Good to know: practical tips for living in the Netherlands

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If something goes wrong

The numbers and first steps that matter when things go wrong. Keep them within reach.

112
Emergencies: police, fire brigade or ambulance, when a life is in danger or a crime is happening now.
0900-8844
The police when it isn’t urgent: a theft after the fact, lost property or a question.
113
Suicide prevention: free, day and night. 0800-0113 works too.
0800-8020
Het Juridisch Loket: free legal advice on a lower income, on weekdays.

Ill or hurt, but it isn’t a 112 emergency? Call your huisarts (GP) in the daytime, or the huisartsenpost at night and at weekends. Don’t go straight to hospital.

Lost documents, scams and getting help

Lost or stolen passport or documents

Report it to the police
Make an appointment on 0900-8844. You need their report for a new document, and often for your insurance.
Contact your embassy or consulate
They issue emergency travel documents and new passports.
Block your bank cards
In your banking app, or through your bank’s 24-hour line.
Lost your residence permit?
Report it to the police too. The permit stops being valid, so apply to the IND for a new one; there is a fee.

Spotting a scam before you pay

The Belastingdienst, your gemeente and the police never ask you to pay with gift cards or crypto, or through a link in a text or WhatsApp message.
Never pay a deposit or “reservation fee” for a home before you’ve seen it in person and signed a real contract. If the price looks too good, it is.
A call from “your bank”? Hang up and call the number on your card. A bank never asks for your PIN, or asks you to move money to a “safe account”.
Buying second-hand on Marktplaats? Pay in person where you can, and don’t trust payment links from the other side.

When to get help

A letter you don’t understand, with a deadline? Don’t ignore it: get it explained and reply in time. On a lower income, Het Juridisch Loket helps for free.
A dispute with your landlord about the rent, service costs or repairs? The Huurcommissie can often rule on it.
Feeling overwhelmed? Start with your huisarts, who can refer you on.

One more number

0800-7000
Meld Misdaad Anoniem: report a crime without giving your name.

Read more on our blog

Your first weeks, in order

Moving here for more than four months? This is the usual order, because each step opens the next.

Register at the gemeente and get your BSN
Book an appointment at your city hall (gemeente) and register in person within five days of arriving. Bring your passport and rental contract, and ask what else they need: often a birth certificate, sometimes legalised and translated. You get your BSN, the number you need for almost everything.
Apply for DigiD
Your login for the government, taxes and healthcare. Apply at digid.nl once you’re registered. The activation code comes by post within five working days; use it within 21 days.
Open a Dutch bank account
You need one for your rent, your salary and paying online. The big banks are ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank; app banks such as bunq are quick to set up.
Take out health insurance
Basic health insurance is compulsory. Take it out within four months of arriving or starting work: it then covers you from that day, and you pay the premium from that day too. Wait longer and you can be fined.
Register with a huisarts
Sign up with a GP near your home early. Some have waiting lists, and you need one for most care.
Check your allowances
On a lower income you may get zorgtoeslag towards your health insurance and huurtoeslag towards your rent. You apply online with DigiD.
Sort out getting around
Tap in and out with your bank card, install the NS app for trains, and get a second-hand bike with a strong lock.
Taxes and the 30% ruling
The yearly income tax return is due by 1 May, or the date in your letter; the year you arrive has its own return, the M-form. Recruited from abroad for your skills? Ask your employer about the 30% ruling. From 2027 it gives at most 27%.

Snags to avoid

Registering needs an address, and some banks want a BSN: find a home you can register at first.
Make sure you may register (inschrijven) at the place you rent. A room “without registration” causes problems later.
Health insurance is backdated: wait three months and you still pay for those three months.
Keep digital copies of your passport, the letter with your BSN, your rental contract and your insurance policy. You’ll be asked for them often.

Read more on our blog

Everyday life

Everyday apps

The handful of apps that quietly run daily life here.

Paying

Government

Getting around

Daily life

Read more on our blog

Getting around

Trains, trams and above all bikes.

