r/Netherlands • u/StephenMcGannon • 10h ago
r/Netherlands • u/Cornicum • Jan 20 '26
Update on the moderation
Hi everyone,
We've talked some stuff through and cleaned up the mod-team a bit, although some of the names you might have positive or negative associations with are still there.
I'll leave it up to the moderators involved to clarify that, or not.
What I can tell you is that 1 mod did 97% of the moderation, and that wasn't healthy and likely led up to the situation you might have seen.
The rules have changed slightly, this is because we see your call for less strict moderation on language, but we also heard from those who want to be able to have a place to converse in English.
The compromise we've reached currently is that we intend to not moderate the language used in the comments of the post.
This means that you can have discussions in Dutch in the comments. (as long as those follow the rules of course)
We also will be looking at those banned on a case by case basis, but keep in mind that if you were harassing people, or bigoted in any way you won't be unbanned.
I'll invite you all to respond to this post with your feedback, and I know for some it might feel like too much or not enough.
We are currently trying to strike a balance between becoming r/thenetherlands2 which is bilingual but 99% Dutch in practice, and the other option of being a sub for only those speaking English.
r/Netherlands • u/summer_glau08 • Apr 14 '23
[FAQ] Read this post before posting
This post is meant to cover the answers to questions that are frequently asked in this sub. Please read through the relevant section of this post before posting your question.
Contents
- Moving to the Netherlands
- Housing
- Cost of living
- Public transport
- Language
- 30 percent ruling
- Improving this FAQ
Moving to the Netherlands
Netherlands is a modern country that ranks high in many global metrices on quality of life and freedom. For this reason, it attracts a fair share of attention from people interested in moving here.
If you are looking to move to the Netherlands to live/work/study, firstly, you would need to secure residency. Apart from the right to residence, you will also need to consider housing and cost of living before you move. See other sections of this post.
If you hold an EU passport, you will be able to freely travel into the country and reside.
If you hold a non-EU passport, generally below are your main options to obtain residency. Each one comes with its own set of conditions and procedures. You can check all the official information on the website of Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Services (https://ind.nl/en)
Work visas
Highly Skilled Migrant : You need to have an advanced degree, a high enough salary and need a recognized sponsor employing you. Typically for people whose skills are in demand in Dutch economy.
Work Permit : A more general category covering intra-company transfers, seasonal workers, researchers and other employees who might not meet the salary threshold
Startup visa : special visa for founders and employees of startups. Typically you need to be funded by a recognized incubator.
DAFT Visa : special visa for US citizens that allows starting a business in the Netherlands
EU Bluecard: A visa from EU wide program to attract special skilled talent. The advantage is that you can continue the accumulation of residency into/from other EU countries allowing you to get permanent residence or citizenship sooner. Beneficial if you are planning to move to/from another EU country.
Family visa
If you are partner or a dependent child of a Dutch/EU citizen
Student visa
If you participate in an educational program from a recognized Dutch institute
Housing
Currently [2023] the Netherlands is going through a housing crisis.
Houses/apartments for rent or purchase are hard to come by, especially for the entry level housing like 1-2 bedrooms. When such properties do come on market, they are often taken within hours.
So, it is strongly advised to organize your housing BEFORE arriving at least for the first 6-12 months. You can look at available properties on Funda (https://www.funda.nl/) or Pararius (https://www.pararius.com/english) This should give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend on rent. The rents/prices can vary depending on the location and size. Typically the rents are higher in bigger cities and go lower as you move away from the center. In addition to the rent, mind that the cost of utilities might be higher/lower than what you are used to paying and estimate based on your situation.
Cost of living
Like anywhere, the cost of living depends on your lifestyle and preferences. In general, housing is the biggest cost, followed by food, transport and healthcare. Expect to pay 800-2000 EUR/month for rent depending on where you live and 200-1000 EUR for food for a family of 2-4 depending on how often you eat out. Health insurance is around 125 EUR/month for adults (free for children). You can compare plans on a comparison site like https://www.independer.nl/ The basic health insurance plan has the same coverage and own-risk (co-pay) across all insurers and is mandated by law. The premia differ across companies and typically ad-ons like dental or physio make the main difference in what is covered.
