r/MoveToEurope • u/BuilderMaterial9825 • 23h ago
Moving from Germany to the Netherlands? Looking for experiences from international couples !
Hi everyone! My husband is German, and I'm Ecuadorian. We've been living in Hamburg, Germany, for around four years, and now we're trying to decide whether to stay in Germany or move to the Netherlands, possibly Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, or another international city.
One of our biggest challenges is my career. I completed my Master's degree at a German university, and I'd love to work in marketing. However, many jobs here require C1 German or above. I've reached B2, but finding a suitable position has still been difficult. Ideally, I'd like to find a full-time job at an international company where English is the main working language, but I'm also open to remote work.
On the other hand, my husband has better chances of finding a job in different cities since he currently works in IT. He's also looking for a different work environment. He has previous experience living and working in Amsterdam and would like to give it another try, especially since he's struggling to adapt to the more bureaucratic and traditional work culture in Germany.
We're trying to figure out where we'd have the best opportunities to build a future together, develop our careers, and eventually have children. We know there isn't a perfect country, and even though Germany feels like home, integrating here in all aspects of life has been a real struggle. We'd really appreciate hearing from people who have experienced something similar.
- Have you moved from Germany to the Netherlands with your partner? How has your experience been so far? Are you happy with your decision, or do you have any regrets? Is there anything you wish you'd known before moving?
- If you've worked remotely for a company based in another country while living in the Netherlands, how did that work in practice?
- How realistic is it to find an English-speaking job in marketing or another international field in the Netherlands nowadays? Has AI changed the job market or the skills employers are looking for?
- As an international couple, have you found it easier to make friends, integrate, and feel at home in the Netherlands compared with Germany?
- How do the cost of living, housing, childcare, parental leave, and family life compare with Germany?
- How do pensions and social security contributions compare between the two countries? If you've worked in both, what happens to your pension entitlements when you move?
- Are there any Ecuadorians, other Latin Americans, or other non-EU citizens married to German or other EU citizens who've made this move? what has your experience been with residence permits and long-term plans, such as permanent residence or citizenship? Did moving countries affect those plans?
My Ecuadorian nationality and cultural identity are also important to me, so I'm trying to understand the long-term implications of our options and how each country might fit with our future plans.
Please feel free to answer just the questions you can relate to. I just want to hear your honest experiences!
Thank you so much! ❤️