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Expat Brochure
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Contents
Amsterdam ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Banking .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Housing ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Permits .................................................................................................................................................... 7
Registering / Deregistering ..................................................................................................................... 8
Transportation ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Health .................................................................................................................................................... 13
Insurance ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Stores .................................................................................................................................................... 17
Driving License ...................................................................................................................................... 19
Language Education .............................................................................................................................. 21
Family .................................................................................................................................................... 23
Tax ......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Pension .................................................................................................................................................. 27
National Holidays .................................................................................................................................. 28
Leaving the Netherlands ....................................................................................................................... 30
Questions .............................................................................................................................................. 31
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Amsterdam
Basic facts about Amsterdam
Although the seat of the Dutch government is in The Hague, Amsterdam is the nominal
capital of the Netherlands. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of just over
800,000, and the most visited, with over 3.5 million foreign visitors a year.
The Netherlands is a country situated in Western Europe, bordering Belgium to the south
and Germany to the east. To its north and west is the North Sea. Although the Netherlands
is the country's official name, people often call it Holland. Nevertheless, the provinces of
North Holland and South Holland form only part of the Netherlands.
Amsterdam figures:
Population: 805,166
Country: The Netherlands
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1
Telephone area code: 020
Places to go:
Amsterdam is home to numerous attractions and various events are often held throughout
the city. For a summary of these, visit www.iamsterdam.com.
For museum lovers, it is also worth considering a museumkaart (www.museumkaart.nl, in
Dutch, or www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart, for an overview in English), which
gains you access to over 400 museums in the Netherlands, with 34 in Amsterdam alone, for
a only €54.90 per year.
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Banking The five largest banks in the Netherlands are the ABN-Amro,Rabobank, Fortis bank, Ing bank and SNS bank. ABN-AMRO has an English translation of its website. Money transactions in Dutch stores Money transactions are mostly done by cash, pin or Chippen. Credit cards and Chippen can usually be used in larger chain stores or hotels, but smaller stores often do not provide this service. Withdrawing money from your bank account is easiest at an Automated Teller Machine (called ‘Pin’ or ‘Pinautomaat’ in Dutch). You will need your bankcard and the pin code to make use of this machine. ATMs can be found all over Amsterdam. Generally, there isn’t any fee charge to make use of ATMs from other banks. However, there is a lower maximum withdrawal at other banks as your own. If you do not want to carry a lot of cash, it is also possible to 'pin'. This is the name for paying
with your bankcard. 'Pinnen' works almost the same as withdrawing money at an ATM.
Money will be immediately deducted from your bank account.
Most bankcards also have a gold-coloured chip on them. Credit can be added to this chip using a machine which you will find near an ATM. With money on your chip you can buy goods or pay for parking very fast. You do not need your 'pin code' to confirm. 'Pinnen' is possible almost anywhere. Paying bills for expats Bills can be paid in various manners. The most common are the 'acceptgiro' and 'automatische incasso'. An ‘acceptgiro’ is a partially filled in form that a company can send you by post. This can be paid online through your bank, by post, or be bringing it into your bank. An ‘automatische incasso’ or automatic debit is an easy way to standardize a payment. When you sign a contract, the company may ask you if you want to pay automatically. Your bank will automatically deduct each bill from your account if you agree on these terms. If the company debits too much, you can cancel the debit at your bank. Nowadays, internet banking is very popular. With internet banking, you can check your transactions and balance, transfer money to other accounts, and pay bills. Cheques are not used in the Netherlands. If you receive a cheque you have to cash it at your bank. When you arrive in Amsterdam an employee from the Netherlands Cancer Institute Front Office will provide you with information on how and where to open an account.
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Housing Finding suitable housing in Amsterdam can be a time consuming matter. The Netherlands Cancer Institute housing department can help you with information and if possible help finding an apartment. This applies for both foreign employees as well as Dutch employees. Below you will find all the information you need to find housing and to get started once housing is found. Apartments and houses The Netherlands Cancer Institute has a voluntary cooperation with real estate agent Jacobus Recourt. http://jacobusrecourt.nl/MenuID/3131/Content/Home.html Jacobus Recourt has apartments and houses in the newly build area just next to the Netherlands Cancer Institute. For housing opportunities from Jacobus Recourt, please contact [email protected] Many rental properties are also advertised at http://www.funda.nl/. Short term accommodation can be found on http://www.thestudenthotel.com/ Louweshoek The Netherlands Cancer Institute has 34 rooms available for her own employees at apartment complex Louweshoek. The complex is situated about 5 minutes by foot from the Netherlands Cancer Institute . The furnished rooms come in two sizes and cost € 316.20 (small 15m2) and € 388.56 (big 22m2), as of 1st July 2013. The rent also includes utilities. These rooms can only be occupied by one person and pets are not allowed. The rooms are mainly meant for people with an income under € 2600,= ( before taxes). If you earn more you can also apply but we urge you to stay as briefly as possible so that we can give the employees with no alternative option a change. In 2014 Louweshoek will be renovated, and the kitchens, bathrooms and flooring will be replaced. Utilities
Electricity and gas: To keep the Dutch energy market competitive, it was de-regulated on 1 July 2004. Many utility companies offer integrated services, providing gas and electricity. Customers can choose their own energy provider. To arrange electricity please contact: NUON customer service Tel. 0900 0808 (€ 0,10 per minute) (Monday till Friday from 8 am till 8 pm). The employees speak English. There are also many other electricity providers available like: E-on, Nederlandse Energie Maatschappij, Essent ect. Most of these companies do have English speaking personnel available when asked for.