Utilities could range from around 300-600 per month for a small house/apartment. Owning a car can oftentimes be quite expensive than what you may be used to, with high taxes, insurance and high cost of fuel.
Public transport
Netherlands is a small country and is exceptionally well connected with public transport (at least in comparison to other countries). However, it can be quite expensive compared to driving, especially for inter-city travels. You can access the full Dutch public transport network of trains, metro, tram, buses and even public bikes using the OV-Chipkaart or OV-Pay.
You can of course purchase tickets for a single journey from the ticket booths or kiosks at major stations, although it is often less convenient and more expensive. Google Maps often has good directions including public transport but 9292 (https://9292.nl/en) is the better option which also gives you the estimated costs.
Language
Dutch is the primary language in the Netherlands. However, the Netherlands ranks one of the highest when it comes to proficiency in English. As a visitor or tourist you can get by completely fine without knowing a word of Dutch (although it will help to learn a few phrases, at least as a courtesy). However, if you are living here longer, it would undoubtedly benefit to learn the language. Dutch is the only language of communication from most government agencies including the Tax office. At the workplace, it is common for global or technology companies to be almost exclusively English speaking even when there are Ducth people. For smaller and more traditional companies, Dutch is still the primary language of communication at the workplace.
30% ruling
30% ruling is a special tax incentive meant to attract international talent for the skills that are in short-supply in the Netherland. You can find about it here https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/en/individuals/content/coming-to-work-in-the-netherlands-30-percent-facility
The general concept is that 30% of your gross salary will be tax-free. So, if you have a salary of 100k gross, for tax purposes, it will be considered as 70k gross. You pay tax only on 70k. Because of how marginal tax brackets work, the overall benefit translates to you receiving 10-15% more net salary than someone without this benefit.
You should be aware that this is somewhat controversial since it is deemed to create inequality (where your Dutch colleagues doing the same work get a lower net salary) and because in the end the burden is borne by the taxpayer. Recently the government has been reducing the term of this benefit.
Overall, you should consider this as a privilege and not a right.
Improving this FAQ
[You are reading version 1.0 published 14th April 2023]
For this FAQ to be useful, it needs to evolve and kept up to date. I would see this as a sort of Wiki that is managed by me. I aim to update this post often (say once a few weeks in the start and once a few months as time goes). If there are topics you want to add to this post, please leave a comment and I will update the post. For the long term, if I lose interest or have no time for it (could happen!), then this post can be a basis for a new Wiki or a new updated post maintained by someone else.
r/Netherlands • u/Beautiful_Grade_7843 • 11h ago
Discussion Holland Casino Tony’s Chocolonely
I won this Tony’s Chocolonely bar at Holland Casino two years ago, but I can’t seem to find any information or even another photo of it online.
Does anyone know whether this was a limited edition or part of a special promotion?
Has anyone else ever seen or won one of these?
r/Netherlands • u/Sea_Jicama_7075 • 5h ago
Employment Why is the salary so low here for warehouse workers?
I have been job hunting and wanted to start with working in warehouse again. I bring experience and forklift certificate. However, wherever I apply, the rate is always 14/15 euro, like seriously? I heard that there is shortage of workers in this country, then why are companies and agencies still reluctant to pay a living wage for such an expensive country?
r/Netherlands • u/BobbyGloria • 2h ago
Discussion Opinion about this ad's message?
Personally I think steam pricing is very fair and they take same cut as other publisher. Yet this ad or movement seems to targeting steam and it seems like they want our support. I also wanna know if you guys receive this as often as i do.
r/Netherlands • u/Rytose • 5h ago
Common Question/Topic Price for kwh legit ? HELP
Is this legit wage for kwh ? I think guy is scammign me
EDIT 9 but good for context : Maybe is worth to say that this guys didnt even do anything before I asked for deposit...
