The Kingdom of the Netherlands or alternatively Holland is a country located in North-West Europe and is also the owner of a number of islands in the Caribbean. The country shares sea borders with the UK, Germany and Belgium and land borders with Belgium to the South, Germany to the East and the North Sea to the North and West.
Its capital city is Amsterdam but strangely the country’s government is not located there, instead it is based at The Hague. The Netherlands was once one of the leading powers of the world having an empire that stretched across the globe. With the end of empire the country remained one of the most important nations on the continent and has a substantial presence in the European Union being one of the 17 members of the Euro-zone.
The Netherlands is a low-lying country with around 20% of its area and over 21% of its population located lower than sea-level. Half of its land is only one meter above sea-level and it’s this feature that gives the nation its name. The Netherlands literally translates as ‘the low country’.
Jobs in Netherlands
If you are planning to immigrate across the channel to the Netherlands then you are more than likely going to need to find work to pay for your new life. The Netherlands is considered to be one of the strongest economies in Europe but unfortunately thanks to the Euro crisis it has been proven to be in a vulnerable position. The coming years are uncertain for the country. While not in as worse a state as many other European nations, the unresolved crisis is threatening to damage the Dutch job market. Currently unemployment is standing at 6.5%.
The difficulties
If emigrating from the UK you won’t have much trouble entering the Netherlands due to both countries being members of the European Union.
However, you are at an immediate disadvantage if you are looking for work and currently reside outside of the country due to the language barrier. Just like moving to another country that speaks a foreign language it is highly recommended that you put in the effort to learn. Unlike in France, many Dutch people speak English and the English have been warmly welcomed in the country for many years. You should still make an effort to learn Dutch as it will make fitting in easier and making jobs will require you to speak Dutch. In effect, without learning Dutch then it is highly likely that you will struggle in landing a job.
If you have learnt the language up to a basic level then you should be prepared to write your application letters by hand. Dutch companies tend to be quick in replying to applications and will take all received applications seriously. Dutch companies also have a good record for replying to applicants within 3 or 4 days and encourage applicants to call them if they take longer. A sharp contrast to UK companies who can be extremely rude and not reply at all to applicants.
Pay and conditions
Average wages in the Netherlands are average when compared to the rest of Europe. They are better than those found in Spain and Italy but tend to be lower than UK and German pay. The average salary is from €25,000 to €30,000 a year. According to Dutch law workers are allowed to work 9 hours a day and 40hours a week. The working week is usually Monday to Friday, depending on the type of work. Also, there is a legal minimum of one day’s rest a week, normally Sunday. Normal hours are 09:00 to 18:00 with two 15 minute breaks and an hour and a half lunch break. Many people don’t take breaks, eat their lunch at their desk and then leave at 17:00 instead of at 18:00.
Workers also have the right to 4 weeks of paid holiday. There are very few national holidays so you get less extra days off then you would back home.
Top tips for finding work
1. Learn the language!
2. Be prepared to work in worse jobs than you’re used to.
3. Make sure your C.V is hand written
4. Have money in reserve, it may take a long time to find work.
5. Consider working from home i.e. (online), it might be far easier than learning the language.
Finding work
The best way to find work in the Netherlands is to look in local newspapers and use the internet. Employment agencies are often used. It’s a good idea to take advantage of every possible contact that you have, from friends, colleagues and classmates. Even the most casual acquaintances can sometimes point you towards a potential job lead. Persistence and confidence are vital ingredients to a successful job search.
What do you need to live in the Netherlands?
As a citizen of a European Union nation you will not need a Visa to enter the country. If you are looking to move to the country and are a citizen of a nation not part of the EU or country signed up to a free access deal then you will need to apply for one. When determining visa eligibility, The Netherlands looks first to the Schengen Agreement, a treaty implemented by almost all of the member states of the European Union, with the exception of the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain
If you have a residency document from any of the member states that have adopted the Schengen agreement you do not need a visa for the Netherlands. UK residents are no longer covered by the EU regulations on travelling, living and working in member states. This means freedom of movement between the countries has ended.
Visitors from the US will not need a visa for a short stay to the Netherlands, but will for a stay of more than 90 days.
Residency permit
As a citizen of the EU you will not need to have a residency permit. However it may be a good idea to get one regardless, as having one will make your life a lot easier than without. If you don’t have one then you won’t be able to gain access to many of the states services or benefits such as financial aid. In order to qualify for one you will need to fulfil certain requirements set by the IND (Immigration centre). To apply for a residence permit you are required:
- To have a valid passport
- Not to have a criminal record
- Not to be a danger for the public or national safety
- To have sufficient monetary funds to finance your stay in the Netherlands
- Must have to undergo a TB test
- To have health insurance to cover any medical costs
When the IND makes a decision to grant a residence permit they send a message to the municipal office and you will be able to collect it there. If the IND rejects your application you will receive a personal letter at your home address. If you are not granted the residency permit you have four weeks to appeal against the decision. By law, the IND has 6 months to make their decision but in most cases this process will not take this amount of time.
Dutch money
If you’re thinking of emigrating to Holland you will have to know what type of currency the country uses. In the case of Holland the country uses the Euro or the single currency. The Euro is the second most traded currency in the world behind the US Dollar, before you emigrate it is a good idea to seek advice from a trusted currency broker, a good one to use is http://www.torfx.com/
The main banks
There are many banks in the Netherlands with eight in particular being the most popular as well as the multinationals found in most countries. The main banks are as follows; ABN-AMRO, ASN Bank, De Nederlandsche Bank, Rabobank.
Cost of living
Thanks to the weakness of the Euro the price of everyday items is comparatively cheaper than those found in the UK.
Cards
Visa or MasterCard are generally accepted everywhere. American Express and Diners Club cards are not accepted everywhere, but tend to be OK in upmarket hotels and restaurants or shops in touristy areas.
Dutch cards are usually valid for two years and sometimes have a charge of €15-45/year. Some banks offer special tariffs for young people or the issue of a second card on an account.