Tap your contactless bank card or phone on the reader when you get on and again when you get off. This is OVpay, and it works on trains, trams, buses and metros.
Always check out. Forget, and you pay a high fare.
NS runs almost all trains. The Intercity is fast; the Sprinter stops everywhere. The NS app shows live times and platform changes.
Cycling is the default. A solid second-hand bike and a strong lock are worth it: bike theft is common.
Never walk or stand in the red bike lanes.

Rides and bikes

Tickets, bikes and taxis

Tickets

Rather not use your bank card? Get an OV-pas, the travel card that is replacing the OV-chipkaart.
Travel often? NS and the regional companies sell discount subscriptions (abonnementen).
Your bike can come on the train with a Fietskaart Dal, but not on weekdays from 06:30 to 09:00 or from 16:00 to 18:30. A folded folding bike travels free.

Bikes

Swapfiets rents you a bike for a monthly fee, repairs included.
OV-fiets: NS bikes you rent at stations for the last stretch of a journey.
Use your lights when it’s dark (you can be fined without them) and point with your arm before you turn.

In the city

Trams, buses and metros are run by regional companies, such as GVB in Amsterdam, RET in Rotterdam and HTM in The Hague. Your bank card works on all of them.
Plan journeys with 9292 or a maps app. Some cities run night buses at weekends.

Taxis

Uber and Bolt work in the big cities; taxis from the rank are expensive.
Between Schiphol and the city, the train is usually faster and much cheaper than a taxi.

Read more on our blog

Food and groceries

Where to shop, how delivery works, and the small rituals, from statiegeld to tap water.

The main supermarkets are Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, Aldi, Dirk and Plus.
A free loyalty card or app, such as the AH Bonus card, gets you the member prices. Without one you often pay more.
Most plastic bottles and cans carry a deposit (statiegeld). Return them to the machine in the supermarket.
Bring your own bag: bags cost money.
Many shops take cards only. The sign says “Alleen pinnen”.

Delivered to your door

Opening hours, markets and eating out

Opening hours

Supermarkets are usually open from about 08:00 to 22:00, in cities often on Sundays too. Small towns keep shorter hours.
Many other shops open late on Monday, and stay open late one evening a week (koopavond).
Need medicine at night? The duty pharmacy (dienstapotheek) is open.

Markets and speciality shops

Outdoor markets, such as the Albert Cuyp in Amsterdam, are good for fresh vegetables, cheese and fish.
A toko sells Asian and Surinamese food; Turkish and Moroccan shops have good fresh vegetables and halal meat.

Diets

Vegetarian and vegan food is easy to find, and supermarkets have big plant-based ranges.
For halal meat, look for Turkish and Moroccan butchers (slagerij).
Gluten-free is “glutenvrij” and lactose-free is “lactosevrij” on the label.

Eating out

A tip isn’t expected. Round up, or leave 5 to 10% if you really enjoyed it.
Tap water (kraanwater) is safe and good; you can ask for it.
Worth trying: bitterballen, raw herring, stroopwafels, poffertjes, and Indonesian and Surinamese food.

Read more on our blog

Supermarkets and groceries: where to shop and save

Daily life

The small routines that make a place feel like home.

Separate your waste: paper, glass, plastic packaging and the rest. Large items go to the milieustraat, your town’s recycling centre.
Sundays are quiet, and many smaller shops close.
Life runs on appointments (afspraken): the gemeente, the doctor, even a coffee with a friend.
The weather changes by the hour and the wind is strong. Check Buienradar before you cycle; a good rain jacket beats an umbrella.

Read more on our blog

The big topics

Healthcare

How the Dutch system works, and how to get seen when you need to.

Basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is compulsory and you buy it from a private insurer. In 2026 it costs €157 a month on average; for 2027 the government expects about €169.
Each year you pay the first €385 of most care yourself, €400 from 2027. This is the eigen risico.
Your huisarts (GP), the huisartsenpost and care around pregnancy and birth don’t count towards the eigen risico.
Your huisarts is the way in: you usually need their referral to see a specialist.