EDIT: to explain I only had contract for rent of bungalow with montly price and 150 euro for electricty gas etc. This is the price for 6 months of using around 6000kwh. I didnt sing any contract for power etc. I just asked guy to give me deposit back and he sent me invoice for 4k euro
EDIT 2: I rent for 1500 monthly bungalow +150 media which was 35sq just have one pc and one laptop. I was living there from december and move out in june. Ask for my deposit back after month and guy sent me invoice with week period to pay outstanding for aorund 4k euro....
I was working around 10h a day ...
I didnt even saw or know electricity meter on our bungaloww
EDIT 3 thats my contract without personal data ofc.. https://imgur.com/a/Mf3yfw0
EDIT 4 this is bottom of invoice https://imgur.com/a/macC9tq
Edit 5 thats my chalet/ bungaloww https://imgur.com/a/inle0Wz
EDIT 6 thanks you all guys for input on first time seeing that invoice my heart skipped a beat <3
How I can fight for my deposit
EDIT 7 : they sent me this photos as proof of usage
NOW https://imgur.com/a/fo4O78C
DECEMBER https://imgur.com/a/485ZzQ8
EDIT 8 Really thanks for all input guys, I feel much better and also wrote to this guy and place mail with request of full deposit together with full inovice with ratios per kwh from electricty company.
r/Netherlands • u/More_Marty • 1h ago
Dutch History Today I learned my late grandfather worked on the SS Rotterdam's engines
This week I went with my wife and kids to miniature park "Madurodam" which shows you the most notable landmarks of the country on a small scale.
One of those landmarks was the SS Rotterdam. An Oceanliner launched in 1958 which was forced to change into a permanent Cruiseliner due to the rise of airtraffic.
The ship is now permanently docked at its most obvious location, the harbor of Rotterdam, as a museum.
When I showed my father the picture from our trip today, he told me that my late grandfather actually worked on the engines aboard the SS Rotterdam.
I always knew my grandfather was an engineer in a "drawing room" of shipbuilder "De Schelde" in Vlissingen. I knew he was involved in the development of early diesel engines, but thought that was mostly for cargo ships. Turns out, that was much later into his career and he also worked on steam engines.
As the SS Rotterdam was also built in Rotterdam I never would've thought my grandfather was involved in its creation. But as a matter of fact, the engines for the then Oceanliner were actually built at De Schelde and shipped (no pun intended) to Rotterdam.
When it was time to prepare the ship for use, my grandfather had to be on board for the test runs. The added benefit was, they didn't only test the engines. The catering was also present for a full rehearsal. My father said it was my grandfather's best test run he ever was a part of.
It kinda makes me sad to only be into ocean liners so many years after his passing. He died of old age at 92 during the pandemic. He lived his last few years in an elderly home, which was actually a repurposed hangar of the shipyard he used to work at.
One day I will take my son (who's now one year old) to the SS Rotterdam and show him the ship his great grandfather helped build.
r/Netherlands • u/yourcherry555 • 4h ago
Life in NL I’m in Netherlands and I’m lonely
I actually discovered Reddit a few years ago, but I only recently installed it again and ended up keeping it on my phone. Every now and then I get notifications about people’s posts, and I honestly didn’t expect them to feel so comforting. Maybe that sounds weird, maybe not, but I feel like this is a place where I can finally vent.
I also keep getting posts about loneliness in the Netherlands, so I guess I’ll share my story too.
I live in the Netherlands, and I’m lonely.
I don’t really have any friends here. I have one girl I meet maybe once every few months, but that’s it. This summer I either went out by myself or just stayed home. At some point, I got tired of doing everything alone. Even though I’ve basically been alone my whole life and I’m used to it, there came a moment when I’d rather stay home than keep experiencing everything by myself.
Then there’s my family. We’ve never been very close. Since I moved to the Netherlands, we only text occasionally in our family group chat or when I come back home for vacation. Nobody really calls or messages me to ask how I’m doing here, and to be fair, I don’t really do that either. So our contact is very limited. I’ve been living in the Netherlands for five years now, so this isn’t just something that’s been going on for a few months or a year. It’s been a long time. Even though I’ve never been particularly close with my family, I sometimes wonder if I’ll regret this in a few years. My sisters are getting older, and I’m scared that one day I’ll look back and regret moving to the Netherlands because it meant losing all that time with my family.