Water: For information on how to arrange water please click on the link below: http://www.waternet.nl/algemene_onderdelen/english
Cable and internet The main cable/internet company in Amsterdam is UPC. For information on how to apply for cable/internet please contact the UPC customer service: Customer Service: 0900-1580 (€ 0,10 per minute) Sales: 0900-2233777 (€ 0,10 per minute)
Telephone ( landline and mobile) Most landlines are provided by KPN or UPC. Click on either name for more information. The Netherlands offers many mobile phone providers. If you contact www.belcompany.nl or www.phonehouse.nl you can get information about what provider/contract suites you best.
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Moving The costs for moving from abroad to the Netherlands vary depending on what you will take with you from abroad. Below you will find two international movers. You can send them an e-mail for a quote. http://www.intlmovers.com/Netherlands.html http://www.easymoving.nl/verhuizen-buitenland/
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Permits
Anyone wanting to (come to) work and live in the Netherlands, needs a valid passport or identity document. You must also have proof that you have access to a Dutch medical insurance. Do you need a permit? If you have the nationality of a European Union (EU) country, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, Romania or Bulgaria,
you may work in the Netherlands without a permit. This is known as freedom of movement of workers. Workers from the following countries enjoy freedom of movement to the Netherlands: Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. If you need a permit, the institute will help you organize one for you, your partner and children. When you are getting the permit, the Immigration department will want to see your birth certificate and marriage certificate, when applicable. Most likely this will need to be apostillised, which means that the document needs to be authenticated in your home country, so that it can be recognized in the Netherlands. You can visit the following link for more info. http://www.hollandexpatcenter.com/themes/formalities/legalisation_of_documents/
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Registering / Deregistering
When planning on moving to the Netherlands for a period longer than
3 months it is important to register with the municipality (gemeente).
This means notifying the municipality of your personal details. The
municipality can also help you with official matters.
Conditions to register
To register with the municipality, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
EU citizens must have a valid passport or identity card. Non-EU citizens must have a valid residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) or be in the process of applying for one;
Applicants must reside in the municipality for at least four continuous months in the six-month period following registration.
Must be registered on a Dutch living address.
Where to register
Place of registration depends on the purpose of your stay in the Netherlands. Skilled migrant
registrations are mostly arranged at the Expatcenter. Registration coincides with collecting a
residence permit. All other registration should be arranged at the Dienst Persoons en Geo-
informatie office. Registration must be done in person.
Documents to take when registering
Valid identification (passport or identity card)
A signed current work contract
An original birth and marriage certificate (provided with an apostille) in English, Dutch, French or German
a tenancy agreement (huurovereenkomst) or purchase agreement for your home.
If lodging with someone: a copy of the identity document of the main occupant and a declaration stating his or her permission for to you to live there.
Please note: Depending on your situation, you may be required to take along other
documents as well. Please find out before the appointment. If you come from the
Netherlands Antilles or Aruba for example you must supply a certificate of deregistration
(uitschrijvingsbewijs).
Accompanying partner and/or children
Partners and/or children accompanying the applicant must also register with the municipality.
To do so, they too must visit the Expatcenter or the Personal Data Department (Dienst
Persoonsgegevens) in person.
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Documents to take when registering an accompanying child and/or partner
An original birth certificate (provided with an apostille) in English, Dutch, French or German
An original official certificate marital status (when married/cohabiting /divorced/ widower) (provided with an apostille) in English, Dutch, French or German
Birth certificates of any children (provided with an apostille) in English, Dutch, French or German
Deed of adoption or of acknowledgement of children (provided with an apostille) in English, Dutch, French or German
Costs of registration
Registration is free.
Foreign Documents
Not all documents are immediately valid in the Netherlands. The municipality will only accept
ones drawn up in Dutch, English, French or German. It will require an official translation of
documents in other languages, e.g. a birth or marriage certificate.