Getting seen, costs and switching

Getting seen

Register with a huisarts near you early. Some have waiting lists.
In the daytime, call your huisarts. At night and at weekends, call the huisartsenpost for anything urgent that isn’t a 112 emergency.
The pharmacy (apotheek) gives you your prescriptions. At night, go to the duty pharmacy (dienstapotheek).
Thuisarts.nl, written by Dutch GPs, explains common complaints in plain language.

Costs and switching

You can switch insurer once a year, for 1 January. Sign up with the new one by 31 December and it cancels the old policy for you.
On a lower income, zorgtoeslag helps pay the premium.
For adults, the dentist and the physiotherapist mostly need extra insurance (aanvullende verzekering).

Find and compare

Read more on our blog

Housing

For many, the hardest part of moving here: how renting works, and how to stay safe.

Renting is very competitive in the big cities. Start early, have your documents ready and reply fast.
Never pay a deposit or “reservation fee” before you’ve seen the place in person and signed a real contract.
Make sure you may register (inschrijven) at the address.
The deposit (borg) is at most two months’ basic rent. You get it back within 14 days of leaving, or within 30 if the landlord deducts costs.

What you’ll be asked, costs and where to look

What to expect

A home is let “kaal” (bare, often without floors or curtains), “gestoffeerd” (with floors and curtains) or “gemeubileerd” (furnished).
Landlords ask for ID and proof of income, often three to four times the rent, and sometimes a letter from your employer.
Social housing has long waiting lists. Where your region uses WoningNet, register early: the years you wait count.

Costs and help

On a lower rent and income, huurtoeslag helps pay the rent.
An agency that works for the landlord may not charge you, and key money (sleutelgeld) is not allowed.
Budget for moving in: the deposit, the first month’s rent, and setting up energy and internet.
Rent too high, or repairs not done? In a social or mid-rent home, the Huurcommissie can rule on it.

Where to look

Read more on our blog

Money and taxes

Paying, getting paid, taxes, and the allowances you may be owed.

You pay by card almost everywhere (pinnen), and online with iDEAL, which is turning into Wero.
Tikkie is how friends ask each other for money back.
The yearly income tax return (aangifte) is due by 1 May.
Employees get holiday pay (vakantiegeld) of at least 8% of their salary, usually in May or June.

Taxes, allowances and banks

Taxes

Your employer takes income tax off every payslip (loonstrook). After the year, you get a statement (jaaropgaaf) for your tax return.
The 30% ruling lets skilled workers recruited from abroad receive part of their salary tax-free. Your employer applies for it with you. From 1 January 2027 it gives at most 27%, unless your ruling started before 2024.

Allowances (toeslagen)

Zorgtoeslag for health insurance, huurtoeslag for rent, kinderopvangtoeslag for childcare and kindgebonden budget for children. You apply online with DigiD.
They are advances on your expected income and are settled later. Report changes quickly, or you may have to pay money back.

Banks and comparing

Read more on our blog

Work and your rights

Contracts, payslips and protections: what to expect as an employee.

There is a minimum wage, and strong protection for employees.
Full-time, you get at least 20 paid days off a year, plus holiday pay of at least 8%.
Off sick, your employer keeps paying at least 70% of your salary, for up to two years.
Many internationals work in English, especially in tech and at large companies.

Contracts, payslips and losing your job

Contracts and payslips

A temporary contract (tijdelijk) and a permanent one (vast) give you very different security. Check which you have.
Your payslip shows gross (bruto) and net (netto) pay, tax, pension and, if you have it, the 30% ruling.

If you lose your job

UWV pays unemployment benefit (WW) if you worked at least 26 of the last 36 weeks. You apply with DigiD.
Here on a residence permit for work? Check with the IND what losing your job means for your permit.

Finding work

Read more on our blog

Your Dutch payslip, explained

Fitting in

Useful phrases

Most Dutch people speak very good English, but a few words go a long way.