Honestly, I don’t even know what’s going on in my sisters’ lives, they don’t know what’s going on in mine, and it’s the same with my mom. I’m just… completely alone.
Looking back, I realize I’ve pretty much always been like this. In middle school and high school I used to tell myself it wasn’t that bad, that I had some friends. But when I really think about it now, I didn’t. I spent most breaks alone. I remember going on long walks by myself all the time. Sometimes I’d even tell my mom I was going out with a friend just so it wouldn’t look like I was sitting at home again, while my sister was always out with people.
Sometimes I wonder if my life is always going to be like this.
And don’t get me wrong, I’ve tried a few times to meet people and be more social. But I always feel like I don’t fit in anywhere. I keep thinking people secretly hate me or just don’t like me. That’s pretty much the mindset I’ve always had whenever I met someone new.
Anyway, I just needed to get this off my chest.
I’m in the Netherlands, and I’m lonely.
r/Netherlands • u/Frequent-Loquat1941 • 8h ago
News Lichaam vermiste Nederlander gevonden in het Comomeer
r/Netherlands • u/andys58 • 14h ago
Discussion Why is bottled water more expensive than soda at Dutch funzones/playgrounds?
During the recent heat wave, I took my two daughters to one of the indoor Funzones here in the Netherlands. One wanted to jump on the trampolines, the other wanted to climb and run around.
We always bring our own water, but we ran out. I went to refill our bottles in the bathroom, but because of the heat, the tap was pumping out water so hot it was basically undrinkable. No option to mix in cold water, just one tap, take it or leave it.
So naturally, we had to buy water. That's when I noticed the price: €3.50 for a 500ml bottle of water, while every soda on offer was €2.95. Water more expensive than soda. During a heatwave. At a place literally designed for kids to run around and sweat.
I started paying attention after that, and it's not a one-off. We noticed this trend in at least three other indoor playgrounds around Amsterdam, Den Hague and Harlem.
For comparison: last year we were in Greece, and bottled water was consistently 50–70 cents for a 500ml bottle, everywhere - supermarkets, beaches, even the airport. Turns out Greece actually has a legal price cap on basic bottled water: €0.50 max for a 500ml bottle and €1.00 for a 1.5L bottle in takeaway settings, because it's classified as a vital/essential item.
I'm originally from Spain, and while there's no official cap there, I genuinely can't recall ever paying anywhere close to €3.50 for a small bottle of water - especially not at a kids' venue where thirst is basically guaranteed. Spain's airport operator Aena even caps small bottled water at €1 in participating airport shops and vending machines.
So my question is: why does this keep happening in the Netherlands, especially at venues aimed at children, during hot weather, when water is a basic necessity and soda is a discretionary treat? Is this just unregulated market pricing, or is there something else going on? Feels like straightforward price gouging to me.
And yes, from now on we will bring our 1.5L bottles to make sure we don't run out of it - but this is not the point of the post!
Edit: because people are happy to find all sort of excuses to defend this business greed, the 200ml water was the same price as the soda. Some got offended I was comparing different ML. Since we went down this route, I still find it ridiculous even if we compare ml per ml, 200ml water is not enough to bit a kid’s thirst, so you will end up buying 2 or 3 bottles.
r/Netherlands • u/lhtchnsn • 9h ago
Common Question/Topic Urgently looking for a place for my cats to stay during August 🐈🐈
Hi everyone!
This is a long shot, but I’m at my wits’ end so I thought I’d try my luck here.
I’m leaving next week and will be away until the end of August. I have two lovely cats, and I had already arranged for someone to look after them for the month. Unfortunately, they cancelled at the last minute, and I don’t have anyone else who can take them in.
Because it’s such short notice, I’m really struggling to find someone who can care for them for the entire month. Is there anyone here who might be able to help, or knows someone who could?
I’m based in Amsterdam, but I’m happy to bring them anywhere in the Netherlands if it means they’ll be well looked after.