Some documents require proof of authenticity (apostille). This is an additional official stamp,
which validates certificates overseas. For more information see:
http://www.hollandexpatcenter.com/themes/formalities/legalisation_of_documents/
Deregistering
There are a number of matters to be dealt with when you leave the Netherlands. One is that
you have to deregister from the Municipal Personal Records Database (Gemeentelijke
Basisadministratie, GBA). This means the municipality will remove your personal details
from their files. The municipality will automatically inform other government authorities of
your departure.
When to deregister
You can have yourself deregistered a month before leaving the Netherlands. You must,
however, indicate the date of your departure. If you register your departure in person,
electronically or by post and give no date of departure, then the date the municipality
receives your amendment will be adopted as your date of departure.
Where to deregister
You can deregister online using an electronic application form specific for the area you live in. (Amsterdam- http://www.amsterdam.nl/burgerzaken/verhuizen-emigreren/)
You can also deregister in person at the Department of Civil Affairs (afdeling Burgerzaken) of an urban district council office (stadsdeel).
You can also deregister by post by sending a signed letter with a copy of your valid form of identity (passport, driver’s licence, Dutch identity card or aliens document) to the Department of Civil Affairs at an urban district council office (stadsdeel) or to Dienst Persoons en Geoinformation.
Documents to take with when deregistering
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To deregister, you will need the following documents:
a valid form of identification. This can be your passport, identity card or residence permit.
If you authorize someone to register your departure for you, they will need to send or take
the following documents with them:
his or her valid form of identity
an authorization, signed by you
a copy of your valid form of identity.
If a partner and/or child leaves the Netherlands
If your partner and/or your children leave the Netherlands, they must deregister at the
municipality.
Costs to deregister from the municipal personal records database
Deregistration from the municipality is free.
Please note: You are required to deregister and register when moving to a new address
within the Netherlands, as well as when you move aboard.
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Transportation Bike One simply has to glance at the mom with two kids and a week’s worth of groceries balanced in acrobatic harmony on a rickety old bike zipping in and out of traffic consisting of trams, taxi's and hundreds of other cyclists to realise the bike (de fiets) forms an integral part of Amsterdam culture. In addition to maintaining good health, the flexibility of keeping to your own timetable, and the convenience of parking compared to that of a car, a bicycle really is the best way to navigate through Amsterdam. Most Amsterdammer's ride pretty basic bicycles. This is, because the more luxurious ones tend to get stolen regularly. Whether you choose to purchase a second hand or brand new bike, invest in a decent
lock. It is also possible to insure your bike against theft. When you get a bike, record its serial number, which is stamped onto the frame. If it is stolen, this can be reported to the police to help them recover it. In Amsterdam, Second hand bikes start from around € 100, and can be bought at shops located all over the city. Bike shops are often located next to a train station. The price of a new bike starts at around € 200. You may be offered a bicycle on the street, normally at a really low price. These are invariably stolen. Besides perpetuating a vicious circle, buying a stolen bike is a criminal offence. Tram/Bus/ Metro Around one million people use the public transport network of trams, metro, busses and ferries each day in Amsterdam. The company who takes care that it all runs smoothly is the GVB. For more information, including departure times and routes see http://en.gvb.nl/pages/home.aspx Train The train is a quick way to travel around the Netherlands with excellent connections to city and regional public transport and to other countries. Dutch trains are, in general, punctual, clean and modern. Trains are run by the Dutch rail company, NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) For more information, including route planner and fares see http://9292.nl/en# or www.ns.nl. Google maps also includes a good route planner for Dutch public transport. OV-Chipkaart The OV-Chipkaart is valid for travel by tram, train, bus, ferry and metro all across the Netherlands. Cards may be purchased at metro stations and can also be recharged at supermarkets. Passengers need to swipe on and off for the card to calculate the fare. If you forget to checkout, it will charge you a default amount, but you can apply for a refund. For more information on the card see https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/?taal=en. In order to use it on the trains you need to have a higher balance than the boarding fee, which is typically € 20 for card bought anonymously at a station.
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Discount cards If you want to take some weekend trips with the trains it might be worth getting a discount subscription for your Chipkaart. There are various offers, but a popular one is to get a 40% discount when travelling off peak (weekends and in the middle of the day). It is also possible to share the discount with three other passengers. See http://www.ns.nl/reizigers/producten/abonnementen/index.html (only in Dutch)
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Health Insurance The Netherlands Cancer Institute has a contract with AGIS and IZZ for health care. Both
insurance companies offer an array of benefits for Netherlands Cancer Institute employees.
Dutch health insurance covers most medical procedures though certain conditions may
apply. If you need to have a procedure done then inform your insurance company upfront
and check whether they will reimburse. Premiums from these companies start at around €
100,- per person per month with an excess / eigen risico of €360,- euro per year. This
amount will rise annually. Please check at your own health insurance company how much it
will become.