HalloHello
Dank je welThank you
AlstublieftPlease, or here you are
Spreekt u Engels?Do you speak English?
Ik begrijp het nietI don’t understand
Hoeveel kost het?How much is it?
Kan ik pinnen?Can I pay by card?
Mag ik de rekening?Can I have the bill?

More phrases: out and about, the doctor, admin

Greetings

GoedemorgenGood morning
GoedemiddagGood afternoon
GoedenavondGood evening
DoeiBye
Tot ziensGoodbye
Graag gedaanYou’re welcome
SorrySorry, or excuse me
Kunt u dat herhalen?Could you say that again?

Out and about

Waar is het station?Where is the station?
Links, rechts, rechtdoorLeft, right, straight on
Is het ver?Is it far?
Waar is het toilet?Where is the toilet?
Ik ben verdwaaldI’m lost

Shops and cafés

Alleen pinnenCards only (a sign you’ll see)
Een koffie, alstublieftA coffee, please
Voor hier of om mee te nemen?For here or to take away?
Ik kijk alleen evenI’m just looking
Mag ik een tasje?Can I have a bag?

At the doctor

Ik voel me niet goedI don’t feel well
Ik heb hier pijnIt hurts here
Ik wil graag een afspraak makenI’d like to make an appointment
Het is dringendIt’s urgent
Ik ben allergisch voor …I’m allergic to …

Admin and housing

Ik wil me inschrijvenI’d like to register
Ik heb een afspraakI have an appointment
Kan ik me op dit adres inschrijven?Can I register at this address?
Ik zoek een kamerI’m looking for a room
Wanneer is de deadline?When is the deadline?

Small talk

Hoe gaat het?How are you?
Goed, en met jou?Fine, and you?
Leuk je te ontmoetenNice to meet you
Eet smakelijk!Enjoy your meal!
Proost!Cheers!
Fijne dag!Have a nice day!
Gefeliciteerd!Congratulations! At a birthday, you say it to the family too.

Read more on our blog

Do you need to learn Dutch? (And how to start)

Key Dutch words

The admin and everyday words you’ll meet again and again.

Gemeente: Your municipality and its city hall: registration, your BSN, local services.
BSN: Burgerservicenummer, your citizen service number. You need it for almost everything.
DigiD: Your login for the government, taxes and healthcare.
Huisarts: Your GP: the first stop for almost all care.
Eigen risico: The part of your care costs you pay yourself each year, before insurance pays.
Toeslagen: Allowances based on your income, such as zorgtoeslag and huurtoeslag.
Inschrijven: To register: at the gemeente, or at an address.
Pinnen: To pay by card.

More words

Admin

Belastingdienst: The tax authority. Dienst Toeslagen, part of it, pays the allowances.
Aangifte: A tax return, or a report to the police.
IND: The immigration service: residence permits for people from outside the EU.
DUO: Student finance, and the exams for civic integration.
Inburgering: Civic integration: the course and exams some newcomers must pass.
Berichtenbox: Your inbox for letters from the government, in MijnOverheid.

Health and housing

Zorgverzekering: Health insurance. The basic cover is compulsory.
Huisartsenpost: The GP service for urgent care at night and at weekends.
Huurtoeslag: An allowance towards your rent.
Borg: The deposit for a rented home.
Huurcontract: Your rental contract.

Money and daily life

Tikkie: A payment request between friends, sent as a link.
Statiegeld: The deposit on bottles and cans, paid back when you return them.
Vakantiegeld: Holiday pay: at least 8% of your salary, usually paid in May or June.
Loonstrook: Your payslip.
Jaaropgaaf: The yearly statement of your pay and tax, for your tax return.
Koopavond: The evening in the week when shops stay open late.

Culture and etiquette

The unwritten rules: what feels normal here, and what quietly surprises newcomers.

