The Pros and Cons of Moving to The Netherlands | Expatriate Group (2024)

The Pros and Cons of Moving to The Netherlands | Expatriate Group (1)

15th March, 2023 in Moving Abroad –

The Netherlands offers expats a high quality of life, with a low crime rate and friendly locals. However, as with any foreign country, it also has its own rules, regulations, and processes, which can be difficult for expats to get used to.

If you’re considering moving to the Netherlands, read on to find out some pros and cons of living there as an expat.

Pros of moving to the Netherlands

Great work-life balance

The Netherlands is known for promoting a healthy work-life balance. Research shows only around 0.3% of employees work long hours, much lower than the international average of 10%. The same study showed that full-time workers in the Netherlands dedicate over 60% of their day to personal care and leisure time.

Typically, Dutch people keep clear boundaries between their work and personal life, working hard during their contracted hours and then switching off from work when the working day is over.

Inclusive and welcoming culture

In general, the Dutch are welcoming to foreigners and make an effort to engage newcomers into the community. They are known for their egalitarianism and are a fairly liberal society.

Expats moving to the Netherlands will have plenty of opportunity to meet people in the Netherlands. It is a place known for having a vibrant social life, including a summer café culture as well as festivals and cultural events throughout the year.

Many people speak English

The Dutch have the best English proficiency for non-native speakers in the world, so English-speaking expats should be able to get along fine while they pick up the language. Many service providers, like mobile phone companies and banks, can also offer their services in English, which can be a huge help when you’re first settling in and setting up.

The downside to this is that there isn’t an urgency to learn the language. However, as with moving to any country, it is always beneficial to learn as much of the language as you can. The locals will appreciate it and it means you’ll be covered if you find yourself in a situation where English isn’t spoken.

High quality education

The Netherlands has a high standard of education in both public and private schools. Over 80% of adults in the Netherlands have completed secondary school and around a third have a university degree, which are both higher than the international average.

The Dutch curriculum is designed to support students in planning for the future and achieving their career goals. Some schools also offer additional support to children joining from abroad, such as providing immersion classes. These are smaller classes ran by specialist teachers designed to help children pick up the language while they learn the curriculum.

Easy to get around

The Netherlands is a relatively small country, so it’s easy to get around. The Dutch have a great public transport system, which includes trains, trams, buses, and metros.

There is also a huge cycling culture and many locals will travel around their local area by bicycle. There is often a good cycling network around towns and cities, with separate cycle lanes.

Cons of moving to the Netherlands

Expensive healthcare

Healthcare in the Netherlands is usually of good quality and efficient. However, everyone living in the Netherlands must take out health insurance to cover the costs of basic care like seeing a GP or prescription medication. Everyone has to pay for their medical care up to a fixed cost, and the fees can be expensive.

Health insurance in the Netherlands is costly and might not include everything that expats are used to. For example, local anesthetic often costs extra. The alternative is to take out comprehensive international health insurance. Private healthcare from Expatriate Group will ensure you and your family are fully covered while you’re in the Netherlands.

High taxes

In general, the Netherlands has a high tax rate, with high social security and income tax. There is a tax incentive for some foreign workers which allows them to earn 30% tax-free income – however, this will only apply to those in specific roles or who have specific skills.

For others, an individual worker will pay 36.1% tax and a couple with two children will pay 29.1% tax.

Shortage of housing

Finding accommodation in the Netherlands can be tricky. The country is experiencing a housing crisis, with a shortage of accommodation available for either locals or expats.

Both renting and buying property will be costly. Some apartments are offered as a “shell” and come with lower rent, but tenants will need to buy everything to furnish the home, including carpets and appliances.

High cost of living

The Netherlands has a high cost of living, which includes everything from accommodation, groceries, and services. On average, the cost of living in the Netherlands is 10.7% higher than in the UK.

Owning a car is particularly expensive, with high road tax and expensive repair costs. Whilst the public transport system is efficient, ticket prices are also costly.

Different social customs

The Dutch have slightly different social customs and rules that can take some getting used to for expats. For example, Dutch locals can be quite direct, which is often misunderstood as rudeness.