To find out which insurance package suits you best, it’s wise to stop by at the Netherlands
Cancer Institute Service Centre as soon as you start working at our Institute, as you are
charged for insurance from the day you enter the Netherlands. The Service Centre can
clarify the differences between the packages.
Alternatively, this website can help you select a decent plan http://www.independer.nl
Emergency number : Dial 112 ( for police, ambulance and fire brigade in case of life threatening situations,
otherwise call 0900-8844)
Finding a Family doctor Fill in your postal code in the box located in the middle: http://www.huisartsen.nl/ You will be shown a list of doctors in your neighbourhood. Finding a dentist To find a dentist please consult this link for more information: http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/living/familyandhealth/dentists Treatment Outside Office Hours For treatment by a general practitioner (GP) between 17.00 - 8.00 hours during weekdays and on weekends and holidays, contact SHDA (Stichting Huisartsen Dienstenposten Amsterdam), the "Doctors Service Foundation of Amsterdam", a cooperative effort of GP's in Amsterdam, Diemen, Badhoevedorp and Landsmeer. Call 088 0030600 During regular office hours the SHDA is closed and your regular GP's office will be open. How does it work? When you phone you'll be connected to an operator, the operator will ask for some personal details and for your insurance number. A specially trained doctor's assistant working under strict procedural guidelines will call you back as soon as possible. Explain your problem to the assistant and, in many cases, they will be able to give you the advice you need, cross-checked with the on-duty doctor. If this does not solve your problem they will consult with one of the on-duty doctors and establish the best course of action: a telephone consultation, a prescription or a home visit, for example. You'll be asked for the patient's name, address, telephone number and date of birth.
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If the patient's life is in danger an ambulance will be contacted directly and you will receive necessary instruction. In less serious situations you'll be asked:
The nature of your enquiry/patient's symptoms.
The name of the regular attending GP.
Which medicines the patient is taking.
Whether or not the patient has a fever and, if so, how high.
Patient's insurance information (insurer and policy number). Patients who do not have insurance can also make use of SHDA, though a fee will be charged. Foreign tourists (even if they have insurance) are also obliged to pay a fee. When they return home they can collect payment from their own insurance company with the receipt. Hospitals Emergency specialist help is offered by the A&E department (EHBO-post) at the hospitals listed below. AMC, Academisch Medisch Centrum Universiteit van Amsterdam Address: Meibergdreef 9 Telephone: +31 (0)20 566 9111 Website: www.amc.nl Boven het IJ Hospital Address: Statenjachtstraat 1 Telephone: +31 (0)20 634 6346 Website: www.bovenij.nl OLVG Hospital, Onze Lieve Vrouw Gasthuis Address: Oosterpark 9 Telephone: +31 (0)20-599 9111 Website: www.olvg.nl Prinsengracht Clinic Address: Prinsengracht 769 Telephone: +31 (0)20-599 4100 Website: www.olgv.nl VU Medical Centre Address: De Boelelaan 1117 - 1118 Telephone: +31 (0)20 444 4444 Website: www.vumc.nl Slotervaart Hospital Address: Louwesweg 6 Telephone: +31 (0)20 512 5511 Website: www.slotervaartziekenhuis.nl Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital Address: Jan Tooropstraat 164 Telephone: +31 (0)20 510 8911 Website: www.sintlucasandreasziekenhuis.nl Please note, our hospital has no emergency room.
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Insurance
Everyone in the Netherlands is obliged to apply for a health insurance. This ensures that
every person is protected against the financial risks of illness and hospital admission. There
are, however, other insurances to deal with.
Home and liability insurance (inboedel- en aansprakelijkheidsverzekeringen) can often be
arranged as a package with your bank or insurance company. Liability insurance
(aansprakelijkheidsverzekering) is mandatory if you own a car, motorbike or a moped. The
Netherlands Cancer Institute has an employee benefit deal with Centraal Beheer Achmea
(www.centraalbeheer.nl, in Dutch). For more information visit the Netherlands Cancer
Institute Service Centre once you start working.
Health Insurance (Ziektekostenverzekering)
Everyone living in the Netherlands is required to be insured against health costs. This also
applies if you are working temporarily in the Netherlands. The basic health insurance
package from a Dutch insurer includes medical care, hospital admissions, visits to your
general practitioner and medication. Dental costs are only included in the basic package for
those under eighteen years of age. You can take out additional insurance for dental care
and for a number of specialist and alternative treatments. You will always have an excess or
deductible (eigen risico), which in 2014 will be €360 and will rise annually.
For more information on the health insurance system in the Netherlands, see
www.government.nl/issues/health-issues/health-insurance.
Foreign health insurance
It is recommended that during the initial period of your stay in the Netherlands, you keep the
insurance you had in your country of origin. This is on the condition that it covers your
possible costs here, so be sure to confirm that in advance.
