Living and working in the netherlands

From the internet, from the news, or the pictures circulating on social networks, we know that the Netherlands is the country of tulips, it is the land of windmills and it is a founding member state of the European Union. The Dutch are very direct people, tolerant, and open-minded when it comes to novelty.  But it's quite difficult to make Dutch friends. Living and working in the Netherlands can be a wholesome experience if you know how to enjoy the little details of this country.

Therefore, we wrote a complete guide compiling a list of things that are important to know about living and working in the Netherlands.

General things about life and work in the Netherlands

The first thing you need to know in general about what to do when you go to work in The Netherlands is that you need to have as much information as possible. The advice is to take a few days to find out about Dutch culture, their way of life, and the work ethic they promote. Another important thing that requires information is how to be able to enroll your children in educational programs in the Netherlands.

You can ask the DB Work team about how to pay taxes in the Netherlands and how to get health insurance. If you work in the Netherlands through DB Work, your health insurance will be covered. You should only go to work after signing a legal contract with an employer and knowing all the information about salary, accommodation, working conditions, and job description. Once you are sure of the big picture of your life and work situation in the Netherlands, here is the list of things you should prepare for when it comes to living and working in the Netherlands:

Documents you need to work and live in the Netherlands

Many of these are only needed for those who work and live in the Netherlands in the long term. So if you just want to visit the country for a few days, you won't need them.

BSN - Every citizen of the Netherlands has a BSN certificate proving that they have received citizenship in the Netherlands. The certificate contains your first and last name, date of birth, address, and the number by which you are identified in the Dutch system. You will only need this BSN if you want to spend more than 4 months in the Netherlands and if you want to interact with any state institution.

Resident Permit - A Resident Permit can be obtained through a simple application process. The reason why you may need this resident permit is to prove that you live and work in the Netherlands, and thus, you will have access to all the rights of a Dutch citizen. You will need a passport, a residence permit, a birth certificate, and a civic integration test.

Things you need to get used to when living and working in the Netherlands.

It's a different country, a new environment, and obviously, other people that are doing different things in different fields. One of the things about living and working in the Netherlands that you will need to do, is to adapt to a new lifestyle. A culture is built over thousands of years of existence, and there is no weapon or solution to get rid of adaptability. If you want to integrate, you have to adapt.

Cycling: The bicycle is the main form of transport promoted and used by the Dutch people, and it will be very difficult for you to find alternative solutions to a bicycle. Fortunately, they are not expensive and do not have to meet any standards. If you have a bicycle, you will be able to move around the city quite efficiently because the streets and bike lanes are designed to be efficient for a large number of traffic participants.

Cold weather: The Netherlands is not the country with the warmest weather in the world. And on top of that, you will need to be prepared for the rain that will take you by surprise. The cold and rainy weather is one of the reasons why most tourists think that they should like it or that they should give themselves the most time to adapt. If you are a person who appreciates cold weather, the Netherlands is a great destination.

A country without hills: In terms of geographical shapes and sizes, the Netherlands is a fairly flat country. That is why it is very advisable to use the bicycle as a form of transport because the effort will not be too big. The Netherlands is also a country worth visiting thanks to its windmills, landscapes, and climate.

Things that the Dutch are very, very good at

The Netherlands is one of the countries that excel in certain aspects, which is an advantage both for you and your family.

The medical system: There are plenty of advantages in moving to The Netherlands and the medical system is one of them. That is not what we say, but that's what most of the international reports say. The Dutch medical system is the best in Europe. Access to this system is based on medical insurance. These excellent results are because the Dutch invest over 10% of the state budget in health.

Healthy lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle is being promoted all over the Netherlands, and this process has been going on for decades. Leading a healthy lifestyle has already permeated the daily actions of the Dutch. And what appears to be imposed health rules in other countries are already cultural fundamentals in the Netherlands. Food is healthy, and sports are part of their daily diet.

What do the Dutch expect from you?

Living and working in the Netherlands can be very productive and welcoming if you are a model citizen, and show that you can stand up for yourself. And depending on each nation, these qualities may differ. In the case of the Dutch, those qualities are very much related to the way you behave or the actions you take when you are in the company of other people.

These things would translate into honesty, respect, and proving that you can be a good person. And don't forget that they expect you to know English because no matter where you go in the Netherlands, people also know English. It will be very helpful and will make your life and work in the Netherlands easier.

Living and working in the netherlands - Conclusion

These were the most important things to keep in mind when you start living and working in the Netherlands. So you will always have this list of things to keep in mind when going to the Netherlands.

If you want to get hired, the DB Work team is ready to give you everything you need to start a career in the Country of Tulips