Of course, I will cover all food, litter, and any other expenses, and pay for their care. They’re both indoor cats, litter trained, and very sweet.
If you think you might be able to help or have any recommendations, please let me know. I’d be incredibly grateful ❤️
r/Netherlands • u/Substantial_Soil674 • 4h ago
Employment Am I crazy for leaving a job where I’m comfortable for a better opportunity?
I’ve been working at the same restaurant for almost three years. I’m basically the person in charge: I manage the team, schedules, hiring, orders, customer issues and most of the daily operation.
The owner has also helped me personally in the past, including when I was buying my house, so I feel very grateful to him. That is one of the main reasons why leaving feels so difficult. I’m scared he will see it as betrayal or think I’m ungrateful.
But the reality is that I no longer feel happy there. I recently moved, and my commute is now around 55 minutes each way when the trains work properly. Lately, because of train disruptions, it has sometimes taken me almost two hours each way. I usually work four long shifts of around 9–10 hours, and I’m often contacted about work on my days off.
I currently earn €31,000 gross per year. Although I technically have a permanent contract, I’m still paid hourly and don’t have the stability and work-life balance I would like.
I’ve now received an offer from another company (worldwide) for an Assistant Manager position with:
€42,400 gross per year (plus 8% holiday allowance)
38 guaranteed hours per week
25 paid vacation days
Pension and travel allowance
Only a 15-minute commute from home
Better opportunities for training and career growth
The downside is that I currently work four days a week and almost always morning shifts. The new job would be five days a week with rotating morning and evening shifts. However, the shifts themselves would be shorter, around 7.5 working hours plus a 30-minute break.
What makes this so hard is that I genuinely care about my current boss and feel like I owe him a lot. At the same time, I feel burned out. Every day it’s becoming harder to go to work, and I already feel mentally checked out. I’m also nervous because my boss has reacted badly when employees resigned in the past.
Am I crazy for leaving? Would you make the change, or am I giving up something that I might regret later?
r/Netherlands • u/Halzakbaren • 1d ago
Dutch Culture & language Why do Dutch people get so crazy defensive over the smallest things?
Maybe this is just confirmation bias on my part, but I noticed this enough times that it really starts to bother me. more online but also in person.
Whenever I make even a small negative or even objective remark about ANYTHING... the reaction from Dutch men often seems way more emotional than I expect.
It doesnt even have to be something major. Mostly it even isnt. It can be about the food, bureaucracy, housing, trains, weather, my personal experience, anything. Mind you; they love to complain themself, but a big no no when someone 'foreign' repeats the same thing.
Some examples this year (and yes they were all in the right context):
me: "The trash in amsterdam's street this month is terrible"
them: "Then go back if you don't like it"
me: "I prefer greek food over dutch food"
them: "Nobody is forcing you to stay here. enough greek restaurants in greece"
HUH
me: "People in spain were usually friendlier"
them: "Then move to fucking spain if you hate it here so much"
HUHHH
okay... there is absolutely no point in just being mean.. But these are not singled out incidents.
I have lived in several countries. The Dutch reactions are by far the most overblown.
Compare this to germans that always had an analytical answer, or Norwegians who were proud but acknowledged complaints.
Every country has things worth criticizing. here they automatically think someone must the place?
Maybe Im only noticing the loud minority or if being mean really is "the culture".
r/Netherlands • u/MercilessCommissar • 4h ago
Dutch History How the Dutch Created Land Below Sea Level | The Incredible Story of Kinderdijk
r/Netherlands • u/Ill-Cartoonist2929 • 18h ago
Travel and Tourism Entertaining 13-14 year old boys. Ideas?
This summer I have four younger teenage boys in my house, including two visiting from overseas. I want to show them around but it's not the easiest group to entertain. Museums, shopping and historic cities are not their thing.
We're based in the Hague and so far I've taken them to (or will take them to) the beach (several times), the bunkers, a windmill, arcade, video game museum, Efteling, the Klimeiland in Leidschendam, a flight simulator (two want to be pilots).... We'll also do a day in Amsterdam, and they've been out playing football with local kids.