In some cases, the Dutch law allows foreigners to keep their foreign health insurance during
their stay. In reality, however, this rarely happens because all foreign insurances must
comply with the rules of the Dutch Health Care Authority (Nederlandse Zorgautoriteit - NZa).
Therefore it is best to switch to Dutch health insurance the moment you receive your
residence permit.
Liability Insurance (AVP)
In the Netherlands, you are legally liable if someone suffers damage through a mistake or
accident caused by you. That means you must compensate the other person for the damage
suffered. Personal liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering, AVP) protects you
against this.
AVP will cover damage your child or pet, might cause. Damage caused by motor vehicles,
e.g. through a collision, is not covered by the AVP. For this, you must apply for third-party
insurance (WA-verzekering).
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Third-party car insurance (WA-verzekering)
If you have a car, motorbike or moped while living in the Netherlands, you are required to
insure yourself against legal liability. You are then insured against damage you may cause
with your vehicle. The damage to your vehicle is, however, not covered. You can
supplement your third party insurance with all-risk cover (cascodekking). This provides
insurance for the car itself, but not its contents.
House Contents Insurance (Inboedelverzekering)
Fire and theft can cause unforeseen damage and expense. Fortunately, you can insure
yourself against them. In some larger cities, you will always have an excess or deductible
(eigen risico) in case of theft. There is also a maximum insurance payout for audio-visual
equipment such as TVs or DVDs.
It is important to make sure you have appropriate coverage. Your house contents must be
insured to the level of replacement value. If your coverage is too low, the insurer will pay out
less, even for minor damage. This means that the money to be paid out will be insufficient to
replace old articles with new ones.
Funeral Insurance (Uitvaartverzekering)
If you die in the Netherlands, your next of kin will have to bear the expense of your funeral or
cremation. To avoid the burden on them, you can apply for a funeral insurance. Whether you
need funeral insurance will depend on your circumstances. In some cases, an employer or
benefits agency will pay out a death benefit to the next of kin.
Travel insurance
Arrange sufficient insurance if you travel in the Netherlands or abroad. Please note that if
you go to a scientific meeting you are insured via the Netherlands Cancer Institute for the
direct journey and during the meeting. When you extend your stay, travel indirectly or
undertake non-scientific activities during the meeting (like skiing etc.), will not be covered by
the Netherlands Cancer Institute insurance.
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Stores
To assist you with settling into living in the Netherlands, here is a short list of stores in the
vicinity of the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
Hardware stores (wall paper, paint,
house appliances, etc.)
Aletta Jacobslaan 5
1066 BP Amsterdam-Slotervaart
Tel: +31 20 346 0630
www.gamma.nl
Ookmeerweg 412
1069 CG AMSTERDAM
Tel: +31 20 610 3361
www.praxis.nl
Household goods
Hageland 79-87 (Belgieplein)
1066 RD Amsterdam
Tel: +31 20 408 1245
www.blokker.nl
Drugstore
Belgieplein 102
1066 SC Amsterdam
Pharmacy
Service Apotheek Nieuw Sloten
Kempenlaan 104-106
1066 RB Amsterdam
Tel: +31 20 615 20 75
Fax: +31 20 617 97 36
Email: [email protected]
www.apotheeknieuwsloten.leef.nl
Books/stationary/post office
Bruna/PostNL
Belgieplein 109
1066 RC Amserdam
Tel: +31 20 669 5549 (Bruna)
www.bruna.nl
www.postnl.nl/voorthuis
Shopping Centre
Winkelcentrum Osdorp
Osdorpplein
1068 TC Amsterdam
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Supermarkets
Albert Hein
Belgieplein 107
1066 RC Amsterdam
Tel: +31 20 614 2016
Dirk van den Broek
Belgieplein 106
1066 SC Amsterdam
Tel: +31 20 615 4776
Hullenbergweg 2
1101 BL Amsterdam Zuidoost
Tel: 0900 235 45 32
Electronics/Adaptors
Televersum
Tussen Meer 12
1068 GA Amsterdam
Tel: +31 20 619 7663
Email:
Various additional shops and supermarkets are also located around the Sierplein area on
Johan Huizingalaan, a 5-10 minute walk north of the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
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Driving License
Once you arrive in the Netherlands you can continue to use your own driving license for a
certain period of time, depending on your country of origin. You do not need to do or declare
anything, you are simply allowed to use the roads. After a transitional period, however, you
may need to get a Dutch driving license.
Validity of your driving license
If you have a driving license from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or
Switzerland, then it will be valid in the Netherlands for ten years, from the date of issue.
Driving licenses from all other countries are valid for a certain period of time. This also
applies if you obtained your driving license in the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. In such a
case, you must exchange your driving license for a Dutch driving license before this
transitional period ends.
