You should be aware that the Dutch are usually very direct. When you are not used to this, you may consider that it is impolite but it is a normal way of reacting. If you want to meet a Dutch person, you must make an appointment (also with friends) and shouldn't be surprised if it takes a few weeks before you can meet each other. This is just because people have a busy schedule. Don't take it personally!


At a birthday party in Holland you are expected to sit in a circle eating a bit of cake and coffee (maybe 1 biscuit, but no more!) After that alcoholic beverages maybe served. Not attending a close family member's birthday party is really frowned upon. In UK, friends take the birthday boy/girl out to the pub and that person does NOT have to pay a Euro penny. Believe it or not, in Holland the birthday boy/girl is expected to pay for drinks should he/she celebrate this in a restaurant/pub.


Read more experiences here or submit your own!


Expat The Netherlands (Holland) - Latest Articles

Ik wil mijn fiets berijden (I Want to Ride My Bicycle)
The Dutch People and Their Traditions
The Dutch Kitchen
Housing and Living Accommodation in Holland
An Expat's Introduction to the Netherlands

More articles


Useful Links

The Netherlands (Holland) discussion forum
The Netherlands (Holland) property listings
The Netherlands (Holland) videos and podcasts
Hotel search
Flight search
Advertise in this guide
Link to us
Tell a friend


Got something to add? Spotted something which should be changed? Let us know!

Expat Netherlands Videos and Podcasts

Most Viewed Video
Expats in Holland Transportation
Expats in Holland Transportation
Latest Video
Expats in Holland Transportation
Expats in Holland Transportation
Highest Rated Video
Expats in Holland Transportation
Expats in Holland Transportation

Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use/Privacy Policy available here.

DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this web site should be interpreted as legal advice or as a buy, sell, hold or other investment recommendation. Visitors are strongly urged to consult with a qualified legal or financial advisor before making any decisions. Neither Expat Focus nor any person involved with the running of this website can be held responsible for any decisions made by our visitors.

All logos and trademarks in this site are property of Expat Focus.
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2009 by Expat Focus.

Interactive software released under GNU GPL, Code Credits, Privacy Policy