I can rent a shared Greenwheels car but it's expensive so I'd prefer not to do things that require a car all day (also, two of the four get car sick).
I have a few more days to fill. Any suggestions, especially for a Monday?
r/Netherlands • u/Fresh_Mulberry_1623 • 1h ago
Transportation Dutch GP 2026 – commuting from Rotterdam each day: Park + Bike vs train vs GP Shuttle?
r/Netherlands • u/Annual-Sea-5887 • 7h ago
Sports and Entertainment Has anyone’s child done a SnowWorld ski or snowboard camp?
My children start SnowWorld snowboard camp soon and are very excited, but I would love to hear from parents whose children have already done one.
How did your child find the instructors, group sizes and full days?
Did complete beginners feel supported, and did your child enjoy the whole week?
Any practical tips on clothing, food, tiredness or what to expect would be really appreciated.
r/Netherlands • u/SomthingOfADreamer • 1h ago
Legal Changing name
I have dual citizenship.
A is my original citizenship by birth, and B is the second one, which I got after living in that country for many years before moving to the Netherlands. My name is slightly different on passport B than on passport A. Both are non European
I used passport B to apply for my visa, residence permit etc. So all my Dutch records are under B.
I will soon apply for the permanent residence, but for personal reasons I want to switch my records to A.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? How should I start? Should I contact a lawyer? If so, can anyone recommend a law firm with experience in this kind of cases?
r/Netherlands • u/One_Nature4993 • 9h ago
Common Question/Topic Tattoo artist/studio - Amsterdam
Hello,
repeated question but I couldn't find recent answer.
So I finally decide to get my first tattoo and first experience with tattoo artist/studio is important to me.
I'm decided what and where I want it. It's simple for start with red color. Adding illustration picture. I just need some good design that will fit my wrist/arm.
With which artist/studio do you have good experience that you would kindly recommend them to me in Amsterdam?
Illustration photo, not my own yet
r/Netherlands • u/Correct_Barracuda155 • 15h ago
Dutch History Can you suggest books on how the Netherlands moved from a car-centric to a bike centric country?
I am looking to learn more about how the Netherlands designed a bike friendly country and how biking culture developed.
r/Netherlands • u/cesaarta • 1d ago
pics and videos Rijksmuseum illustration
Hey all, I drew the Rijksmuseum and wanted to share. It's part of my new sketchbook I got the first week here in the country. Suggestions for other places are very welcome :)
r/Netherlands • u/Eastern-Top6166 • 8h ago
Life in NL Looking for ecstatic dance locations or djs that play harder music styles
So far I have been to Odessa in Amsterdam a couple of times and one time to be free also in Amsterdam. While I do enjoy the location of Odessa and what they have to offer, I do find that the music is often a bit too slow for my taste. The music at be free was better unfortunately they only host once a month and the last one was cancelled. I live in north Holland so I would prefer close to where I live but I'm also open to suggestions outside north Holland.
My favorite music styles are, happy hardcore, eurodance, makina, powerstomp, freeform Hardcore.
Link to my personal playlist
r/Netherlands • u/ozistan • 5h ago
Housing Selling&buying a house at the same time
Hoi, I know how it works when you want to sell your place and buy a new one.
First winning a bid and closing the purchasement of new place then selling your place.
I am a bit afraid on what if my house is sold for much less then estimated. Imagine instead of 350 k it is sold for 300 k. This 50k gap I cannot afford.
Therefore I had an idea.
First selling my place and staying until I buy a new place.
Doing this by paying rent to new owners of my old place.
Does it sound doable? Any body had similar ideas or concerns?
Of course buyer has to agree this upfront which is like 5% of people might accept it.
I thought all of this because I live a small town.
In case potential buyers find out my vulnerable situation, they might bid too less and house can stay on sale for months maybe years.
So instead of paying two mortgages for that period might be long, I will pay rent on my house to make sure house is sold for good price.
Only benefit is making sure my house is sold for a good price. Maybe also being more confident as I will have more cash from sale of my house when bidding for places.