Exchanging a license
You can exchange your driving license if you are living in the Netherlands, have a valid
residence permit, residence document (verblijfsdocument) and your driving license was
issued in one of the following countries:
Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Great
Britain and Northern Ireland, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia,
Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland.
Possession of the 30% tax ruling (see relevant section of this guide for more information)
also entitles you to exchange your driving license, even if it was not issued in one of the
above listed countries.
To exchange a driving license in one of the categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E,
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or if you have the 30% tax ruling, you will require a Certificate of Eligibility (verklaring van
geschiktheid). See below for an explanation. You can exchange your foreign driving license
at any urban district council office (stadsdeelkantoor). You will need to provide the following:
your foreign driving license
a colour passport photograph
a valid residence permit, unless you are a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
The process takes approximately 2 weeks. Emergency applications can be made for 1 week
processing at an additional charge. The costs are approximately €50 per application.
Restricted exchange
If you are a national from one of the countries listed below, then you may only exchange
your driving license in the categories listed. In addition, you will need a Certificate of
Eligibility (verklaring van geschiktheid). It is a statement certifying that you are physically and
psychologically fit to drive a vehicle. The certificate is available at the Expatcenter or your
urban district council office (stadsdeelkantoor).
Andorra: B (passenger car)
Canada, u bec (passenger car)
Taiwan: B (passenger car)
Israel: B (passenger car)
Japan: IB (passenger car and motorcycle of more than 400 cc)
Netherlands Antilles
Singapore: Class 2 (motorcycle of more than 400 cc) and Class 3 (passenger car)
South Korea: B (passenger car)
Not able to exchange a license
If you cannot exchange your driving license, then you have to take a Dutch theory and
practical driving test. This you must do through the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver
Testing (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheden, CBR). For more information, please consult the
website of the Government Road Transport Agency (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer,
RDW).
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Language Education
Learning
Learning how to speak Dutch is
not mandatory but it will make your
stay a lot easier when interacting
with people in for instance shops,
for instance.
Costs
If you are working in the Research
division you can get a
reimbursement (50% of total costs)
from the Netherlands Cancer
Institute for taking a Dutch
language course.
Target group
We only offer this course to OIO’s, Postdocs and other scientists, not to students or trainees.
Curriculum
In three modules the students will have reached level A2 of the CEFR.
The course will cover themes like introducing oneself, talking about daily activities to and
understanding the news and applying for a job.
For the ones who already have had a basic training in Dutch, it is possible to get in on a
more advanced level. Please contact Easy Dutch Plus for the possibilities:
www.easydutchplus.com.
Approach
The course is given by professional teachers from Easy Dutch Plus. The Easy Dutch Plus
method can be characterised by its well-balanced integration of personal interests and
practical learning objectives.
Duration
The training is held weekly from 17.00 till 19.00 hour in the Netherlands Cancer Institute
over a period of 15 weeks.
There are both beginner and intermediate Dutch classes running. You could join one of
these courses, or if it is more convenient, attend a course outside the institute.
Antonet site
For more information please click on the website
http://antonet/Organisatie/OenO/Pages/DutchCourse.aspx
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Contact
For signing up or more information, please contact HR Services Opleidingen, Judith van
Eck, e-mail [email protected].
Outside the institute
Here you will find some interesting sites:
http://www.bltc.nl/ (gives Dutch language courses)
http://www.uvtalen.nl/ (University of Amsterdam
http://www.dutchandsuch.nl ( intensive courses)
http://www.dunglish.nl ( how the Dutch mix English and Dutch language in everyday
life)
Tips for learning Dutch
If you want to integrate, learn Dutch. “Someone who has lived here for years and can only order a sandwich at the bakery simply remains an outsider".
nl.wikipedia.org has quite similar versions of articles to Wikipedia.org, so it is a nice way to compare direct translations.
Get a grip on the smallest of words. “Er” is used in a myriad of ways.
Oefenen, oefenen (practice, practice). Guttural sounds (g, ch, r) and combined vowels ui, eu, uu, ou are tricky for all learners.
It’s possible to get Dutch subtitles on Dutch television shows using the teletext menu. Select 888 from the teletext menu to display them with the show.
Watch Dutch news programmes and listen to Dutch radio. English-language films with Dutch subtitles or films such as Zwartboek with English subtitles, for example.
Learning English
If you would like to improve your English verbal and/or writing skills, it’s possible to follow an
English course and receive an imbursement, if your supervisor supports your request.
http://www.bltc.nl/ (gives English language courses)
http://www.uvtalen.nl/ (University of Amsterdam)
Costs
If you are working in Research you can get a reimbursement (50% of total costs) from the
Netherlands Cancer Institute for taking an English language course.
Target group
We only offer this course to OIO’s, Postdocs and other scientists, not to students or trainees.