Being direct is normal, not rude: people say what they mean.
Plan ahead. Even a coffee with a friend goes in the agenda.
Splitting the bill is normal. A Tikkie after dinner is friendly, not stingy.
Bikes come first. Stay out of the bike lane, and look both ways for bikes before you cross.

Directness, time, money and work

Directness

Feedback can sound blunt, but it isn’t personal. You can be direct back.
A clear yes or no is valued over a polite maybe.
A complaint works best as a calm, factual point.

Time

Be on time. Running ten minutes late? Send a message.
Dropping by unannounced is unusual; people make plans.

Money

Modesty about money and status goes down well; showing off less so.
Tips are small and optional.

Work and social life

Workplaces are fairly flat: you use first names, and you may disagree with your manager.
At a birthday, you congratulate the family as well as the person.
Coffee often comes with one biscuit. A second one is a long-running joke about Dutch thrift.

Read more on our blog

Dates worth knowing

The days the country marks, some joyful, some solemn.

King’s Day, 27 April: The whole country turns orange, with street parties and a free market where anyone may sell (vrijmarkt). When the 27th is a Sunday, it moves to the 26th.
Remembrance Day, 4 May: Two minutes of silence at 20:00 for the war dead.
Liberation Day, 5 May: Festivals across the country, celebrating the end of the Second World War.
Prinsjesdag, the third Tuesday of September: The King’s speech and the budget: the new rules and amounts for next year.
Sinterklaas, 5 December: The evening of presents (pakjesavond), bigger here than Christmas for many families.
New Year’s Eve, 31 December: Oliebollen and a lot of fireworks.

Public holidays and school holidays

Public holidays

New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday, King’s Day, Liberation Day, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday and Monday, and Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
No law gives you these days off: your contract or cao decides. Many give Liberation Day off only once every five years; the next is 2030.
Many shops, banks and offices close on public holidays: plan your admin around them.

Through the year

School holidays are spread by region (north, middle and south), so travel prices shift with them.
Carnival, in February or March, is big in the south: Limburg and Brabant.
Tulip season runs from about mid-March to mid-May.

Read more on our blog

King's Day and the dates worth knowing

Gifts to take home

Visiting family? The classics that travel well.

Stroopwafels
Aged Gouda
Delft Blue
Tulip bulbs
Drop (liquorice)
Hagelslag
Jenever

Markets and cheese shops (kaaswinkel) beat the airport on price and quality. Ask for cheese to be vacuum-packed.
Flying outside the EU with tulip bulbs? Buy certified packs made for export, and check your country’s rules.

Look it up

Rough monthly costs

Ballpark figures to budget with. What you pay depends a lot on your city and your situation.

A room in a shared house: €600 to €900
A studio or one-bedroom flat: €1,200 to €1,800 or more
Energy and water: €150 to €250
Internet and mobile: €40 to €70
Groceries for one: €250 to €350
Health insurance: About €157 per adult (2026)
Public transport: €60 to €120
Gym: €20 to €40

Amsterdam and Utrecht are the most expensive for rent; Groningen, Eindhoven and the south cost less.
Keep a buffer for bills that come once a year: the eigen risico of up to €385 (€400 in 2027), and the yearly energy settlement.
On a lower income, zorgtoeslag and huurtoeslag help with the two biggest costs.

Read more on our blog

Cost of living and smart money habits

It varies by city

Your gemeente, the rental market and the feel of a place differ across the country.

Amsterdam: The capital and the most international city; lively, and the most expensive to rent in.
Rotterdam: A modern port city with bold architecture, and more for your money.
The Hague: The seat of government and international organisations, by the sea at Scheveningen.
Utrecht: Central, full of students and very liveable; rents are close to Amsterdam’s.
Eindhoven: The technology and design hub, with plenty of jobs.
Groningen: A young university city in the north, lively and affordable.

What changes from place to place

Each gemeente has its own appointments and waiting times for registering. Book early.
Local taxes (gemeentelijke belastingen) and parking permits differ by city.
The trams and buses are run by different companies, but your bank card works on all of them.