You need to know about living and working in the Netherlands

Canals, dikes, clogs and tulips. Things you often find on postcards from Holland, but which are nowhere near telling the whole story of the beautiful, cycling-loving country. The Netherlands offers many job opportunities in an international work environment, where especially knowledge employees in medicine, technology, IT and marketing are warmly welcomed.

Geographically, the Netherlands is very special because part of the northern Netherlands is below sea level and is therefore protected by dikes, dams and pumping stations. The people of the country have roots in many parts of the world, and especially the big cities are diverse and full of international life and atmosphere – something you will quickly experience if you choose to work in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands: The basic facts

The Netherlands is actually part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of 12 provinces in Western Europe and three islands in the Caribbean. The part we know as the Netherlands borders Belgium and Germany and also has a long coastline towards the North Sea. The Netherlands is – with the exception of a few small states – the most densely populated country in Europe. The area of ​​43,000 square kilometers is a little bit smaller than Denmark, on the other hand, the population is 17 million. people almost three times as large as the Danish.

Classical culture and international atmosphere

Some of what many people associate the Netherlands with are the beautiful tulip fields. The country’s relatively mild coastal climate provides optimal growing conditions for the flowers, which tourists make pilgrimages to Holland from near and far to see. The Dutch wind turbines are also a well-known landmark, which has functioned both for grinding grain and as pump turbines in low-lying areas. In addition to the classic postcard motifs, Holland is probably best known for its largest city, Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is one of the world’s most famous cycling cities, and with its many canals and atmospheric streets, it is also a popular destination. Amsterdam has also been repeatedly voted one of the world’s most innovative cities and one of the best cities to live in. Culturally, the city offers both the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, and it is one of Europe’s most important trading cities.

Taste the Dutch specialties

Dutch cuisine is dominated by slightly heavy and very filling dishes. Popular ingredients are potatoes, cabbage and various types of sausage. However, you will also find quite a few more spicy dishes whose ingredients were introduced into the country during the colonial era and have since become a regular part of Dutch cuisine. If you are looking for something for the sweet tooth, try the special, Dutch waffles called stroopwafels. A freshly baked waffle smeared with caramel syrup is an experience you must not cheat yourself of when you are in Holland.

This is how it is to work in the Netherlands

To be able to work and get paid in the Netherlands, you must register at your local municipal / citizen service office on arrival. You must also have a bank account and health insurance – and then you are ready. Growing sectors in the Dutch labor market include energy, IT, health, logistics and various service subjects.

The Dutch working life is reminiscent of the Danish and provides good opportunities to work from home, flexible working hours, etc. Unemployment is among the lowest in Europe at 3.2% in 2019. A normal working week is typically 36-40 hours, and in more and more places the hours are spread over just four days. It is usually only managers who are expected to work several hours.

In the Netherlands, the income tax is min. 36.55%. Just like in Denmark, the tax increases the higher the salary you earn.

Work in Amsterdam

The Netherlands is very flexible towards finding a job since is not necessary to know the language. The capital is leading the way to a 100% of national employment, with really low unemployment rates, this port city has a lot to offer for expats, with more than 50% of the population coming from abroad. The leading fields in the job market of Amsterdam are Tech, marketing and communications, engineering and sales, so if you want to start your career in some of the previous fields, you should consider Amsterdam as your starting point.

How to find housing and work in the Netherlands

As an EU citizen, you do not need a work and residence permit. Instead, focus on finding a place to live and a job in the Netherlands – and that may be easier said than done. Pga. the high population density there is rift about both jobs and apartments and you should start your search well in advance. Mht. jobs, you may be better off if you ally yourself with an international recruitment agency. You can read reports from graduates who have found jobs through Job Squad, her.

Housing, there are many opportunities to search for from home. Facebook groups for expats in the Netherlands can be a great place to start, just as you can search on local housing portals.

The cost of living in the Netherlands is slightly lower than in Denmark, but not significantly.

Where to learn Dutch

Even when is not necessary to learn dutch to land a job in the Netherlands, if you plan to make a living in this country we recommend you to start learning the language properly. Prices for dutch courses varies from €290 – €340 per week, however HERE you can find more alternatives to learn dutch.

That is why you must live and find a job in the Netherlands

You must work in the Netherlands if you want to enter a well-organized labor market in a country that has a very special geography and a population with an international outlook. In the big cities, you get real big city feelings with lots of pace and exciting job opportunities.