Contact
For more information, please contact HR Services Opleidingen, Judith van Eck, e-mail
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Family
When you bring your family with you to the Netherlands, there are some additional issues
you have to consider.
Maternity matters
For general information on pregnancy and birth in the Netherlands we would like to refer you
to the website:
www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/living/family-health/womens-health/pregnancy-and-birth
Maternity/paternity/parental leave
The Netherlands Cancer Institute employees are allowed to take up maternity or paternity
leave around the time of birth. Pregnant employees can choose to stop working either 6 or 4
weeks prior to the calculated due date. Then, depending on the actual date of birth you have
either 10 or 12 weeks of maternity leave, respectively. New fathers get 2 days of leave (the
day of birth and the day after).
Parental leave is optional, but both the mother and father are entitled to take it once they
have worked at the Netherlands Cancer Institute for at least 1 year. Although this kind of
leave is unpaid, the government provides some tax benefits to parents taking advantage of
this kind of leave. Parents are entitled to 26 work-weeks off (or equivalent hours over a
longer period). Parental leave can start at any point after maternity leave, up until the child
turns 8 years old.
Day care
There are a number of day care options in Amsterdam, although waiting lists may exist.
Therefore, it is best to investigate options early. Several types of care are described in more
detail below – you will need to consider and choose the type of care that will best suit your
needs.
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Day Care Centres & Crèches (Kinderdagverblijven)
At a day care centre, or crèche, children from the ages 0 to 4 are looked after when their
parents are at work. Several options for childcare are available to parents: full-day care, half-
day care and 24-hour care.
After-School Care (Buitenschoolse opvang)
This form of care is intended for children aged between 4 and 12 and is coordinated as far
as possible with school timing. The main aim is to care for the children in the time after their
school is over and before parents finish work. Some centres also provide care for teenagers
up to the age of 16.
Host-Parent Care (Gastouder opvang)
Parents with children aged between 0 and 12 can also select host parent care. In this option
the child is looked after by a host parent/family who can accommodate up to five children per
day. An intermediary agency brings the parents and the host parents together. Host parent
care is a more flexible option as the host may be able to look after children in the evening,
overnight and sometimes at weekends.
Playgroups
These are informal groups that usually meet weekly and provide parents of children aged 0-
3 with the opportunity to meet and chat over a cup of coffee, while their children play
together in the same room. Usually a small fee is charged to cover room hire, refreshments
and the purchase of toys.
Childcare Reimbursement (Kinderopvangtoeslag)
The Dutch government helps pay for day care. The amount of reimbursement provided by
the government tends to be reviewed every year. Both parents must work to claim the
reimbursement, which is also dependent on the parents’ income level. For more details see
the website of the Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) at:
www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/infor
matie_over_toeslagen/kinderopvangtoeslag/kinderopvangtoeslag (in Dutch) or call 0800-
0543 Monday to Thursday from 8.00 am till 8 pm and Friday from 8.00 am till 5 pm.
Child benefit (Kinderbijslag)
The Dutch government also pays a benefit for every child. To find out more about this child
benefit, the conditions and how to apply please visit the site of the Ministry of Social Affairs
(Sociale Verzekeringsbank - SVB) at http://www.svb.nl/int/en/kinderbijslag/index.jsp.
Schools
To find out information about the Dutch education system and schools in Amsterdam see:
www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/living/education.
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Tax
There are various taxes applied to individuals living
in the Netherlands including:
Income tax: For individuals who earn an income
during the fiscal year.
Road tax: For individuals who own a car or motor
vehicle.
Pollution levy and water tax: For everyone.
However, the method of payment varies by municipality.
Municipal taxes and levies: For homeowners. However, the method of payment varies by
municipality.
Refuse tax: For everyone. However, the method of payment varies by municipality.
Income Tax
In the Netherlands, the fiscal year runs from the 1st of January to 31st of December. In the
first week of February, tax authorities will begin to send out income tax return forms.
In general, tax returns should be submitted by the1st of April. However, extensions are
possible.
You can file your taxes electronically via the Belastingdienst website. However, the program
is only available in Dutch and you will first need to apply for a DigiD. DigiD (www.digid.nl)
provides access codes which will allow to enter governmental websites and file your taxes
online. The other option is to enlist the help of a tax accountant or advisor.
What is the 30% facility?
The 30% facility is a fiscal facility for foreign employees who possess specific expertise and
who come to the Netherlands to work or study. This facility is based on the assumption that
these employees are obliged to incur additional costs due to the fact that they come from
abroad. For these extra costs, the employees in the above category can receive a tax-
reduced allowance in the form of the 30% facility, under which part of the salary is exempted
from taxation.
