The Land of Tulips & Wooden Shoes,

van Gogh & Rembrandt, Windmills & Dikes

Information on Relocating to the Netherlands

·        The capital city of the Netherlands is Amsterdam with about 800 thousand people. The political centre is in the Hague where the Queen also resides. The Netherlands are a constitutional monarchy.

·        Language: The language spoken is Dutch, although many of the Dutch speak English, German, and French, among other languages. The TV programs are in their original languages and subtitled. There are about 30 different channels in different languages.

·        Population: The population is about 17 million people - Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-Western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese, and Indonesians).

·        Expat areas: Popular areas for Expat relocation are Amsterdam, The Hague, Het Gooi, Rotterdam and Wassenaar.

·        Housing: The availability of houses in the whole country and particularly in these areas varies. At the moment the market is better than before but it will still take some time to find the house with your required specifications. Most Expats rent their houses or apartments but some buy their homes. Both options are available and will be looked at with you, but mainly depend on your company relocation policy, income, and the length of your stay.

·        Cost of housing: Varies from area to area and the size of the house or apartment. You'll pay anything from Euro 1500-Euro 8000 and higher. The local currency is EURO.

·        Schools: We have the American school, the British school, etc., and of course all the local school systems available. Depending on the age we can tell you about waiting lists, etc.

·        Transportation: There is a great public transportation system: Plains, trains, trams, busses, subway, taxi's, and of course the most popular one, the bike.

·         Banking: The banking hours are generally from Monday 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm and Tuesday-Friday from 9.00 am - 4.00 pm. Most banks provide online banking from your home.

·         Shopping: Is generally done from Monday 1.00 pm - 6.00/8.00 pm and Tuesday - Friday from 8.00/9.00 am - 6.00/8.00 pm. Saturdays from 8.00/9.00 am - 5.00/6.00 pm.  Some cities have a "koopavond" either on Thursday or Friday evening, which means the shops are open until 9.00 pm. On Sunday most shops are still closed throughout the country with exception of the downtown areas in the bigger cities where they have varying opening hours. On most holidays the shops and banks are closed.

·         Climate: The Netherlands are a typical sea climate which means mild winters with temperatures varying from  -8°C to +15°C (46°F - 58°F) and summers where the temperatures vary from  15°C - 34°C (58°F - 93°F) with lots of rain throughout the year.

·        Culture: You can find anything here: concerts both classical and modern; theatre; cinema; cabaret; museums, among which are the famous van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum with Rembrandt's famous Nachtwacht (Night watch); castles; forest; sea; and we should not forget the mountains called St. Pietersberg and the Vaalserberg (110 yards high no less).

·         Public holidays: January 1st-New Years Day; April-May Good Friday; 1st & 2nd Easter day-(dates vary); April 30th-Queens day; May 5th-Liberation day; Ascension Day, 1st & 2nd Day of Pentecost-(dates vary); December 25th & 26th-Christmas Days.