It’s expected that people are punctual at meetings and if someone is running late, they will need to let the necessary people know, even if they are only five minutes behind. It’s very uncommon for people to visit other people’s houses unannounced.

Moving to the Netherlands? Keep you and your family covered with expat insurance from Expatriate Group. We offer comprehensive and flexible healthcare policies designed for expats. Get a quote online now.

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The Pros and Cons of Moving to The Netherlands | Expatriate Group (2024)

FAQs

The Pros and Cons of Moving to The Netherlands | Expatriate Group? ›

The average cost of living in the Netherlands is around 20% cheaper than in the US. The average salary is also relatively lower in the Netherlands than in the US, but expats often get paid more than the average.

Why do Americans move to the Netherlands? ›

The average cost of living in the Netherlands is around 20% cheaper than in the US. The average salary is also relatively lower in the Netherlands than in the US, but expats often get paid more than the average.

Why would people migrate to the Netherlands? ›

Reasons for immigration

Labour migrants come to work while study migrants come for education, for example. For family migrants, the main reason is not work-related; they come to settle down with a partner or join a family member.

Why are you interested to move to the Netherlands? ›

The Netherlands has a strong economy.

There are plenty of opportunities for finding a job in the Netherlands, especially if you have skills in the technology or business sectors. The unemployment rate is currently only around four percent and wages are relatively high compared to other European countries.

Is it worth moving to the Netherlands? ›

The Netherlands offers expats a high quality of life, with a low crime rate and friendly locals. However, as with any foreign country, it also has its own rules, regulations, and processes, which can be difficult for expats to get used to.

Is it better to live in the Netherlands or the US? ›

It depends on your priorities. If you want to earn more money while paying less taxes, consider living in the States. But if you're looking for a better work-life balance and more freedom to take vacations, the Netherlands can be a good place for you.

Is it hard for an American to immigrate to the Netherlands? ›

Moving to the Netherlands is hard for foreigners as they must undergo a specific process of obtaining residency or citizenship.

What is the golden visa in the Netherlands? ›

The program allows foreigners to reside and work in the Netherlands and enjoy the benefits of living in one of the wealthiest European countries in return for investment in the Dutch economy. To qualify, the applicant must invest a minimum of €1,250,000 and ensure the investment adds value.

What is the largest immigrant group in the Netherlands? ›

Netherlands: largest foreign-born groups in 2023, by country of origin. This statistic displays the number of people from the twenty largest immigrant groups in the Netherlands as of 2023. At this time, Poles were the largest group of foreign-born residents in the Netherlands with approximately 186,800 people.

Why do people want to go to Netherlands? ›

With its beautiful cities and countryside of polders, dykes, windmills and canals connected by superb, sustainable infrastructure, the Netherlands is one of the easiest places to travel.

What are the benefits of Netherlands? ›

Every person in the Netherlands with an employment contract is entitled to certain statutory benefits. These benefits ensure that employees can take paid time off, are entitled to sick leave, get maternity and paternity leave, and are paid a minimum wage.

Why are people in the Netherlands so happy? ›

According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, the Netherlands is the sixth happiest country in the world. The TopDutch region attracts some of the brightest talent from across the globe thanks to our strong economy, quality institutions and the opportunity to live a healthy, balanced and prosperous life.

How hard is it for a US citizen to move to Netherlands? ›

However, when you wish to emigrate or move to the Netherlands you are required to obtain a residence permit and, when this option becomes available to you, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. U.S. citizens who want to work in the Netherlands or simply live here are required to apply for a residence permit.

Where do most Americans live in the Netherlands? ›

Over 30,000 US citizens call this small yet diverse country home with the majority moving to Amsterdam. As the capital city and a major tech hub, Amsterdam offers the convenience of English being widely spoken. However, this advantage comes with a catch—it makes learning Dutch a bit of a challenge.

What is the best country for US citizens to move to? ›

Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Greece, Malta, Switzerland, Austria, Cyprus, Canada, and Thailand are some of the most attractive places for US citizens to move to. Countries around the world offer programs that allow US citizens to obtain citizenship or residency by investment.

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