Implementation of the 30% facility
At the start of your period of employment, the HR department will discuss the consequences
of the 30% facility with you. Information on the facility can also be found at:
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/living/official-matters/thirty-percent-ruling. If you wish to
make use of the facility, you are required to notify HR of this fact in writing within one month
after of the start date of your employment. HR will then submit the application to the tax
authorities. If the tax authorities approve the facility, your gross salary will be lowered to
100/70 of the gross salary agreed in Article 5 of your contract of employment. At the same
time you will receive a net allowance of 30/70 of the agreed gross salary.
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This alteration affects the level of all salary-related bonuses and benefit payments such as
holiday pay, end-of-year bonus, and payments under the Occupational Disability Insurance
Act (WIA) or the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW). This change may also affect the type
of medical insurance you have. An appendix to your contract of employment contains the
details of the arrangements pertaining to the 30% facility.
At the end of each year, you have the right to decide whether or not you wish to continue
your participation in the facility, as presented to you. You are required to notify the HR
department of any changes by email.
Additionally, if you benefit from the 30% ruling, you can switch your foreign driving license to
a Dutch license without retaking a driving test.
If you have any other questions about the 30% facility, please do not hesitate to contact the
Service Centre.
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Pension
The pension premium that will be
deducted from your salary is looked after
by PFZW (Pensioenfonds Zorg en
Welzijn).
The Dutch pension system is based on three basic pillars:
State old age pension scheme: This scheme provides all residents of the Netherlands at the age of 65 and 1 month with a flat-rate pension benefit that in principle guarantees 70% of the net minimum wage. There is no means-test for the eligibility of benefits; other forms of income have no effect on the pension entitled.
Occupational pensions: Although there is no obligation for employers to make pension commitments to their employees, the vast majority of those employed in the Netherlands (over 90%) participate in an occupational pension scheme. If the collective labour agreement lasts for 35 to 40 years, the total pension benefit will be around 70% of the final salary, including first pillar benefits.
Private pensions: The third pillar of the Dutch pension system comprises individual pension provisions. These should be taken out by an insurance provider and have nothing to do with the relationship between employer and employee. Everyone has the opportunity to enter into these arrangements with an insurance provider. This can be done through annuity insurance as well as endowment insurance.
The mandatory age of retirement in the Netherlands is currently 65 years and 1 month. The
pension age will rise in 2019 to 66 years and in 2023 to 67 years. After this, your pension
age will be related to the expected life duration of an average Dutch citizen.
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National Holidays
In The Netherlands counts 9 national holidays. The
national holidays, which are highlighted in orange, are
days on which the Netherlands Cancer Institute grants her
employees a day off.
Date English Name Dutch Name Remarks
January 1 New Year’s
Day
Nieuwjaar The day before is called "Old Year's
Day" and not "New Year's Eve".
March/April Good Friday 'Goede Vrijdag The Friday before Easter.
March/April Easter Pasen
The Dutch celebrate two days of
Easter (on Sunday and the
subsequent Monday).
April 27 King’s Day Koningsdag King’s Day (Koningsdag) will be
celebrated for the first time in 2014,
after the inauguration of King
Willem-Alexander on the 30th of
April 2013 (what was then Queen’s
Day).
May 4 Remembrance
of the dead
Dodenherdenking
Remembrance of all members of the
armed forces and civilians of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands who died
in war situations or peacekeeping
missions since the outbreak of the
Second World War.
May 5 Liberation day Bevrijdingsdag
Celebration of the 1945 capitulation
of German forces in World War II.
Celebrated every year, but as of
2000, an official holiday once every
5 years. Next is in 2015.
40 days
after Easter
Ascension Day Hemelvaartsdag
Celebration of the Ascension of
Christ into heaven, observed on the
40th day after Easter.
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7 weeks
after Easter
Pentecost Pinksteren
The Dutch celebrate two days of
Pentecost (on Sunday and the
subsequent Monday).
December 5 Saint Nicholas'
Eve
Sinterklaas
A predecessor of Santa Claus.
Sinterklaas gives presents to the
children. Saint Nicholas' birthday is
December 6, but because children
were given presents the evening
before it is now celebrated on
December 5.
December
25,
December
26
Christmas Kerstmis
The Dutch celebrate two days of
Christmas: Eerste Kerstdag (Boxing
Day) and Tweede Kerstdag (the
second day of Christmas).
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Leaving the Netherlands
When you leave the Netherlands please take note of
following:
De-register at the municipality office
End your house rental agreement
End all your house utilities
Notify your pension plan company
End your insurance policies
For further detailed information on what to do before leaving the Netherlands please refer to:
http://www.access-nl.org/living-in-the-netherlands/moving/leaving-the-netherlands.aspx
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Questions
Housing [email protected]
Louweshoek [email protected]
Terms of employment [email protected]
Health Care Insurance (general information) [email protected]
